The Future of the Maplewood Facility in the Dundas Valley · 2020. 6. 25. · Maplewood Hall, two...
Transcript of The Future of the Maplewood Facility in the Dundas Valley · 2020. 6. 25. · Maplewood Hall, two...
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The Future of the Maplewood Facility in the
Dundas Valley
Public Participation Report
Updated 12/12/13
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The Future of the Maplewood Facility in the Dundas Valley: Public Participation Report 2013
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Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Background
1.0 Purpose of Public Participation 5
2.0 Level of Participation and Techniques 6
3.0 Results 8
4.0 Key Findings 24
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Executive Summary
The purpose of this process was to gather public feedback on potential future uses of
the Maplewood facility in the Dundas Valley. This report provides an analysis and
presentation of results collected to date. Methods of analysis include a mix of both
quantitative and qualitative techniques. There were a total of 130 responses received.
Results of the data analyzed show that the majority of 85 participants think that the
Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) should find a use for the Maplewood facility.
The report finds that a majority of 64 participants believe that the HCA should pursue
option 3 to open up the Maplewood facility to a Montessori Adolescent school while 48
participants believe that the facility be demolished. It is important to note that this report
is limited in scope by the number of people who participated in this process to date.
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Background
The Maplewood facility formerly known as the ‘Resource Management Centre’ is
a rental hall and conference facility owned by the HCA and located on Artaban Road in
the Dundas Valley Conservation Area. The facility under consideration entails the
Maplewood Hall, two associated parking lots, a caretaker’s residence, two outdoor
buildings, and an associated access road. In the past, the Maplewood facility had been
utilized for a number of activities by various groups such as summer camps, outdoor
education, and nature retreats among others. However, due to the age and location of
the building, it is anticipated that upgrades will be required to maintain current standards
if the facility is deemed suitable for a use in the long -term. In addition, the facility has
impacts on the HCA budget and the encompassing natural environment.
In 2012, HCA staff presented a report to its Conservation Advisory Board (CAB)
with a recommendation that the facility be demolished and the area naturalized (see
Appendix for report). After reviewing the report, the CAB directed staff to explore other
alternatives aside from demolition. In 2013, an unsolicited informal proposal was
received from a Montessori Adolescent School for consideration. Prior to moving ahead
with detailed financial estimates, lease agreements, and a formal proposal, the CAB
suggested to the HCA’s Board of Directors that staff facilitate a public participation
process to obtain feedback on potential options and report back with findings. The
public participation process would then be used to assist the CAB and in turn the HCA’s
Board of Directors to make a decision on the next steps that would be needed in this
process.
With a number of concerns being raised among the community concerning the
future of this facility, the HCA wants to ensure that the public has an opportunity to
examine potential options that have been put forward to date and provide input towards
next steps in making a decision on future use of this site. This report should be
considered a living document that will be continuously updated as needed.
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1.0 Purpose of Public Participation
The purpose of public participation towards making a decision about the
Maplewood facility was to facilitate community input towards this process. The HCA’s
goals were to provide the public with information to help them understand issues,
possible alternatives and/or solutions, and obtain feedback on potential alternatives.
The public participation process strived to seek out and facilitate the involvement of
potentially affected and interested people while at the same time recognize and
communicate the needs and interests of participants. The primary objectives were to:
To provide information about the history, location, uses, and present state of the
Maplewood facility
To create awareness of the myriad of concerns and issues surrounding the
Maplewood facility
To highlight potential options that could influence future decisions affecting the
Maplewood facility
To obtain public feedback on potential alternatives/options
To facilitate open dialogue with interested persons about this matter
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2.0 Level of Participation & Techniques
The following levels of participation were selected:
1) Inform- to provide the public with balanced and objective information to assist them
in understanding the problem, alternatives, opportunities and/or solutions
2) Consult- to obtain public feedback on analysis, alternatives, and/or decisions
This in turn determined the type of techniques that were to be used:
1) Inform:
Public Information Centre
An informal setting with multiple display panels where participants view information on
set topics at each station and discuss the topic with staff. Participants stop in when it is
convenient for them to visit display panels and have the opportunity to talk to staff and
share their comments and questions. The purpose of the Public Information Centre
(PIC) was to provide the community with information concerning the past, present, and
possible future scenarios for Maplewood. The PIC was selected because:
- It would serve to increase public understanding about the concerns and issues
facing the Maplewood facility
- It would explain a variety of complex points and present potential options in a simple
and non-technical fashion that would be easily understandable to a layperson
- It would collect a variety of contrary viewpoints in a peaceful, and productive manner
Website
A web page with background information, report, additional resources, and staff contact
information was posted on the HCA’s main website. This also served as a medium to
facilitate a virtual PIC where display panels were posted along with a questionnaire for
consultation. A webpage was posted because:
- It would reach people who could not attend the PIC
- It would reach out to a broader geographic area
- It would maintain an online repository for public access
Hand Delivered Notices
A number of hand delivered notices were dropped off by HCA staff to adjacent residents
of the Maplewood facility. The majority of residents along Artaban, Lions Club, Old
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Dundas, Lower Lions Club Roads, Montgomery Drive, and Millcreek Court had received
these notices (see Appendix). In addition, notices were also distributed to residents
along Mineral Springs, Sulphur Springs Roads, and Ontario Street. These notices
comprised of an invitation to the PIC (see Appendix), staff contact information, along
with details of how members of the public could also participate online.
