Skip to content

Fusion Homes bid for more storeys at Metalworks gets rejected

City committee feels it's not a "minor variance" and agrees developer should take request to City Council
20160513 Highrise ro
Fusion Homes' first high-rise in The Metalworks on Arthur Street is finished and the second underway.

If Fusion Homes wants to increase the height of the third building at its massive Metalworks development on Arthur Street it is going to have to go back to Guelph CIty Council.

Representatives of the developer made what some might perceive as a bit of an end run around City Council Thursday when they appeared before the city's Committee of Adjustment seeking to increase the third building of the five-building project from 10 storeys to 12.

In 2014 council approved only 10 for the first building, which is built, 11 for the second building, which is being built, and 10 for the third building, not yet started. Fourth and fifth buildings have been approved for 14 storeys.

Fusion Homes took their request for a bigger third building to the lower-level Committee of Adjustment because they felt that the increase in height was a "minor variance," and that the spirit of the by-law allowed for potential variance, particularly given that many of the issues the bylaw is intended to govern,  such as parking and open space, were not going to be altered by the additional floors.

But the committee, city planning staff and Ward Residents' Association president Maria Pezzano all disagreed.

"This would be better dealt with as a zoning by-law amendment application dealt with by council," said city development planner Michael Witmer.

Committee members Dave Kendrick and Paul Ross agreed, voting to reject the Fusion Homes application for a minor variance. Committee member Stephen Dykstra voted in favour of it.

Pezzano, appearing as  delegate, said the "humongous development" was supported by the neighbourhood, but enough was enough.

"The decision made by Aug. 25, 2014, by City Council was the right decision," Pezzano said, adding later "just because you could, doesn't mean that you should."

Fusion Homes architect said that the 12-storey design "might actually be a better design."

He said that original density, parking and open space details would not be affected by the extra storeys, which included a 12th floor that would house the mechanical needs and a common area for residents, not more dwellings.

"The flexibility of the by-law allows for this," Korman argued unsuccessfully.

 


Comments

Verified reader

If you would like to apply to become a verified commenter, please fill out this form.




Tony Saxon

About the Author: Tony Saxon

Tony Saxon has had a rich and varied 30 year career as a journalist, an award winning correspondent, columnist, reporter, feature writer and photographer.
Read more