Owner Mike Valvasori and planning consultant Sergio Manchia of IBI Group brought draft plans to last week’s Dundas Community Council meeting. While reaction was mostly positive, there were questions about plans to create an entrance for vehicles from King Street West.

“It’s so we avoid extra traffic on Bond and Park. It’s an effort to mitigate,” Manchia said.

He explained only traffic travelling east and turning right into the former school property would use the new access, and it would be designed to deter westbound traffic turning left into the parking lot, and traffic attempting to exit onto King Street West. An exit and entrance will still be provided behind the building at the intersection of Bond Street North and Park Street West, but Manchia figures the additional exit will help address any question of increased traffic in the neighbouring residential areas.

More than four months were spent meeting with agencies and departments while preparing the development application. Valvasori’s proposal has to satisfy Hamilton Conservation Authority standards for storm water management because Spencer Creek travels through the site, and satisfy CN Rail because the property is next to a rail line. A substantial crash wall is planned between the parking lot and escarpment, and improvements to water flow management of the creek will also have to be made.

“I was surprised,” Manchia said, noting he learned more about the structure known as Dundas Falls next to the site.