In a 9 to 4 vote, Hamilton City Council’s Public Works Committee approved extending municipal water service to a single home outside the urban boundary.
The four dissenting councillors expressed concern that doing so would undermine the city’s firm urban boundary.
For decades, the City of Hamilton and former Region of Hamilton-Wentworth have permitted rural properties to connect to urban water services at the owner’s expense.
In November, Ward 11 Councillor Mark Tadeson slightly differed from this past practice by only moving a notice of motion for a hook-up request at 7030 Twenty Road East, followed by a request for a staff report.
The staff assessment was on the agenda this past Monday.
Clr Maureen Wilson noted that the report confirms that “a hook into that system would not be consistent with the provincial policy statement. Secondly, this request is not in keeping with any of the conditions set out in our own rural official plan.”
Dissent re: Urban Boundary Implications
Clr Cameron Kroetsch made similar points and tied the issue to the urban boundary.
Citing past practice, he said denying this application might be “uncomfortable,” but “we have an urban boundary. That’s the boundary. Move the boundary or leave it alone.”
“This happened in the past, I am not going to support this, but I also don’t think it’s the end of the world if it happens. Just to be clear, my vote is my vote. I’m going to say no. But I appreciate where this is coming from.”
Extension is Practical, Say Other Councillors
Clr Jeff Beattie discussed the history of water extensions into then-rural Winona and said, “It was always seen to benefit a rural community to have access to drinking water.”
“This body is just going to have to make a decision based on some practical elements and based on what is of most benefit to the community.”
Clr Tadeson reinforced Beattie’s statements.
“It’s across the street from four homes that already have it,” Tadeson said. “It’s going to improve their water quality because it’s going to expand the pipe that’s going to those four houses as well.”
“I hope everyone here understands the difference between urban boundary expansions and bringing water across the road to a house that is seeking to get city water.”
Past Rural Connections in the Area
For decades, past city and regional councils have permitted rural property owners to connect to nearby urban water infrastructure at their own expense.
Approximately 130 rural west Glanbrook properties along Twenty Road East, Miles Road, and Dickenson Road East were connected to municipal water in the 1980s, “as part of the Region of Hamilton-Wentworth’s plan to service future development growth.”
In 1992, the Region approved four Twenty Road East properties to connect to municipal water.
In Favour: Nann, Hwang, Francis, Jackson, Pauls, Beattie, Tadeson, Spadafora, McMeekin.
Opposed: M. Wilson, Kroetsch, Cassar, A. Wilson.
The decision must be formally ratified at the May 7 Council ratification meeting.
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Published: May 4, 2025
Last updated: May 4, 2025
Author: Joey Coleman
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