RESTORE COOTES

Another contested site in Dundas, near the Desjardin's Canal, was marked for its recreational potential back in 1968. It is an interesting area, with things still not settled as conflicting uses continue to vie for space there. Will it become an ecological park and eco-gateway to Dundas as more recently envisioned, building on this historical precedent? Or will other less ecologically sensitive uses be brought into the mix? You know where we stand... Dec. 18, 1968 Dundas Star News Recommendation had followed meeting of the Hamilton Region Conservation Authority and Royal Botanical Gardens board members to make Desjardins' Canal and the water in Cootes Paradise navigable for non-power boats, such as canoes. Also recommended was opening up nature trails, eliminating erosion problems by dredging, and general rehabilitation of the whole area. Included in the plan would be long range objectives such as deepening Spencer Creek, construction of a parking space, wilderness areas,...

While McMaster expanded onto former Royal Botanical Gardens' property in the late 1960s, much of the attention and opposition to the expansion was focused on the main campus property, and less concern was given to the flood plain in west campus as Coldspring Valley was filled-in and paved.  You can almost understand why the focus was on the main campus, given this was the location of  RBG's Sunken Gardens: As Margaret Houghton's book "Vanished Hamilton" tells it,  "In 1963, the Royal Botanical Gardens gave the university 130 acres for expansion but the university stressed that they were not eyeing the Sunken Garden property.  “I know of no future plans to remove the Sunken Garden. The university intends to maintain the natural beauty of all the land,” stated a university spokesman.  A short time later, McMaster announced plans for a health sciences centre on the grounds of the university and the province agreed to grant them $65 mill...

Is anyone really surprised? Cost estimates for the proposed velodrome for Hamilton's Pan Am games have doubled in price, an extra $15 million . They will be spending up to $25 million dollars for this cycling track, and they are still talking about siting it in Dundas , despite the fact the bid originally stated in would be built along with the Pan Am Stadium (and that's another story!). Problem is, the site in Dundas is in an area that is close to Cootes Paradise, on a former landfill and in the middle of an area that many hope will be developed as a natural park that will enhance the ecological integrity of this environmentally significant area. As we are seeing in the wranglings over the Pan Am Stadium, the warning of urban philosopher Jane Jacobs against these kind of projects involving "cataclysmic money" stands today. We should not hastily make decisions that will have a lasting impact on the quality of our natural assets, especially if we are interested in r...

The Canadian Parks and Wildlife Service (CPAWS) has released their annual report and the findings, while not surprising, act as a reminder of the importance of limiting development where species at risk are concerned. The CPAWS report addresses large parks, but the findings are easily transferable to Hamilton's largest urban wildlife reserve in Cootes Paradise. Wildlife benefit from large uninterrupted natural areas,with roads and other developments being a negative influence, to the point of extirpation for vulnerable species. The report recommends: Creating new parks and expanding existing park boundaries; Maintaining and restoring wildlife movement corridors (so that wildlife have the large ranges they often need); Restricting roads and other damaging developments; Limiting recreational activities; and Practicing good park management focused on healthy ecosystems as a first priority.  We have seen the Royal Botanical Gardens move to limit some recreational activ...

A chance to catch the vision for east Dundas!: Dundas Eco-Gateway Plan Walk-About What’s a Walk-About? It’s a tour of the study area to show the public the potential changes to the area when the Dundas Eco-Gateway Plan is implemented. It’s also a great way to get some exercise and see one of Hamilton’s beautiful natural areas that has the potential to be so much more. The Hamilton Conservation Authority, the City of Hamilton and Royal Botanical Gardens have developed a draft plan for the “Dundas Eco-Gateway Plan”. The plan presents a future vision for natural area preservation and trail linkages along Cootes Drive in Dundas, from McMaster University to Main Street. It also includes a more detailed design plan for King Street East in Dundas, from East Street to Olympic Drive. The detailed design includes a rehabilitation plan for the former Veldhuis Greenhouse site. Join us if you can, and wear appropriate footwear. Date: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 (weather permitt...

The eastern end of Dundas could really use a vision , and this project has it in spades. The potential for the canal property to be the catalyst for beneficial and transformative changes to this area of town that has been the subject of so much recent controversy . The philosophy that guides the plan is absolutely what we need more of: restoration of natural habitats . The only bit of information I would add to the article is the danger the intersection of King and Olympic presents. I've seen some awfully close calls when cars make a left turn onto Olympic here. Closing King would not be a big deal, really . C'mon Hamilton, get over your cars first ideals. Plans for former greenhouse property move ahead Fundraising and approval for project are starting now Craig Campbell, Dundas Star News Staff,  Published on Jul 01, 2010 A phase three environmental assessment to determine if soil contamination is leaching into the Desjardins Canal will take place after Hamilt...

