A plan to convert the historic building at 65 Delhi St. into a temporary supportive housing project is heading to council for a potential decision on July 12.
The plan, which requires several zoning bylaw amendments to go forward, will be discussed during council’s monthly planning session. That meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. and will be streamed live at guelph.ca/live.
A staff report including recommendations to council is set for release on Friday.
If approved, County of Wellington intends to buy the property from the city and renovate it to accommodate moving the Loyola House Supportive Temporary Accommodation Pilot there from the Ignatius Jesuit Centre on Hwy. 6, north of Woodlawn Road.
The facility is proposed to have 36-units, with common spaces, shared kitchens and washrooms as well as office space.
The proposal has undergone some change since a May 10 public meeting that drew a variety of concerns from area residents. Chief among them is that the zoning request no longer seeks permission to use the building for a child care centre, as was initially requested.
Questions were also raised about whether greenspace to the south of the building would be maintained.
“The only changes proposed to the exterior of the building is adding ramps and fire escapes to meet current building standards. The intent is that this space can be used by the patrons of the housing use,” explains a letter to the city from MHBC Planning, Urban Design & Landscape Architecture, which is working for the county on this project. “As discussed with city staff, we can consider a provision in the zoning to ensure this area is maintained as open space.”
