Council Planning · May 12, 2026 · Item 7.1
Defer its decision and direct staff to continue to work collaboratively with the applicant to address the outstanding policy, technical…
Deferral under the agenda item Decision Report for Proposed Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment applications for 328 Victoria Road South and 588 Stone Road East (also referred to as the Guelph Innovation District (GID) Block 1 and 2 lands), 2026-185
Carried (13 to 0)
13 in favour, 0 against — unanimous
This was one of 2 motions on the same item
In the order council took them. A vote makes sense next to the ones around it.
- 1/2DeferralDefer its decision and direct staff to continue to work collaboratively with the applicant to address the outstanding policy, technical…Differs here: …staff report back to Council in September provided the applicant provides updated supportable material by June 15, 2026, with an updated analysis…no recorded vote
- 2/2DeferralDefer its decision and direct staff to continue to work collaboratively with the applicant to address the outstanding policy, technical…you are hereDiffers here: …staff report back to Council on September 9, 2026 provided the applicant provides updated supportable material by June 15, 2026, with an…Carried (13 to 0)
What was voted on
The motion in its exact words, as recorded in the minutes.
That Council defer its decision and direct staff to continue to work collaboratively with the applicant to address the outstanding policy, technical, and regulatory matters identified in this report. Recognizing that this is one of the City’s key growth areas and provides employment and residential growth to 2051, that staff report back to Council on September 9, 2026 provided the applicant provides updated supportable material by June 15, 2026, with an updated analysis and recommendation should the outstanding matters be satisfactorily resolved.
Moved by Councillor Klassen, seconded by Councillor Gibson.
How the room voted
In favour (13)
- Allt
- Billings
- Busuttil
- Caron
- Caton
- Chew
- Downer
- Gibson
- Goller
- Guthrie
- Hauser
- Klassen
- Richardson
Who spoke to it
Mayor Guthrie noted that a request for deferral had been received for this item from the applicant.
What council was given
The staff reports and correspondence attached to this item. The summaries are written automatically, so you can tell what a document is without opening a ninety-page PDF.
- Decision Report, OPA and ZBA applications, 328 Victoria Rd S and 588 Stone Rd E - 2026-185.pdf
For lands at 328 Victoria Road South and 588 Stone Road East in the Guelph Innovation District, staff recommend Council approve part of Fusion Homes' requested Official Plan changes, refuse other parts, and refuse the rezoning as submitted. The proposal would reshape growth and employment area boundaries, roads and land use schedules to allow roughly 4,544 homes plus employment blocks, a school/mixed-use block, parks and natural heritage areas.
- Attachment-1 Location Map and 120 metre Circulation(1).pdf
- Attachment-2 Aerial Photograph(1).pdf
- Attachment-3 Staff Review and Planning Analysis.pdf
- Attachment-4 Existing Guelph Innovation District Secondary Plan Land Use Designations and Policies.pdf
- Attachment-5 Proposed GID Secondary Plan Land Use Designations and Proposed Official Plan Amendment.pdf
- Attachment-6 Existing Zoning.pdf
- Attachment-7 Proposed Zoning.pdf
- Attachment-8 Approved Block Plan Guelph Innovation District Block Plan Areas 1 and 2.pdf
- Attachment-9 Department and Agency Comments.pdf
- Attachment-10 Public Notification Summary.pdf
- Attachment-11 Recommended Official Plan Amendment No. 115.pdf
A summary is this site’s description of a document, not the City’s. Open the document before relying on one.
What was said
7,489 words from the meeting recording, transcribed automatically. Times are from the start of the recording.
Read the debate(click to open)
1:27:56So my apologies, everybody.
1:27:58We actually have a formal request for a deferral
1:28:01that has come in on the,
1:28:05on the decision report for 328 Victoria Road South
1:28:09and 588 Stone Road East, known as the GID lands.
1:28:14And Councillor Klossin and Gibson, I think,
1:28:18both said that they would move Councillor Klossin,
1:28:21seconded by Councillor Gibson, on that deferral.
1:28:24But let's just put the deferral up on the screen
1:28:26if the clerks could do that, please.
1:28:28And just so everyone knows as well,
1:28:30the clerks were able to get a hold of a lot of the delegations
1:28:33and let them know in advance of today.
1:28:36And so I'll just read it out here,
1:28:39that council defer its decision and direct staff
1:28:42to continue to work collaboratively with the applicant
1:28:44to address the outstanding policy, technical
1:28:46and regulatory matters identified in this report.
1:28:49And number two, recognizing that this is one
1:28:51of the city's key growth areas
1:28:52and provides employment and residential growth to 2051,
1:28:56that staff report back to council in September,
1:28:58providing the applicant provides updated
1:29:01supportable material by June 15th, 2026,
1:29:04with an updated analysis and recommendation
1:29:07should the outstanding matters be satisfactorily resolved.
1:29:10And just to confer, September would be the planning meeting,
1:29:14is that correct?
1:29:15What date would that be in September?
1:29:17Through the mayor, so it would be September 9th
1:29:19and that could be added to the motion for clarity.
1:29:22Okay, I think we should probably do that.
1:29:25Councillor Klossin, would you be willing
1:29:27to just remove your motion for a moment?
1:29:29And Gibson, the seconder, just remove that.
1:29:32Thank you, is anyone in the council against that removal?
1:29:35No, okay, thank you.
1:29:36Councillor Klossin, would you retable that
1:29:38with September 9th being added to that for us?
1:29:41Thank you.
1:29:42Gibson, are you still willing to second that
1:29:43with the 9th being added?
1:29:45Okay, thank you.
1:29:46So with that, it is still a deferral,
1:29:48which means we have to call the vote right away.
1:29:50So I'm gonna do that now, okay?
1:29:52So is anyone against the deferral?
1:29:55No one, that's unanimous.
1:29:57So thank you, that sets our agenda now
1:30:00for the rest of the day really.
1:30:02So we are gonna head back to the potential
1:30:06for five plus units in Guelph.
1:30:08And we have two Emmelies that are here,
1:30:14Emily one and Emily two.
1:30:16So if you guys could come forward with your presentation
1:30:20to walk us through what you're suggesting to us,
1:30:23that would be great.
1:30:24And then we'll have our delegation.
1:30:25Dominica, I think I saw you sitting in the audience.
1:30:27Are you here?
