A Brief History in "Setting Sail"

The position of NEN on a possible West Harbour Stadium (see below), was arrived at through long, hard debate and careful discussion. 

But the story actually begins around September 2002 when the City issued a "notice of study commencement and Public Consultation" on the West Harbour called Setting Sail. This became a lengthy process.

In order to keep order during this study period, the City passed an interum control bylaw in March 2003, which effectively "froze" development in the Barton/Tiffany area.  This may be why the notion exists even today that no one wants to build there. 


However, at the time the owner of the former auto wrecking yard on the top of the bluff was proposing that the committee of adjustment amend the zoning to allow "four story multiple dwellings" as is still posted on a sign on the site today.


The City stopped this and everything else, and is still doing so.  However, new residential development went ahead on the perimeter of the area, with houses going in at Hess and Barton on Hess, and more houses at Crooks and Barton on Crooks.  All sold quickly, and their owners are paying taxes.

The planning process for the rest of the West Harbour, including North End and parts of Beasley and Central neighbourhoods, continued with public participation, and a Citizens' Advisory Group (CAG) and PIC's which ended in March of 2005 with a list of planning "principles" which are somewhat ironic in light of the stadium debate today! 
The document begins with "Ensure new development respects and enhances the character of the neighbourhoods" and ends with "Generally avoid expropriation of residential and commercial properties."

North End residents participated fully in this process as this plan encompassed the whole neighbourhood plus some.


So, where is a stadium in all this?  

In 1995, six sites in the area had been looked at for a stadium site (4 in the study area, and 2 just beyond).  The study concluded there were no suitable sites.  But Hamilton hoped to host the Commonwealth Games and in July 2003, the Commonwealth Game Federation executive came in town to review the proposed venues.  They visited Bayfront Park to see the site of a proposed Commonwealth Stadium (but nothing had actually changed on the ground since 1995 re:a suitable site.) 

Publicity shows a computerized rendering of a stadium on the Barton/Tiffany site with an oval track to the West between Queen and the stadium.  THIS bid package is the source of the endlessly reproduced image of a computer-assisted drawing of a stadium that we see today! There are actually 2 versions, a smaller 15,000 seat version and a larger 25 - 30,000 seat version.  The one we are being sold is the smaller one, although the larger one is the one that is needed, with the Tiger Cats as a legacy tenant.


This much reproduced rendering of an "imaginary version" of the proposed Commonwealth Stadium has been included in the Pan Am Bid book. (It is often credited in the Spectator as a "file photo", or "special to the Spectator".)

(In actuality, there is no architect and no design and no actual feasibility "study" to put a stadium on the site!)

By December of 2003, the PIC included a stadium option as well as 2 housing options, even though we had lost the bid to the Commonwealth Games.  However, by March 2004, housing became the preferred option.

In March 2005, Setting Sail was approved by the City.

In June 2009, Hamilton approved the new Urban Official Plan and Setting Sail is incorporated as a Secondary Plan.









North End Traffic Video

Loading...

Traffic

We as an association have been heavily involved with the process of developing a workable plan which will work for all North Enders in regards to traffic. We call for a Child and Family Friendly Neighbourhood and reduced speeds.

We, like you, are concerned about all the traffic that flows into our neighbourhood when events are going on. We are especially concerned about future development and how that will affect the flows and speed of traffic and parking.

For more information on this contact Sheri Selway at nen.president@gmail.com

Picton Library



To all North Enders; here is the recommendation (Below Letter) from the Chief Librarian in regards to what is there desired direction for Library Service for the North End of Hamilton. As President of North End Neighbours and a resident it is sad to see that the Library Board has recommended that the partnership with North Hamilton Community Health Centre is not a working relationship that the Board can work with. I would like to point out a few things in the Boards argument against relocating the Picton Branch, they as a Board had for years expressed interest in this project now that they are showing short falls in other projects this project in the North End is no longer viable. The Board recommendation mentions increased costs as a concern, as I understand the costs were reduced, the Board as I understand was concerned about a 20 year lease, this as I understand was reduced. The Board was concerned that library patrons would have to walk through a waiting room of a health facility to access the Library Branch, not the case as I understand it would have had an entrance just off the main entrance of the new building. Another concern is that residents of the East End of Hamilton have limited Library service, Kenilworth and Red Hill to the best of my knowledge are not planned to be converted to a Bookmobile. In the Boards own words the partnership would have provided lower operating cost allowed for longer hours of operation and would have accessed a different clientele, how can the Board of Directors for the Library walk away from this, I don’t think they have thought this partnership through thoroughly and for that reason the Neighbourhood of the North End will suffer. My hope is that the elected officials when voting on the recommendation by the Board from the Library reverse this recommendation and either keep status quo (The Picton) or reconsider the NHCHC proposal.

