With housing and other uses set to grow there in the future, the owner of much of the Guelph Innovation District (GID) lands want to put the property to use by allowing cash crops to be grown there for now.
Fusion Homes is seeking approval from the city’s Committee of Adjustment to allow agricultural uses at 328 Victoria Rd. S., which runs along the stretch from just north of College Avenue to Stone Road East.
“The requested interim agricultural use will ensure that the subject lands continue to be occupied by an active use, rather than sitting dormant for years while the block plan and development approvals process is underway,” states a letter to the CoA. “By actively farming the subject lands, activity on the site will be ongoing and natural surveillance will take place through ongoing use and activity.”
The CoA is set to consider the request at its Jan. 12 meeting.
Fusion Homes wants to raise cash crops such as wheat, corn and beans on the property.
“Once development permissions are secured, the subject lands will be able to be developed and the proposed farming activities will not limit the future development potential of the subject lands,” the letter explains, noting the use isn’t expected to negatively impact other properties.
If approved by the committee, ecology and environmental consultants will be brought in to “ensure that farming activities are confined to areas of the site where there will be no negative impacts on the natural heritage system and where the soil conforms to the relevant (Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks) standards.”
The request is in line with what’s happened on other sites before development goes ahead.
Agriculture is also a traditional use for the property.
Ryan Scott, senior vice-president of development and finance with Fusion Homes, recently told GuelphToday he hopes to see construction of homes begin there within three years.
City plans for the lands include a mix of employment, residential, commercial and natural heritage uses. The GID lands encompass 328.6 acres of land bordered by Stone Road East, Victoria Road South and York Road, extending beyond the Fusion Homes property.
That total includes 100 acres of protected natural areas.
Not included in Fusion Homes’ property is the former Guelph reformatory lands, which also make up part of the GID.
