Plans for two new student housing buildings on the site of the former Holiday Inn property should be approved for construction, believe city staff.
That’s the recommendation heading to city council’s planning meeting for consideration on Wednesday.
If ultimately approved, the renovated, former Holiday Inn property at 601 Scottsdale Dr. – now run under the name ‘Alma’ – will see the addition of two seven-storey structures connected by a single-storey amenity area, containing 489 units with 589 beds.
The roughly 2.2-hectare site sits on the corner of Stone Road West and Scottsdale Drive, directly across from Stone Road Mall.
In order for the proposal to move ahead, an amendment to the city’s official plan is being sought to increase the permissible density, as well as numerous zoning bylaw amendments. Among them are reduced setbacks, lessen parking requirements and decreased buffer strips.
The plan saw no opposition during a public meeting held in June.
The land is owned by the University of Guelph and leased to Forum Asset Management, which operates the existing student residence and will oversee the new ones, if approved.
During the public meeting, council heard Forum’s agreement with the U of G requires that all units be reserved for students of the school.
At that time, Trevor Hawkins, Forum’s planning consultant, said once approvals are in place the project will be “full-steam ahead” with construction.
