GuelphToday received the following letter from neighbourhood spokesperson Jackie Mackenzie regarding expansion in the south end:
The residents of this south Guelph community are vehemently opposed to the Planning Applications to Amend the Official Plan and Zoning By-Law at 1373-1389 Gordon, File #OZS22-01.
Changing the planning rules from a six to nine-storey apartment, on the northwest corner of Gordon and Vaughan Streets, means adding more density and traffic to an already overcrowded corridor on Gordon St.. This sets a dangerous precedent for future buildings.
By-law changes are proposed to allow a large surface parking lot exiting onto Vaughan St., where an additional 72-74 cars from the apartment will enter/exit at peak a.m. and p.m. times! This adds to the existing congestion with neighbourhood vehicles for 225 residences, school buses, delivery vehicles and delivery trucks. Increased traffic along with on-street parking will jam the entire subdivision.
This development has many short and long-term deleterious impacts on the numerous species that already call this place their home. The proposal involves the removal of 200 mature trees living in this significant wildlife habitat!
Light pollution from the surface parking lot will disrupt reproductive and roosting patterns of endangered species that live here. Salt runoff from the parking lot affects sensitive species such as salamanders. Bird and Bat strikes into the glass of the nine-storey building will also occur. All of this is cause for alarm!
There are solutions! Work within the use and policy provisions of the Official Plan. Provide buildings with heights of no more than six storeys, provide underground parking and direct traffic entering/exiting the apartment onto Gordon Street.
Our neighbourhood is united in opposing these proposed planning rule changes and keeping our Protected Wetlands safe. Our petition has 130 signatures and growing at March 15/22, within one week of posting. We are also united in the need for affordable housing which does not negatively affect existing healthy neighbourhoods and local wildlife.
- Jackie Mackenzie
