University students are set to move into the Days Inn building on Gordon Street later this summer, following a Thursday afternoon decision from the city’s committee of adjustment.
During a rare special meeting held for this one matter, committee members unanimously agreed to expand the permitted uses at 785 Gordon St. to include student housing.
“From the outside, the operation will look like it does today,” planning consultant Trevor Hawkins, a representative of the owner, told the committee.
That expanded use was approved for a three-year time frame, beginning Aug. 1. The option of a three-year extension was also requested, but that concept was not supported by city staff and wasn’t approved by the committee.
In a report to the committee, city staff noted it had “no objection” to the initial three years because of its similarity to use as a hotel.
During those years, the University of Guelph will rent the entire building and be responsible for its management, the application explains, noting "very limited" interior renovations to facilitate the conversion.
That agreement is to begin this August.
The building currently has 86 rooms. A university representative told the committee it will house 169 people, including students, university staff and resident advisors.
There are currently eight long-term rentals in the hotel, the committee heard, including six that are clients of Stepping Stone, an organization that assists individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Arrangements are being made to relocate them.
Plans to tear down the hotel in favour of a private, 10-storey, 520-bedroom student complex are currently under appeal before the Ontario Land Tribunal. City council rejected the plan last September.
Speaking on behalf of an informal group of area residents who oppose the long-term plan, Bill Mungal offered support for the time limited student housing use.
“It buys time for the owner, the developer to reconsider,” he said. “Our hope is they’ll realize they have a losing hand and withdraw their application.”
