Hamilton mayor urges Ontario to push through Jamesville housing development despite CN's appeal

Mayor Andrea Horwath is appealing to the Ontario government for help in getting nearly 500 homes built in Hamilton despite CN Rail blocking the project for years.

The city evicted residents from 91 of its affordable townhouses — a community known as Jamesville — nearly 10 years ago, with the expectation of quickly redeveloping the property on James Street North.

But CN Rail, which operates a yard and tracks that are close by, previously said it's concerned about the impacts of odour, vibration and noise on future residents.

The private railway company appealed the city's Jamesville plans to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) in 2022, but the proceedings have dragged on.

The partially demolished site has sat vacant ever since, and is fenced off and deteriorating. 

A hearing was supposed to take place last February, but that was cancelled, said the city in a news release the month before. At that time, both sides had requested a case management conference or settlement hearing for May or June.

Province accepting comments

But as of last week, no agreement had materialized, and Horwath announced she's asked the province to issue a Ministerial Zoning Order (MZO) to break the "logjam." An MZO would override any municipal land conflicts and allow the housing work to go ahead. 

"Right now, we have a real chance to get it across the finish line," Horwath said in a video posted to Facebook. "But we need your help."

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is accepting feedback until Aug. 12 about the Jamesville redevelopment before it makes its decision. The mayor urged residents to share their thoughts on redeveloping the site. 

"You know what it would mean to see families, seniors and young couples thriving here again — not a boarded-up shell of what once was," the mayor said. "So let's get it done Hamilton."

The project would include 315 private market units and 160 affordable units in both stacked townhouses and apartment or condo towers. The stacked townhouses would be built first, notes the MZO posting. 

The site would be developed by FRAM + Klokker, Melrose Investments Inc., Marz Homes and DeSantis Homes, with CityHousing Hamilton and Indwell providing the affordable units — some with wraparound supports. 

CN Rail did not respond to a request for comment before publication. The story will be updated with any response.

In April 2024, a spokesperson told CBC Hamilton that while it is a part of the Hamilton community and wants to enable these kinds of projects, it has a duty to protect future residents living near its infrastructure.