1:30:28Yes, so you'll be in the wings after the presentation, okay?
1:30:51Good afternoon, Mayor Guthrie and members of council.
1:30:54My name is Emily Pitt from Planning Services
1:30:56and I will be presenting the findings of our review
1:30:59to explore the potential for five plus units in Guelph.
1:31:03I will present the first part of the review.
1:31:06Then my colleague Emily Irvine
1:31:08will present the second half of the review.
1:31:13Tonight we will be going over some background
1:31:16and criteria used, present the approach taken,
1:31:19discuss our findings from the scoped review
1:31:23and provide next steps and recommendations for the project.
1:31:31In December, 2024, official plan and zoning bylaw amendments
1:31:36were approved to permit for dwelling units
1:31:38on lots across the city.
1:31:40Staff continued to explore the feasibility
1:31:43of permitting five plus units
1:31:45as part of the ongoing half six initiative.
1:31:49Preliminary review of the five plus units
1:31:51was brought to council in December, 2025,
1:31:54where council directed staff to further scope the review
1:31:58to only corner lots adjacent to arterial
1:32:00and or collector roads.
1:32:08The same criteria used to identify potential properties
1:32:11that was applied to the initial review
1:32:13brought to council in December, 2025
1:32:16was used for this analysis
1:32:18to determine the potential for five plus units
1:32:20on corner lots.
1:32:22The criteria used to select suitable lots
1:32:25were sufficient infrastructure capacity,
1:32:28including linear water main and sanitary suitability,
1:32:32accessibility to transit services, and lot configuration,
1:32:36including lots with larger lot size and lot frontage.
1:32:43Applying the existing criteria
1:32:45to the review of corner lots adjacent to arterial
1:32:48and or collector roads,
1:32:50there were 30 corner lots identified
1:32:53as having potential suitability for five plus units.
1:32:57It is not recommended to move forward with the 30 lots
1:33:00due to these very limited results.
1:33:02Therefore, the review was expanded
1:33:05to include a review of all corner lots
1:33:07that met the previous criteria
1:33:09to explore the total potential for five plus units
1:33:13on corner lots across the city.
1:33:19The review included corner lots located
1:33:22at the intersection of different road categories.
1:33:26The findings have been broken down into three subsets,
1:33:29corner lots at major intersections
1:33:32of arterial and or collector roads,
1:33:35corner lots at arterial or collector roads
1:33:38and local roads, and corner lots at two local roads.
1:33:47The four unit project found that lots
1:33:50zoned low density residential one
1:33:52and low density residential two,
1:33:55also known as RL1 and RL2,
1:33:58of which there are a total of 32,000 in the city.
1:34:02The four unit project identified a total of 14,250 lots
1:34:08in the city that were suitable for four units.
1:34:11The initial criteria, including servicing capacity,
1:34:15transit access and lot configuration were applied,
1:34:19reducing the number of lots suitable for five plus units
1:34:23to 5,900 lots.
1:34:26As per council's direction,
1:34:27the criteria was scoped to evaluate corner lots
1:34:31at major intersections of arterial and or collector roads,
1:34:35which reduced the suitable properties to 30 lots
1:34:39or less than 1%.
1:34:41The expanded review that included all corner lots
1:34:44found a total of 560,
1:34:47including the 30 at major intersections
1:34:51and also included corner lots at arterial
1:34:54or collector roads and local roads,
1:34:56showing 160 suitable lots and corner lots
1:35:01at two local roads, showing 370 suitable lots.
1:35:06I will now pass it to Emily,
1:35:07who will be explaining the approach taken.
1:35:18Thank you and good afternoon,
1:35:19Mayor and members of council.
1:35:22In terms of the approach,
1:35:24staff undertook a further review
1:35:26of these three subcategories
1:35:28to identify any constraints in their suitability.
1:35:32This review found that the city's
1:35:33current official plan policies present potential challenges
1:35:37with corner lots at major intersections.
1:35:40The policies identify the function of these roads
1:35:43to move large volumes of traffic.
1:35:46Arterials also need to accommodate transit
1:35:49and limit access from individual properties
1:35:51onto these roads to avoid interference
1:35:53with the primary function of the roadway.
1:35:57Collectors need to control direct access
1:35:59and to avoid traffic hazards.
1:36:02In consideration of these policies,
1:36:04the corner lots at major intersections
1:36:06were removed from consideration
1:36:09and two subcategories remain.
1:36:11That are corner lots that were located
1:36:14at an arterial or collector and a local road,
1:36:18corner lots that were located onto local roads.
1:36:22This resulted in approximately 530 corner lots
1:36:26that meet the established criteria.
1:36:37The total potential units summarized here
1:36:40considers the 530 lots
1:36:42where expanded permission could be considered.
1:36:46The approach and total potential units
1:36:49summarized in this table presents a minimum of five units
1:36:52and a maximum number of eight units
1:36:55that could be permitted per lot.
1:36:57A maximum of five units would allow one additional unit
1:37:01as has been approved in the four unit project.
1:37:07A maximum of six units would permit two additional units
1:37:10and allow different built forms
1:37:12such as a combination of semi-detached units or detached.
1:37:16A maximum of eight units would allow expanded types
1:37:19of built forms such as walk-up apartments.
1:37:22Up to eight units could be accommodated
1:37:26within existing height permissions.
1:37:29One of the potential scenarios also considered
1:37:32is a blend of different maximum number of units
1:37:35depending on the type of road
1:37:36and the property they were located on.
1:37:39The total potential units with expanded permissions
1:37:42would be between 2,650 and 4,240.
1:37:48Taking into account the permissions
1:37:50that had been granted in the four unit project,
1:37:53this would result in a total potential net gain
1:37:56of between 530 and 2,120 units.
1:38:06Moving forward with permissions for five units
1:38:08would involve further review and discussions
1:38:11related to constraints such as infrastructure suitability,
1:38:15access to the properties, house typologies,
1:38:19and lot characteristics to determine the feasibility
1:38:23of permitting five to eight units on quarter lots identified.
1:38:29As well, the review of existing zoning regulations
1:38:33and official plan policies would include matters
1:38:36such as parking requirements, setbacks,
1:38:39and landscaped area.
1:38:41This review would also include public engagement
1:38:44to determine priorities for five unit implementation.
1:38:48All of this would inform appropriate development standards
1:38:51and minimum requirements to ensure that new developments
1:38:53for five units integrate into existing neighborhoods.