The East end of Dundas has had a beautiful and sustainable vision presented as a possible future, but people keep lobbing new and incompatible projects into the area. Will we really want more parking lots in the area of the historical Desjardin's Canal, and Cootes Paradise/West Pond and Royal Botanical Gardens land for this Velodrome ? "Who's going to argue with that"? I guess me, for one... Dundas velodrome has support 2 councillors like idea TheSpec.com - Local - Dundas velodrome has support 2 councillors like idea John Kernaghan , The Hamilton Spectator , (May 15, 2010) A proposal to move the Pan Am velodrome to Dundas has provisional backing by two city councillors. Terry Whitehead and Russ Powers say the idea of shifting the $11.4-million indoor cycling track could help resolve the dispute with the Ticats over the city's west harbour site. ...

C ATCH News – March 26, 2010 Making the official plan official This week’s denial of the St Joseph’s Villa twin condo proposal could mark a shift in council’s approach to frequent official plan amendments. Councillors’ comments on the recent Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) rejection of a Dundas self-storage facility underlined their concerns that the city has been too eager to change the plan to accommodate development proposals. Brad Clark referenced the OMB decision when he moved the motion to deny the condo plans. He said Hamilton’s official plan might be better named “the official guidelines” and said it was time the city actively defended its plans – a task he suggested had instead been taken up most effectively by Dundas residents who had “methodically” shown that the condo proposal was not consistent with the city’s written policies. In seconding the rejection motion, Brian McHattie endorsed Clark’s position, while Bob Bratina argued that residential intensification projects sh...

OMB nixes Dundas project TheSpec.com - Local - OMB nixes Dundas project The Hamilton Spectator DUNDAS (Mar 12, 2010) A businessman has lost his bid to build a self-storage warehouse on land the municipality wants to maintain as open space due to its proximity to Cootes Paradise. The Ontario Municipal Board ruled against J. Douglas Hammond of Ancaster in a 37-page ruling released yesterday. Hammond, the former owner of the Dundas Canadian Tire, appealed a 2009 decision by city council to reject his rezoning application for the two-hectare property on the northwest corner of King Street and Olympic Drive. The property, under the former town of Dundas, had been rezoned in 1998 as special...

Dundas fight moves to OMB TheSpec.com - Local - Dundas fight moves to OMB Developer appeals move to block warehouse near canal Eric McGuinness , The Hamilton Spectator , DUNDAS (Aug 25, 2009) Environmentalist Julia Kollek says the citizens' group Protect Our Dundas and several individuals will join Hamilton city council in fighting off an Ontario Municipal Board appeal aimed at winning approval for a self-storage warehouse almost beside the Desjardins Canal. First Dundas Leasing Ltd., owned by J. Douglas Hammond of Ancaster, is appealing council's rejection of a rezoning application. Hammond is the former owner of the nearby Canadian Tire store. Opponents say the two-hectare property on the northwest corner of King and...

Owner files OMB appeal Council rejects plan for storage facility near Olympic Craig Campbell, Dundas Stars News Staff Published on May 08, 2009 No mediation meetings or hearing dates have been scheduled in the Ontario Municipal Board appeal of city council’s decision to reject applications for a storage facillity development on King Street East. Karen Kotzen of the OMB confirmed the appeal from property owner Doug Hammond, through the City of Hamilton, on April 23. Councillors on the city’s planning committee and the full city council both unanimously rejected the application to construct four storage buildings on 201 King St. E. at Olympic Drive, within the Cootes Paradise environmentally significant area. Councillors rejected a planning staff recommendation to support the rezoning and official plan ammendment applications because of concerns about the report’s accuracy and completeness, and extensive public opposition. Submissions from some commenting agencies were not included or co...

Authority, city should swap land: Councillor TheSpec.com - BreakingNews - Authority, city should swap land: Councillor Eric McGuinness (Hamilton Spectator) Hamilton Mountain Councillor Tom Jackson suggests swapping city land for a vacant Dundas site that conservationists say is key to a potential urban eco-park that expands the Cootes Paradise nature sanctuary. He and five other directors of the Hamilton Conservation Authority voted unanimously Thursday night to oppose rezoning two hectares at King Street East and Olympic Drive for a self-storage warehouse. Their position now goes to city council’s economic development and planning committee, which will consider the rezoning application Feb. 17. The directors’ action supports a unanimous recommendation by c...

