Rezoning request deniedOwner says he's not giving up on Dundas storage plan
Jackson Hayes, The Hamilton Spectator, (Feb 18, 2009)Doug Hammond's plans to build a self- storage facility in Dundas hit another speed bump yesterday as his rezoning application was denied by the economic development and planning committee.
And though he anticipates another rejection when city council votes on the committee recommendation next week, he says the fight could be far from over.
"This is going to fall on the taxpayer," Hammond said after the committee's unanimous vote. "The city is going to have to hire a planner ... but that's the process and you live with it."
Hammond, the former owner of the Canadian Tire in Dundas, was hoping for a change in zoning to allow him to build a self-storage warehouse on King Street East along the Desjardins Canal.
He said he has owned the two-hectare plot for many years and said he may appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board if city council supports the committee's decision.
"I'm disappointed obviously," he said. "I've been at it 20 years and for anyone who knows me, I'm persistent as hell."
The committee heard from about a dozen citizens, most of whom opposed the plan for aesthetic and environmental reasons.
Dundas resident Penelope Hill said more than 1,550 people had signed petitions in opposition to the plan and said it could have a large environmental impact and obscure the view of the escarpment.
"It is such an ugly thing to put at the entrance of a town," she said.
Conflicting ecological studies disagree on the path taken by nesting turtles that often lay eggs on the eroded banks of the Desjardins Canal, across the street from the lot's entrance.
Hammond and his attorney Brian Duxbury argued that a self-storage facility would fit in with other "industrial" uses in the area, including a nearby recycling centre and underground sewage storage tank.
Opponents said denying a zoning change could be seen as righting past environmental mistakes.
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THEY SAY: Information Report: April 3, 2017 SUBJECT/REPORT NO: Rare Turtle Recovery, Wildlife Corridor Issues and Roads of Issue at Cootes Paradise (PW16024a) - (City Wide) Traffic Issues on Cootes Drive Traffic Operations & Engineering has been working with the Ward 13 Councillor on traffic signage along Cootes Drive. Four (4) traffic signs (with flashing lights) operating during turtle migration season will be installed in the spring of 2017. The migration period for turtles is generally around the months of June, early July and September but can vary due to weather conditions. The traffic signs are useful in alerting motorists of potential turtle crossings on that roadway. RESTORE COOTES SAYS: Is it working? Is there any evidence that it is helping turtles or even slowing vehicles? We're betting it has little to no impact - the light is always flashing, if turtles are present or not, the road is built for speed and it makes it dangerous to slow down. We hope
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