Rules limiting the height of buildings in Hamilton should stay in place, according to members of the public surveyed by the Department of Planning.

The Department staff recently reached out to the public regarding potential changes to the City of Hamilton Plan 2001, erecting a mobile display first at City Hall and more recently Washington Mall.

One of the topics of conversation was the height limitation on buildings, which currently does not allow buildings to be taller than the ridge of the Cathedral — particularly if they are within the viewing corridor of the building — in order to preserve its “visual dominance” in the city.

Asked about the rule, total of 33 people told Department of Planning staff they would not support buildings being taller than the Anglican Cathedral, while only seven said taller buildings should be allowed.

One person said: “You can’t unring a bell. There would be no turning back. It would be a mistake. We can develop for height outside of the City.”

Another added that the revised Hamilton plan should maintain the five-story limit for buildings on Front Street.

Asked what they wanted to see in the revised plan, two people suggested better incorporating the North Hamilton Economic Empowerment Zone into the city itself.

One commentator wrote: “[The] EEZ should not ‘need’ their own plan, it should be a part of the plan, it is still part of Hamilton.”

Other suggestions included more seating, bicycle parking and trees, later shopping hours year-round and improved wheelchair access.

Several of those who commented touched on the city’s waterfront, with one suggesting the Hamilton Docks be moved and another saying that the waterfront could become green space, with the existing parking lots removed.

Parking in the city was another area of discussion, with commentators supporting underground parking facilities.

One person added: “Existing Hamilton parking should all be increased to two hours on streets, to help boost the economy. One hour really curtails my spending.”