Waterdown Community Node Secondary Plan Study

As part of the implementation of the Waterdown Community Node Secondary Plan, existing zoning standards have been reviewed to identify changes that are needed to implement the directions of the secondary plan study. The deadline for feedback was October 14, 2021.

Proposed changes include:

• Adjustments to Commercial and Institutional zoning within the project study area under Zoning By-law 05-200.
• Proposed changes to low density residential zoning (single detached, semi-detached and duplex dwellings in neighbourhood areas) under the Town of Flamborough Zoning By-law 90-145-Z.

Background

The Waterdown Community Node Secondary Plan study has been ongoing for the last two years. The Secondary Plan being finalized as part of the study will contain policies about land uses, heritage conservation, heights, densities and design to provide guidance for changes that may occur in the central area of Waterdown over the next 20 to 30 years. Policies such as these are implemented in part by applying requirements to the zoning by-law regulations for an area. The zoning by-law requirements are more detailed than the policies and set out specific regulations for development such as height measurements, setback requirements and other lot standards. When an application for new development or an addition to an existing building is submitted to the City, it must comply with the requirements and regulations of the zoning by-law.

The intent of the proposed zoning changes is to ensure that the zoning is consistent with the policies proposed in the Secondary Plan.

For lands in existing residential neighbourhoods, a key concern raised by residents was ensuring that new homes fit with the existing character of the area when additions or demolitions of existing homes to build new homes take place. The zoning review has looked at the existing standards in this area and proposed some changes to help ensure that new development is a good fit with what exists in the neighbourhood.

For commercial areas, there are changes being made to the zoning to add more lands to the "Pedestrian Focused" commercial zoning, and to eliminate some permissions for certain car-oriented uses like gas stations at the corner of Hamilton Street and Dundas Street. In the historic commercial area along Dundas Street, east of Hamilton Street, there are also several changes proposed, to apply a three storey limit to building heights and to set some standards that are intended to make sure that new buildings are a good fit with the heritage character of this area. Other changes to the commercial zoning include some building design standards for larger buildings and greenspace requirements for buildings with residential units.

Changes to lands zoned for medium and high density residential uses are not part of the scope of the review and will be reviewed at a future date as part of the City-wide Residential Zones project.

View map of areas subject to proposed zoning changes (PDF, 598 KB)

For questions or to request to be added to the project mailing list to receive notice of the future public meeting for the Zoning By-law Amendments, please send an email to waterdownnodeplanning@hamilton.ca.

Information respecting this application is being collected under the authority of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.P.13. All comments and opinions submitted to the City of Hamilton on this matter will become part of the public record.