City OKs student residence

A new west Hamilton residence is promising to draw students out of residential neighbourhoods, though critics fear it will just add to the over-concentration.

The city's planning committee has signed off on a plan to convert an old school on Sanders Boulevard into a lodging house for up to 50 students.

Planning staff endorsed the project, noting there's hope that larger residences beside the main corridor will mean less demand for student housing in single-family homes.

But residents have yet to see any students leave their neighbourhoods, despite the construction of a large-scale student residence on Main Street, said Councillor Brian McHattie.

In the Ainslie Wood-Westdale neighbourhood, more than 50 per cent of homes are student dwellings. Sanders Boulevard residents fear that converting the school will only bring more trouble to their neighbourhood.

Tom Perrie has already had to fork out $2,000 in repairs after students jumped up and down on his car and kicked out its tail lights. He's also lost garden statues, potted plants, porch furniture and more than a few good nights' sleep thanks to drunken students.

"It does change the character of the neighbourhood," he told councillors. "It's a real danger when a neighbourhood gets out of balance."