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Hamilton Spectator
5 days ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
CityHousing writes ‘new story' for ex-motel site in Hamilton's east end
A pair of affordable housing buildings have risen from the rubble of the former City Motor Hotel in east Hamilton and are ready to welcome residents. The six-storey CityHousing buildings at the Queenston Road traffic circle bring 82 new units into the mix as Hamilton struggles through an affordability crisis. 'It's a new story for this site; it's a story about the future that we're all building together,' Mayor Andrea Horwath told a crowd gathered for a ribbon-cutting event Monday. The city tore down the City Motor Hotel in 2013. In 2013, the city expropriated the site and demolished the troubled City Motor Hotel before the municipal housing provider picked it up in 2018. Now, the buildings — 55 Queenston Rd. and 1620 Main St. E. — offer deeply affordable rent-geared-to-income apartments and moderately affordable units in energy-efficient designs along Hamilton's future LRT line. The $27.5-million Queenston building will also have a YWCA Hamilton-operated child-care centre with 26 licensed spaces on its ground floor. The $25-million Main East block is one of the first multi-residential mass-timber 'passive house' buildings in North America, CityHousing says. 55 Queenston Rd. 40 units: 25 one-bedroom, 15 three-bedroom, 20 per cent barrier free Half are rent-geared-to-income and the others are half of market rent $27.5-million project: CityHousing ($17.4 million), federal affordable housing fund ($3 million), loan through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation ($1.7 million), still-to-be-announced ($5.4 million) 1620 Main St. E. 42 units: 38 one-bedroom, four two-bedroom, 20 per cent barrier free All are rent-geared-to-income (RGI) $25-million project: CityHousing ($7.9 million), federal rapid housing funding ($10.89 million), City of Hamilton ($6.3 million) Their completion is a 'significant milestone,' CEO Adam Sweedland said, noting their apartments are among 264 new units CityHousing has built in the past two-and-a-half years. But one major project, Jamesville, a vacant 91-unit townhouse complex on James Street North that's to be redeveloped into a denser, mixed-income community, is stuck in its planning stages. Here is an example of a layout for one of the smaller bedrooms in the three-bedroom units at 55 Queenston Rd. CN Rail's appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) in 2022 has delayed the more-than-decade-long plan over potential 'conflicts' with its bayfront shunting yard. To help break the OLT impasse, the provincial government is considering a minister's zoning order (MZO) at the request of CityHousing with council's support. An MZO is a provincial tool that allows the government to unilaterally regulate land use for development and override other municipal or tribunal decisions. A three-bedroom unit at 55 Queenston Rd. On Friday, the province posted the proposal for a one-month public commenting period on its environmental registry, inviting feedback ahead of an MZO decision. 'It is the option of last resort if we're actually going to get this thing to move forward,' Horwath told The Spectator . CN, in an emailed response, said it has 'systematically tried to find a compromise solution' and noted it was 'disappointed' in the MZO request. In addition to its big-ticket capital projects, CityHousing, which has 7,142 units and more than 13,000 residents, has focused on addressing a repair backlog and reducing its vacancy rate to two per cent. More than 6,000 households await subsidized apartments in Hamilton and shelters are at capacity, with roughly 1,600 people experiencing homelessness. Mayor Andrea Horwath presents Adam Sweedland, CEO of CityHousing Hamilton, with a print of the old Hamilton City Motor Hotel during a ribbon-cutting event Monday to mark the completion of two buildings on the site. The landscape has housing providers looking to the new federal Liberal government to deliver on its election pledge to double Canada's rate of residential construction to 500,000 homes per year. During Monday's event, new Liberal MP Aslam Rana praised 264 built units and said 'hopefully, we will double this number' next year. Horwath thanked the Hamilton Centre MP for being there 'and for making some commitments that we'll be holding you to.' Metrolinx, which is building the LRT , plans to use land it owns next to the former City Motor Hotel property to stage construction. A two-bedroom unit at 1620 Main St. E. awaits tenants. Whatever space the provincial transportation agency doesn't need should be made available for more affordable housing, Karl Andrus, executive director of the Hamilton Community Benefits Network. 'I would like to see the province donating that land so we could build more and higher buildings like this to deal with the housing crisis that's around us.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
CBC
