Cities evolve over time. And it’s not just random. A city’s evolution is guided by its DNA, made up of its policies, bylaws, regs, standards, etc. It takes time, but when you change the DNA you change a city. Here’s some major #HamOnt “DNA” initiatives to watch for in 2021 ... /1

2/ New zoning standards to allow basement apartments, accessory dwelling units, laneway housing, carriage houses, etc. city-wide in all residential zones should be at Council for decision March/April. You can read our discussion paper at https://bit.ly/37tm1S0 .

3/ A new “Complete Streets Design Manual” will go out for consultation in Jan/Feb. It will establish new design standards + street typologies to guide new development, road reconstructions, neighbourhood plans, environmental assessments, etc.

4/ New Site Plan and Urban Design Guidelines to guide all new development in the city will go out for consultation in the late spring, including green development standards.

5/ An overhaul of the City’s Truck Route Master Plan will re-define how trucks and goods move through the city. Draft plan will be going out for consultation in the spring https://bit.ly/3gW7ocR 

6/ Hamilton’s first Community Energy and Emissions Plan will roll out this spring for public consultation. A key part of the City’s #climateaction strategy, the CEEP will confirm community-wide energy targets and establish modelled, quantifiable actions to achieve the targets.

7/ Our first update in almost a decade to our Parking Master Plan will look at key issues like pricing policies + supply/demand + curbside management + EVs

8/ Having a grand vision is not enough. These policies/regs/standards are the (often invisible) DNA that determine whether you achieve that vision (and done poorly they can be the biggest barrier to progress). I look forward to a robust community conversation about these in 2021!