LIVE BLOG: City Council Meeting for September 11, 2017

Published on by Adam A. Donaldson

Sure, it’s a short agenda, but those always seem to be the most controversial… 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
Tue, Sep 12 2017 01:17:01

Guelph City Council Meeting – September 11, 2017

Live blog from the meeting starting at 6:30 pm

  1. City council planning meeting tonight, here's the plan: https://t.co/H8QGsbiPDe https://t.co/xLSMzIikET

    City council planning meeting tonight, here’s the plan:  https://guelphpolitico.blogspot.ca/2017/09/city-council-preview-whats-on-agenda.html … pic.twitter.com/xLSMzIikET
    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    ·

    Mon, Sep 11 2017 22:14:34

  2. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Mayor Guthrie has called the meeting to order.

    Mon, Sep 11 2017 22:30:35

  3. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Closed meeting item on Guelph Junction Railway item – council received info in camera & directed staff to take further steps.

    Mon, Sep 11 2017 22:31:37

  4. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    The one item tonight: a proposed zoning bylaw amendment for 88 Beechwood Ave.

    Mon, Sep 11 2017 22:34:09

  5. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    The Beechwood-Chadwick-Hearn Neighbourhood Association will be delegating on this matter tonight, along with what looks like many others.

    Mon, Sep 11 2017 22:35:07

  6. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    88 Beachwood is the old Optimist Club. The property backs out to Howitt Park, where there’s been other controversy.  https://guelphpolitico.blogspot.ca/2017/08/lafarge-protestors-want-developers-to.html …

    Mon, Sep 11 2017 22:36:37

  7. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    The plan asks for 34 residential townhouse units including 12 stacked townhouse units (end units) and 22 cluster townhouse units to be built

    Mon, Sep 11 2017 22:37:26

  8. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Also, 57 new parking spaces in underground parking.

    Mon, Sep 11 2017 22:37:42

  9. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Fun fact: the city has no definition for back-to-back units, so council will have to approve a site specific plan.

    Mon, Sep 11 2017 22:40:23

  10. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Salisbury asks for a more detailed report on the fate of trees on the property in the future.

    Mon, Sep 11 2017 22:50:23

  11. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Piper indicates something on her screen using a pen, then realizes that planner Lindsay Sulatycki can’t see what she’s pointing at…

    Mon, Sep 11 2017 22:53:14

  12. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design. Piper asks if such a study has been done on the property, it hasn’t/

    Mon, Sep 11 2017 22:55:06

  13. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Next up: delegations.

    Mon, Sep 11 2017 22:55:18

  14. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    First up, Dave Aston on behalf of the applicant. He’s with MHBC Planning.

    Mon, Sep 11 2017 22:56:32

  15. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    There are 9 people in total on the delegate list, but the planning act allows anyone to speak once the list is complete. At least 2 more…

    Mon, Sep 11 2017 22:58:13

  16. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Aston says there was some outreach to the area residents back in June where they should proposal and answered Qs.

    Mon, Sep 11 2017 23:00:00

  17. Aston says Granite Homes is opened to the best fit for the zone, but... https://t.co/EXF3nOwhHI

    Aston says Granite Homes is opened to the best fit for the zone, but… pic.twitter.com/EXF3nOwhHI
    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    ·

    Mon, Sep 11 2017 23:05:33

  18. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Piper asking about comparison between this project and Granite’s development on Arkell. The concept is the same.

    Mon, Sep 11 2017 23:11:11

  19. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Salisbury not against the zoning change, but thinks Granite is asking for strong exceptions given the land and the building type.

    Mon, Sep 11 2017 23:12:20

  20. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Aston: It’s okay if there’s less side/ backyard, there’s a park right there .(basically).

    Mon, Sep 11 2017 23:14:21

  21. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Hofland asks if there’ll be public access behind the building along the creek.

    Mon, Sep 11 2017 23:15:45

  22. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Aston: Yes.