2) Consult:
Questionnaire
A questionnaire consisting of both multiple choice and semi-structured questions with a
total of 10 questions was developed and made available for public review at the PIC
and online (see Appendix). The questionnaire was selected because:
- It would gain perspectives from people unlikely to participate otherwise
- It would gather input from a cross-section of the public
- It would cater to online participation and people who were not able to attend the PIC
in person
- It would provide a safe environment for participants to express themselves freely in
an anonymous manner
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3.0 Results
Overview
On Tuesday 5th November, 2013 a PIC was hosted at the Old Ancaster Town
Hall from 6.30-8.30pm by the HCA. Approximately 50 people were in attendance along
with 10 HCA staff members. At the PIC, 11 display panels were presented to the public
for review and comment (see Appendix). To summarize, the panels provided
information on topics ranging from background historical information, location of the
facility in the Dundas Valley, environmental characteristics of the site, current issues
and concerns, the 4 options under consideration, and next steps in the public
participation process. A public participation guide was also distributed to participants
with details of how they could provide their comments to the HCA (see Appendix).
These panels were also made available on the HCA’s website as part of an on-going
virtual PIC along with supporting resources and the questionnaire. There was much
discussion and exchange of views and concerns between members of the public and
staff.
After the PIC, comments and questionnaires were collected up until early
December 2013 prior to the HCA’s Conservation Advisory Board (CAB)’s meeting and
review on December 12th, 2013. Members of the public were informed that delegations
were welcome to present additional comments at this meeting and that this meeting was
open to public attendance. To date, a total number of 130 responses have been
submitted. At the PIC, 17 questionnaires were submitted while 7 were mailed to HCA
offices. The majority of 101 responses were submitted online via the online
questionnaire that was posted on the HCA’s web page. An additional number of 5
detailed responses in the form of emails and letters were also submitted to the HCA.
The views and concerns of these submissions have also been incorporated into
this report. The results collected are presented here in a general format as both a
quantitative and qualitative analysis. All submitted letters and questionnaires could be
referenced in the supporting Appendix. In keeping with the principles of the Freedom of
Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the personal information of all participants
(unless consented) was kept anonymous.
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3.1 Geographical Distribution of Participants
From Figure 1 below, 53% or 66 responses came from residents in the Ancaster and
Dundas area who do not live close to the Maplewood facility while 5% or 6 responses
came from participants who live outside the City of Hamilton.
Figure 1: Geographical Distribution of Participants
The majority of participants from Artaban, Lions Club, Lower Lions Club Roads,
Montgomery Drive, and Millcreek Court participated in person at the PIC
Most participants from Ancaster, Dundas, and other parts of the City of Hamilton
participated online
3.2 Activities Undertaken in the Vicinity of the Maplewood Facility
Figure 2 on page 10 illustrates that the greatest number of 67 participants use the area
around Maplewood for walking, running, and/or hiking activities. The least number of 8
participants use the area for other activities and nature photography. Some of other
these activities include studying nature, nature appreciation, horse-back riding, snow
shoeing, cross country skiing, and dog walking.
