Park stays green after hotel plan is rejected
Plans to develop a “small boutique hotel” at Barr’s Bay Park have been rejected by the City of Hamilton.Members decided the proposal would result in the loss of needed green and public space.“At this particular time, with all the developments, this doesn’t seem to be a good idea at the time,” said Alderman Carlton Simmons.Officials would not say who was behind the refused proposa, however City Secretary Ed Benevides said it had also been rejected by the previous board.It was also stated at the corporation’s monthly public meeting that the City has since allocated $25,000 to investigate the creation of a floating dock at the Hamilton park.The funds had been earmarked for a proposal to turn No 5 Car Park into a green space.Mr Simmons said the Infrastructure, Development and Future Committee recommended against moving forward with the green space project now, because it would result in a loss of income during difficult financial times.The meeting also saw the approval of several private planning applications including a proposal to turn a Dundonald Street office into a daycare centre and another to turn a private home on Laffan Street into a spa.A discussion about new traffic lights was saved for the corporation’s restricted session, following a confidentiality concern expressed by Mr Simmons.Councillor Larry Scott expressed his concerns about that move, stressing the importance of transparency.He said that restricted sessions may be required on some occasions, but as the public was invited to attend the discussions they should be conducted in the full view as a matter of principle.Despite Mr Scott’s argument, the majority of the board voted to move the discussion to the restricted session.