    Mon, Sep 11 2017 23:16:02

  23. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Hofland asking for clarification on trees along the boundary, they will be removed because the development comes right up to the line

    Mon, Sep 11 2017 23:18:36

  24. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Aston: “The intent is to save as many trees as we can.” but he doesn’t sound terribly hopeful.

    Mon, Sep 11 2017 23:19:16

  25. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Hofland asks if Granite would be interested in having further meetings with the neighbourhood? Aston: Yes.

    Mon, Sep 11 2017 23:21:04

  26. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Allt asks Aston what “input and consultation” means?

    Mon, Sep 11 2017 23:22:27

  27. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Aston: Receiving questions and comments, other agency and environmental comments. A complete package in terms of what to expect.

    Mon, Sep 11 2017 23:23:06

  28. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Allt notes that the trail is also used as a short cut by area residents. Aston says # of units don’t require a traffic study.

    Mon, Sep 11 2017 23:25:03

  29. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    No more Qs for Aston. Next up is the neighbourhood group.

    Mon, Sep 11 2017 23:26:53

  30. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Natalia Crewson is an exec member of the new group. She’s speaking first.

    Mon, Sep 11 2017 23:28:00

  31. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Right now Sheila Hollidge is doing an overview of the area, a video tour. (Hint: ain’t no new complex gonna fit in here.)

    Mon, Sep 11 2017 23:33:16

  32. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Hollidge notes the mosque is here, and that the neighbourhood doesn’t not want a development that can disrupt their worship.

    Mon, Sep 11 2017 23:34:20

  33. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Sally Humphries, another member of BCHNA, says that members of council have already brought up many of her concerns.

    Mon, Sep 11 2017 23:35:15

  34. The neighbourhood group presentation has a photo of the Granite development at Arkell. https://t.co/ottlGipT6h

    The neighbourhood group presentation has a photo of the Granite development at Arkell. pic.twitter.com/ottlGipT6h
    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    ·

    Mon, Sep 11 2017 23:39:01

  35. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Granite Homes is “trying to put a square peg in a round hole”, says Humphries.

    Mon, Sep 11 2017 23:40:48

  36. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Pauline Cunningham is talking about parking. What id owners have more than 1 car, don’t like parking underground?

    Mon, Sep 11 2017 23:42:57

  37. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cunningham also notes no accessibility access to underground parking. Seems like a huge oversight.

    Mon, Sep 11 2017 23:43:47

  38. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    There’s also concerns about storm water management, and garbage.

    Mon, Sep 11 2017 23:49:46

  39. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cunningham also notes that the Howitt Park playground will be in shadow under the current plan, therefore less safe.

    Mon, Sep 11 2017 23:54:02

  40. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Tom Wood, another member of the group, notes that most homes are single storey, nearest apartment is three storeys.

    Mon, Sep 11 2017 23:56:45

  41. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cathy Dariing wants more information about tree removal. Seems that the proposal only leaves 3 mature trees on the site…

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 00:03:01

  42. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Darling says the group does not have much faith in tree management plans. Points to recent loss of 2,000 trees at Lafarge site.

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 00:04:49

  43. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Final member of the group to speak, Byron Cunningham. They support comparable development on Beechwood, this is not it.

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 00:05:24

  44. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Arkell Road is not Beechwood, says Cunningham.

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 00:07:08

  45. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Neighbourhood needs to be valued, not diminished, says Cunningham

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 00:10:51

  46. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    In case you were unsure, the BCHNA is *not* supporting this application. (But they still want a voice in the process).

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 00:13:26

  47. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Guthrie praises the presentation as “very professional”.

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 00:14:08

  48. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Gordon calls the presentation, an “inspiring example of neighbourhood collaboration”. Asks is there’s consensus on reasonable develop.

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 00:16:09

  49. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cunningham: If it was 6-14, that would address the issue.

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 00:16:39

  50. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Final speaker on the list, Albert Boutin.

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 00:17:31

  51. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Boutin says that Hearn is “basically a one-way street.” Snow removal and parking already difficult issues.