Artaban, Lions Club, Lower Lions Club Rds., Montgomery Dr., Millcreek Ct.-7
Other parts of Ancaster or Dundas-66
Other parts of the City of Hamilton-
46
Outside the City of Hamilton-6
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Figure 2: Activities Undertaken in the Vicinity of the Maplewood Facility
A total number of 6 participants do not use the area with 3 participants residing in
areas outside of the City of Hamilton
The 67 participants who use the area for walking, running, or hiking were mostly
residents of the area around the Maplewood facility and the wider Ancaster and
Dundas area
3.3 Frequency of Area’s Use
For the purpose of this report, the area under consideration shall be referred to as the
lands surrounding the immediate vicinity of the Maplewood vicinity that is used for the
activities as demonstrated in Figure 2 above. The greatest number of 74 participants
does not use this area frequently, while the least number of 7 participants use the area
on a daily basis.
Walking, Running, or Hiking
Mountain Biking
Bird Watching
Nature Photography
None of the above
No
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art
icip
an
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Type of Activity
Other
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Figure 3: Frequency of Area’s Use
For the 7 participants who use the area around the Maplewood facility on a daily
basis, the majority of these people live in close proximity to the facility i.e. along
Artaban, Lions Club, Old Dundas, Lower Lions Club Roads, Montgomery Drive, and
Millcreek Court in addition to Ontario Street
In contrast, the 74 participants who do use the area frequently do not live in close
proximity to the Maplewood facility
3.4 Importance of Various Criteria
53% or 77 participants felt that environmental and geographical factors are most
important to them when it comes to making a decision on the future of the Maplewood
facility. 15% or 17 participants felt that financial criteria are most important.
Not
frequently
None of
the above
At least once a week
Daily
No
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f P
art
icip
an
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Frequency of Use
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Figure 4: Importance of Criteria in Decision-Making
12% or 21 participants felt that other criteria should be considered as well such as:
- Historical
- Recreational
- Educational
- Activities geared towards getting retired and older people outdoors
- Health and wellness
Some participants commented that all three criteria are equally important and go hand in hand with the notion of sustainability and did not provide an answer
On the other hand, some participants chose more than one criteria e.g. the environmental and social criteria was most selected
Environmental/
Geographical
Financial
Social
Other
77 people
17 people
29 people
21 people
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3.5 Should HCA find a Suitable Use for the Maplewood Facility
For the purposes of this report, ‘suitable’ use means a use for the facility and not
demolition. Figure 5 below demonstrated that 85 participants believe that the HCA
should find a suitable use for the Maplewood Facility while 37 participants think
otherwise. Some participants did not provide an answer to this question.
No. of Participants
Figure 5: Should HCA find a Suitable Use for the Maplewood Facility
Some participants who chose option 4 to demolish facility did not fully comprehend
what was meant by ‘suitable use’ and selected yes instead of no
In the 85 participants who responded yes, 2 chose option 1 to mothball the facility,
16 chose option 2 to upgrade and operate as a rental facility, 64 chose option 3 to
open up facility to a Montessori school, while 10 chose to demolish the facility
NO
YES
Cate
go
ry
No. of Participants
NO
Cate
go
ry
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3.6 Group 1: What do people living close to the Maplewood facility think?
For the purposes of this report, the people living in the immediate vicinity of the
Maplewood facility shall be referred to as the residents who had identified that they live
along Artaban, Lions Club, Old Dundas, Lower Lions Club Roads, Montgomery Drive,
and Millcreek Court, who participated in this process.
Map 1: Location of Group 1 Residents
Summary of results for this area:
- 7 participants from this area
- None of the participants were connected to a Montessori school
- 2 out of 7 participants stated that the HCA should pursue option 2 to upgrade and
operate as rental facility
- 5 out of 7 participants think that the HCA should pursue option 4 to demolish the
facility
Key: Location of Maplewood Area Boundary
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3.7 Group 2: What do people living in other parts of Ancaster or Dundas think?
For the purposes of this report, the people living in other parts of Ancaster and Dundas
shall be referred to as the residents who identified that they do not live in close proximity
to the Maplewood facility and but participated in this process.
