Ancaster residents felt 'angry' after attending open house on Wilson, Rousseaux street development

A public meeting held by the owners of the former Brandon House property left residents feeling angry and upset, lamenting a lack of trust" with the developer.

Ancaster Coun. Lloyd Ferguson said he was disappointed" with the April 20 event held at the Ancaster Old Town Hall. He said the owners' planner only showed the proposal for the property that had been rejected by the planning committee in February. It was for a six-storey, 161 mixed-use building at the corner of Wilson and Rousseaux streets.

Residents were angry, and they should be angry," said Ferguson.

Until April 2020, the site included the 1870s Brandon House, which was demolished to the shock of heritage advocates.

Over 70 people were walking around the concept photos at the open house, talking to various planning and heritage officials about the development. Meeting participants were asked for their preferences on height, design, elevation and perspective. Many people were eager to participate in a sit-down presentation by the planner.

Ferguson said he also was expecting the owner, Ironpoint Capital Management, to present a revised proposal to residents, rather than the same plan that would have been opposed had the committee not approved a motion to defer it for further discussion.

I was so angry at what happened," said Ferguson, who fired off emails to staff and planning representatives of Ironpoint Capital, which owns the property. They didn't present what they said they would present. This is all about greedy developers who want too much."

The original proposal, which the owners have stated would be a gateway" into Ancaster, included the mixed-use, six-storey building and a seven-storey retirement home with 201 beds and four commercial units operated by Amica Senior Lifestyles.

The idea is still to retain the existing heritage buildings at 442 and 450 Wilson St. E. and incorporate them into the development. One of the buildings along Wilson Street will be demolished.

The plan includes a 38-foot setback at the Wilson and Rousseaux interchange, about 100 underground parking spaces and an entrance and exit along Rousseaux Street.

The Ancaster Wilson Street Secondary Plan was approved by the city to protect the community, said Ancaster resident Chris Cunningham. Yet, developers continue to exceed the secondary plan requirements when it comes to height and density, he said.

It is such a small property," said Cunningham, who is urging officials to reduce its size. This is the reason we have the secondary plan.

Brenda Khes, of GPS Planning Solutions, said the reason for the open house was the owner wanted to get the public's input on the original plan before introducing another proposal. She said a follow-up public meeting is scheduled for May so residents can view a revised planning option. Once feedback is gathered, the owner will present an updated proposal to the planning committee. It is not known when that will be.

Khes reiterated the owner will not appeal a council non-decision on the proposal to the Ontario Land Tribunal.

She did confirm the retirement proposal would no longer be pursued" because the design was unable to meet the internal design requirements from the operator."

Bob Maton, president of the Ancaster Village Heritage Committee, chided the owners for failing to gain the trust of residents" at the open house.

They have returned to six storeys, which is their original proposal," said Maton. To regain (residents') trust they need to present an application, which conforms to the Ancaster Wilson Street Secondary Plan."

He echoed Ferguson's complaint that residents were very unhappy" with the meeting's format. He said the public was unable to provide their views effectively on height, mass, and increased traffic on Rousseaux and Wilson streets, cutting through the Maywood neighbourhood.

He said residents would have preferred a sit-down presentation and a question-and-answer session where the developer could interact" with residents.

Transparency was absent and control seemed to be the main goal, and this fails to generate trust," he said.

STORY BEHIND THE STORY: We have been closely following plans for the property since the spring of 2020, when the Brandon House was demolished to the shock of heritage advocates and the community.