The number of emergency shelter beds in Downtown Guelph is slated to grow, courtesy of a decision last week from the city’s committee of adjustment.
Approval was granted for the addition of a third storey to be added to Stepping Stone at 23-25 Gordon St. as well as a decrease in the number of parking spaces required as a result of the increased floor space.
With the added space, the number of beds available will increase from 27 to as many as 75, though the standard is expected to be 63.
“As a community we wanted to be flexible around the numbers, we need to be responsive to the members of our community that are homeless,” executive director Gail Hoekstra told the committee of adjustment on Thursday. “It doesn’t mean that there would be 75 individuals – that isn’t necessarily our demand today.”
The plan is to add a third level to the building on the corner of Gordon and Nottingham streets. There are currently 27 beds provided on the ground floor. Under-used second floor office space would be converted to house another 24 beds, with 12 more on the new level.
Hoekstra previously told GuelphToday she hopes to see the project completed this year.
City staff recommended approval by the committee.
“The subject lands are in a highly accessible downtown location within proximity to other services, shops and transit options,” explains a report to the committee. “This makes it an ideal location for an emergency shelter within the Guelph area.”
Mark Post, the county’s director of housing, confirmed to the committee that operating funds for the new beds has been secured, though details are under embargo. That means agreements are in place but can’t be publicly revealed at this time.
Some operational funding will come from the City of Guelph and the County of Wellington, he added.
It wasn’t exactly smooth sailing for project approval. Rather, the committee heard concerns about the area circulated with notice of the plan, as well as worries about increased use of the property, crime and drug-use.
“It’s a real safety and health concern,” commented Dominic Paonne, noting he lives next door, adding he’s found “countless” discarded needles in his backyard. “I’m trying to raise a family – I can’t do that there.”
The requested zoning bylaw amendments were approved in a 2-1 vote, with member Ann Balaban in opposition. She argued the change was “substantial” and shouldn’t have been left up to the committee of adjustment.
“I find it very hard to agree that this is minor,” she said ahead of Thursday’s vote. “This is much too big for a committee of adjustment.”
