This is a regular CATCH summary of votes at committee and council meetings. This report covers the month of December 2012. The first line of each entry identifies the issue, followed by a brief description. This is followed by the location of the vote in the third line. Multiple votes on the same issue are reported together. Absentees are only listed where reported in the minutes and where the missing councillors are members of that committee or decision-making body. Links are provided to source documents. Note that the vast majority of council decisions are unanimous and the votes are not officially recorded.
Appeal of severance
Staff recommended an appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board of a Committee of Adjustment decision that permitted the severance of the property at 11 Springside Drive to create a new 850 square metre residential lot. Planning staff opposed the severance at the Committee of Adjustment on the basis that it was “not in conformity with the large lot residential character set out in the Neighbourhood Plan, and contrary to a previous OMB Decision respecting a lot severance in the area”. Committee approved the appeal 7-1
At Planning Committee, December 4 Minutes p8, 20-21 (7-1)
For: Collins, Farr, Ferguson, Johnson, Partridge, Pasuta, Whitehead
Against: Pearson
Absent: Clark
Planning fees
Staff recommended increasing the fees to reflect the findings of a comprehensive Planning and Development Engineering Review and to achieve full cost recovery levels. The changes increase city revenues by $1.7 million a year and were opposed by a representative of the Hamilton Halton Home Builders Association and two other developer representatives. A motion to table the item until January was defeated 4-5. Subsequently an amendment was approved to not increase fees for “routine” Committee of Adjustment applications in 2013, before the new schedule of fees was approved. City council agreed to an amendment to define a ‘routine variance’ as meaning “all singles, duplexes, and semis, not including conversions to other uses or proposed additional uses.” The amended motion was approved 13-2.
At Planning Committee, December 4 Minutes p4-5, 15-17 (4-5)
For tabling: Ferguson, Pasuta, Pearson, Whitehead
Against: Clark, Collins, Farr, Johnson, Partridge
At City Council, December 12 Minutes p5 (13-2)
For: Bratina, Clark, Collins, Duvall, Farr, Johnson, McHattie, Merulla, Morelli, Partridge, Pearson, Powers, Whitehead
Against: Ferguson, Pasuta
Absent: Jackson
Backyard chickens
As a result of an earlier council request, staff presented a report on the “keeping of chickens in urban areas”. It noted opposition from the agricultural and rural affairs subcommittee and concerns by public health, and reviewed bylaws in other municipalities. On a motion by Pearson, committee voted 6-1 to receive the report “and that no further action be taken.” City council approved receiving the report 14-1 and in a separate vote approved no further action 9-6
At Planning Committee, December 4 Minutes p6, 21 (6-1)
For: Collins, Ferguson, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Whitehead
Against: Farr
Absent: Clark, Johnson
At City Council, December 12 Minutes p5-6 (14-1) (9-6)
For receiving the report: Bratina, Clark, Collins, Duvall, Farr, Ferguson, Johnson, Merulla, Morelli, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Powers, Whitehead
Against: McHattie
Absent: Jackson
For no further action: Bratina, Collins, Duvall, Ferguson, Johnson, Morelli, Partridge, Pearson, Whitehead
Against: Clark, Farr, McHattie, Merulla, Pasuta, Powers
Absent: Jackson
Sale of court house
A motion introduced by Collins without notice proposed declaring the former courthouse at 50 Main Street East (at John) surplus and directing staff to offer it for sale, and that if the sale is completed, the funds be set aside for purchase of surplus school board properties. Staff were also directed to report on the feasibility of closing four capital improvement accounts related to the building that total just over $1 million. Amendments proposed by Collins and Farr, including offering McMaster University (the current tenant) first right of purchase, were approved and the amended motion was adopted 11-1.
At General Issues Committee, December 5 Minutes p10-11 19-20 (11-1)
For: Clark, Collins, Duvall, Farr, Jackson, Johnson, Merulla, Morelli, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson
Against: Whitehead
Absent: Bratina, Ferguson, McHattie, Powers
Timing of council meetings
A motion by Powers to continue starting city council meetings at 5 pm was approved 12-3.
At City Council, December 12 Minutes p8
For: Bratina, Clark, Duvall, Ferguson, Johnson, McHattie, Merulla, Morelli, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Powers
Against: Collins, Farr, Whitehead
Absent: Jackson