The City of Hamilton, neighbourhood representative Jesse Razaqpur, and the owners of 130 Wellington Street South have reached a “confidential settlement” to end the ongoing Ontario Land Tribunal hearing regarding the legalization of a multiplex on the property.
The Ontario Land Tribunal issued a notice of the settlement Tuesday morning.
“The parties have had settlement discussions regarding this matter and reached a tentative settlement,” wrote lawyer Piera A. Segreto to the Tribunal on September 29, 2022.
The OLT asked the parties to state when a settlement hearing can occur.
Patrick Kraemer, an outside lawyer representing Hamilton City Council in opposing the rental legalization, responded the settlement must be approved and the earliest date the new City Council can consider the matter is November 29, 2022, “but it is possible that it may not be considered until January 17, 2023.”
The property owner applied to legalize six units in the three-storey Victorian home. The City’s planning staff recommended approval.
A group of neighbours mobilized in opposition to rental housing, stating there are already too many renters in the downtown Corktown neighbourhood.
Ward 2 Councillor Jason Farr agreed with their concerns, and Council voted down the application.
City Council hired an outside lawyer and experts to oppose the application.
Farr stated his expectation the Ontario Land Tribunal will overturn Council’s denial, and approve the application as it meets the requirements of both City of Hamilton policies and provincial planning policies.
The settlement details will remain confidential until the OLT conducts the settlement hearing.
A date has not been set for the hearing.
Update, January 10, 2023: The OLT settlement hearing is scheduled for Monday, February 27, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. by video conference.
Production Details Current Version: 1.0.1 First published: October 4, 2022 Last edited: January 10, 2023 Author: Joey Coleman Edit Record v. 1.0.0 original version v. 1.0.1 added date of settlement hearing (Jan 10, 2023)
I’m sorry what? There are too many rentals in the area – when the amount of rentals available to our population has never been more inadequate?! We have more and more homeless people every day, no new rentals being built, but this set neighbourhood (which is historically low income) has enough? So, where are the homeless supposed to find homes? JB on Ontario works brings in 680, you cant even find a bachelor under 1000 these days, unless its super unclean and comes with a suitcase of issues itself, so now JB has to get a room mate, which will put the unit over the firecode allowances…. Even if Mr. JB gets a job the most he could afford on min wage would be 1350 safely, and that would be every dollar he makes in a month – still cant afford a Bachelor and food and hydro. This city is batshit insane.