This month’s planning meeting features no new developments, but it does lay the potential ground work for future developments. Coming up at this meeting is the first phase of how high we can go downtown, and another new community improvement plan. We will also hear about two objections to two different heritage designations, and, for a change of pace, we will talk about trains (on the same night as the GJR shareholder meeting)!
NOTE #1: Delegates will be able to appear at this meeting in-person or via tele-presense but you do have to register with the clerks office before 10 am on Friday February 7. You can also submit written delegations and correspondences for agenda items.
NOTE #2: In addition to meeting in-person, this meeting will also be live-streamed on the City of Guelph’s website here.
22 James Street East: Objection to Notice of Intention to Designate – This property was designated by city council last November, which met four out of the nine criteria under the Heritage Act. But an objection notice was filed by the property owner in December who noted their concerns with the designation including restrictions on renovations, increased maintenance costs and “limited development potential”. Staff are recommending that the heritage designation proceed anyway.
Cambridge to Union Passenger Rail Connection Initial Business Case and Concept Design – This study was recently presented to Waterloo Regional Council, a plan to use a set of Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited tracks to connect Cambridge to Guelph and then on to Union Station with a new train line. The route will connect Cambridge to Guelph through the tracks that run parallel to Wellington Road #124 and then connect to the Metrolinx tracks at Alma Street and continue to Guelph Central Station. There are presently no costs to Guelph, council will simply be asked to endorse the idea in a letter to Metrolinx.
37 Christie Lane: Objection to Notice of Intention to Designate – Just when you thought this was a settled matter, the case of the very historical conservatory that the University of Guelph wants to tear down is coming back to council for one more round. After getting exactly what they wanted, the U of G is objecting to the heritage designation saying that council’s issuance of demolition permit mitigates the heritage designation. Regardless, staff are recommending that the designation proceed.
Public Meeting report for Downtown Building Heights draft Official Plan Amendment – Back in December, staff told council about the initiation of the study and we’ve already arrived at an interim report. Now, council will hear about the plan to increase allowed heights downtown including a 20-storey maximum height in select areas south of the GO Train tracks, and the area of Old Quebec Street and Sleeman Centre in order to support transit connections around Guelph Central Station. Much of the land downtown will see their height limits boosted to between eight and 16 storeys, while areas west of Norfolk and Gordon and along the river will remain four storeys max. Most view corridors of the Basilica of Our Lady will remain protected, but buildings in most areas will be allowed to go higher. This is the statutory meeting for this bylaw and council will not vote to approve it at this meeting; they will only vote to receive the report.
Affordable Housing Community Improvement Plan – You may recall that the City of Guelph got over $21 million in Housing Accelerator Funding last year, and one of the tasks stemming from that money is the creation of a community improvement plan for affordable housing. The proposed plan is made of up three programs: The first is the vacant unit renewal grant to turn a vacant space – residential, commercial or office – into new affordable units, second is the new affordable housing unit grant for new purpose-built affordable units for rent or ownership, and the third is the ADU grant for new additional dwelling units with two streams for homeowners and developers respectively. This is the statutory meeting for this item; no final decision will be made and council will only vote to receive the report.
Guelph Politico 