Hamilton councillors approve residential development for Hwy. 52 property
Hamilton councillors approved a recommendation to allow a builder to construct two residential structures. A third building has been placed in a holding provision after at least a year of monitoring the ground water. - Kevin Werner/Metroland
Hamilton councillors agreed to rezone a 2.35-hectare property near Copetown for residential development, even though a wetland is located on the land and area homeowners have had problems with well water.
Neven Custom Homes Ltd. is proposing to build three residential buildings on the land located at 1031 Hwy. 52 N. in Ancaster, Ont. Councillors agreed to a planning staff recommendation to rezone the land to allow a maximum of three single-family dwellings or a residential care facility.
But the builder will be able to construct only two buildings first until proper tests are conducted on the water table before the third building can be green-lighted by the city.
Eric Salembier of S. Llewellyn and Associates, an engineering firm, said testing wells have been installed on the property and the results reveal no impact to the surrounding neighbours’ ground water.
“There was no interference on neighbours’ wells,” he said.
Ancaster Coun. Lloyd Ferguson said there has been an “ongoing” problem with property owners living near Hwy. 299 complaining about dry wells.
He said the problem was found when Canadian National Railway (CNR) had to upgrade its nearby track out of Hamilton and Dundas. When the company made a “deep cut” into the north side of the track, it impacted residents’ water table.
Ferguson said CNR “stepped up to the plate” and assisted homeowners with their wells.
“It is no longer an issue,” he said.
So when Neven Custom Homes proposed the application to construct the three buildings on the Hwy. 52 property, the nearby residents were concerned about the impact to their wells. In addition, he said, they had issues with traffic, parking, and the change in the character of the area. But after talking to residents about the project, “I find it very interesting that none of them were here today,” he said.
Neven Custom Homes had to apply in late 2019 to the Committee of Adjustment for a severance to create the three residential lots with a maximum of 306.5 square meters each, to allow for a reduced side yard setback variance and to allow the maximum building height. The committee of adjustment required the company to provide hydrogeological and ground water studies prior to the decision.
In addition, the southern portion of the property contains a provincially significant wetland regulated by the Grand River Conservation Authority. City staff said the wetland will not be impacted by the development.
June Christy, senior project manager, said the holding provision for the third building will only be lifted “until there is a satisfactory outcome of the (water) monitoring. They can’t develop that third lot.”
Christy said an agreement is expected to be reached with the builder to allow the monitoring to take up to two years.
Gary Neven of Neven Custom Homes Ltd. said there are three test wells installed around the perimeter of the property and so far, “the wells had no adverse impact” to the surrounding properties.
He said he will construct the two buildings first, then he expects to wait a year before applying for a permit for the third building.
