CHEDOKE BROWLANDS residents say they are unimpressed by a developer’s reduced plan for 529 condominium and townhouse units alongside Scenic Drive on the Hamilton Mountain.
The Hamilton Spectator
By Stacey Escott sescott@thespec.com
Chedoke browlands residents say they are unimpressed by a developer’s reduced plan for 529 condominium and townhouse units alongside Scenic Drive on the Hamilton Mountain.
Deanlee Management had initially proposed up to 700 units along the browlands after the company purchased the land from Chedoke Health in 2007. The City of Hamilton came back with 450 units and the two sides have yet to reach an agreement.
Rod Priel, who has lived on Scenic Drive for ten years, says the new plans are still too intense for the area. The company will present its latest proposal at an Ontario Municipal Board hearing Sept. 7.
“People are pretty upset — that’s way too much,” said Priel. “(Deanlee) comes at us with 700 (units); that was horse-trading. And then we think we won with 500 or so when we really haven’t.”
Priel, who will speak at the OMB hearing, says 150-175 units is reasonable for the area.
“They are essentially dumping a small town deep inside an established community without the roads to facilitate the increased population. That whole area will be covered with buildings.”
Andrew Knowles’ grandmother Shirley Fawcett has lived on Scenic Drive for 31 years.
Knowles has been a voice throughout the battle trying to preserve as much green space as possible. He is unimpressed by the new proposal.
“The number of units has to be lowered even more. They still haven’t respected the character of the community,” said Knowles.
Plans by both Deanlee and the city are unacceptable to Knowles. With both ideas, there will be new condominiums, multiple parking lots and underground parking. His frustration is mounting.
“For four years we’ve been dealing with a speculative plan. It keeps changing all of the time. So what are we fighting against?” Knowles said.
Back in June, Paul DeMelo, lawyer for the property management firm announced Deanlee had a new partner delaying progress further. No details about the newcomer have been released.
“It’s likely they are going to sell this property — you can almost predict that,” said Knowles. “The thing about transparency is: What is all this secrecy involving Deanlee’s partner?”
Deanlee could not be reached for comment.
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