Map 2: Location of Group 2 Residents
Summary of results for this area:
- 66 participants from this area
- 25 of these participants were connected to a Montessori school
- 1 out of 66 participants stated that the HCA should pursue option 1 to mothball
facility
- 8 out of 66 participants stated that the HCA should pursue option 2 to upgrade and
operate as rental facility
- 38 out of 66 participants stated that the HCA should pursue option 3 to open up
facility to a Montessori school
- 18 out of 66 participants think that the HCA should pursue option 4 to demolish all
building and naturalize area
Key: Location of Maplewood Area Boundary
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3.8 Group 3: What do people living in other parts of the City of Hamilton think?
For the purposes of this report, the people living in other parts of the City of Hamilton
shall be referred to as participants who have identified that they do not live close to the
Maplewood facility, or in the Ancaster and Dundas area and participated in this process.
Map 3: Location of Group 3 Residents
Summary of results for this area:
- 46 participants from this area
- 13 of these participants were connected to a Montessori school
- 1 out of 46 participants stated that the HCA should pursue option 1 to continue to
mothball facility
- 5 out of 46 participants stated that the HCA should pursue option 2 to upgrade and
operate as rental facility
- 23 out of 46 participants stated that the HCA should pursue option 3 to open up
facility to a Montessori school
- 17 out of 46 participants think that the HCA should pursue option 4 to demolish all
building and naturalize area
Key: Location of Maplewood Area Boundary
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3.9 Group 4: What do people living outside the City of Hamilton think?
For the purposes of this report, the people living outside the City of Hamilton shall be
referred to as participants who do not live close to the Maplewood facility, in the
Ancaster and Dundas area, or in other parts of the City of Hamilton and participated in
this process.
Map 4: Location of Group 4 Residents
Summary of results for this area:
- 6 participants from this area
- None of these participants were connected to a Montessori school
- 1 out of 6 participants stated that the HCA should pursue option 2 to upgrade and
operate as rental facility
- 2 out of 6 participants stated that the HCA should pursue option 3 to open up facility
to a Montessori school
- 3 out of 6 participants think that the HCA should pursue option 4 to demolish all
building and naturalize area
Key: Location of Maplewood Area Boundary
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4.0 Connection to a Montessori School
31% or 38 participants identified that they were connected to a Montessori school in
some capacity (i.e. as a staff member, student, parent, or other) whereas 69% or 86
participants identified that they were not.
Figure 6: Connection to a Montessori School
In the 38 participants that were connected to a Montessori school, 37 participants
chose option 3 to open up facility to a Montessori school, while 1 participant chose
option 4 to demolish the facility and naturalize area
Out of the 86 participants that were not connected to a Montessori school, 21
participants selected option 3 to open up facility to a Montessori school while 47
chose option 4 to demolish the facility and naturalize area, 16 chose option 2 to
upgrade and operate as a rental facility, and 1 person chose option 2 to mothball
facility
6 participants did not identify whether they were connected to a Montessori school or
not
38
participants-
YES
86
participants-
NO
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5.0 Options Selected by Participants
From Figure 7 below 57 participants believe that the HCA should pursue option 3 and
open up the facility to a Montessori school. While 31 participants think the HCA chose
option 4 and pursue demolition of the facility and naturalization of the area. Only 1
participant felt that the HCA should continue to mothball the facility.
Figure 7: Options Selected by Participants
16 participants who chose option 2 believe that the facility should be upgraded
and utilized for weddings, meetings, banquets, artists’ sanctuary etc.
Out of the 64 participants who chose option 3, there were 37 participants who
were connected to a Montessori school while 21 were not, and 6 participants did
not provide an answer to whether they were associated with a Montessori school
or not but chose this option
47 out of 48 participants who chose option 4 were not connected to a Montessori
school
Some participants did not provide an answer to this question while some
participants provided two options in their answer
Option 3 Montessori
Options
No
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icip
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37 Connected to Montesssori
21 Not
Connected to Montesssori
Option 4 Demolish
Option 1 Mothball
Option 2 Upgrade
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6.0 Summary of Public Comments by Option
What did the 2 participants have to say in support of Option 1: Continue to
Mothball Facility but against the other options?
Area should remain and be open to the public
Area should remain naturalized
Demolishing too invasive and would create disturbances to the environment
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What did the 16 participants have to say in support of Option 2: HCA to
Upgrade and operate as a Rental Facility but against the other options?
