Posted on Jan. 29: Community meeting finds solutions to common issues

Approximately 200 people attended a local community meeting Tuesday evening to discuss the community impact of the double cohort, off-campus housing, transportation and parking and bylaw and police enforcement.

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 (AWWCA), the President's Advisory Committee on Community Relations (PACCR), and the McMaster Students Union (MSU). It was the first time 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 by-law and police enforcement, neighbourhood planning, including 'ASPECT', the City's secondary plan, transportation and relationship building, 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 preparing for the double cohort. He provided an update on enrolment numbers for next September, campus construction, and initiatives the University is taking to address traffic and parking congestion. McMaster employees and PACCR committee members addressed these topics further.

Also making remarks at the meeting were Liz Millar, president of the AWWCA; Evan Mackintosh, MSU president; Kate MacDonald, chair of Community Relations, MSU; and Marvin Caplan, councillor Ward 1, City of Hamilton.

There was considerable discussion about by-law and police enforcement. City by-law enforcement staff and representatives from Hamilton Police Services were in attendance and committed to making proactive service improvements in the year ahead.

Increasing requirements for off-campus student housing also was discussed. Some local residents are concerned over absentee landlords and properties that are not properly maintained. McMaster's Off-Campus Housing Office will review these issues with the City of Hamilton and the AWWCA to confirm if they can establish standards to benefit students, landlords and the community.

The breakout sessions resulted in suggestions on how to progress and improve on each of 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.

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Approximately 200 people attended a local community meeting Tuesday evening to discuss the community impact of the double cohort, off-campus housing, transportation and parking and bylaw and police enforcement.<p><br />
<br />
Hosted at St. Mary&#039;s High School, the meeting was jointly organized by the City of Hamilton, the Ainslie Wood Westdale Community Association of Resident Homeowners (AWWCA), the President&#039;s Advisory Committee on Community Relations (PACCR), and the McMaster Students Union (MSU).  It was the first time these organizations joined forces for a community meeting to talk about and find solutions to common issues they face.  <p><br />
<br />
Facilitated breakout sessions were held on by-law and police enforcement, neighbourhood planning, including &#039;ASPECT&#039;, the City&#039;s secondary plan, transportation and relationship building, focusing on how the University, students and community can work together more effectively.<p><br />
<br />
McMaster President Peter George shared with the community how the University is preparing for the double cohort. He provided an update on enrolment numbers for next September, campus construction, and initiatives the University is taking to address traffic and parking congestion.  McMaster employees and PACCR committee members addressed these topics further. <p><br />
<br />
Also making remarks at the meeting were Liz Millar, president of the AWWCA; Evan Mackintosh, MSU president; Kate MacDonald, chair of Community Relations, MSU; and Marvin Caplan, councillor Ward 1, City of Hamilton.  <p><br />
<br />
There was considerable discussion about by-law and police enforcement.  City by-law enforcement staff and representatives from Hamilton Police Services were in attendance and committed to making proactive service improvements in the year ahead.  <p><br />
<br />
Increasing requirements for off-campus student housing also was discussed. Some local residents are concerned over absentee landlords and properties that are not properly maintained.  McMaster&#039;s Off-Campus Housing Office will review these issues with the City of Hamilton and the AWWCA to confirm if they can establish standards to benefit students, landlords and the community.<p><br />
<br />
The breakout sessions resulted in suggestions on how to progress and improve on each of areas discussed.  While most people received an answer to their questions, where a response wasn&#039;t readily available, there was a commitment to follow up within a given timeframe.

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