Ian Scott

The City Council Planning meeting agenda addressed several key items. Under the Consent Agenda, discussions included endorsing the Urban Design Concept Plans for the Gordon Street Intensification Corridor and directing staff to negotiate a municipal servicing and access agreement for 131 Malcolm Road, which also involved directing staff to prepare a corporate policy regarding service extensions. The Public Meeting portion was set to hear applications regarding a Zoning By-law Amendment for 119 Ingram Drive and 35 Wideman Boulevard, an update on the Brownfield Redevelopment Community Improvement Plan, and Zoning By-law Amendments for properties at 278 College Avenue West and 671 Victoria Road North. Items for Discussion included the Clair-Maltby Secondary Plan Planning and Design Charrette results and approval of Built Form Standards for Mid-rise Buildings and Townhouses. The meeting concluded with the passing of By-laws, including one to confirm the proceedings of the April 9, 2018, meeting.

The agenda covered several key items. It commenced with a presentation on the Immigrant Pathways Program and the presentation of an Outstanding Employer Award to the City of Guelph. The main focus involved a Public Meeting to hear applications under Sections 17, 34, and 51 of the Planning Act, specifically addressing a proposed Zoning By-law Amendment for 209-211 Liverpool Street and a combined Zoning By-law Amendment and Official Plan Amendment for 171 Kortright Road West, which generated substantial public opposition concerning its conversion to high-density student housing, citing concerns about neighborhood character, infrastructure strain, parking, and loss of community space. The agenda also included a Consent Agenda addressing the Village of Riverside Glen Development proposal (Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment), Special Resolutions, and the adoption of By-laws, including one to confirm the proceedings of the meeting held on April 13, 2015.

The meeting commenced with a closed session to discuss security of property and personal matters concerning identifiable individuals. Following the closed session, discussions in the open meeting addressed directions given regarding Citizen Appointments to the Elliott Board of Trustees and deferred one item related to Advisory Committee Member Closed Meeting Protocol. A portion of the GMHI matter was referred to a subsequent closed meeting. During the Planning Public Meeting, Council reviewed a proposed Draft Plan of Subdivision and Zoning By-law Amendment for 132 Clair Road West, involving rezoning and subdivision for business park and commercial use, with delegations addressing traffic concerns. The Consent Agenda included the approval of proposed demolitions at 153 King Street and 22 Stanley Street, requiring Tree Preservation Plans and adherence to demolition guidelines, and the retroactive approval for the demolition at 48 Inkerman Street. Additionally, conditional approval was granted for the site plan application (SP15C028) for Phase 3 of a mixed-use commercial development at 1750 Gordon Street. Special resolutions confirmed the appointment of Bill McLay to the Elliott Board of Trustees, and By-laws Numbered (2015)-19990 to (2015)-19993 were passed.

The City Council convened a budget meeting to review the 2017 budgets for Local Boards and Shared Services, which constitute approximately one-third of the City's tax-supported operating budget expenditure. Key entities reviewed included the Guelph Public Library, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, Downtown Guelph Business Association, Guelph Police Services, and The Elliott Community. The report detailed legislative and regulatory constraints on Council's ability to alter these budgets. The recommendation was to refer the 2017 Local Boards and Shared Services Budgets to the December 7, 2016, Council Meeting for final deliberation and approval. Detailed financial implications and operational data were presented for the Guelph Public Library and the Downtown Guelph Business Association regarding their 2017 funding requests, as well as an overview of The Elliott Community's 2017 budget and management strategies.

The meeting involved conducting business in both closed and open sessions. Key discussions in closed session included updates on the Development of Brant Community Hub and the Dolime Quarry Mediation Process. During the open session, Council confirmed minutes from previous meetings and addressed several Committee of the Whole consent reports. Significant actions included supporting the principles of the Guelph and Wellington Living Wage Employer Recognition Program and directing staff to examine policies for the 20,000 Homes Initiative. Numerous appointments and reappointments to various Advisory Boards and Committees were approved. Council also adopted policy amendments concerning Compensation and Capital reserves, leading to the renaming and consolidation of several funds, and approved the creation of new Stormwater reserves. Further discussions involved approving the 2017 Council and Committee meeting schedule and the Development Engineering Manual. A substantial portion of the meeting addressed the City of Guelph's submission regarding Ontario's Water-Taking Regulations, resulting in directives to the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change concerning a moratorium on new water bottling permits and recommendations for a comprehensive water management program. The meeting also addressed a City-initiated Official Plan Amendment and Downtown Zoning By-law Amendment pertaining to 75 Dublin Street North, involving multiple votes on height limits and zoning changes, and a new motion to explore the County of Wellington's affordable housing project selection process.