Sincerely
John Mattinson
President
North End Neighbours



Date: June 11, 2008

To: Chair and Board Members

From: Ken Roberts, Chief Librarian

Subject: North Hamilton Community Health Centre Proposal

RECOMMENDATION:
That the Library Board no longer consider the option of sharing space with the North Hamilton Community Health Centre in its new facility, and

That the Hamilton Public Library Board continue to operate the current Picton Branch until such time as alternative service delivery can be arranged; and

That the Library Board commits to use any saved funding to improve service in the north and east ends of the city in order to provide improved services to those residents of the city most affected by poverty.

FINANCIAL/STAFFING/LEGAL IMPLICATIONS:
We do not have an agreement with the North Hamilton Community Health Centre. Previous Board motions had directed us to see if an agreement could be reached. Still, architectural fees directly connected with providing for space that the library might use, if an agreement could be reached, were incurred. The Library Board should pay any reasonable and fair architectural fees related to the preliminary design of this space.
BACKGROUND:
The North Hamilton Community Health Centre Board approached the Hamilton Public Library Board with a proposal for a 20 year lease of approximately 1000 square feet in return for a total estimated investment of $200,000, including all furnishings and related work. The Library Board authorized administration to see if an agreement could be reached and expressed support for the concept since it allowed for lower operating costs of a north end branch and, potentially, allowed for longer hours and access to a different clientele.
Several months later the cost estimates were revised to $300,000 for the 20 year period of time. The Library Board still expressed support for the concept.
We learned this last April that the costs have now escalated significantly. The North Hamilton Community Health Centre Board presented two potential solutions at a June 4th special Board meeting. The North Hamilton Community Health also invited the Library Board to submit a counter-proposal. A deadline date of June 20th was given.
Staff have not been directed to prepare a counter-proposal.
Library Board members have expressed a commitment to improve services in the north and eastern areas of the city and have expressed a desire to see limited funds make the biggest impact on literacy issues related to poverty. There are a number of neighbors in this area of the city that currently receive very limited library service.
Staff recommend that the available funds be used to purchase a second bookmobile, one that is accessible and is capable of improving library service.
In terms of performance, the current Picton Branch does about 22,000 circulations a year while a well-used bookmobile can generate almost 10 times as much use with a smaller operating cost. The difference in cost would allow for more outreach programming in order to bring people into libraries and to encourage use. We also hope to partner with community organizations for more wifi access and after-school homework assistance.
In comparison, moving to the NHCHC within the terms that are offered mean that we could only offer limited hours in a fixed location, with no outreach. It means that residents of other areas in the city where there is a need for library service continue to receive nothing within their neighborhoods.

Waterfront Development

North End has its west and north borders at the West Harbour.

West Harbourfront development should not come at the expense of those who call the North End home. We are a residential neighbourhood.

Traffic, both speed and amount, noise, parking are all issues that need to be addressed.

FYI - for more information on the Waterfront go to www.hamilton.ca/wag There's a lot going on here so take a careful look.

A Real Neighbourhood Bank

The Board from North End Neighbours had the pleasure of meeting with Bryan Egan Branch Manager at the Scotiabank. The meeting was a meet and greet and a true pleasure. You may or may not know that the Scotiabank is the only bank located in our neighbourhood, after meeting with Bryan he has indicated that they are truly a neighbourhood bank and plan to be in our neighbourhood for many many years. So as neighbours please consider this bank for your future banking needs.
Bryan Egan can be contacted through his email. Or stop in and see him.

bryan.egan@scotiabank.com

Night Out Event 2008

Loading...

North End Night Out Sept. 13th, 2007

North End Night Out Sept. 13th, 2007
A good time was had by all.

Bunge Bridge Over Burlington Street

Bunge Bridge Over Burlington Street
Principal Nancy D’Olimpio St Lawrence

Bunge Bridge over Burlington Street

Bunge Bridge over Burlington Street
Principal Mrs Millen Bennetto

July 12th 2007

July 12th 2007
10 Years After Plastimet

Environmental Concerns

North End Neighbours is committed to our environment. We believe that every individual, business and institution has a responsibility to share in that commitment. The following are some environmental issues that we are following... Waterfront Development, Local Industrial Development, Litter and Pollution issues.