Ward 5 councillor Leanne Piper says she will not support any new development application that is not a net zero carbon development.
Piper detailed her stance on her Ward 5 blog Sunday.
The first official appearance of her stance came at Monday's night's planning meeting of Guelph City Council, where a proposal for 57-unit development on Eastview Road came to council for the first time.
The units would range from 1,800 square feet to 2,400 square feet in size.
Piper asked the representative of the developer if net zero was being planned. He said they would consider it but hadn't had the chance to discuss it in detail.
Two developers, both numbered companies, are looking to build 57 condominium cluster town homes on Eastview Road between Starwood Drive and Mountford Road.
The two adjacent properties total eight hectares. Just under 2.5 acres of the property is protected wetlands.
The land is currently zoned “urban reserve” and the applicant is seeking a “residential townhouse” zoning.
"Acknowledging the climate crisis, and committing to act, requires bold leadership. Tonight (Monday), I will ask the developer if 78 - 82 Eastview Road will be a net zero carbon development. If the answer is "no" the application will not have my support," Piper said on Facebook earlier Monday.
Monday's council meeting was the public meeting on the proposal and council made no decision. Staff will take the application and return to council at a later date with a recommendation.
There were six delegates for the proposal on Monday.
Rob Russell, representing the applicants, said he was informed of the desire to move toward net zero late in the game.
"Due to the late notice, it's not something we've really had a chance to discuss with the client," Russell said, adding that it is certainly a discussion the applicant is willing to have with the city.
Several residents living adjacent to the proposed development spoke against it.
Jeff Lerch spoke of sight line issues, a new road running behind his home and parking issues.
Rubina Heddokheel, who had a petition of 60 signatures of area residents that are opposed to the proposal, had concerns about safety issues a new road behind homes on Starwood Drive would create.
"Think about us. We've lived here before," Heddokheel said. "Our needs should be considered."
Jeremy O'Connor said one of his concerns is that developer is cramming in as many units as possible and it does not conform to the city's official plan.
"Take a reevaluation, I'd like to see it work for us and the other people," Amulet Smithson said.
Christine Phillips said her biggest concern is the extra traffic the proposal would bring.