5 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Hamilton mayor urges Ontario to push through Jamesville housing development despite CN's appeal
Mayor Andrea Horwath is appealing to the Ontario government for help in getting nearly 500 homes built in Hamilton despite CN Rail blocking the project for years. The city evicted residents from 91 of its affordable townhouses — a community known as Jamesville — nearly 10 years ago, with the expectation of quickly redeveloping the property on James Street North. But CN Rail, which operates a yard and tracks that are close by, previously said it's concerned about the impacts of odour, vibration and noise on future residents. The private railway company appealed the city's Jamesville plans to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) in 2022, but the proceedings have dragged on. The partially demolished site has sat vacant ever since, and is fenced off and deteriorating. A hearing was supposed to take place last February, but that was cancelled, said the city in a news release the month before. At that time, both sides had requested a case management conference or settlement hearing for May or June. Province accepting comments But as of last week, no agreement had materialized, and Horwath announced she's asked the province to issue a Ministerial Zoning Order (MZO) to break the "logjam." An MZO would override any municipal land conflicts and allow the housing work to go ahead. "Right now, we have a real chance to get it across the finish line," Horwath said in a video posted to Facebook. "But we need your help." The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is accepting feedback until Aug. 12 about the Jamesville redevelopment before it makes its decision. The mayor urged residents to share their thoughts on redeveloping the site. "You know what it would mean to see families, seniors and young couples thriving here again — not a boarded-up shell of what once was," the mayor said. "So let's get it done Hamilton." The project would include 315 private market units and 160 affordable units in both stacked townhouses and apartment or condo towers. The stacked townhouses would be built first, notes the MZO posting. The site would be developed by FRAM + Klokker, Melrose Investments Inc., Marz Homes and DeSantis Homes, with CityHousing Hamilton and Indwell providing the affordable units — some with wraparound supports. CN Rail did not respond to a request for comment before publication. The story will be updated with any response. In April 2024, a spokesperson told CBC Hamilton that while it is a part of the Hamilton community and wants to enable these kinds of projects, it has a duty to protect future residents living near its infrastructure.
Hamilton Spectator
07-07-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
10-storey ‘luxury condo hotel' rejected for Crystal Beach
A controversial plan to erect a 10-storey, 100-unit condominium building in Crystal Beach has been shot down by Fort Erie town council. The proposed development for 3856 Terrace Ln. and Crystal Beach Drive had drawn immediate criticism from councillors and residents alike, who voiced concerns about compatibility, environmental impact and inadequate parking. During a special council meeting on Monday, councillors nixed the proposal — bypassing the usual step of awaiting a staff recommendation report. 'This public meeting is pursuant of to the Planning Act,' Mayor Wayne Redekop said in his opening remarks. 'It's a legislative requirement; anyone is entitled to make an application for developmental approval, and the municipality has an obligation to review and proceed.' However, the formal process was cut short when councillors voted unanimously to deny the application, citing its significant departure from the Crystal Beach Secondary Plan, a land use document adopted in 2021 and approved by the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) in 2023. Planning staff presented the proposal, noting it sought to redesignate the property to a 'core mixed-use area' and rezone it a site-specific residential multiple zone. The development would have featured common areas, fitness and pool facilities, rooftop patios and party rooms for residents' use. Devin Morton, the town's supervisor for development approvals, said the project's proposed density was '385 units per hectare,' far exceeding the secondary plan's cap of 50 units per hectare and three-storey height limit. 'The applicant seeks to add apartments and short-term rentals as a permitted use,' Morton told councillors, adding although some commercial features were noted on plans, 'staff are confused why this land use designation was selected if commercial uses are not proposed.' Environmental concerns also weighed heavily in discussion. 