The latest chapter in what has become the saga of the former Philpott Memorial Church site will be decided by Hamilton’s Committee of Adjustment at an upcoming April 2 meeting
The Trustees of Philpott Church are seeking permission to use their existing, and now vacant, parking lot to sell parking. Located across the street from the Coliseum, the parking lot will generate revenue for the church, which is facing financial pressures resulting from the City of Hamilton’s ultimately withdrawn attempt to issue a heritage designation on the former church building.
Facing approximately $4 million in costs to repair their now-former location at 84 York Boulevard and 89 Park Street North, the congregation entered into an agreement to sell the property to Empire Communities.
With the purchase agreement in hand, they bought the Lincoln Alexander Centre at 160 King Street East, renovated, and have moved to the new location – remaining in downtown Hamilton.
The sale of the old church site was supposed to finance the move, and provide the congregation with financial stablility.
However, the City of Hamilton sought a heritage designation for the early-1900s church building. doing so despite the church congregation being unable to afford the approximately $4 million in repairs required and the building being unsuitable for alternative uses.
The designation battle lasted from 2023 to 2025. City Council ultimately accepted in July 2025 that the building would eventually require demolition.
During the dispute, the condominium market weakened. By the time Council accepted the need for demolition, uncertainty surrounded whether the deal between Philpott Church and developer Empire Communities would be completed.
Eight months later, the Trustees of Philpott Memorial Church are seeking approval to operate the former church surface parking lot as a commercial facility.
Hamilton’s zoning bylaw prohibits new commercial surface parking lots in the downtown core. The stated purpose is both to discourage demolitions and prevent land-squatting, as commercial parking operations are profitable enough to allow landowners to hold vacant properties indefinitely.
City of Hamilton staff are expected to recommend denial of the application. However, on behalf of the Trustees, Registered Professional Planner David Falletta writes:
“In our opinion, the proposed minor variance maintains the general intent and purpose of the Official Plan since the conversion of the surface parking lot does not create a new surface parking area but rather repurposes an existing surface parking lot into a commercial parking facility, while not resulting in an increase in the number of surface parking spaces on the site.”
“The surface parking area on the subject site is surplus and provides an opportunity to support surrounding uses, including the newly renovated TD Coliseum.”
The Committee of Adjustment is schedule to hear this application at 11:35 a.m. on April 2.
Committee of Adjustment meetings are open to the public and held at Hamilton City Hall. Anyone can delegate to the committee, either in-person or by video conference. Written submissions and delegation requests can be filed by email: cofa@hamilton.ca. Emails should reference the file number for this application, A-26:023 84 York Boulevard and 89 Park Street North, Hamilton (Ward 2)
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Published: March 17, 2026
Last updated: March 17, 2026
Author: Joey Coleman
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