1:39:00Staff are seeking direction to advance
1:39:02the five plus unit project on corner lots
1:39:05as proposed to include corner lots at arterial
1:39:09or collectors and a local road,
1:39:12corner lots at two local roads.
1:39:15Staff anticipate advancement of zoning regulations
1:39:18and official plan policies will further advance
1:39:20the city's housing readiness.
1:39:27This concludes our presentation.
1:39:29Thank you for your attention.
1:39:32I thank you so much to the both of you.
1:39:37And one of the Emily's, it was your first time, right?
1:39:43The chair of mayor, yes, it was my first time.
1:39:46You did a great job.
1:39:47Thank you.
1:39:48So thank you so much, eh?
1:39:49We really appreciate it.
1:39:52Thank you.
1:39:53We have a delegation that's signed up on this too.
1:39:56Dominica is here, well-known to everybody
1:39:59from the Guelpham-Ellington Poverty Elimination Collaborative.
1:40:03And so come on down, Dominica,
1:40:05and no more than five minutes, okay?
1:40:08Chime at the four minute 30 second mark
1:40:11as your 30 second warning, okay?
1:40:13Thank you.
1:40:15Hi everyone.
1:40:16Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you this evening.
1:40:20I'm here to express strong support
1:40:21for the staff recommendation to continue exploring
1:40:24five plus units on corner lots.
1:40:27This is a practical and important step
1:40:29towards addressing the housing crisis
1:40:31by making it easier to build more homes in more places
1:40:35and increasing the diversity of housing options in our city.
1:40:40At its core, this proposal expands opportunity
1:40:43and unlocks potential for homes our community needs today
1:40:47and into the future.
1:40:49For too long, much of our city has been locked
1:40:51into low density zoning that effectively restricts housing
1:40:55to those who can afford detached home ownership.
1:40:59That has contributed to scarcity, rising costs,
1:41:02and the growing exclusion of many people,
1:41:05renters, young families, older adults,
1:41:07and people with moderate incomes
1:41:10who are increasingly priced out of neighborhoods
1:41:12where they live, work, and contribute.
1:41:15Allowing five plus units on corner lots
1:41:18is a way to begin correcting that imbalance.
1:41:22This change is modest in scale, but meaningful in impact.
1:41:26It applies to only 530 lots out of 32,000 in the city, 2%.
1:41:32This is not a dramatic transformation,
1:41:35but a targeted incremental way
1:41:37to allow density in appropriate locations.
1:41:40Corner lots are well suited to this approach.
1:41:44Many are near transit services and existing infrastructure.
1:41:48Allowing modest density housing there
1:41:51supports housing growth in places that can absorb it
1:41:54while still respecting neighborhood character and livability.
1:41:58This is exactly the kind of missing middle housing
1:42:01that has been underbuilt for decades.
1:42:04Cities evolve over time, and this is a careful,
1:42:07measured evolution of zoning rules
1:42:09to reflect today's housing realities.
1:42:13It's also important to clarify what this proposal does not do.
1:42:17It does not remove standards.
1:42:19Projects will still need to meet zoning requirements,
1:42:22building codes, and site regulations.
1:42:24For proposal fits and works, it can move forward.
1:42:27If it doesn't, it doesn't.
1:42:29As of right does not mean anything goes.
1:42:33It means clear expectations and predictable outcomes.
1:42:37That predictability matters,
1:42:39especially for small builders,
1:42:41including community-based and nonprofit developers
1:42:44who often face delays and uncertainty
1:42:46that can make projects harder to deliver.
1:42:50Reducing unnecessary barriers
1:42:52increases potential for more homes.
1:42:55This moment is also significant
1:42:57because our community has housing accelerator funding.
1:43:01Approving reforms like this demonstrates
1:43:04that Guelph is serious about addressing
1:43:05the housing crisis with concrete action.
1:43:08It shows alignment with broader efforts
1:43:10to increase supply and improve affordability.
1:43:13Choosing not to move forward risks sending a message
1:43:16that we are hesitant to modernize our framework
1:43:19even when resources are available to support change.
1:43:23This could affect our reputation
1:43:25and future opportunities for partnership
1:43:27and investment in our community.
1:43:30At the same time, I wanna be clear,
1:43:34zoning reform alone will not solve homelessness
1:43:36or create the deeply affordable housing
1:43:38we so critically need.
1:43:40We must continue supporting non-markets,
1:43:43supportive and deeply affordable housing,
1:43:45as well as action to stop the loss of affordable homes
1:43:48through meaningful measures like those you've supported,
1:43:51like the rent eviction and rental replacement bylaw.
1:43:54Those remain critical parts of a complete housing strategy.
1:43:58But this proposal that you're looking at today
1:44:01is still an important foundation.
1:44:03If we do not allow more homes to be built,
1:44:06we cannot meaningfully address scarcity
1:44:08or broader affordability.
1:44:10Expanding modern density is one of the most straightforward,
1:44:15mind you, limited tools available to you
1:44:18to increase housing choice and begin correcting
1:44:21longstanding patterns of exclusion in our zoning system.
1:44:25This is a practical step
1:44:27that potentially only affects 2% of lots.
1:44:31It strengthens certainty in the system,
1:44:33it can expand housing diversity,
1:44:36and it moves us forward in a way
1:44:37that is gradual, responsible
1:44:39and aligned with communities
1:44:41that are modernizing their zoning
1:44:42to reflect today's realities.
1:44:45If you are serious about affordability, inclusion,
1:44:48and long-term community wellbeing,
1:44:50it's important to ensure that the city's policies
1:44:53allow more housing to be part of the solution.
1:44:56I encourage Council to move forward with this
1:44:58as part of a broader strategy that includes supply side reform,
1:45:02sustained support of deeply affordable
1:45:04and non-market housing as you have been champions,
1:45:06and continued action to protect
1:45:08existing affordable housing.
1:45:10Thank you so much.
1:45:14Thanks Dominica.
1:45:15Is there any questions as a follow up to our delegation?
1:45:18There is not, but we appreciate you.
1:45:21Thank you so much.
1:45:23And we have some correspondence as well,
1:45:26don't forget about that.
1:45:28Okay, so we have the staff recommendation is here.
1:45:39Just one second.
1:45:40Sorry, I'm just trying to accommodate everybody.