Facility could generate enough money
Mothballing delays decisions
Options 3 and 4 put public in dilemma
Difficulty to find event venues in Ancaster
Use as educational advertisement for Hamilton
Conduct an open call for proposals
Safety of Montessori children in unprotected area
Maintain heritage for all community access rather than restricting to Montessori
Montessori will create traffic
A few extra square feet of green space
Still have traffic in area due to the residents who live nearby
Montessori school might increase cost of living
Desirable location for functions
Canadian Forces or local Police can use
Have business plan to support facility
Paid parking lots would generate revenue
Facility was great because it was affordable
Using it as a rental facility would limit disturbances while allowing inflow of capital and
retaining the natural ambiance
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What did the 64 participants have to say in support of Option 2: HCA to
Upgrade and operate as a Rental Facility but against the other options?
School has demonstrated sound ecological principles
Children overstimulated in a world of technology
Teaming HCA with Montessori will meet their goals
Way for people to use the facility during the school lease
Opportunities for children to connect with nature
Educational program should be off the grid
Support use of school bus
Not huge numbers of students to attend school
Provincial support for outdoor education growing
Young people need to learn how to care about the environment
Limit traffic in the area-Montessori would be willing
Teach youth to work with native plants and learn about naturalization
Education will bond students, families, teachers, and friends
Good strategy for appreciation and protection of natural heritage
Obesity on rise in youth a natural setting would allow students to exercise
Education has been a historical feature of facility
Focus on educating the next generation
Valley should be for the enjoyment of all
Restoration would take a very long time
A good re-use of an existing property
Don’t listen to a few selfish people
A long-term goal should be considered over short term ones
Retains value of the centre as an educational facility with proposed low-impact
Montessori school will be respectful of the environment and the community
surrounding Maplewood Hall and the opportunity it presents to the students is
invaluable
My wife and I were Montessori School students in the Netherlands in the 1930s
and 40s-we consider the Maplewood location and environment ideal for a
Montessori School; a unique opportunity to include the natural environment in
the curriculum
In Hamilton we see buildings demolished, parts of our history demolished all the
time
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What did the 48 participants have to say in support of Option 4: Demolish
Facility & Naturalize Area but against the other options?
Purpose of purchase from Diocese was for property to remain open space for all in
perpetuity
I am so angry with the authority for continuing to ignore public opinion
To sell or lease this property is not keeping in faith with vendors of land
Property was acquired for its value as part of the Valley
Philosophy and purposes of HCA has suffered a shift
Demolition would allow savings
Historical record that facility doesn’t generate enough money
Options 1, 2 & 3 seem expensive and unrealistic
Access road not good-hills, safety, inclement weather, and stability
Public conservation area for all not for private school only
Pollution to Sulphur Creek
HCA primary mandate should be to naturalize
Options 2 & 3 turns the facility over to private uses
Good for the ecosystem
Organic gardening and chickens interacting with deer, raccoons, foxes, and
coyotes
Naturalization is one time cost with no financial burden
Revitalize area for wildlife and at risk plants
Increase forest habitat
Facility in the middle of the Valley and is a hole in the canopy
Rent won’t result in more than $35,000 a year-demands on road, reconstruction,
liability claims, possible damages linked to the occupants or visitors
Montessori proposal commercially subject
HCA must explain how they intend to use facility and let that use be evaluated
Too much of a long-term risk
Supporting an entrepreneur is dubious and could affect the funds
School populations can be very destructive on an area
Trail Centre should be used for education
Isolated school a poor model in a world where ease of access is needed
Dangerous for cycling and walking and parents in their idling cars who come to
pick up their children
Loss of green space for a few dollars
What about emergency vehicles being able to get to the Hall if required?
HCA is not a business where making profit is an object
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4.0 Key Findings
From an analysis of the results obtained to date, the main findings are as follows:
Environmental and geographical characteristics are of greatest importance to most
participants
Public access and use of the facility (if not being demolished), for a private group
only is a concern
Access road that leads to the Maplewood facility is a key concern due to safety
during adverse weather conditions, the capability of the Montessori or another user
to maintain it, along with the unknown environmental impacts
Increased traffic in the Dundas Valley Conservation Area and around the area e.g.
along Old Ancaster and Old Dundas Roads
The need to grow the next generation of people and connect children with nature so
that they could take care of the environment through learning and growing in an
outdoor setting
HCA’s mandate under question as some participants believe that environmental
protection should come first whereas others think that outdoor education is integral
for the development of future generations who will become stewards