[thomax]

Hamilton Community News: Hamilton approves upper Stoney Creek housing near Eramosa Karst

By Kevin Werner | March 30, 2016

Hamilton councillors have approved a residential development proposed to be constructed near the Eramosa Karst, which would force the relocation of a wetland to the northern portion of the environmentally sensitive area.

The development by Losani Homes, involves the construction of 871 residential units of varying housing styles from single detached homes to condos and a mid-rise apartment. The project is planned for 25 hectares of land north of the Eramosa Karst, stretching from the proposed Upper Red Hill Valley Parkway extension from Highland Road West to Rymal Road East, and bordering on Upper Mountain Albion Road.

Part of the residential development, called Central Park, involves the construction of a 1.95-hectare neighbourhood park that will include soccer fields and baseball diamonds, and a 2.34-hectare Eco Passage Corridor that will link the East Mountain Trial Loop with the Mount Albion Conservation area.

Darrell Smith, manager of development approval, called the relocation of the wetland “very complicated” since the city and developer will have to maintain the water flow to the wetland during construction.

“We are continuing some existing flows to the site,” said Smith. “All water balance must be maintained through the planning.”

The Eco Passage Corridor, which is proposed to be 60-metres wide, will “maintain the natural wildlife movements” through the development.

Residents in the area, and Glanbrook councillor Brenda Johnson, were concerned that any blasting and construction that takes place in the area could create new sinkholes, and expand existing sinkholes on current residential lands.

“What will it do to the fragility of the area?” said Johnson.

Margaret Reid, chair of the Friends of the Eramosa Karst, who also lives on Upper Mount Albion Road, expressed her group’s issues with the proposed development’s impact on the surrounding land.

City planners and Losani’s agent, James Webb, of Webb Consulting, said the developer has been planned in consultation with the Hamilton Conservation Authority since the beginning.

A karst study, along with studies involving the relocation of the wetlands, and preliminary design of the corridor have been done, and the HCA has approved those documents, said Webb.

“We are quite confident the HCA is satisfied,” said Webb.

There were no HCA officials at the March 22 planning committee meeting, a point a few councillors found disconcerting.
Alvin Chan, city planner, said city staff will “monitor and protect the Karst sinkholes.”

Even though the city is putting about 60 conditions on the development, which planning staff have acknowledged is a “complex” project, the conditions are needed “for clarity,” said Tony Sergi, senior director of growth development.

The proposed development will also mean impacts on area roads, said Chan.

City staff said Highland Road will have to be closed for possibly six to eight months. That means Upper Mount Albion Road, which was closed by the city in 2013, will be open at one end during the construction phase, said city staff.

Smith said Upper Mountain Albion Road will also be urbanized, including the installation of sidewalks and reconstructing the roadway.

Residents along Upper Mount Albion said there are about 500 students from the nearby Bishop Ryan High School walking from the school across Rymal Road and along the Mount Albion.

“We need to make Winterberry and Upper Mount Albion as safe as possible,” said Stoney Creek councillor Doug Conley.
Webb said Upper Mount Albion Road will remain a “long” cul-de-sac, even after it is urbanized.

Reid said residents “are very concerned” about closing Highland, and opening up Upper Mount Albion Road.

She said Upper Mount Albion will have to be closed “immediately” at Rymal Road during the construction.

“Timing is very important to us,” she said.

Conley said closing Highland will also boost the volume of traffic along Winterberry, and create a parking nightmare.

Conley said he was opposed to the idea of installing lights at the corner of one of the streets entering the new development and Upper Red Hill Valley Parkway. The parkway is currently being constructed, with an expected completion in August 2016.

Conley said he was afraid of pedestrians crossing a four-lane roadway, and the potential for collisions. He said already there have been collisions involving pedestrians along Winterberry and Mud Street, another four-lane roadway.

“I’m really upset with the light (at the proposed intersection),” said Conley. “There will be accidents there. We can’t have residents go over the expressway.”

The committee requested city staff examine alternatives to creating an intersection with lights at Upper Red Hill Valley Parkway.

Politicians are scheduled to approve the development at the March 30 council meeting.


Here's a rough outline of the site:

Google Maps


When it's built, there will be around 2000 more cars that depend on the Red Hill Valley Parkway. Great planning...