1:45:56Yeah, I just need to ask the clerk's question.
1:45:58If you don't mind, sorry, I'm putting it on the spot.
1:46:00We have the staff recommendation that's in front of us here.
1:46:04And don't know where the will of Council's gonna go on it,
1:46:08but I do know that Councillor Downer has a motion
1:46:11to pause all this work at this time.
1:46:15So it's not completely stopping,
1:46:18it's just a pause at this time.
1:46:20So would it be best as a flow
1:46:24to have the staff recommendation tabled
1:46:27and then let's see where that actually goes
1:46:29and then an amendment from Councillor Downer
1:46:33or is Councillor Downer's motion like kind of contrary
1:46:36to what the staff recommendation would be
1:46:38and that should be voted on first.
1:46:40Through you, Mr. Mayor,
1:46:41I think the proposed amendment to take no further action
1:46:45would be contrary if moved as an amendment.
1:46:47So if the staff recommendations on the floor,
1:46:49it would need to be defeated.
1:46:52Perfect, so that fails.
1:46:54Okay, thank you, I just need to work that through.
1:46:56The delegation microphone is still on clerks, by the way,
1:46:59just so you know.
1:47:00Okay, so with that, Councillor Goller,
1:47:02I saw your hand go up indicating you'd move
1:47:05the staff recommendation and Gibson, you'll second.
1:47:09Yes, okay.
1:47:10And so why don't we see if there's any questions for staff
1:47:14and then we kind of know where this is gonna go.
1:47:16This is either, this is somewhat a yes or no
1:47:20sort of position, right?
1:47:22And if this fails, then I know Councillor Downer
1:47:24would have another motion to table, okay?
1:47:29So questions at this time, we'll go to Downer first.
1:47:33Thank you, through you, Mr. Mayor, to staff.
1:47:37And I think what you answered is at the last
1:47:39when we had this before, but are you monitoring
1:47:43the affordability of the units that we have
1:47:46with the three and with the four?
1:47:48And I understand there's only two applications
1:47:52for the four units, but for the three,
1:47:58through the mayor to the councillor,
1:47:59so we are not monitoring every one of the three units
1:48:03that are built.
1:48:04We do have a record of those that receive the CIP funding
1:48:07for an additional unit, but we do not monitor everyone
1:48:12and we're not monitoring the four again,
1:48:13unless they've applied for a CIP,
1:48:15of which they have not at this time.
1:48:17I can say since four units were passed,
1:48:20we have two building permits that have been issued
1:48:23for four units.
1:48:24Okay, can I speak to it?
1:48:27100%.
1:48:28Okay, so I'm just gonna speak to,
1:48:31I won't support the motion in that I would like to,
1:48:34I have a motion to not move forward with this at this time.
1:48:37I think staff time would be better used
1:48:40and resources on other projects and initiatives
1:48:45in the housing accelerator funding
1:48:49that would actually lead to affordable housing.
1:48:52What we've seen, what I've seen in even the three units
1:48:57in that is that it's mostly on investor
1:49:00that's been doing this building
1:49:03and that it's geared towards students,
1:49:06which is not that that's a bad thing,
1:49:08but it's not affordable, it's $1,200 a room
1:49:11is what they've been going for.
1:49:14And so I have a concern about that
1:49:16and the time spent on this at this time.
1:49:18I think we need to sort of evaluate this further
1:49:21before we have those extra resources going towards that.
1:49:26And I've said most of what I wanted to say
1:49:28before about this issue.
1:49:29So I won't say too much more at this time,
1:49:32actually not at all.
1:49:33Thank you.
1:49:34And Councillor Keran, please.
1:49:38And then Gibson and then Kate.
1:49:41Yeah, there's similar question about the uptake
1:49:42on the four units,
1:49:43because we only have had the four units as of right
1:49:46in place since 2025.
1:49:48So usually when we're updating or changing a bylaw,
1:49:53for me it's important that we have some evidence
1:49:56and we have some data
1:49:56and we have some impact feedback
1:49:58and we truly understand what the impact
1:50:01of the four units has had on our community,
1:50:03not just in terms of generating housing numbers,
1:50:06but impact on neighbors, noise, traffic, parking,
1:50:09infrastructure, water capacity.
1:50:11We know that many of the units that have been built
1:50:15in three as of right are renting by the bedroom.
1:50:18So things like water and wastewater,
1:50:20we don't have a full handle with evidence
1:50:24on the impact of that level of intensification
1:50:28for the three and the four units.
1:50:29So I think before we send staff out
1:50:32to do a significant amount of work
1:50:35to go to a five to eight unit bylaw,
1:50:39I think we need some data on the four units.
1:50:42And if we've only got two of them,
1:50:44we're not gonna get that data.
1:50:45So I favored deferrals,
1:50:47I'll be voting against the motion,
1:50:49but I don't wanna see this die and end here either.
1:50:53So I think gathering data and moving it forward
1:50:57to the next term of council is the right thing to do
1:50:59for us in terms of as policy makers.
1:51:02And that's our primary role here as policy makers.
1:51:06Thank you very much for your opinions as well.
1:51:08And so Gibson and then Katen and then Colossum, please.
1:51:12Yeah, thank you, Mr. Mayor.
1:51:13So rarely do we see a file that just has
1:51:16such healthy back and forth on like the fact.
1:51:20So we know there are, on the negative side,
1:51:24there may be a tendency towards investor
1:51:27or student housing, but on the pro side,
1:51:30we really are looking to create more opportunities
1:51:33for that lower end of the spectrum
1:51:36or micro housing for opportunities
1:51:39to just get housing on the table.
1:51:42So I'm inclined to vote in favor of this
1:51:45just because I don't believe it's a significant number
1:51:49of houses, but it is something.
1:51:51And quite frankly, I think the delegate articulated it well.
1:51:55I almost asked the question,
1:51:56has the delegate read up on the counter arguments
1:52:01and has come prepared to ready to answer them?
1:52:03Cause I think she articulated it really well.
1:52:08So I think I'm gonna vote in favor
1:52:11because I'd like to see what comes of it.
1:52:13And again, if it's five, 10, 15 units across the city,
1:52:18it's a small piece of policy work,
1:52:19but I think it needed, thank you.
1:52:23Okay, thank you.
1:52:25And I got Katen and then Colossum, please.
1:52:30Thank you, through you, Mr. Mayor.
