CITY STAFF SAY 150-PLUS NEW HOMES SHOULD BE APPROVED

COUNCIL TO VOTE JUNE 13 ON WHETHER TO APPROVE TWO RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS

City staff say two proposed developments with more than 150 residential units between them should be approved.

According to reports posted on the City of Guelph website, staff are recommending the green light be given by council to two projects at its June 13 planning meeting: one for a 99-unit project at 1373-1389 Gordon St. and another for 58 units at 103-105 Victoria Rd N.

The June 13 council planning meeting begins at 6:30 p.m., and will be livestreamed at guelph.ca/live.

Anyone looking to provide a delegation at this meeting is required to register with the city clerk's office no later than 10 a.m. on June 9. To register, call 519-837-5603, TTY 519-8269771, send an email to clerks@guelph.ca or go online to guelph.ca/delegate.

Written submissions

can be sent to the clerk's office, also by the June 9 deadline.

1373-1389 GORDON ST.

Reid's Heritage Properties' plans for the Gordon Street property first became public in early 2022, at which time the developer was looking to construct a nine-storey, 98-unit building.

Those plans would change by the summer, with documents posted to the city's website in August 2022 indicating the developer was instead looking to build a seven-storey mixed-use building and a four-storey stacked townhouse block, with 99 units spread between the two. That revision also saw a decrease in the number of parking spots, dropping to

139 from 162.

Reid's made several minor revisions to its proposal in December 2022, including an increase to the side yard setback for the seven-storey building, further reducing the parking to 130 spots and adding an off-site trail connection to the west.

The two single detached homes on those properties, along with 190 trees, would be taken down should council approve this project.

According to a report to council, city staff say the approval of the Gordon project will mean between $2.3 million and just over $3 million in development charges and $199,200 in community benefit charges, plus up to $193,000 annually in property taxes.

"The apartment dwelling units, which are proposed to consist of one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom units will contribute to a more balanced and diverse housing mix for a variety of household types and lifestyles," an accompanying report laying out city staff's review of Reid's project adds.

"The subject lands are well positioned to redevelopment at a higher density, which will contribute to the creation of a complete community. The development proposal intensifies a site where there is good access to transit, neighbourhood services and amenities."

103-105 VICTORIA RD. N.

Over in the east end of the city, Gemini Homes is

looking to build 58 units — three single detached homes, 23 townhouse units and 32 stacked townhouse units — at 103-105 Victoria Rd. N., at the intersection with Cassino Avenue.

The developer's proposal first became public in July 2021, with Gemini at the time looking to build 44 townhouse units and a single detached home.

It has been about 21 months since this proposal was last in front of council, with a public meeting in September 2021 seeing both residents and councillors raising concerns about parking, or rather the lack thereof. At that time, the plan was for 53 parking spaces, with each unit having one and an additional nine spaces for visitors.

Under the current proposal, Gemini is proposing 90 total parking spaces — 23 driveway spaces, 23 garage spaces and 44 surface parking spaces.

According to a report to council, city staff say the approval of Gemini's proposed development will mean between $1.6 million and just under $1.9 million in development charges, plus up to $207,000 annually in property taxes. Because the development is under five storeys, it does not qualify for community benefit charges.

"The development represents residential intensification within an existing neighbourhood. It will redevelop lands within the city's settlement area from an underutilized site to a higher density than what currently exists," an accompanying report laying out city staff's comments on the development states.

"The development is compatible with the existing surrounding mix of land uses, including low and medium density residential.

“The proposed development will also efficiently make use of existing and planned infrastructure, including cycling and public transit."