Province rezones former Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital lands

This article, from August 15, contains background and a joint statement by Councillors Danko & Whitehead over the Provincial re-zoning of the former HPH lands.

Hello Ward 8 Neighbours,

The City of Hamilton was notified that the Ontario government expanded a zoning order for the former Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital Lands allowing residential development, a drastic shift from what has already been planned for the site.

For more details, please continue reading below…

The provincial government is rezoning the former Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital lands to allow for single-family homes to be built — but officials strongly oppose the change because it doesn’t match up with what has already been planned by the City.

Mayor Eisenberger, in a release on August 13 stated that; “It is a welcome sign that the province is taking steps to develop this site, but it is our expectation that the site will be developed in accordance with the city’s vision”

The city reviewed the lands with Mohawk College and members of the public in 2017 and decided that the property was best suited for health care and education, complimenting the already existing Mohawk College and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Centre for Mountain Health Services.

The city’s vision also includes maintaining public access to the lands, the Niagara Escarpment and the restoration of the designated heritage building Century Manor. The property also fits into Mohawk College’s 20-year plan, which shows botanical gardens by Century Manor and a new building on the corner of Fennell Avenue West and Juravinski Drive.

Ward 8 Councillor John-Paul Danko told CHCH Morning News that “it was clear that the residents did not want to see this sold off to the highest bidder simply for residential development”.

In 2018, the PC government cancelled a plan to sell the 12.5 hectare land to Mohawk College to expand its campus and restore Century Manor. The city was going to use that $9.5 million toward affordable housing in the downtown core.


Councillor Danko told CHCH he received notice of the provincial zoning change Thursday night.

The zoning order says the land will be used for residential developments, like townhouses, semi-detached homes and single-family homes.

In response to the Provincial order, Ward 8 Councillor John-Paul Danko and Ward 14 Councillor Terry Whitehead have issued a joint press release which you can read in full below, or by clicking here.

Hamilton, Ontario August 13th, 2020

This afternoon, City of Hamilton staff received notice that Provincial Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark has issued a Minister’s Zoning Order for the former Hamilton Psychiatric
Hospital Lands expanding the zoning from strictly institutional to residential, including single family, semi-detached, townhome and multi-residential dwellings.

A copy of the Minister’s Order is available here:
https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/r20447

In 2017, Hamilton City Council initiated a comprehensive review of the former Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital Lands, including extensive public engagement and consultation with local agencies and Mohawk College.

A copy of the 2017 City of Hamilton report is available here:
https://pub‐hamilton.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=131568

It was determined that the subject property is part of a key City of Hamilton employment node for health care and education and changes to the existing institutional designation were not required.
This approach was widely supported by residents who articulated strong support for development that would maintain public access to the lands, the adjacent Niagara Escarpment and restoration of the designated heritage building ‘Century Manor’ located on the site.

In addition, the former Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital Lands have been identified by Mohawk College as a critical component of their twenty-year Fennell Campus Master Plan. Copy available here:
https://www.mohawkcollege.ca/about‐mohawk/leadership‐and‐administration/mission‐vision‐and‐values/campus‐master‐plan).

Ward 8 Councillor John‐Paul Danko and Ward 14 Councillor Terry Whitehead are concerned that the Province took unilateral action to rezone this property for residential use through a Minister’s Zoning Order without prior notice or consultation with the City of Hamilton, Mohawk College or other community partners.

Councillors Danko and Whitehead are jointly committed to work with City of Hamilton staff, the Province of Ontario, Mohawk College and local Ward 8 and Ward 14 residents to ensure that any development on this site is in accordance with the longstanding, detailed and widely supported City of Hamilton vision for the property – which does not include extensive residential development.

“It took significant effort and many hours meeting with staff, residents, Mohawk College and other community partners to find a positive solution for this property. I hope that the Province will respect the
hard work already invested and allow this property to move forward as originally intended.”
Ward 14 Councillor Terry Whitehead

“The City’s current vision for this land would provide new healthcare, education and institutional jobs, see the restoration of Century Manor and maintain critical areas of greenspace and public access to the Niagara Escarpment. This is not the right site for intensive residential development.”
Ward 8 Councillor John‐Paul Danko

At this point, it is unclear what role the City of Hamilton will have in the future development of this site. However, Councillors Danko and Whitehead trust that the Province will respect local planning decisions and that further details regarding the Province’s plans for the site will be confirmed through future consultation.

Questions or concerns?

If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact our office here.

Councillor John-Paul Danko