1:52:32I just have a question to staff
1:52:34because I'm a bit on the fence on this one.
1:52:36I see the value.
1:52:38I'm just wondering in terms of staff time
1:52:43and the money within the half fund,
1:52:46are there other projects that we could be doing
1:52:51that would have a more immediate effect?
1:52:54Because if we've only got two of the fourplexes
1:52:58that have been built in that time,
1:53:00I'm just wondering in order to get more shovels in the ground
1:53:04and incentivize more housing,
1:53:08is there another path that we could be using
1:53:10that money in staff time for
1:53:12that you think would have a bigger bang for our buck?
1:53:14Or do you think that this is the best place
1:53:16to put this effort?
1:53:23Through the mayor to the council,
1:53:24so that's a bit of a loaded question.
1:53:29So through the half funding,
1:53:30we committed to taking a look at Exploring Five Plus.
1:53:35This report satisfies that we have taken a look at it
1:53:39and what, depending on council's decision,
1:53:42regardless, we've satisfied the requirement.
1:53:44We do have some money set aside
1:53:46to bring back five plus units in the half funding.
1:53:51And we would bring it back in the next term of council,
1:53:55the full Zoning Bylaw Amendment and the work.
1:53:59There is certainly the possibility
1:54:01that this could go to other projects that are half funded
1:54:06that could be potentially brought forward this year,
1:54:12additional money for even potentially the item
1:54:15you're gonna see on the council agenda later tonight
1:54:17for some subsidization of projects.
1:54:20But at this time, until we have a council decision,
1:54:22we've not allocated it anywhere else.
1:54:28Thank you.
1:54:29So with that in mind,
1:54:30I'm going to support deferral
1:54:35because I think that in terms of meeting our housing targets,
1:54:39there's potentially things that we can kind of do
1:54:42and incentivize to get more shells in the ground right now
1:54:46on different projects.
1:54:47And so I do think this is a good idea
1:54:51and I think we should be bringing it back later.
1:54:54So I'm gonna be working towards the deferral.
1:54:57Thank you.
1:55:01Thanks, Councillor Cain.
1:55:02And just so everyone knows,
1:55:02I think we're getting mixed up with lots
1:55:04of deferral language today.
1:55:06But I think the main point that councillor Downer
1:55:11is trying to make is that it would be a pause.
1:55:14So deferral is in the same,
1:55:15it's like a second cousin to the word pause.
1:55:17So I hear what you're saying.
1:55:20Thank you for your comments too.
1:55:22Claussen and then Hauser.
1:55:25Yes, thank you through you, Mr. Mayor.
1:55:28One of my questions was whether or not
1:55:32this report satisfies the half requirement.
1:55:35So thank you, Councillor Cain for asking a question
1:55:38that got to that answer.
1:55:39My second question, I think Mayor Guthrie, you clarified,
1:55:44but maybe I will ask the,
1:55:47I will ask Councillor Downer just to clarify.
1:55:52I think I wrote down evaluate further
1:55:54when it would be a good time to bring back.
1:55:57Would we be relying on staff to tell us
1:56:01when like they have enough data
1:56:04to like open up the five units again?
1:56:06I just am curious about the long-term
1:56:09about when this would come back potentially
1:56:12because we've done some policy work here
1:56:15and if it gets shelved right now,
1:56:17I'm just curious if there's a sort of timeline
1:56:20for bringing it back or a hoped for timeline.
1:56:26Well, my motion talks about the annual reporting
1:56:30of the housing strategies.
1:56:34And I don't have the motion in front of me,
1:56:35but so that would, yes, that would be it.
1:56:40So it would be the, I just gotta find it again.
1:56:44But yeah, it would be under the annual reporting.
1:56:46So then it would be flagged then
1:56:48whether once we have some more data on that,
1:56:50because that would identify how many, you know,
1:56:52the units are being built in the three and the four
1:56:55and provide the other data as well.
1:57:01Thank you for that clarification.
1:57:02That's very helpful, Councillor Downer.
1:57:06And then one more, if you will, Mr. Mayor,
1:57:08I would just like to clarify one more piece of information
1:57:14through for staff.
1:57:15So you, Ms. Wachee, you said that
1:57:20we keep a record of those who have received the CIP funding
1:57:25for the four units that have passed,
1:57:27or so the two units.
1:57:28So could you clarify if those two units
1:57:32received the CIP funding?
1:57:37So the Community Improvement Plan funding
1:57:39is for affordable accessory dwelling units.
1:57:44We have 21 in total since we started the CIP,
1:57:49that have taken advantage of the affordable CIP
1:57:53for an ADU.
1:57:54We have definitely more ADUs than that.
1:57:56They're, you know, 350 per year,
1:57:58the last couple of years,
1:57:59but 21 have taken advantage of the CIP funding.
1:58:06And two units in the four plexes have also taken advantage
1:58:11of the CIP funding.
1:58:16Thank you for that clarification.
1:58:19All right, thank you, Councillor Klassen.
1:58:20How is there then two, please?
1:58:23Thank you.
1:58:24My question was actually just asked.
1:58:25So thank you.
1:58:26Perfect.
1:58:28You can speak anytime.
1:58:30Councillor Chew, please.
1:58:35Thank you, through you, Mr. Mayor.
1:58:38I'm just looking at just the comprehensive analysis
1:58:42that was imparted through this study.
1:58:46Like when you guys were looking at the corner lots
1:58:48and just looking on the arterial roads and just the traffic,
1:58:52I know, I wonder like,
1:58:53is there some preliminary like traffic analysis
1:58:56or traffic flow studies that have been looked into
1:58:59when maybe talking to transportation engineering?
1:59:04I'd be curious to see if there's some information
1:59:07or insights that we got out of this so far.
1:59:13Through you, Mr. Chair, we have been in discussions
1:59:17with our colleagues in engineering and other departments,
1:59:20but we haven't done any preliminary studies.
1:59:23What we have done is looked at the existing policies
1:59:25and that's the recommendations
1:59:27and the approach that we have decided upon in this report.
1:59:31We're based on those policies.
1:59:34And I guess just the identification of those lots
1:59:37is primarily based on thought frontages
1:59:39and thought depth, is that correct?
1:59:43Through you, Mr. Chair, it's based on all the criteria.
1:59:48Infrastructure suitability, lot size and characteristics
1:59:52are certainly part of that.
