Aerotropolis victors seek donations
December 5, 2006

A fundraiser on Saturday evening will help pay for the citizen effort that forced the city to back up on its aerotropolis plans. Hamiltonians for Progressive Development (HPD) ran up substantial bills in its successful challenge of a decision to expand the urban boundary around the airport by 3000 acres.

HPD had appealed last year’s council move to the Ontario Municipal Board, and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing quickly followed suit. Both had warned city council in advance of the June 2005 council vote that the boundary expansion was improper and in violation of provincial rules. HPD also argued that the limited public process preceding the council vote was grossly insufficient for a decision that could tie up most of the city’s growth dollars far into the future.

The 14-month battle culminated in September of this year with a negotiated settlement that saw the city agree that its June 2005 decision wasn’t really a boundary expansion and commit to hold more public consultation before any further attempt to establish the commercial and industrial business park known as the aerotropolis. Despite its victory, HPD spent many thousands of dollars on legal and professional planning services in preparing its case, and is seeking help in paying off those bills.

Although mainly recognized for its fight against the aerotropolis, HPD has been active in a number of municipal issues including the response to the threat posed by peak oil. The group says its mission is “to articulate and support the implementation of a progressive approach to city planning and development” guided by “the principles underlying Vision 2020”.

HPD’s December 9 fundraiser starts at 7:30 pm at the Skydragon community centre at 27 King William Street, and includes live entertainment, raffles and other fundraising activities. Immediately before HPD will hold its annual general meeting at 7 pm, and welcomes new members.