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 00:18:39

  52. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Zul Kara of the Ismailia Centre says they’ve been a proud part of the neighbourhood for 20 years, shares concerns, asks council for solution

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 00:21:54

  53. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Allt asks if Ismailia Centre has used parking at the Optimist Club in the past. Kara says they have (with permission from Granite).

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 00:24:51

  54. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Nick Wilson, another area resident, notes that the building will create difficulty to access the park and trail.

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 00:25:46

  55. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    There are also 4 correspondences in the meeting package.  http://guelph.ca/wp-content/uploads/council_consoldiated_agenda_091117.pdf …

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 00:27:16

  56. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Aston asks if he could get a copy of the questions from the neighbourhood group. He’ll get one, says the mayor.

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 00:28:19

  57. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Back to councillor questions, MacKinnon notes that the plan now calls for low-density, asks under what circumstances City goes against OPA?

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 00:29:44

  58. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    OPA 48 is not in full force yet, so an amendment was not required.

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 00:30:52

  59. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    OPA 48:  http://guelph.ca/plans-and-strategies/official-plan/opa-48-official-plan-update/ …

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 00:31:01

  60. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    OPA 48 is currently being appealed, so it’s not being enforced yet. It seems like Granite has found a kind of loophole.

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 00:31:42

  61. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    If OPA 48 were in effect, there would be additional paperwork for Granite.

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 00:32:16

  62. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Downer is concerned about the precedent setting nature of this.

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 00:35:16

  63. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Downer adds that no matter what goes in here, visibility of the park from the street is an important consideration.

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 00:35:56

  64. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    “I’ll try and frame these as questions,” Allt says. He’s concerned that this is right project on the wrong site.

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 00:37:47

  65. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Allt says that the traffic issue in this areas has been festering for a while. Alma St may be the traffic issue b/c it’s closest school

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 00:39:13

  66. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Allt also concerned that given recent events (Lafarge), a proper tree inventory be done.

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 00:39:39

  67. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Staff says that while there’s no need for a traffic impact study, council can certainly request one.

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 00:42:34

  68. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Guthrie says there would have to be a council vote to direct that.

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 00:43:06

  69. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Staff says they would prefer formal direction since they have their procedures.

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 00:44:09

  70. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Hofland says she’ll make a motion at the end of the meeting to direct staff to perform a traffic study.

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 00:46:25

  71. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Hofland asks for environmental impact on Howitt Creek. Staff says it’s already underway.

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 00:48:11

  72. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Wettstein asks if the fact that OPA 48 is under appeal is making things so difficult?

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 00:53:31

  73. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Wettstein adds that council is going to be similar problems with infill projects over the next 10 years…

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 00:54:04

  74. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Staff acknowledges that this is a challenge, these are just the concerns that OPA 48 will address, it’ll be fine when that’s in place.

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 00:56:00

  75. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Hofland asks how garbage will be handled. Staff: applicant can do private or public (if it meets site plan approval).

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 00:57:09

  76. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Guthrie asks for clarification: talking about playground being case in shadow, has a shadow study been done?

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 01:01:57

  77. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Staff says it has not. It’s speculative unless residents have done their own formal analysis.

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 01:02:24

  78. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    MacKinnon and Hofland move receipt of the application. Guthrie notes *receipt*.

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 01:06:04

  79. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Vote to receive passes 11-0 (Gordon has left the meeting, Bob Bell sent regrets)

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 01:06:52

  80. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Hofland moves traffic study for the area. (As promised)

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 01:07:13

  81. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Piper says a site specific impact study is not going to give council the info it needs. A cumulative study would be better.

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 01:07:52

  82. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Staff says they’ll consult with engineering and traffic to develop a study that answers the question council has.

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 01:09:29

  83. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Hofland removes her motion after the advise of staff and DCAO Stewart.

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 01:13:26

  84. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    The meeting is wrapping up. Guthrie thanks the applicants, notes staff willingness to mediate further discussion.

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 01:14:11

  85. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Hofland moves the bylaws, second by Allt. Passes 11-0.

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 01:14:54

  86. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    No announcements from the mayor. So that’s meeting adjourned.

    Tue, Sep 12 2017 01:15:24

 

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