Learn the issues, know the area and meet the candidates
Atching up with growth: Too much traffic, too little transit, and the big concern for many in Ward 11 is whether the area is being developed faster than it can be effectively managed.
IF THERE’S ONE defining feature of Ward 11, it may be how quickly it’s changing.
The new ward, which stretches from Glancaster Road to Westbrook Road and Haldibrook Road to the hydro corridor south of Rymal Road, is one of several communities in Hamilton undergoing massive amounts of growth and development — changes residents aren’t willing to let through unchecked.
Several recent development proposals, including one for a 10-storey building on Binbrook Road, have met opposition from residents who say the plans don’t fit within their community (or don’t comply with the city’s three-storey limit on new development).
Another project drew ire after the developer, Sonoma Homes Inc., clearcut as many as 40 trees from properties along Homestead Drive and Upper James Street without a permit. That incident is under investigation by the city’s bylaw department and the police.
New housing developments have also led to some construction chaos across the ward, including the loss of well service for dozens of homes and business owners as a result of a massive sewer tunnelling project along Highway 56. Many residents’ wells dried up after a $51-million, fivekilometre tunnel was dug to help connect more of Binbrook, upper Stoney Creek and Mount Hope to the main city sewer system.
The wells were affected as workers pumped water out of 22-metre-deep work shafts along the tunnel route — forcing the city to ante up for new wells to be dug and expensive filtration services to be installed in some residents’ homes.
The situation has continued for two or three years, said Binbrook resident Doug Crawford.
“We do wonder how this will all end, and on that there is nothing from any city representative,” he said.
Along with increased development come the problems spurred on by intensity, specifically traffic management, as there’s little public transit available in the ward.
Here are some other issues to ask your candidates about as the Oct. 22 election approaches:
Crime: Glanbrook has seen an increase of crime this term, including several break-ins, car thefts, and incidents of arson.
Transit and area rating: Glanbrook is one of the communities in Hamilton whose residents are not taxed for transit under the city’s area rating taxation system. However, council will have to revisit the issue next term, reopening an issue that will likely lead to fisticuffs about Glanbrook taking on a share of the transit bill.
Incumbent Ward 11 Coun. Brenda Johnson is facing only one challenger: Stelco employee Waleed Shewayhat. In 2014, Johnson won her second term with 83 per cent of the vote.