Posted with permission from the Hamilton Spectator
Eric McGuinness
The Hamilton Spectator
(Oct 9, 2008)
The empty site of the historical Dynes Tavern on the Hamilton Beach Strip will be filled by a residential-commercial development expected to include a 54-seat restaurant and several shops with apartments upstairs.
City council is set to give the go-ahead Wednesday for construction of 36 townhouses, 16 back-to-back maisonettes and four commercial units fronting Beach Boulevard with housing above.
Jim Howlett, president of the Hamilton Beach Community Council, said the developer, Branthaven Homes of Burlington, met with neighbourhood residents and listened to their concerns.
"Of all the developers we've had dealings with, Branthaven is the best," he said.
"Putting a commercial node in the residential development won't just serve the neighbourhood, it will make the beach more of a destination, giving people another reason to come down here and a reason to detour off the Waterfront Trail."
Planning consultant John Ariens noted that Branthaven, "one of Hamilton-Halton's premier home development companies," had nothing to do with last year's illegal demolition of the Dynes, which had operated since 1847.
He said a wide passage through the centre of the development would provide a view of the water from the street and link the trail to the commercial area with its restaurant and patio.
Ward 5 Councillor Chad Collins, who represents the area, told council's planning and economic development committee this week that former owner Tony DePasquale would be in court later this month to answer eight charges laid by the city over the Dynes demolition.
He also said the Hamilton Waterfront Trust would add an interpretive panel on the trail highlighting the history of the tavern.
emcguinness@thespec.com
905-526-4650
Eric McGuinness
The Hamilton Spectator
(Oct 9, 2008)
The empty site of the historical Dynes Tavern on the Hamilton Beach Strip will be filled by a residential-commercial development expected to include a 54-seat restaurant and several shops with apartments upstairs.
City council is set to give the go-ahead Wednesday for construction of 36 townhouses, 16 back-to-back maisonettes and four commercial units fronting Beach Boulevard with housing above.
Jim Howlett, president of the Hamilton Beach Community Council, said the developer, Branthaven Homes of Burlington, met with neighbourhood residents and listened to their concerns.
"Of all the developers we've had dealings with, Branthaven is the best," he said.
"Putting a commercial node in the residential development won't just serve the neighbourhood, it will make the beach more of a destination, giving people another reason to come down here and a reason to detour off the Waterfront Trail."
Planning consultant John Ariens noted that Branthaven, "one of Hamilton-Halton's premier home development companies," had nothing to do with last year's illegal demolition of the Dynes, which had operated since 1847.
He said a wide passage through the centre of the development would provide a view of the water from the street and link the trail to the commercial area with its restaurant and patio.
Ward 5 Councillor Chad Collins, who represents the area, told council's planning and economic development committee this week that former owner Tony DePasquale would be in court later this month to answer eight charges laid by the city over the Dynes demolition.
He also said the Hamilton Waterfront Trust would add an interpretive panel on the trail highlighting the history of the tavern.
emcguinness@thespec.com
905-526-4650