Hamilton planning committee rejects retirement facility on former Brandon House property in Ancaster

IronPoint Capital Management Inc. will have to redesign its Ancaster gateway" project at the corner of Wilson and Rousseaux streets.

Hamilton's planning committee rejected in a 6-1 vote Feb. 15 planning and rezoning changes to allow either a seven-storey retirement facility or a six-storey mixed-use building at the corner of Rousseaux and Wilson in Ancaster.

IronPoint Capital Management Inc. had applied for the planning changes for a 211-bed retirement facility that would be operated by Amica Senior Lifestyles. But if the city opposed the retirement facility, the owner had also proposed a 161-unit mixed-use building that included retail stores on the first floor.

Aaron Waxman, partner and managing partner of IronPoint, had stated earlier that a mixed-used" development was probably an easier fit" on the property.

We want to do what is best for the community," he said.

Planning staff had recommended the application be denied.

But during the committee meeting, Brenda Khes of GSP Group Inc., proposed a third proposal that would reduce the height of the building to a maximum of six storeys, a redesigned structure that removes the original black colour for lighter" and softer" colours, including glass; greater animation" along the streetscape, a green roof, and a larger gap between the two heritage buildings that would be preserved. Khes suggested the owner and staff conduct further discussions on the proposal, especially after the proponents had no time" to respond to staff's criticism of the plan.

I was in shock," she said.

But Steve Robichaud, director of planning, said the proponents shouldn't have been surprised at staff's recommendation. He said the owners were told initially the application was too large, too dense, and too high for the property, where the Brandon House had been located until it was demolished in March 2020.

It's the size and bulk of the building," he said.

If the proposal had been four storeys, Robichaud said staff could then engage in discussion with the proponents and work with them."

Staff stated during a formal consultation with the owners in September 2020 the six-storey building was out of character and not consistent" under the Wilson Street Secondary Plan. The report stated the application will likely not be supported by staff."

Councillors were also frustrated when Khes introduced another proposal for the land.

This is not fair to the community to spring on us such a radical change at the planning committee," said Ancaster Coun. Lloyd Ferguson.

Ferguson was adamantly opposed to the initial rezoning application and to the additional proposal.

I told them at the start, it was wrong," said Ferguson. The massing is too big for that street. It is three times the height (of the Wilson Street Secondary Plan)."

The committee voted 6-1 in support of staff's recommendation to deny the application. Council still has to vote on the committee's recommendation at its Feb. 23 meeting.

The application also drew over 100 letters in opposition, something that Ferguson had never seen before in his 16 years as a councillor.

Bob Maton, president of the Ancaster Village Heritage Committee, said the proposal will increase traffic along Wilson and Rousseaux streets, as well as within the Maywood neighbourhood.

There are so many things that are wrong," he said.

Jim McLeod, who lives beside the property and is vice-chair of the Ancaster Village Heritage Committee, said he supports a building next door, but it has to be a plan that fits the property.

I am speechless at the proposal," said McLeod.

Ferguson said even with the committee's denial of the application, he expects the owner will appeal the decision to the Ontario Land Tribunal if council opposes it.

Mountain Coun. John-Paul Danko said since the revision of the tribunal, developers have looked to the agency to support their applications at the expense of council decisions.

No question it will be referred to the Ontario Land Tribunal," said Danko. We are losing planning control."