Neighbourhood Issues



Cars Driving on Pier 4 Park?

On June 19 there were a dozen cars parked on the grass on Pier 4 Park.  When they left, several simply drove across the park.  When  local resident asked one of the drivers why they were driving across the park, the driver explained they had a permit for a picnic from the City and they needed to drive across the park to "get the equipment" to the place where they were gathering.

The resident doubts that anyone at the City gave them a permit which included permission to drive their vehicles to their gathering.    

In addition, an SUV was driving in front of the Fracassi building on the sidewalk late that same night! 

Last year, another resident witnessed a car driving around Bayfront Park!

If you notice any other late night "driving" at the park, please inform the City!

Jason.Farr@hamilton.ca



Condo Development at 366 Bay Street North

A "Notice to Rezone" sign is posted at 366 Bay Street North.  A petition has been circulated in that area of the neighbourhood about concerns about a 3 story 6 unit condominium is planned to be built at this site if it is rezoned.

Some concerns of the local neighbours include:
  • that it would be "out of character" with the surrounding neighbourhoood, 
  • height (see photo, previous entry), 
  • blocking view of water, 
  • loss of privacy, 
  • increased traffic and parking issues.
However, "rezoning" is separate from "urban design".  Before the plans can be approved, the zoning by-law must be changed.  This is frustrating for residents, as the "design" is linked to the usage or zoning! Essentially, the change in zoning is NOT linked to the plans.
                                                                                                         
In principal, increasing density in urban core neighbourhoods meets with provincial initiatives to increase populations in the City boundaries rather than constantly expanding our city borders and building new subdivisions. As there are several other places in the North End (and in the downtown) where "infill" housing can take place, it is important for this to be done properly if rezoning takes place. Your comments on this project are needed!

To further our understanding of the plans, the architect, John Mokrycke, and owner Clark Cerello spoke to the January 2009  NEN board meeting.   Below, are notes from the meeting in point form, many of the points are in answer to questions raised.
  • planned to be "higher end" conominiums - $250,000 and up - all are to be sold (rather than rented)
  • planned to "fit into neighbourhood" with style of building,  designed with a "historical" angle
  • environmentally friendly
  • existing house remains and will be rebricked.
  • the existing house is 2 1/2 stories so new building will be taller.  Plans show it to be 36 ft high.
  • "green" roof over parking spaces (8 - 9) in the back
  • bedrooms will be facing the backyard (in creased safety in back)
  • the plans do not touch the alley
Please send comments to Timothy Lee at the Planning Department of City Hall.  905 546 2424 ext. 1249 or email timothy.lee@hamilton.ca

Also Jason Farr needs to know at 546 2424.  

The City will prepare a recommendation to be sent to the Economic Development and Planning Committee of City Council.  There will be  public meeting organized as well.

If you choose to NOT comment and the rezoning is approved, you have no further recourse with the OMB (Ontario Municipal Board). 



Vandalism, Theft, and Noise
Recently the North End has had an incident of severe vandalism where tires were slashed and graffitt written on walls.  This was extrememly costly and upsetting.  NEN is working with neighbours and police on this issue.  If you know anything about this, please inform police, anonymously if you wish. You may also contact NEN at nen.president@gmail.com and we can contact the police.

In addition, several neighbours have reported thefts from their backyard and garages.

NEN encourages all residents to report all incidences to police.  In addition, speak to your neighbours.  For instance, when my shed was broken into, I found out later that others on the block were broken into also.

NEN has also received a complaint about the phone booth on James N. at Macauley (loud talking late at night).

We are interested in your opinions, comment, and ideas about any and all of these issues.

Contact: nen.president@gmail.com









Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

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.