1:59:53Proximity to transit was part of that as well.
1:59:56So it's all the criteria we used in the December report
1:59:59we've carried forward here
2:00:00and that was how we determined our subsets for this report.
2:00:06Okay, and if anywhere to continue with the study,
2:00:09would we be able to expect more information
2:00:12and based on conversations internally
2:00:15with transportation engineering,
2:00:16just based on those key intersections, for example,
2:00:20and why the suitability makes sense?
2:00:25Through you, Mr. Chair, yes.
2:00:26Once we develop our full policy,
2:00:28we would have a more fulsome discussion with our colleagues
2:00:31and that would be in part of a future study.
2:00:35Okay, and maybe this is a question to the mover, if I may.
2:00:39I'm just curious from your perspective,
2:00:42what more information would we receive
2:00:45from the annual reporting that would be helpful
2:00:47if we were to pause this?
2:00:49So...
2:00:51Is that okay to ask or maybe staff could even answer that?
2:00:54Not technically because the motion from staff
2:00:58is on the table.
2:01:00It's whatever the outcome from this vote is,
2:01:03which would maybe go to Councillor Downer's option,
2:01:07but she was just speaking about it in general
2:01:09with her comments there.
2:01:10So... I see.
2:01:11Yeah, so we can't really talk about that yet.
2:01:14Okay, I guess maybe I'll wait
2:01:16until that motion is tabled.
2:01:19But I guess maybe my initial comments,
2:01:20if I may, Mayor Guthrie.
2:01:23I just appreciate the work that's been done
2:01:26and just the mapping.
2:01:27Like, it's been very...
2:01:28It's really helpful for us.
2:01:30And I think the last delegate alluded to it as well.
2:01:33Like, a lot of the mapping here is really just to show us
2:01:37the opportunities and the constraints up front
2:01:39and to draw it out.
2:01:40And I think that certainty
2:01:42at least provides us to start looking at this
2:01:44from a more data-driven lens.
2:01:46So I do appreciate the initial work.
2:01:48And I honestly hope that it can continue
2:01:50because we're not saying to the public,
2:01:52this is gonna happen.
2:01:53We're just continuing to explore it
2:01:55based off of the half parameters.
2:01:57And I think this is well within it.
2:01:59So that's my opinion there.
2:02:03Okay, thank you.
2:02:04I have no one else at this time.
2:02:07Oh, sorry.
2:02:08I'm circling, I have to say it.
2:02:10So back to you.
2:02:10Yep, my previous were comments and I did have a question.
2:02:13If this fails and we do defer,
2:02:16just confirming with staff,
2:02:18given the work that you've done
2:02:19and not wanting to waste that valuable work,
2:02:24any applicant with a corner lot
2:02:26who wants five to eight units now
2:02:29could still pursue it through a zoning bylaw amendment,
2:02:31correct?
2:02:34Through the mayor to the council, that is correct.
2:02:36And the work that you've already done
2:02:37can help inform that because you've already
2:02:39kind of pre-identified some of the constraints
2:02:43that would allow it to go forward or not.
2:02:45So it wouldn't be wasted.
2:02:47Yeah, through the mayor, that is correct.
2:02:48They could rely on this report for a justification
2:02:50for a zoning amendment.
2:02:52Okay, that's helpful.
2:02:53Thanks.
2:02:54Okay, thank you.
2:02:56Is there anything further?
2:02:59No, all right, quick comments from me.
2:03:01So I'm obviously in favor of this.
2:03:06First of all, it's very good that we did include this option
2:03:11the last time we were talking about it
2:03:13because there were several kind of bullet points
2:03:17that we had to explain to the federal government
2:03:19in regards to getting the next tranche
2:03:21with the half funding.
2:03:23And this was one of them, okay?
2:03:26Because it was a very close vote last time.
2:03:30And we got millions of dollars
2:03:31because we were starting to look into this.
2:03:33So I'm very glad that it was a close call,
2:03:36as I would call it, that we didn't even have this here.
2:03:40So I'm glad we have it at least here.
2:03:43I heard comments like it's a good idea, but later.
2:03:48Well, to me, if it's something's a good idea,
2:03:51then we should do it.
2:03:52We should do it now.
2:03:54It's housing.
2:03:56We need housing.
2:03:57So we should do it.
2:03:59And as of right, makes housing easier.
2:04:02I don't want people to have to go through zoning.
2:04:05I don't want people to have to do that.
2:04:07We should make things easy.
2:04:09That's what this is about.
2:04:13You can't get data when you don't allow something to happen.
2:04:16We can't achieve any data or metrics on something
2:04:19if we're not even gonna do it.
2:04:21So I think the pause option, as Councillor Downer
2:04:24might bring forward, if this doesn't pass,
2:04:28to me, it doesn't feel like a pause at all.
2:04:30I think it's gonna die.
2:04:33That's what I think.
2:04:34I think it's not gonna come back at all.
2:04:36That's my feelings on it.
2:04:40I think we need to approve this.
2:04:43And I want to make housing units easier in the city.
2:04:47And so that's my perspective right now on this.
2:04:50And I would hope that it's passed,
2:04:51but if it doesn't, so be it.
2:04:55But I would be very disappointed.
2:04:57So with that, I'll call the vote.
2:05:00And is anyone against the staff recommendation?
2:05:04So Richardson and Alt and Billings and Katen.
2:05:09And Caron and Boositil and Downer.
2:05:18I believe that's seven?
2:05:20Through you, Mr. Mayor, that's correct.
2:05:22That's seven against six in favor.
2:05:24The motion's different.
2:05:25That's another close vote, but seven, six.
2:05:28Okay, so that fails.
2:05:31And so Councillor Downer,
2:05:33I will go to you to consider your motion.
2:05:37Okay.
2:05:38I would move if the staff could put up the recommendation.
2:05:42And I need a seconder.
2:05:45Councillor Caron.
2:05:49I haven't got a seconder lined up.
2:05:51I saw a whole thing.
2:05:52There's a few.
2:05:55There's probably six others.
2:05:56We've kind of spoken to this before.
2:05:58And it is, there's a growth management report
2:06:01that comes out every year.
2:06:04I just think that staff time,
2:06:05I think the funds could go into,
2:06:08like we talked about the next project,
2:06:10that would help actually affordable housing moving forward.
2:06:13And rather than some more of this type of housing,
2:06:18I actually don't think it should stop forever.
