Council approves 11-storey building across from U of G

An 11-storey building, including 532 residential units, is coming to a property across from the University of Guelph, though it’s not officially designated for student housing.

Through a 11-1 vote on Tuesday evening, city council approved a development plan for 716 Gordon St. – the former Brock Hotel site at the corner of Gordon Street and Stone Road.

“Let’s get shovels in the ground … and a ton of people in homes,” said Mayor Cam Guthrie.

“We desperately need the purpose-built rentals,” noted Coun. Dominique O’Rourke. “The need for those units is significant.”

A numbered company behind the proposal wants to build an 11-storey building connected to a three or four-storey podium with a ground floor cafe on the southeast corner of the Stone Road/Gordon Street intersection.

A range of official plan and zoning bylaw amendments were approved in order for that to happen. They include increased density, reduced parking requirements, reduced setbacks and lessened common amenity space.

The only vote against approval came from Coun. Phil Allt, who explained his opposition stems from the possibility of student alcohol consumption and potentially dangerous behaviour on the building’s terraces.

Coun. Leanne Caron, who works for the University of Guelph, declared a conflict of interest and did not participate in the discussion or vote.

City staff noted it’s not within council’s ability to restrict the building to student residences – once a project is approved, the city has no control over who lives in the units.

The development plan has gone through several incarnations since it was first proposed in 2011 and ultimately approved by the then-Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) in 2013.

Several council members stated they expect the developer to appeal council’s Tuesday evening approval because it includes several staff-made changes to the plan, including the depth of buffer areas with neighbouring properties.

A couple of area residents urged council not to approval the plan, raising concerns about the number of mature evergreen trees to be cut down as well as the potential for noise from the building’s three outdoor terraces.

“We’re not a bunch of NIMBYs,” said Georgia Mason of the Mayfield Residents Association. “It feels to us as though developers can win an OMB decision and yet still push more and more, with the city simply conceding with no meaningful public consultation.”

“This developer succumbed to an instinct to wring every last dollar out of the site,” added Bill Mungall, suggesting approval will set a precedence regarding outdoor patios for a proposed nearby student residence which is currently under appeal at the Ontario Land Tribunal. “The city must be resolute and refuse this application.”

A unanimously approved amendment, put forward by Coun. Cathy Downer, will see area residents provided with an opportunity to view and comment on the project’s proposed site design process – something not typically provided.

However, as staff explained, comments and suggestions from neighbours won’t necessarily be adopted.