LIVE BLOG: City Council Meeting for March 7, 2016

Published on by Adam A. Donaldson

Two major pieces of rezoning are up for discussion at this week’s city council meeting. You can click here for the amended agenda from City Hall, and you can click here to read Politico’s preview of tonight’s meeting. For the complete blow-by-blow of tonight’s council meeting, you can follow me on Twitter, or follow along below via Storify.

by
Adam A. Donaldson
Sat, Sep 23 2017 18:24:26

Guelph City Council Meeting – March 7, 2016

Live blog from the meeting starting at 7 pm

  1. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    From Guelph Politico: A preview of tonight’s council meeting.  http://guelphpolitico.blogspot.ca/2016/03/city-council-preview-whats-on-agenda.html … #Guelph #GuelphNews

    Mon, Mar 07 2016 17:36:34

  2. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    City Council meeting tonight. Guelph Politico will be live blogging at 7 pm. Follow along here, or here:  http://guelphpolitico.blogspot.ca/2016/03/live-blog-city-council-meeting-for.html …

    Mon, Mar 07 2016 17:57:04

  3. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    20 Minutes till the start of tonight’s council meeting. Follow along with me!  http://guelphpolitico.blogspot.ca/2016/03/live-blog-city-council-meeting-for.html#more … @cityofguelph #Guelph

    Mon, Mar 07 2016 23:41:33

  4. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Topics of discussion in closed session: response to Jan. correspondence, social media comms, Kortright OMB & Storm negotiations.

    Mon, Mar 07 2016 23:57:05

  5. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Mayor @CamGuthrie is calling the meeting to order.

    Mon, Mar 07 2016 23:59:53

  6. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    It’s a full house around the horseshoe tonight.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:01:31

  7. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Correspondence: direction given to mayor and staff
    Social Media: direction given

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:02:00

  8. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Storm negotiation: further direction given to staff.
    Kortright OMB: council will be going back into closed for that one.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:02:37

  9. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    First up: Paisley/Imperial node. Presentation by Lindsay Sulatycki, Senior Development Planner

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:03:15

  10. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    This item concerns the expansion of floor space for next phase of development in the Zehrs plaza at Pailey/Imperial.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:04:19

  11. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    No decisions will be made on these matters tonight.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:05:34

  12. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    The current plan calls for a ground floor area (GFA) increase of 4,400 m2 from 20,851 m2 to 25,251 m2

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:07:00

  13. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    The total area of the development will then go from 52,600 m2 to 57,000 m2.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:07:10

  14. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    If approved, the next phase of development at 963 to 1045 Paisley Road – the open field at the north end of the property can begin.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:08:54

  15. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Salisbury asks about the completion of the road that runs between the plaza and the West End Rec Centre.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:09:38

  16. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    “For 10 years that has sat and nothing has happened.” Signals are already there Salisbury adds.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:10:24

  17. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Issue seems to be a matter of land transfer. Salisbury would like to see that part of the proposal coming forward.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:10:46

  18. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Salisbury says he’s pro-development, this a good news story, but wants the road done.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:11:23

  19. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Billings asks if its possible that there’s already an agreement.
    Staff will have to consult with engineering dept.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:12:08

  20. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Downer points out that there’s been no commercial review since ’06. New development in north and east since then.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:12:51

  21. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    When might another commercial review come up? Sulatycki says it will start in the 2nd half of 2016.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:13:33

  22. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Gibson also curious about land review. Wondering if the city is doing a market impact study?

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:14:40

  23. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Sulatycki says the developer has submitted it and it’s under review.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:14:56

  24. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Gibson asks to see if there might be any impact on east end development.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:15:44

  25. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Wendy Nott of Walker, Nott, Dragicevic Associates Ltd. (AKA: the planning consultant for Armel) is here.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:17:05

  26. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Nott notes that much has changed since last commercial review. Armel has been successful in attracting big retailers to the node.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:17:38

  27. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Construction of Costco has stopped the “outflow” of retail dollars, says Nott.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:18:11

  28. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Not says there will be no adverse impacts to other retail areas, or the downtown. City can actually support more retail floor space.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:19:46

  29. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Nott says there’s a draft agreement concerning the land transfer. Agreement will be approved when the site plan is.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:21:45

  30. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    No public input on the report.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:22:18

  31. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Guthrie says he sees the traffic as it is and would like to see the traffic done. There’s also “really not well laid out drive thrus.”