2:06:20I think we should,
2:06:22and if somebody wants to move an amendment,
2:06:23that reports back,
2:06:25but the reporting back is gonna be
2:06:28on that growth management report
2:06:29and when staff are ready to pick it up again,
2:06:33once we've had some more uptick with the four.
2:06:39Thank you.
2:06:40So let's just read this out.
2:06:42Staff be directed to take note further action
2:06:43regarding the five plus units project
2:06:45on low density residential lots.
2:06:48At this time,
2:06:48we continue to monitor the uptake for four units
2:06:51through the annual growth growth management report
2:06:54that the remaining budget allocated this project
2:06:56from the housing accelerator fund be redirected
2:06:58to other projects that are housing accelerator fund funded,
2:07:03fund funded, say that three times fast.
2:07:07Okay.
2:07:08Been moved in second.
2:07:09Okay, Councillor Gibson,
2:07:10do you wanna speak to this or?
2:07:12Yeah.
2:07:13Thank you, Mayor.
2:07:14I would just beg you to call the vote.
2:07:15I think this is a fairly redundant motion.
2:07:17No disrespect to the mover at all.
2:07:19I just think this is exactly what will happen
2:07:22as a result of the last vote.
2:07:23So this is just formalizing what staff are about to do,
2:07:26which is nothing on this front.
2:07:29So again, no disrespect to the mover,
2:07:31but I don't believe this needs a lot of debate.
2:07:33I think you should just call the vote.
2:07:34Thank you.
2:07:38Okay.
2:07:38But I do have two extra hands
2:07:40and then I will call the vote.
2:07:40So I'll go Guller and then Hauser.
2:07:43Okay.
2:07:45Thank you and through your worship to staff.
2:07:48As Council is not given direction to proceed with this work
2:07:53and there's another motion,
2:07:54would you need specific direction from us
2:07:57to come back at some point to reconsider this?
2:08:00I'm just wondering to Councillor Downer's point,
2:08:03she doesn't necessarily want this to die here.
2:08:05And I wonder if you need, you know,
2:08:07maybe do we need to say for you to revisit it
2:08:09in two years time or something like that?
2:08:14Through the mayor to the councillor.
2:08:15So every July, you get the growth monitoring report
2:08:19and then that report will report on four units.
2:08:22And we do the three units already
2:08:25and the CIP will be in the affordable housing report,
2:08:27which comes just before that.
2:08:29So I think you can take a look at that at that time
2:08:31and see if there is an uptake
2:08:34and if we need to make a motion,
2:08:35but we would need a motion at that point in time,
2:08:38but I think it would be at the time
2:08:39of the growth monitoring report.
2:08:43Okay, so a future council will need to say,
2:08:46okay, let's take a look at the five plus units
2:08:49and then it'll come back.
2:08:50And at that time,
2:08:53there, it won't be a motion of reconsideration
2:08:56to actually look at it.
2:08:57Is that correct?
2:08:58I'm just concerned that if we say no tonight,
2:09:00another council will have to have a reconsideration
2:09:03to bring it forward.
2:09:11To the clerks, because of the wording of at this time,
2:09:15it leaves it open that it can be considered
2:09:17at any future date, correct?
2:09:20Through you, Mr. Mayor, that's correct.
2:09:24Thank you. How's our please?
2:09:27Thank you. Through the mayor, I just want to clarify.
2:09:29I think it's important for us to pass the amended motion
2:09:33because I don't see any direction at all.
2:09:36And I am concerned that it will just die.
2:09:38So I think this gives direction that it will come back.
2:09:41That's, is that correct?
2:09:43Okay.
2:09:46I don't see any direction in,
2:09:48like when we failed that motion, there's nothing else.
2:09:50So I think we need to pass this one so that it does come back.
2:09:58Yep. Thank you.
2:10:00And sorry, did councillor Chew,
2:10:03did you want to say something too before the vote?
2:10:04Okay, go ahead.
2:10:06Yeah. Through you, Mr. Mayor, just I,
2:10:08I want to ask the question I was trying to ask
2:10:10the first time around, like maybe staff can answer this
2:10:14for this time around, like what new,
2:10:16what information besides update will we get
2:10:19out of the growth management report?
2:10:21And in particular with the four units,
2:10:25I'm just curious what kind of new information
2:10:27that would help us better assess the feasibility
2:10:30of what we're doing here.
2:10:35Yeah. Through the mayor to the, the councillor.
2:10:37So what would be the uptake on those four units?
2:10:39So when we presented four units,
2:10:41and I think it was in the staff presentation,
2:10:44there are 14,000 potential units for that.
2:10:46So we would be continuing to monitor the uptake on that
2:10:50versus the 560 that would be the five plus units
2:10:53that we identified.
2:10:56And do you think like there would be any new information
2:10:59regarding like servicing traffic impacts
2:11:02that we could extract out of this?
2:11:04Or would it also be the inter department conversations
2:11:07that will be had based off of the uptake?
2:11:16Yeah. I think it would just be that the uptake
2:11:18we've had in the four plus units.
2:11:20And I think we've always, always said that servicing
2:11:24capacity is key for any of these.
2:11:26And even three units as a right or four units of right
2:11:29is never guaranteed.
2:11:30We do have to have the servicing capacity
2:11:32and there's cumulative effects on potential streets as well,
2:11:35which are monitored as each application comes in.
2:11:40Okay. And I guess just a comment.
2:11:41I guess for me, like for all of this to work,
2:11:43that's kind of my primary like interest in learning,
2:11:48whether it's four or five years to begin with.
2:11:50So I appreciate the work that you're doing staff.
2:11:55Okay. Thank you, councillor Chew.
2:11:57So can we have the motions just thrown back up
2:11:59on the screen for us?
2:12:17Okay. Thank you.
2:12:18Just quick question.
2:12:19Sorry to put you on the spot, councillor Downer,
2:12:22but just a question through to you as the mover.
2:12:24Is there like a magic number for you
2:12:27or a percentage of uptake on four units
2:12:30that would trigger you or another,
2:12:32that you think another council in the future
2:12:35would require than it coming forward?
2:12:37Is it, is 25 a magic number is 250 a magic number?
2:12:41Like what kind of pushes it over the edge for you
2:12:45that would make this want to come back
2:12:47for a potential approval in the future?
2:12:50No, I don't.
