Hamilton's urban boundary conflict reflects a choice on how to accommodate projected future growth

Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger recently stated during a special general issues committee that the city's review of its planning strategy that could include expanding its urban boundary is nothing more than a reasonable normal process" by staff.

But activists, environmental groups, and residents see a more insidious political aspect to the urban boundary discussion prompted by Progressive Conservative Premier Doug Ford and his government's accommodation to the developers who are eager to build on land that had been previously off limits.

WHAT IS THE PLACES TO GROW ACT?

First created in 2005, the document did the near impossible, uniting developers, municipalities and environmentalists to create sustainable complete communities. It directed growth to the Greater Golden Horseshoe region with density and employment targets for 2041. Farmland and green spaces were to be protected as urban centres where people would live, work and play. It also created what is now known as the Greenbelt as a permanently protected area of green space that surrounds the Golden Horseshoe area.

WHAT DID THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT DO?

In 2020, Ontario established changes to its Places to Grow document that imposed a July 2022 deadline for municipalities to submit their Official Plan amendments. Among the changes are reducing density targets; population allocations are now set as a minimum target, not as a maximum goal; new developments no longer need to be serviced by municipal water or wastewater and can now have septic systems (allowing for large mega" developments); municipalities must plan for growth to 2051 - from 2041; and municipalities are required to calculate how much land is needed based on market demands.

HOW DOES IT AFFECT HAMILTON?

City officials say between 2021 and 2051, Hamilton is projected to grow by 236,000 people, 110,300 new households and 122,00 jobs, and a future urban boundary expansion growth area may be required to accommodate that growth. Those areas include Elfrida, which was identified as the preferred location to accommodate a portion of the future growth to 2031. Environmentalists say the area is composed of prime agricultural land. Hamilton, they say, has from 1981 to 2006 lost about 16 per cent of prime agricultural land.

Hamilton is considering more than 1,300 hectares of so-called Whitebelt lands - property outside its current urban boundary that isn't protected as part of the Greenbelt - to be developed. There are about 46,134 hectares of Whitebelt lands between the Greenbelt and developed parts of the GTA. Hamilton has about 5,200 hectares of Whitebelt lands. It was set aside in 2006 as an urban reserve with the anticipation to accommodate future growth.

WHAT IS THE BOUNDARY EXPANSION FIGHT ABOUT?

The conflict essentially is how to properly build sustainable communities, either by expanding the urban boundary or developing brownfields or greyfields in existing areas of the city. It is also about maximizing transit investments, improving infrastructure, establishing equitable financing for water and wastewater, to promote business investment and improve mixed residential development that matches future population needs. Director of Planning Steve Robichaud stated that the comprehensive planning review is being examined through various lenses, including stormwater management, water resources, transit and fiscal costs. This is more than just an urban boundary exercise," he said.

WHAT IS THE URBAN BOUNDARY PUBLIC SURVEY?

In June, the city, after councillors approved seeking public input, developed a survey that was mailed out to over 230,000 residents. The options were to endorse an urban boundary expansion, leave the boundary unchanged and a third option to provide an alternative solution. The deadline to return the survey was July 23. City officials expected a five-per-cent return but were surprised at the 10-per-cent response rate. About 8,000 surveys were mailed back to the city, along with about 11,000 emails. Robichaud said staff will release the results of the survey by mid-September in advance of the late October council discussion on expanding the urban boundary recommendations from staff.