Posted on Feb. 12: Community meeting offers solutions to common issues

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BY Office of Public Relations

February 12, 2004

Approximately 200 people attended a local community meeting Tuesday evening to discuss the community impact of student housing in west Hamilton.

Hosted at St. Mary's High School, the meeting was jointly organized by the City of Hamilton, the Ainslie Wood Westdale Community Association of Resident Homeowners Inc. (AWWCA), the President's Advisory Committee on Community Relations (PACCR), and the McMaster Students Union (MSU). This was the second consecutive year that these organizations joined forces for a community meeting to talk about and find solutions to common issues they face.

Facilitated breakout sessions were held on property standards and safety, parking and transit, and housing options and alternatives, focusing on how the University, students and community can work together more effectively.

McMaster President Peter George shared with the community how the University is planning for the coming years with Refining Directions. He provided an update on enrolment numbers for next September, campus construction, and other University initiatives. McMaster employees and PACCR committee members addressed these topics further.

Also making remarks at the meeting were Brian McHattie, councillor Ward 1, City of Hamilton; Rob Payne, president of the AWWCA; Neville Boney,
MSU president; and Phil Wood, associate vice-president, Student Affairs.

There was considerable discussion about by-laws and enforcement in the neighbourhoods around McMaster University. City by-law enforcement staff and representatives from Hamilton Police Services were in attendance and committed to continuing proactive service improvements in the year ahead.

Increasing requirements for off-campus student housing also was discussed. Some local residents are concerned over single family homes being converted into rental properties. McMaster's Off-Campus Resource Centre will review alternatives with the City of Hamilton and the AWWCA to support the need for safe affordable student housing.

The breakout sessions resulted in suggestions on how to progress and improve on each of the areas discussed. While most people received an answer to their questions, where a response wasn't readily available, there was a commitment to follow up within a given timeframe.

More information on the outcomes from the community forum and other partnership initiatives will be available on the Community Relations Web site and the Community Report in the coming months.