Leave some room for a feast at October’s planning meeting because Guelph City Council is going to be served a five course meal of materials with this next agenda. So what’s coming up? Well, there will be a decision on one big project proposal, and there will be some early moves for a new project down the street from it. There will also be heritage district talk, some timeline extensions, some proposed changes to the Official Plan and maybe some surprises(?). Let’s check out the agenda…
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 October 10. 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.
NOTE #3: This meeting will take place on the special day of Wednesday due to the Thanksgiving holiday.
Sign By-law Variances for 705 Southgate Drive – It’s been a while since we’ve had a request for a sign variance at council, and this one takes us deep into the south end and a gas station that wants a big new sign. Staff have have spit the difference on the recommendation, they’re okay with the reduced separation distance of 80 metres between the two ground signs but they’re refusing requests to increase the signs’ height and face area because there’s already a lot of signage on the property.
Decision Report for Draft Plan Extension Request of Subdivision 23T-07506 (1159 Victoria Rd S) – This property was approved for nearly 500 units back in 2011, and three extensions have previously been approved by council with the most recent one expiring next month. Two phases have been complete, but the developer needs some more time for that last phase and staff ware willing to give to it them.
Decision Report for Draft Plan Extension Request of Subdivision 23T-11503 (635 Woodlawn Rd E) – Similarly, this subdivision was approval of this project also expires next month. Three phases have already been registered and partially built, but there’s still a lot of work left to do, and while the developer was seeking a five-year extension, staff are giving them the basic three-year extension per provincial policy.
Request for Municipal Support Resolution from Moose Power – Moose Power is looking to install rooftop solar at six locations around Guelph, which will generate a combined 23.25 megawatts of power. This project comes through a request for proposals by the Independent Electricity System Operator, but it does need council support and endorsement to proceed.
Downtown Heritage Conservation District: Draft Plan and Guidelines – After approving phase one this time last year, staff are now delivering phase two for council’s consideration, which is the actual planning documents and guidelines. This work will outline when building owners will require a heritage permit and how long it will require to get one, and it also outlines the exact circumstances the owner will be allowed to demolish. The report also outlines how the policies and guidelines only apply to building exteriors, and how the heritage elements can be incorporated into redevelopment projects. Council will only vote to receive the draft report, and staff are expected to bring back the finished bylaw early next year.
Official Plan Update: Phase 1 Draft Official Plan Amendment – In OPA 110, staff will incorporate changes based on the latest iteration of the Provincial Planning Statement, plus recommendations from the Transportation Master Plan, the Parks Plan, and the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Other changes include updated heritage polices, revised employment area definitions, new Indigenous engagement commitments, updated park classifications, and strengthened environmental and climate policies. The OPA also has to take into account changes from provincial legislation including Bills 23, 97, 150, 162, 185, 200, and 17. This is the statutory planning meeting for this project; council will only vote to receive the report and it will go out for further community engagement before coming back to council in January.
Public Meeting Report, Proposed Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments for 132 Clair Rd W (Block 1, Draft Plan of Subdivision 23T-15501 and lands within proposed draft plan of subdivision directly south of Poppy Drive West) – Earlier this year, council approved the development for the southwest corner of Clair and Gosling Gardens, and that work is presently underway. This proposal is for the block plan for two other parcels. On the one portion that’s north of the extension of Poppy Drive the developer would like to see rezoned for more density including 150 to 250 units per hectare and a height limit of 10 to 14 storeys, while on the south side they’re seeking to develop 24 low-density residential lots, one multiple dwelling block, and an open space/natural heritage blocks, which is actually a decrease in density. This is the statutory planning meeting for this project meaning that council will only vote to receive the report and no final decision will be made till a future date.
Decision Report for Proposed Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment for 1 Clair Road East – Just one month after coming to council the first time, staff are recommending approval for the plan to redevelop this plaza at the corner of Gordon and Clair into a series of mixed-use towers that will be home to 715 dwelling units with 2,000 square metres of commercial on the ground floor. As discussed at the last meeting, don’t expect work on this project to begin anytime soon, but for now, staff are recommending that council give them their blessing to proceed.
Guelph Politico 