Article Summary
Guelph City Council has approved two policy changes to accelerate high-rise development in the city’s growth corridors while protecting heritage assets and streamlining approvals. The changes allow up to 24 storeys in Downtown peripheral blocks and merge zoning amendments, minor variances, and site-plan approvals into a single application process in the Stone Road/Edinburgh Road area.
What This Means for You
- Developers can now build taller buildings in selected Downtown areas and Stone Road/Edinburgh Road corridor, with a simplified application process and density bonuses for affordable housing units.
- A more streamlined approach to planning approvals will reduce red tape and uncertainty for major projects, enabling faster timelines for project completion.
- Increased height limits and density bonuses will optimize sunlight, minimize shadows and ensure context-sensitive massing throughout the core, preserving the city’s historic character and infrastructure capacity.
- Future growth in these areas will generate incremental tax revenue and attract private investment into compact, transit-oriented developments.
Original Post
Guelph City Council has enacted an Official Plan Amendment allowing up to 24 storeys in strategically selected peripheral blocks of the Downtown Secondary Plan, with protections for historical streetscapes. Additionally, a new Community Planning Permit bylaw merges zoning amendments, minor variances, and site-plan approvals into a single application process with a legislated 45-day decision timeline in the Stone Road/Edinburgh Road corridor.
Purpose of the Amendments
These amendments align with Guelph’s mandate to grow to 208,000 residents and 116,000 jobs by 2051, and support Housing Accelerator Fund commitments and the City’s Housing Affordability Strategy. They offer density bonuses and faster approvals to boost housing supply and preserve the city’s historic character and infrastructure capacity.
Policy Change Overview
City Council approved Official Plan Amendments for Downtown Guelph and the Stone Road/Edinburgh Road corridor, using Ontario’s Community Planning Permit System tool to guide growth, expedite approvals, and coordinate infrastructure planning.
Key Terms
- Community Planning Permit Bylaw
- Zoning Amendments
- Minor Variances
- Site-Plan Approvals
- Density Bonuses
- Affordable Housing
- Transit-Oriented Development
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