Plans to convert Parkview Motel into a permanent supportive housing project have the backing of city staff, which is recommending approval of a rezoning application needed for the initiative to move forward.
The urging comes in a report headed to council’s planning meeting on April 12 for a decision.
“The proposed development represents a compact form of development, and the reuse of an existing building within the city’s settlement area that will allow the efficient use of land, infrastructure and public service facilities where infrastructure is already available and transit is available,” the report states.
The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. and will be livestreamed at guelph.ca/live.
If approved, the project would see the motel at 721 Woolwich Street – on the northeast corner of the intersection of Woolwich Street and Marilyn Drive, near Riverside Park – converted into up to 32 bachelor apartments intended to house members of the city’s homeless population.
Renovations are planned to enlarge windows, widen a hallway to improve accessibility, and provide a shared kitchen, as well as space for 24/7 support services.
Several site-specific features have been made in the rezoning request, including reducing the number of required parking spaces from 45 to 13, in addition to several setback reductions.
During a Feb. 8 public meeting held to gather feedback on the zoning requests, Andrea Sinclair of MHBC Planning said the building’s footprint wouldn’t change and setback reductions reflect what’s there now.
Parkview Motel has been used as a shelter overflow location since the 1980s.
The conversion plan was announced last year, with the current owners and Welcome In Drop-In Centre signing a letter of intent to see the motel change hands for $3.8 million. The city has been asked to contribute $540,000 toward the down payment.
Operational funding funding will be sought through the County of Wellington, which manages supported housing on behalf of the city.
Several nearby residents aired concerns about the project during the Feb. 8 public meeting. Questions were raised about the impact on area seniors as well as the potential to set a precedent on projects involving the conversion of a motel into permanent supportive housing.
Concerns about the potential for an increase in crime and drug-related behaviour have been raised in the past, with residents pointing to the proximity of Riverside Park and children who play there.
The deadline to register as a delegate or make a written submission for the April 12 council planning meeting is April 9 at 10 a.m. To register, call 519-837-5603 or email [email protected].
