How will Hamilton’s Design Review Panel respond to a tall building proposal which does not meet key provisions of Hamilton’s Tall Building Guidelines while knowing the developer has a proven track record of successful condo builds?
Coletara Development is seeking to build a 27-storey mixed-use building at 101 Hunter Street East with 297 residential units and ground level commercial. Coletara’s plans state Starbucks will be one of the businesses.
Originally proposed as a 18-storey project in 2019, the developer has expanded their project. This reflects growing interest for condos near GO stations in the Greater Toronto-Hamilton Area.
A 27-storeys, the building will reach the maximum permitted height of the Downtown Secondary Plan.
The proposal does not meet tall building guideline expectations for step backs as the height increases, setbacks from neighbouring properties to ensure those properties can develop their own tall building while ensuring appropriate separation between towers, and the floor plates are larger than the ideals expressed in the tall building guidelines.
Floors 5 to 11 are planned to be 1,037 square metres, floors 12 to 25 at 865 square metres, and the top two floors at 761 square metres.
Hamilton’s tall building guidelines state residential floor plates should not exceed 750 square metres.
Coletara will be provided opportunity to provide their reasoning for the proposed massing.
The meeting is Thursday, April 8, 2021, starting at 3:30pm. Members of the public can request access to watch the meeting by emailing Victoria.Cox@hamilton.ca prior to noon on Wednesday.