2:12:51But I do, I do would like to see enough to assess sort of,
2:12:55so impact.
2:12:57So when, so what the motion we have before
2:13:01is asking staff to come back with,
2:13:05you know, all the zoning with the regulations
2:13:08and things like that.
2:13:09Well, once you've got,
2:13:10have more experience with the four units
2:13:12and even the three,
2:13:13there are other things that could be incorporated
2:13:15into those, into those regulations
2:13:18based on the experience that would be received
2:13:21from the four units,
2:13:22which we don't have right now.
2:13:23We've only got four units.
2:13:24Everyone got two of them.
2:13:25So there's no experience of them yet in the city
2:13:28because they haven't even been built yet.
2:13:30So I would be interested other than the ones
2:13:33that were built like 50 years ago on very large lots.
2:13:36So, you know, you know what I mean?
2:13:39That was a different time.
2:13:40It's very different now.
2:13:41So there are like, Councillor Chew talked about,
2:13:43there's traffic, there's other impacts on these.
2:13:46So I just think at this time,
2:13:49and the other part of this is,
2:13:52if the uptick is gonna be so low,
2:13:54then there's other initiatives like the next one
2:13:57that that money that's gonna be going into this,
2:14:01and it's fairly significant, I think,
2:14:03could go into that type of a program within the half.
2:14:09Okay, thank you.
2:14:10And if you could just put the motions back up for me, please.
2:14:28All right, thank you.
2:14:29So if there's nothing further,
2:14:31I'll be calling the vote on these two.
2:14:33And I will be supporting them
2:14:35because as Councillor Hauser rightly pointed out,
2:14:39the first motion, if you weren't to support
2:14:42or if it were to fail,
2:14:44it actually means that the item is dead officially, okay?
2:14:49The second piece is that staff does need direction
2:14:54to use the funds for something else, right?
2:14:56So I'm still quite disappointed in the previous outcome.
2:15:03Interesting, I might consider strong mayor powers on that,
2:15:06but I will support these two moving ahead just in case.
2:15:12So with that, I'll call the vote.
2:15:14Is anyone against those two motions?
2:15:18No, okay, so that's unanimous.
2:15:20Thank you.
2:15:23Through you, Mr. Mayor, I just have to note,
2:15:24Councillor Gibson is in attendance,
2:15:26I've already put his cameras off.
2:15:27Oh, I didn't see that.
2:15:28I can confirm vote results.
2:15:30I'm in support, I'm in support, I apologize.
2:15:33Okay, to the clerk, are you okay with that?
2:15:36Yes, you've captured that?
2:15:37Okay, so we're good, okay, thank you.
2:15:39Sorry about that, I didn't see the camera off.
2:15:43Okay, I need to apologize now,
2:15:46but we need to reconsider something
2:15:48before we go to the next item, okay?
2:15:51So I asked for the motions to be put up on the screen
2:15:57for the previous deferral,
2:15:59read them out quickly,
2:16:01and we voted on them appropriately,
2:16:03and the motions that were put up on the screen
2:16:05were actually incorrect.
2:16:07So I am, there's a little bit of a procedural rigmarole here,
2:16:12but I will have to ask Council
2:16:15to kind of come along on the journey here a bit.
2:16:18So I am going to ask for a motion
2:16:22for reconsideration on the previous motion.
2:16:28And so it's here that it is the following resolution passed
2:16:33by Council May 12, 2020, so it's just to be reconsidered.
2:16:36And it was the two items that we did.
2:16:39I do need a full vote of Council,
2:16:41not a full vote, but a majority vote of Council on that.
2:16:43So can you move that?
2:16:45Can someone move that for Richard Zingaller?
2:16:47Okay, thank you.
2:16:49And I'll call the vote on that
2:16:50as anyone against the reconsideration.
2:16:54Okay, thank you.
2:16:55That's nobody, you're okay with that?
2:16:57Clerks, yes?
2:16:59And Councillor Gibson, you just put your camera
2:17:01on, you're good with that, thank you.
2:17:02Okay, and now we are going to table the correct one
2:17:06for me to read out,
2:17:07and I'm very sorry about that, everybody.
2:17:10I could just top that up on the screen.
2:17:12This is a regular vote of Council now,
2:17:14that we don't need to have the Supermajority.
2:17:19That Council defer the decision
2:17:21and direct staff to continue to work collaboratively
2:17:23with the applicants to address the outstanding policy,
2:17:25technical and regulatory matters identified in the report.
2:17:29And that recognizing that this is one
2:17:30of the city's key growth areas
2:17:31and provides employment and residential growth
2:17:33to 2051, the staff report back to Council
2:17:36on September the 9th, so there's the 9th in there,
2:17:38to make a decision regarding the official plan amendment,
2:17:40the zoning bylaw amendment
2:17:42and the draft plan of subdivision,
2:17:43provided that the applicant provides
2:17:45the updated material by June 15th, 2026.
2:17:48And again, can I just have a mover on that clause,
2:17:51and will you move that again like you did last time
2:17:53and someone wanting to move it, Richardson?
2:17:56Okay, thank you.
2:17:57And I'll call the vote on that, everybody,
2:17:59on the deferral, Councillor.
2:18:05Worship, I'm just trying to understand
2:18:06what the difference was.
2:18:07I'm looking at the two, it looks to me like we're,
2:18:09like I'm not just, if I could just.
2:18:11No problem, there's four things there.
2:18:13The 9th is included,
2:18:14even though we had to add it the last time.
2:18:16And then the three actual specific things
2:18:19of what this report was gonna be for,
2:18:21official plan, zoning,
2:18:23and then also the addition of the draft plan, okay?
2:18:27Okay, so I'll call the vote on that then.
2:18:29Is anyone against that?
2:18:32And that's nobody on the deferral.
2:18:33So sorry about that, everybody.
2:18:35That's unanimous, thank you very much.
2:18:37We're at the final one here.
2:18:46Three, no, sorry, this is the multi-use accelerator grant,
2:18:50the proposed multi-unit accelerator grant.
2:18:54We will have a couple of staff presentations
2:18:58and then we'll make a decision on this one.
2:19:25Good evening, Mayor Guthrie and members of Council.
2:19:28My name is Andrew Dealman.
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The motion, the vote and the debate come from the City of Guelph’s published record, reproduced rather than interpreted. The document summaries above are the exception: those words were written for this site.