CHH Jamesville Redevelopment

Formal Appeal

In August 2022, Hamilton City Council unanimously approved the Jamesville project. CN Rail appealed that decision, citing concerns about noise and vibration near their shunting yard operations for the future residents. The parties are actively working with CN Rail and other partners to resolve these concerns and move the project forward as quickly as possible. 

CHH and the developer are finalizing a legal agreement that will require the developer to complete and pay for demolition. CHH is exploring options to lead demolition directly to help speed up the timeline. The goal is to start construction as soon as possible after legal hurdles are cleared.

The Ontario Land Tribunal hearing originally scheduled for February 2025 was adjourned to allow for continued discussion. The parties will provide a status update to the Tribunal in September 2025.

In January 2025, CHH requested a Minister’s Zoning Order to help move the project forward, and Hamilton City Council supported this request. 

An MZO could help unlock urgently needed housing and expedite a resolution. 

The parties remain committed to resolving the CN Rail appeal and are also exploring all options to deliver homes faster.

The City remains firmly committed to addressing the ongoing housing crisis and ensuring access to safe, affordable homes for all residents. 

Timeline:

• March 21, 2017 Planning Committee - Report 17-005 includes a motion for Bay-Strachan lands to be included in the Jamesville redevelopment and for assistance in relocating the community garden  
• May 8, 2017 Request for Expression of Interest provided opportunity for CHH to gauge interest and understand approaches of prospective development partners 
• July 18, 2017 CHH Board - Report 17021(a) identified the transfer of 45 RGI units from Jamesville to Bay-Cannon 
• November 28, 2017 Affordable Housing Site Selection Committee - PED17219 provided approval of properties for disposition for the purposes of affordable housing  
• September 25, 2018 CHH Board - Report 17007(a) provided approval of RFP objectives, offering process, informed by the feasibility analysis. 
• December 20, 2018 CHH Board – Report 17007(b) authorized the commencement of the public offering process and approval of the evaluation criteria and scoring framework 
• April 8, 2019 RFP C18-07-19 launched a competitive process for providing affordability through the Jamesville land offering 
• July 23, 2019 Procurement Website Notice, following an evaluation of proposals, the Preferred Proponent was identified through a limited public disclosure of the Preferred Proponent’s identity being posted 
• September 24, 2019 CHH Board – Report 17007(c) followed a period of due diligence and provided approval for the Preferred Proponent to become the Qualified Preferred Proponent, initiating the negotiation period 
• December 10, 2019 Reimagine Jamesville microsite launch for a public open house and community engagement sessions
• October 27, 2020 CHH Board – Report 17007(d) approval of the redevelopment plan and Terms of Reference 
• June 3, 2021 Emergency and Community Services Report - HSC21011 provided Service Manager Consent to CHH to sell the Jamesville property for redevelopment 
• December 10, 2021 Master Development Agreement executed 
• June 15, 2022 ERASE Redevelopment Grant Application was approved at GIC (demolition only)
• August 9, 2022 OPA and ZBA approved 
• September 14, 2022 Formal appeal was filed by CNR 
• February 9, 2023 CHH Board – Report 17007(f) Jamesville - CN Appeal 
• April 16, 2024  Planning Committee Report: Appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT-22-004759) for Lands Located at 405 James Street North
  • Appendix A – Revised Plan 
• January 2025 CHH request Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO) 
• January 22, 2025 An adjournment was requested for the Ontario Land Tribunal hearing scheduled for February 18, 2025 
• September 2025 The parties will provide a status update to the Ontario Land Tribunal