Houston, We Don't Have a Problem
June 19, 2023
In his June 19 public statement about gaining strong mayor powers, Mayor Cam Guthrie stated:
"In the past there have been instances where this tool would have saved taxpayers’ money, increased housing supply and removed unnecessary conflict between Council and the City administration. Yet, I’m not here to dwell on the past."
This statement implies that the past Council was not supportive of the advancement of housing in our community, or that Council obstructed much-needed housing applications. As a past and current member of Council, this statement was curious, if not downright insulting.
Let's be clear -- we have a housing crisis.
But Mayor Guthrie's assertion that the housing crisis in Guelph is a result of Council obstructing housing construction or planning approvals is flat out false. Our community expects us to work together collaboratively. A leader who believes his team is part of the problem is not a good way to start the conversation.
Below is a summary of EVERY residential planning application that has come to Council for a decision in the present term of Council and the 2018-2022 term of Council. The results are clear.
SUMMARY
- 41 applications
- 38 approvals
- 33 unanimous
- 6 passed with 2/3 majority
- 38 approvals
- 2 refusals (where staff recommended refusal)
- 1 refusal (where staff recommended approval)
- 100% of all applications during this term of Council since December 2022 have received unanimous support
The one singular application that was supported by staff and refused by Council, by a vote of 9-2 (more than 2/3) was 361 Whitelaw Road three years ago in February 2020. I recall the debate very well on that application. Council was fully supportive of the zoning amendment in principle, from urban reserve zoning to high and medium density residential development. Objections from councillors were based on valid concerns related to a parkland deficit, overflow parking, traffic volume, and the urban-rural edge transition. A few minor tweaks, and this application could easily have come back again and received approval, in my humble opinion. The developer (Armel Corporation) appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal.
The bottom line here is that this Council and the previous Council have consistently demonstrated full and decisive support to build more housing in our community. The use of strong mayor powers as a tool to build more housing is a false narrative.
Here are the details:
Residential Planning Application Outcomes
2018-2023
|
Date |
Application Address |
# of Units |
Outcome |
|
June 13, 2023 |
103-105 Victoria Road North |
32 stacked towns 23 cluster towns 3 single detached |
PASSED 13-0 |
|
June 13, 2023 |
1373-1389 Gordon Street |
99 apartments + commercial |
PASSED 13-0 |
|
April 18, 2023 |
Comprehensive Zoning ByLaw |
|
PASSED 13-0 |
|
March 21, 2023 |
1408 Gordon Street 33-41 Arkell Road |
47 apartments 88 independent living suites 88 assisted living suites |
PASSED 13-0 |
|
February 14, 2023 |
205-213 Speedvale Avenue West |
21 apartment units 3 units in detached house |
PASSED 12-0 |
|
December 6, 2022 |
265 Edinburgh Road North |
139 apartment units + commercial |
PASSED 13-0 |
|
September 12, 2022 |
1354 Gordon Street |
110 apartment units + commercial |
PASSED 12-0 |
|
September 12, 2022 |
111-193 Silvercreek Parkway North |
160 apartment units + commercial |
PASSED 12-0 |
|
September 12, 2022 |
785 Gordon Street (Days Inn) |
389 apartment units + commercial |
REFUSED 10-1 |
|
July 11, 2022 |
300 Grange Road |
22 cluster towns |
PASSED 13-0 |
|
July 11, 2022 |
93 Arthur Street South |
193 apartment units + commercial |
PASSED 12-0 |
|
July 11, 2022 |
78 – 82 Eastview Road |
40 apartment units 30 cluster towns |
PASSED 13-0 |
|
April 11, 2022 |
601 Scottsdale Drive |
151 residential suites 13 apartment units |
PASSED 11-0 |
|
February 14, 2022 |
47-75 Willow Road |
130 apartment units + commercial |
PASSED 12-0 |
|
February 14, 2022 |
7 and 9 Omar Street 19 Alma Street North |
4 single detached units |
PASSED 12-0 |
|
February 14, 2022 |
77 Victoria Road North |
18 3-storey towns |
PASSED 11-1 Bell against |
|
December 13, 2021 |
66 Duke Street |
22 apartment units |
PASSED 10-3 Billings, Goller, O’Rourke against |
|
December 13, 2021 |
520 Speedvale Avenue East |
52 stacked towns |
PASSED 13-0 |
|
September 13, 2021 |
29-31 Fountain Street |
2 semi-detached units |
PASSED 12-0 |
|
July 12, 2021 |
65 Delhi Street |
36 room supportive housing units |
PASSED 13-0 |
|
May 10, 2021 |
85 and 89 Willow Road |
32 supportive housing units |
PASSED 11-0 |
|
April 12, 2021 |
166-178 College Avenue West |
110 apartment units |
PASSED 13-0 |
|
April 12, 2021 |
721 Woolwich Street |
32 supportive housing units |
PASSED 13-0 |
|
January 25, 2021 |
1159 Victoria Road South |
2 single detached lots |
PASSED 13-0 |
|
January 25, 2021 |
120 Huron Street |
117 apartment units |
PASSED 12-0 |
|
December 14, 2020 |
Additional Residential Unit OPA 72 |
Multiple units across city In the form of ARDUs |
PASSED 13-0 |
|
November 9, 2020 |
816 Woolwich Street |
200 stacked towns 48 apartment units |
PASSED 11-0 |
|
August 10, 2020 |
167 Alice Street |
2 single detached unit |
PASSED 10-0 |
|
August 10, 2020 |
1300 Gordon Street |
32 apartment units |
PASSED 8-2 Gordon and Allt against |
|
July 13, 2020 |
70 Fountain Street East |
25-storey apartment building |
REFUSED 13-0 |
|
February 10, 2020 |
300 Water Street |
6 on-street towns 1 single detached |
PASSED 8-3 Allt, Gordon and Caron against. |
|
February 10, 2020 |
361 Whitelaw Road |
552 apartment units 128 stacked towns
|
REFUSED 9-2 Guthrie and Downer against |
|
December 9, 2019 |
1657-1665 Gordon Street |
84 stacked towns
|
PASSED 12-1 Gordon asked |
|
October 16, 2019 |
1533-1557 Gordon Street |
86 apartment units |
PASSED 8-5 Allt, Bell, Gordon, O’Rourke and Piper against |
|
September 9, 2019 |
51-53 College Avenue West |
2 semi-detached units |
PASSED 9-0 |
|
September 8, 2019 |
167 Alice Street |
2 single detached units |
PASSED 9-0 |
|
July 8, 2019 |
19-59 Lowes Road |
36 single detached units
|
PASSED 10-0 |
|
April 8, 2019 |
127 Cityview Drive North |
2 single detached units |
PASSED 13-0 |
|
March 18, 2019 |
50-52 Dean Avenue |
2 semi-detached units |
PASSED 11-0 |
|
January 28, 2019 |
120-122 Huron Street |
87 apartment units 59 cluster towns |
PASSED 11-0 |
|
January 28, 2019 |
89 Beechwood Avenue |
22 townhouse units |
PASSSED 12-0 |