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:23:18

  32. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Billings says synchronization of lights was mentioned the last time this was discussed. Perhaps that would help traffic

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:24:06

  33. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Salisbury would like “a paragraph” to know “where we stand” on traffic feasibility.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:25:16

  34. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Guthrie notes there’s a lot of space on Elmira, could see it sold as a four lane road.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:25:41

  35. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    In liu of separated bike lanes.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:25:56

  36. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Council accepts report 13-0

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:26:09

  37. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Michael Witmer, Development Planner II, now talking about rezone on Gordon St.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:26:41

  38. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    The Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation Diocese of Hamilton wants to turn 325 Gordon into a religious establishment. 329 isa group home.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:28:23

  39. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    The Brooklyn/College Hills Heritage District is now in effect. This may be the 1st rezone to come up since its imposition in Nov ’15

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:30:23

  40. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    “Religious establishment” intended for the use of students, staff and faculty of the U of G

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:31:30

  41. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    There are a few delegates listed to speak to this one.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:32:13

  42. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Specialized provision for 15 off-street parking spaces.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:32:45

  43. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    McKinnon asking if there’s other examples of rezones working against the official plan.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:33:25

  44. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Minor institutional uses are allowed under general residential areas. Major institutionals include the hospital, U of G and Conestoga

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:34:35

  45. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Billings asks if the city will be collecting taxes from them. Staff will get back.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:34:54

  46. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Van Hellemond asks about Heritage provisions. Heritage Guelph will be involved in oversight.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:35:31

  47. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Allt concerned about “slippery slope.”Doesn’t want to see “frat houses” or other such institutions encroaching on residential.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:36:48

  48. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Downer asks about criteria for signage in the heritage district.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:37:32

  49. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Downer also asks about the type of lighting in the parking lot. Those issues will be reviewed in the site plan process.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:38:12

  50. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Waiter’s had conversations already with the developer about resident concerns about rezoning.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:39:24

  51. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Witmer’s had conversations already with the developer about resident concerns about rezoning.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:40:12

  52. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Guthrie asking to see where the parking spots are going to go…

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:41:33

  53. ...where the pen is basically. https://t.co/stwglHLclh

    …where the pen is basically. pic.twitter.com/stwglHLclh
    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    ·

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:42:55

  54. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    James Webb, WEBB Planning Consultants Inc., is now addressing council

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:43:32

  55. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Webb is introducing his entourage including a U of G masters student who will tell us about the Newman Centre.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:44:29

  56. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Webb is introducing his entourage including a U of G masters student who will tell us about the Newman Centre.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:44:29

  57. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Many university campuses have Newman Centres. Check this out, it’s a link to McGill’s Newman Centre.  http://newmancentre.org/wp/ 

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:45:40

  58. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Diocese is trying to develop more Newman Centres, got their eye on Guelph as a good place to create one.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:46:31

  59. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    “We won’t be rowdy and we won’t be loud,” says Webb’s colleague. “It won’t be a frat house.”

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:47:00

  60. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Newman Centre will host religious services, lectures, get togethers, and community dinners.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:47:26

  61. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Adds that since Newman Centre will be mostly servicing students, so ppl coming in on foot and by bus.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:48:27

  62. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Use will be restricted to the existing building adds Webb

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:49:38

  63. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    “Site plan has been designed as carefully as possible” to minimize loss of trees, says Webb. Likely only one tree will be removed.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:51:11

  64. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Working with staff. 15 spaces may not be the final number. Wants to balance green space needs.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:52:19

  65. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Allt asks about Dunara House on the site. No changes currently planned.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:54:16

  66. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Properties were acquired in the mid 60s and then the title was combined later FYI

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:55:03

  67. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Commitment to keep Dunara at 329 Gordon going, where as use at 325 had ended. Hence the need to rezone.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:55:43

  68. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Piper asks about hours of operation. Most of the events likely won’t go after 8 pm. Meant for activities coinciding with student day skeds

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:56:39

  69. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Piper wants to ask for their be no extra lights for the parking due to the residential area.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:57:22

  70. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    No one from the audience has anything to add.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:58:12

  71. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Guthrie has one ask about heritage district logistics, would like to see report on how relationship worked if approved by council.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:59:09

  72. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Guthrie would like to see feedback how the developers were able to work within heritage designations.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:59:41

  73. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Report accepted 13-0

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 00:59:50

  74. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Vote on by-law to confirm the proceedings of meetings of Guelph City Council. (February 24, 29 and March 7, 2016) Passes 13-0

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 01:00:43

  75. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Allt gives @TheAgenda episode featuring #Guelph a shout out.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 01:01:04

  76. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Council moves to go back into the closed meeting. Essential tonight’s meeting is over. Thanks for following.

    Tue, Mar 08 2016 01:01:35

 

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