Neighbours of two large developments at the edge of Hamilton's downtown are angry the developer has suddenly proposed massive increases to the height and density of the projects.

At a Strathcona Community Council meeting last week, a presentation by a representative of Vrancor Group showed the developer has submitted an application amendment that would significantly alter the project that is already under construction at the corner of King St. W. and Queen St.

The amended development for 354 King St. W. would see the six-storey apartment building grow to 25 storeys, and a 10-storey hotel would become 12 storeys.

The proposed changes would add 264 units to the project — 236 extra apartment units and 28 additional hotel suites.

Vrancor construction site at 354 King St. W. | John Rennison/The Hamilton Spectator

Right behind that development at 200 Market St., Vrancor's original proposal was for a 15-storey building with a three-storey podium as well as nine townhouse units along Market St.

The new proposal seeks four towers, each between 15 and 25 storeys, with a three-storey and a seven-storey podium. The buildings would be a mix of apartment units and a retirement home.

The Market St. project would take up almost all of the block bounded by Market, Queen and Napier streets except for a narrow strip of houses on Ray Street.

200 Market St., the site of a future Vrancor development. | John Rennison/The Hamilton Spectator

"So that's just not on for me," said Mark Strutt, whose house on Market Street is adjacent to 200 Market St. and right across the street from the project at 354 King St. W.

"For one thing, I'll be cast in shadow for the rest of my life.

"Yeah, density's really important but these neighbourhoods were not built for that kind of traffic," said Strutt. "These streets were designed when there were horse and buggies."

Strutt said he's already noticing some cracks in his brickwork, which he attributes to the construction underway at 354 King St. W.

"These are all old Victorian homes around here and they can't take the pounding," said Strutt.

His biggest complaint, though, is with the city.

"Frankly, I don't put the blame on Vrancor," said Strutt. "He's just a typical developer and if you give them an inch, they'll take a mile.

"The people who are giving them the inch are city hall and the planning department."

A spokesperson for Vrancor Group did not respond to a request for comment.

A city planning spokesperson could not be reached for comment.

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A poster hung by Strathcona comminity members on hoarding at the 354 King St. W. | John Rennison/The Hamilton Spectator

Wayne MacPhail, who lives on Ray St., called the proposed changes "a real bait and switch" by the developer.

"They had this planned all along," said MacPhail. "They had no intention of building those buildings.

"I think they wanted to make a shovels in the ground argument — 'Well geez, we've already laid the foundations and we're doing all this stuff.'

"I feel like I got duped," added MacPhail. "This developer hasn't really done himself any favours."

MacPhail said he's not against development or increased density. He said he and his wife supported the nearby large Good Shepherd Centre project.

"I absolutely understand the desire to have increased density in the downtown core," said MacPhail, "but it also has to mesh with the neighbourhood's character and characteristics."

The project at 200 Market St. still requires Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw amendments to be submitted to the city.

A public meeting on both 354 King St. W. and 200 Market St. is expected to be held in late February or March.

The new proposals must still go before the city's planning committee, likely not until fall, and then to the full council.

sbuist@thespec.com

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