View the Eco-Park Document here Make Cootes national park, group urges TheSpec.com - Local - Make Cootes national park, group urges Create eco-park in urbanized area Eric McGuinness , The Hamilton Spectator (Jan 28, 2009) The idea of a Cootes Paradise National Park is being revived by local conservationists. But they say it is jeopardized by plans for a self-storage warehouse beside the Desjardins Canal at the east entrance to Dundas. They point to a new vision of an urban eco-park -- maybe a national park -- incorporating the Cootes marsh, drafted by Urban Strategies Inc., the firm responsible for McMaster University's campus master plan among other Hamilton projects. Joe Berridge, a partner who has helped reshape waterfronts in Toronto, New York and London, produced the concept document at the invitation of Ben Vanderbrug, retired general manager of the Hamilton Conservati...

HCA is offering mediation for storage dispute Gateway site would make ‘a lovely community acquisition,’ chair says Richard Leitner, Dundas Star News Staff Published on Jan 16, 2009 The Hamilton Conservation Authority is offering to host talks aimed at finding a friendly way to stop a controversial proposal to build a self-storage facility at the eastern entrance to Dundas. After more than two hours of presentations and discussion, board directors last week deferred voting on a resolution opposing the development to allow for a meeting between proponent Doug Hammond and a group of residents headed by former Dundas councillor Joanna Chapman. Authority chair Chris Firth-Eagland said he’s encouraged both Ms. Chapman and a lawyer representing Mr. Hammond committed to meet to review options for the vacant property, located at the northwest corner of King Street and Olympic Drive. He said the two-hectare site, purchased by Mr. Hammond from the former regional municipality in 1999, “would make...

Conservationists want warehouse alternatives TheSpec.com - Local - Conservationists want warehouse alternatives Eric McGuinness , The Hamilton Spectator , DUNDAS (Jan 9, 2009) The Hamilton Conservation Authority wants to try to broker a deal to find alternatives to a proposed warehouse at the Cootes Drive entrance to Dundas. A motion to oppose rezoning the two-hectare site at King Street East and Olympic Drive was tabled last night after lawyer Brian Duxbury, representing landowner Doug Hammond, agreed to meet Joanna Chapman and other citizens opposed to the project. Duxbury said he was asking the city's economic development and planning committee to defer action on the application until Feb. 17, after the authority's next board meeti...

Development opponents seek support Conservation board to discuss construction proposal Craig Campbell, Dundas Star News Staff Published on Jan 02, 2009 Opponents of a proposed storage facility within the Cootes Paradise ESA are appealing to city councillors to quash recommendations for amendments that would pave the way for development. The Hamilton Conservation Authority’s board of directors is scheduled to hear two public presentations and discuss a report on the proposal at a Jan. 8 meeting. A City of Hamilton planning staff recommendation to permit rezoning and official plan amendments to allow a commercial storage facility on property currently zoned “parkland” is expected to be considered by city councillors on the Economic Development and Planning Committee on Jan. 20. Over the past two weeks, emails have been circulated from concerned residents to Mayor Fred Eisenberger, and some city councillors, expressing opposition to the development and requesting support – apparently focu...

Advisory board opposes Dundas storage facility Richard Leitner, News Staff, Dundas Star News Published on Dec 19, 2008 A Hamilton Conservation Authority advisory committee is siding with residents who are fighting a proposed storage facility they say will make the western entrance to Dundas look like the home to a “maximum-security jail.” Members of the conservation areas advisory board voted 10-0 last week to recommend that the authority’s board of directors oppose an application to rezone parkland at the corner of King Street and Olympic Drive to make way for the development. The directors next meet on Feb. 5. “To me, this is the last straw that breaks the camel’s back, if this were to go ahead,” said advisory board member Dave Robinson, noting Cootes Drive already cuts through the area’s environmentally sensitive wetland, home to nationally protected Blanding’s turtles. “It’s not the first time this has happened or could happen.” Advisory board chair Jim Howlett said the development...

Pavement near marsh is bad thing: chair Craig Campbell, Dundas Star News Staff Published on Dec 12, 2008 Hamilton Conservation Authority staff cannot determine when fill was placed in Volunteer Marsh, next to the site of a proposed storage facility development at 201 King St. E. within the Cootes Paradise environmentally sensitive area. As a result, the authority cannot have the fill removed, and return the wetland to its originally functioning condition, said HCA watershed planner Nora Jamieson, who approved a rezoning and official plan ammendment for the corner property at King Street East and Olympic Drive to permit construction of a four-building storage facility. “We’re dealing with what’s there now. I don’t know who placed the fill there or when it was done. We deal with what’s there today,” Ms. Jamieson said. But Patricia Chow-Fraser, chair of biology at McMaster University, said degraded wetlands shouldn’t just be left alone or be covered with more fill. She supports the restor...