'Environmental planning staff's opinion is that the existing woodland does qualify as a significant woodland,' Morton said, referencing regional species and century-old trees found on the site. Under provincial policy, such lands are not eligible for development. During the meeting, Lou Pompili, speaking on behalf of the developers, described the project as a 'luxury condo hotel,' with units to be sold individually and used at the discretion of the owners, whether that be occupancy, short-term rental or family use. But councillors raised alarm bells about a lack of detail and conflicting information provided by the applicant. 'There were a number of items where requests for changes to the zoning were being advanced, and no information was being provided by the proponent,' Morton said. Parking also emerged as a major issue, with only about two-thirds of a required 150 spots proposed. Asked where overflow vehicles would go, Pompili said, 'There has been no confirmation of where any overflow parking would be accommodated.' Ward 1 Coun. George McDermott, who moved to deny the application, criticized the design's incompatibility with the area's low-rise, cottage-style character and flagged the potential removal of significant woodland. 'This action would represent a loss of natural heritage,' he said. Ward 6 Coun. Ann-Marie Noyes said the proposal left more questions than answers. 'I haven't had a clear idea or anything clarified to me exactly what this building is going to be used for,' she said. 'Whether it's going to be commercial, a hotel, condos or apartments, I really don't know.' Councillors supported McDermott's motion unanimously, concluding the development proposal did not reflect the intent or vision of the Crystal Beach Secondary Plan, which they emphasized had been shaped through public consultation. Pompili acknowledged the possibility to appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal, an option still available to the applicants despite council's decision. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
29-06-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Hamilton pitches ‘last resort' measure to break Jamesville impasse with CN Rail
Hamilton has requested a provincial zoning order to overcome a prolonged dispute with CN Rail, which has stalled plans to redevelop Jamesville into a mixed-income community. CityHousing Hamilton , with council's support, submitted the request for a minister's zoning order (MZO) to end the rail giant's lengthy Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) appeal regarding the North End housing project. 'It is the option of last resort if we're actually going to get this thing to move forward,' Mayor Andrea Horwath told The Spectator, noting she has pushed government officials for years to help break the impasse. An MZO is a powerful, though sometimes contentious, provincial tool that grants the government unilateral authority to regulate land use for development. In an emailed statement Friday, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing confirmed the MZO request for 405 James St. N. , which is the Jamesville property between Strachan, MacNab and Ferrie streets. Noting a decision hadn't yet been made, the ministry declined to comment further with the OLT case ongoing. Revised plans for Jamesville feature 12-storey buildings for CityHousing and Indwell, as well as a 20-storey building for private-market units. Horwath anticipates Hamilton's request will soon be posted to the Environmental Registry of Ontario, initiating a 30-day public comment period. 'We're in an exciting place, in my opinion.' After that, the process involves more provincial deliberations before Minister Rob Flack makes a decision, she noted. 'My hope is that all those things can happen before we're deeply into the fall.' Plans for Jamesville have been years in the making. In 2019, the city announced the public-private partnership to redevelop CityHousing's 91 townhomes on the 5.4-acre site into a denser, mixed-income community. Expecting the project to advance, the municipal housing provider started to vacate the homes as early as 2015, with the last tenants relocated in 2019. But years later, the empty, decrepit homes remain a flashpoint of frustration against the backdrop of a grinding housing crisis marked by people in tents, shelters packed to capacity and years-long waits for social housing. 'To see that space the way it is, it's salt in the wound,' Horwath said. In September 2022 , CN filed its OLT appeal, citing a potential 'conflict' with its bayfront shunting yard off Stuart Street with concerns of safety, odour, vibration and noise for future residents. Tribunal hearings have been set and postponed to allow more time for negotiations, with the parties most recently giving themselves until September to hash out a settlement. Mayor Andrea Horwath calls the request for an MZO to break the impasse with CN Rail over Jamesville 'an option of last resort.' 'There's nothing that indicates that those negotiations couldn't perhaps continue for more years, and that's just not acceptable,' Horwath said Friday. CN, in an emailed response, said it has 'systematically tried to find a compromise solution' to the dispute. 