Plans to develop the former Loblaw property in east Guelph have grown considerably.
Those plans to turn the site into a largely-residential development are moving forward, with talks underway between city officials and the owner. It now includes nearly twice the number of apartment units and increased commercial space as previously announced.
Guelph Watson Holdings Inc. proposes to build four 10 to 14 storey buildings with 1,070 residential units and ground floor commercial space, as well as 197 townhouses at 115 Watson Pkwy., north of York Road and across from Starwood Drive.
No formal applications have been filed with the city, but postings on the city’s website state it’s at the pre-consultation stage. It’s not known when the developer hopes to put shovels in the ground.
“The proposed development … is envisioned as a distinctive, compact, mixed-use development offering a variety of residential units, indoor amenity and retail spaces and comprising a park and a landscape buffer to properly transition and connect to the adjacent natural heritage system,” states an urban design brief filed with the city.
The proposal includes 2,818 square metres of commercial space on the ground level of the towers, along with two levels of underground parking for building residents (778 spaces) and 257 surface spots.
During an open house held in June, numerous east end residents turned out to demand a grocery store be included in the plan. The site is currently zoned for 4,645 square metres of commercial space, nearly double what’s planned.
“We need a grocery store – plain and simple,” one resident said to applause during that open house. “The community needs the grocery store … and we don’t want to have to drive across town for one.”
Though the lack of a large grocery store was the biggest obstacle to community support during the meeting, others raised concerns about the cumulative impact of developments in the area on traffic and parking, along with concerns about water flow on the property, school accommodations and destruction of wildlife habitat.
At the time, the proposal included two apartment buildings six to 10-storeys tall, joined by a shared podium. They were to include 582 residential units and 1,486 square metres of commercial space.
In the early 2000s, Loblaw planned to build a supercentre on the lot, but backed off after Walmart, originally intended for the same area, opened on Woodlawn, and the lot has sat idle for years, despite the identified need for retail in the east end, particularly a grocery store.
For years council and city staff tried to convince Loblaw to build there, but they have no ability to force any landowner to do so.
No official or unofficial public meeting has yet been planned.
