The Ainslie-Wood Community Association executive is collecting signatures on a petition to oppose the construction of a 12-storey rental building at 1570 Main Street West, approximately 600 metres west of the proposed McMaster University light rail transit station.
The petition states the neighbourhood prefers to have a low-rise three storey structure built stating 12-storeys will negatively impact the mental health of the neighbourhood because of shadowing, that construction of a mid-rise building will “undeniably disrupt daily life and potentially cause stress-related health issues,” that construction dust will harm community health, that digging the foundation raises concerns for the neighbours, and they believe property values will decrease.
The United Church of Canada’s development partner, Kindred Works, proposes to build 176 rental units with a ground-level cafe. Binkley United Church will be demolished.
Hamilton’s Design Review Panel reviewed the proposal in December 2024, and gave it positive reviews.
The developer hopes to gain zoning approval this year and begin construction in 2026.
OLT Has Declared Zoning “Dated” and Province Mandates Density Near LRT
Hamilton’s 2005 Ainslie Wood Westdale Secondary Plan (AWWSP) contains an 11-metre height limit for the property.
The Ontario Land Tribunal has declared the 2005 plan “dated” and that it has a “detrimental effect on achieving good planning outcomes as envisioned by provincial policy.”
Ontario’s Provincial Planning Statement requires the City of Hamilton to permit high-density developments near major transit station areas, which are defined as ” an approximate 500 to 800 metre radius of a transit station, representing about a 10-minute walk.”
Production Details
v. 1.1.0
Published: April 5, 2025
Last updated: April 6, 2025
Author: Joey Coleman
Update Record
v. 1.0.0 original version
v. 1.1.0 Clarification of language. In paragraph two "petition states the association prefers" is changed to "neighbourhood" to more accurately capture the nature of it. (April 6)
Decades of neighborhood character arguments have created this weird development dichotomy. New buildings have to be dense, 12 stories, tiny apartments to offset the lack of medium density housing. All over suburban Hamilton (and other places in the GTA) we have single family zoning having to abut directly onto high density towers. I support this development and many like it but the reality is large areas of Ainslie Wood (and others) need to have their zoning updated to allow for (and potentially encourage) medium density housing to fit the needs of the school and the city.
I think it would be cool if a single hosuing development in this city wasn’t met with people in the neighbourhood saying “yeah we need it, but not here”…
Joey, thank you for writing the above article regarding 1570 Main St.W. I would like to correct some of the information you reported. The Ainslie Wood Community Association did not initiate the petition. It was started and written by an owner of a property abutting this development. The AWCA is supporting his petition and his letter and contact information was sent out to our membership on his behalf. Individuals who wish to be a part of his petition are to contact him directly.
Rose Lukosius
Chair
Ainslie Wood Community Association (AWCA)
Thank you for the comment. I reported the Association is collecting signatures. This accurately reflects the Association’s decision to circulate the petition and to encourage people to sign.
I’m clarified paragraph two.