McMaster Research Building Rejected by Niagara Escarpment Commission, After City Asked for More Information – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

May 6, 2017
The Niagara Escarpment Commission voted to refuse an application from McMaster University to build a 5,000 square foot institution building at 1105 Lower Lions Club Road (behind Harpers Garden Centre on Wilson) during their January hearings (page 44 of minutes).
The NEC staff report states City of Hamilton staff were not in favour of the proposal:
McMaster University is now in Formal Consultation with the City of Hamilton the proposal, which will be reviewed by the staff Development Review Team in the coming week.
NEC staff comments were generally supportive of the project, and given liberal interpretations to NEC policies.
It appears likely the proposal will be approved once the studies requested are completed, the plan refined to better fit NEC policies.
McMaster had previously sought to have the property removed from the Greenbelt and Niagara Escarpment Commission control – had McMaster been successful, the property’s value would have skyrocketed as it could eventually be subject to residential development if rezoned in a future application. In each case that McMaster made the request during the Greenbelt review, City Council voted to ask the Province to reject the request.