'CN supports the development, but does not want it done at the expense of future residents' well-being,' spokesperson Ashley Michnowski wrote. It has asked for 'mitigation measures that have been recognized by experts as necessary to ensure residents living in proximity to industrial activities are protected against the impacts of those activities.' CN is 'disappointed' with the MZO request but 'will continue pursuing standards that ensure the quality of life of residents while allowing for economic growth,' Michnowski wrote. CityHousing's private-sector partners on the Jamesville project include developers FRAM + Slokker, Melrose Investments Inc., Marz Homes and DeSantis Homes. Indwell , a local non-profit that builds affordable and supportive housing, is another partner. The initial blueprint called for a 447-unit community of three-storey stacked townhouses and a pair of seven-storey apartment buildings for CityHousing and Indwell. In April 2024 , council released revised plans that maintained the stacked townhouses, but hiked the two apartment blocks to 12 storeys. A 20-storey, private-market building was added to the mix, resulting in as many as 642 units, according to the document. The MZO request , which was made this past spring, shows the city is approaching the conflict as seriously as it can, said Coun. Cameron Kroetsch, who represents the Jamesville area. 'I'm hopeful that this will either spur a settlement or this will simply have the minister say, 'Look, this has to get resolved.' ' The early removal of tenants from Jamesville dealt a 'devastating' blow to the North End, Kroetsch said. Some families couldn't find affordable housing in the area and had to move to other parts of the city, he said. 'Children lost their friends. People lost their neighbours.' CityHousing has since changed its policy to ensure residents aren't vacated prematurely from communities earmarked for redevelopment, said Kroetsch, who's on the municipal housing provider's board. And amid the protracted dispute, he and Horwath alike say they're pushing for the derelict Jamesville townhomes to be demolished soon. Contractual issues, including liability on the site, have to be sorted out, the mayor said. 'I've made it very, very clear that that has to be done.' CityHousing and its development partners 'are reviewing ways to accelerate the demolition' of the townhomes, CEO Adam Sweedland said. 'We want to get this done as soon as possible.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Time Business News
26-06-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
What Makes Huawei OLT a Solid Pick for Fiber Gear?
An Optical Line Terminal, or OLT, is a critical part of any fiber-optic network. It is the local control on the provider side. From there, it manages the data stream to numerous end-users who are connected via fiber. OLT devices convert electrical signals from the provider's network into optical signals. The signals are transmitted via fiber cables to ONTs or ONUs. Upon reception, the optical signals are converted to electrical form. The process provides quick, reliable internet service. In modern broadband systems, signal quality and traffic control are crucial, and that's exactly what Huawei OLT delivers. Let's discuss in detail how Huawei OLT is a solid pick for stable connections. OLT devices are not only used to send data. They are also used to control how data moves from users to the main server. Huawei OLT devices use time-division multiplexing to allocate each user a time . This means that each user gets their turn without troubling anyone else. They also give precedence to different types of traffic. For example, if an individual is making a video call, it takes precedence over downloading a file. This will make sure that important information arrives on time. Another reason Huawei OLT is a solid pick is its ability to prevent network congestion by efficiently managing and distributing traffic during peak hours. This ensures that users get a smoother connection, even with multiple devices connected. Huawei OLT devices are employed to serve numerous users at once. They are connected to multiple ONTs via fiber splitters. Multiple homes or offices can be supported by a single fiber. This is cost-saving on installation and allows for large coverage with fewer cables. That makes them optimal for expanding areas or expanding cities. Rather than digging up extra lines, operators simply add extra ONTs to existing OLT ports. That makes Huawei OLT in Pakistan a great choice for service providers who need to expand quickly. In much of the world, this common fiber architecture has enabled high-speed internet to penetrate rural and densely populated areas. Carriers don't have to install huge upgrades to provide better service. The flexibility also makes Huawei OLT a solid pick. It performs well in urban areas where there are lots of individuals who require data. It also applies in small towns or rural regions with minimal infrastructure. For instance, a compact model such as MA5800 X2 can be used to serve medium-sized networks. It