Adam Hassan
Candidate for Ward 2 Councillor
Adam Hassan is a candidate for Ward 2 Councillor who said he grew up in Stouffville and has worked as a residential property manager for the past 16 years.
In his interview, Hassan addressed a recently approved townhome development in Ballantrae, traffic safety at Highway 48 and Aurora Road, and how growth should be managed in the ward. He also outlined his position on the Ballantrae Sports Dome in later comments to Bullet Point News.
- Local Background: Hassan says he grew up in town, attended local schools, and has always worked within Ward 2. He says that experience helps him understand the community.
- Townhome Development: A 90-townhome development recently approved in Ballantrae has become a “hot topic,” he told us, because it brings higher density to an area used to lower-density development.
- Traffic Safety: Hassan cites congestion and several accidents at Highway 48 and Aurora Road, calling for careful monitoring before future upgrades.
- Rural Character: Growth should respect Ward 2’s farmland, rural properties, and “small town charm,” he added.
- Infrastructure Costs: Hassan says new developments must pay their share of infrastructure through development charges, and that amenities should be in place before the Town expands too quickly.
- Ballantrae Sports Dome: He would not have supported the dome when first proposed, noting one councillor likely cannot stop it now.
Tell us a bit about yourself and why you’re running.
Hassan said he grew up in Stouffville, attended Ballantrae Public School and Stouffville District Secondary School, and has worked within Ward 2 throughout his career. His first job was at Maples of Ballantrae Golf Course, now Royal Stouffville.
He has spent the past 16 years working as a residential property manager, an experience he said has given him an understanding of the community and how it has changed over time.
“I love our town,” Hassan said, adding that he wants to represent his hometown and its residents on Council.
What is the leading issue in your ward, and how would you address it as councillor?
Door-knocking has given Hassan a strong connection with Ward 2 residents, he said, and one of the main issues he has encountered is Hammerford Development’s 90-townhome project, approved this year.
He believes the project, located at Aurora Road and Highway 48, has become a “hot topic” because it is high density in an area accustomed to lower-density development.
The site’s location beside a main intersection adds to residents’ concerns, he said. Hassan described the roadway as very congested, said several accidents occurred there over the summer, and said he believes he has witnessed at least five himself. Putting another development on that roadway has many residents worried.
In response, Hassan wants to ensure the project is “looked at carefully” and that the Ministry of Transportation closely monitors the intersection before the development goes in.
With the Town facing significant growth, infrastructure, and financial pressures, what does responsible growth in Stouffville look like?
Hassan said responsible growth should reflect the character of the area being developed. He described Stouffville as having traditionally offered a balance between the countryside and the city, and said preserving that identity is particularly important in Ward 2.
He pointed to the ward’s farmland, rural properties, and larger properties served by septic systems as considerations when evaluating new development.
Hassan acknowledged that the Town needs to grow and has a mandate to accommodate additional development, but argued that expansion must be managed carefully. He suggested lower-density development as one possible approach and said road capacity, infrastructure, and amenities should be considered before further growth is approved.
He also said developers should contribute toward the infrastructure costs associated with their projects through development charges.
“We need to ensure that the amenities are here before we expand too quickly,” Hassan concluded.
What is your position on the Ballantrae Sports Dome?
In comments later submitted to Bullet Point News, Hassan said he would not have supported the project had he been on Council in 2022. He argued a facility of this size is not appropriate for Ward 2’s rural surroundings, citing concerns about traffic, lighting, noise, and the facility’s proximity to homes and Ballantrae Public School.
Acknowledging the dome’s potential benefits, he listed planned amenities such as pickleball, a year-round walking track, a workout area, basketball, volleyball, and an indoor sports field that could serve families, students, and seniors. Those benefits, he said, must be balanced against protecting neighbouring residents and respecting Ward 2’s rural character.
His understanding is that approvals, funding, and location are now finalized, with construction scheduled to begin in the coming months. Hassan said one newly elected councillor cannot stop the project, telling us that “anyone making that commitment should explain clearly how they intend to achieve it.”
Hassan has already met with Mentana Group, [the dome’s operator], to raise those concerns, along with visual impact and parking. If elected, he would identify “every remaining opportunity” to reduce the facility’s impact and press for answers on what can still be changed, including its size and design. He would also work with residents, Town Staff, and the operator on improvements.
He also called for Ballantrae Park’s usable community space to be returned to residents and students, noting the green space, baseball diamond, soccer field, and walking areas have been boarded off since 2023.
As someone who attended Ballantrae Public School and grew up enjoying the park, he said, “this is personal to me.”
