Two Stoney Creek parking lots are now set to become affordable housing, after Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwarth used her so-called strong mayor powers for the first time Wednesday, tipping the previously-stalemated vote in favour.
Council had previously voted on this matter twice — both times, a heated debate led to an 8-to-8 tie, failing the motion.
Then last month, mayor Horwath announced her intention to override the vote with the provincially-legislated strong mayor powers. That means just over a third of council must vote in favour for a motion to pass, rather than half.
In Wednesday’s vote, again eight councillors voted against the motion, and eight in favour — but that reached the new threshold of a third, and passed.
That means parking lots at 5 and 13 Lake Avenue South in downtown Stoney Creek will eventually be the site of 67 affordable housing units.
Horwath told council Wednesday she is absolutely sure this is the best decision for the community. But several councillors took issue with her use of the strong mayor powers.
“We have to step up and take on things that are tough and difficult,” said Horwath. “And this time, with that recommendation initially being defeated by a tie vote on this council, I decided I was going to lead by example and say that’s not an acceptable place for us to be.”
“It’s bad enough circumventing the democratic process, and to stomp on the will of the community and an elected body. It’s a dangerous precedent and I’m not sure these powers being placed in the wrong hands what this is going to do, and I fear for what’s next,” said Stoney Creek city councillor Matt Francis.
The mayor also gave the city directives to look for more parking options in the area that could be added, and also to ensure any building on the parking lots continues to honour veterans — as the lots are situated on Veterans’ Lane.
Horwath also told council that the Lake Avenue parking lots are just the first pieces of land earmarked for affordable units, and that councillors are likely to see more motions like this in the future.