offers decent coverage without consuming much space. Large units such as MA5800 X7 handle huge data traffic and serve more clients. The performance remains great even with an increasing number of users. This is crucial in areas where internet usage is increasing very rapidly. It also benefits smart city networks where more and more devices and sensors are joining every day. Huawei OLTs incorporate numerous cutting-edge technologies. They provide support for GPON, EPON, as well as other more sophisticated PON forms such as XGS-PON. This is easy for providers to modify or upgrade as necessary. They also possess robust monitoring mechanisms. They track how the network is running. In case of a problem, they send alerts, and settings can be changed remotely. The GPBD service board is also a robust feature. It provides voice, video, and high-speed data. Such versatility makes Huawei OLT a good choice in places where a lot of services need to be supported by a single line. Scalability is very important in any network today. When additional customers arrive, the system must be able to keep up. Huawei OLT units can have more ports added and more services easily. Service providers simply replace new boards rather than the entire system. This facilitates future planning and avoids money being spent on full replacements. That is especially useful in growing areas. When more homes or businesses need connections, Huawei OLT systems expand without performance loss. Due to that, Huawei OLT a solid pick when planning long-term network configurations. Demand for speedy, secure internet is growing globally, including in Pakistan. Most of the telecom operators have begun employing Huawei OLT in Pakistan for the same reason. Urban regions require proper connectivity for offices, schools, and video streaming websites. Rural regions are also being provided with online facilities. Huawei OLTs assist the carriers in handling both without the need to employ different systems. They support many users, fit into tiny spaces, and still maintain good performance. That's why people rely on them in various environments where no one solution fits all needs. Huawei OLT equipment makes sure that bandwidth is shared evenly. These compute the amount each user needs and transmit only that. This keeps the network level in check. For instance, if one is streaming and the other is surfing, both receive sufficient bandwidth. No one becomes lagged because of someone else's usage. This makes the Huawei OLT a suitable option to offer a quality user experience with shared connections. Even with heavy loads, they neither lag nor drop. Network downtime results in frustration and business loss. Hence, power backup and failure recovery are a requirement. Huawei OLT devices provide these. Back-up systems take over immediately to avert interruption of service. There are versions that even self-heal in the event of a faulty component. This reliability translates to less maintenance and fewer complaints. It also creates trust between providers and users. Huawei OLT a solid pick where network stability is extremely critical. Network problems should be corrected immediately. Huawei OLTs have smart monitoring solutions that provide real-time updates. Service providers can monitor traffic, identify faults, and make adjustments on time. This minimizes downtime. It is also cost-effective in terms of dispatching technicians. Any possible problem is detected before it starts impacting users. This built-in monitoring is very valuable. It makes Huawei OLT an excellent solution for fiber network management with fewer manpower. Huawei offers numerous OLT models for various network sizes. MA5683T is high-traffic capable and appropriate for cities. MA5800 X7 is multi-technology and appropriate for large corporations or commercial zones. Smaller models such as the MA5800 X2 suffice for smaller spaces or for mid-size networks. They offer the same high performance for smaller deployments. Their modular structure enables you to broaden the network without replacing devices. Huawei OLT, a suitable option for networks that are likely to expand in the future. Huawei OLT is an instrumental component of contemporary fiber-optic networks. They convert, control, and process data so that internet service becomes stable and fast. You can use them in different network configurations, ranging from small towns to large cities. This renders Huawei OLT a solid pick for any service provider building or expanding fiber-based networks. Looking to deploy Huawei OLT in Pakistan? Trust UltraTech, your reliable source for Huawei networking equipment. Whether you're expanding in urban areas or connecting remote regions, Ultra Tech offers expert support, original products, and nationwide availability to meet your network goals efficiently. You can visit them at Office # 21, 1st Floor, Hafeez Center, Gulberg 3, Lahore, Pakistan or Office # G1, Ground Floor, Odeon Centre, Regal Chowk, Saddar, Karachi, Pakistan. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
