Speaking separately to a pair of infill redevelopment proposals on Tuesday evening, neighbours raised concerns about parking, tree preservation, density and the impact on existing residents.
Their worries were aired during public meetings for 151 Bristol St. and 14 Stevenson St. N. – both of which had seen previous building proposals that didn’t come to fruition.
Each plan would see an existing dwelling and detached garage demolished in order to make way for new construction.
151 Bristol St.
Madalikat Developments Ltd. is looking to construct two semi-detached homes, each with a basement apartment and an auxiliary unit in the rear yard, for a total of 12 units, on lands on the north side of Bristol, between Yorkshire and McGee streets.
There are also to be 12 parking spaces, one per unit.
A previous plan for that spot included five townhouses.
“This proposal isn’t a lot better for our neighbourhood,” said Carolyn Bot. “I don’t think our issues have changed. Our concerns have not changed.
“It’s just not a realistic fit for the community.”
During a public meeting in September of 2021, more than a dozen delegates spoke out against the plan and urged council to reject it. They raised concerns about on-street parking, density on the lot, drainage, privacy and more.
Speaking on behalf of the owner, planning consultant Jeff Buisman told council that if the comprehensive zoning bylaw approved by council in January weren’t under appeal, meaning it was in effect now, the project wouldn’t need council’s approval.
“I am worried about 12 cars, 12 units, space for waste separation, space for trees and space for stormwater on a property that has historically had stormwater and groundwater flooding problems,” commented Coun. Leanne Caron. “I think the site is over capacity for what is expected to be there.”
14 Stevenson St. N.
Owner HB Developments is seeking permission to build a two-storey, 10-unit condominium on land along the west side of Stevenson, just north of Elizabeth Street and immediately north of the Metrolinx railway tracks.
The redevelopment is to include an additional level below ground, as well as 13 parking spaces and a 45 cm thick crash wall along the railway tracks.
A previous plan for the site called for a three-storey, 12-unit townhouse block.
Pranav Sharma, who lives next door, has concerns about the development’s impact on neighbourhood street parking, as well as potential impacts construction will have on his property.
“We all know even normal households here cannot work with just one car,” said Sharma, noting there is limited overflow parking availability, combined with a number of recent developments in the area. “It’s going to cause some dissatisfaction in the community.”
He went on to lament intensification seen in the city, noting that when he arrived in Canada about six years ago, he chose to live in Guelph and community to the Toronto area for work.
“I did not want to live in a concrete jungle,” he told council. “I decided to drive 200 km a day just to be in the peaceful, quiet town of Guelph. If you’re going to change that … where should I move?”
Coun. Rodrigo Goller, who represents that area of the city, expressed support for the plan.
“I think we need more of this type of housing,” he said, noting he shares some of the concerns raised, particularly parking and removal of trees. “As we look forward, we will have a lot of Conestoga College students coming here, international students … it’s that middle (housing) element that we’re missing in Guelph.”
He noted the plan involves mostly one and two-bedroom units and is on a major transit line.
Approval of the requested zoning and official plan amendments wasn’t considered during the public meetings. That’s likely to be done at a future date.
Wednesday’s meetings were held to gather feedback from community members as city staff evaluate the proposals.
