The Upper Grand District School Board has expressed concerns regarding a permanent supportive housing project to be built next to one of its schools.
In response to concerns raised by a couple of delegates at its meeting Tuesday night, the UGDSB passed a motion seeking more information on the project, which was approved by city council weeks ago and has the full support of several local agencies.
Board members approved a motion Tuesday directing board planning staff to look into the project moving forward at the rear of 85 and 89 Willow Rd. and accessed through an easement off Shelldale Crescent. The five-storey, 32-unit building will sit next to Willow Road Public School, as well as the county-run Willowdale Child Care & Learning Centre.
The motion, put forth by trustee Linda Busittil reads: "to direct planning staff to provide a report with an update on building use and zoning motion — that was passed by city council — and the process for safe injection."
There has been no mention to date of a safe consumption site being located at the property.
Busuttil said she is not familiar with the school's relationship to those buildings and thus, the motion will provide some context on the current building and the zoning motion.
Zoning amendments needed for the project to move forward received unanimous support from city council on May 10.
Tuesday’s virtual school board meeting saw two delegates from the neighbourhood voice their concerns about the housing project, which got the attention of board members at the meeting.
One of the delegates, Donna Haskett from the Guelph Willow Safety Team (a group of parents concerned about the project) expressed several concerns, including worries the building will bring additional drug use and behaviour that could influence local children.
Her delegation detailed several concerns regarding negative impacts she believes the building could have on the students at the school and the neighbourhood in general, plus the process prior to approval that she felt did not involve sufficient community consultation.
They are concerns she expressed to city council prior to its decision.
Trustee Mark Bailey stated that while the board does not have any direct influence over any of the decisions the city has already made and while he does support the housing project, his responsibility as a trustee is to make decisions that safeguard the wellbeing of students and staff.
“I do have grave concerns around the location of this building,” said Bailey adding he does not think the school board should enter a conversation on whether the building is appropriate but rather stick to concerns in relation to the geographical proximity of the school.
The fully-approved project will see support services provided 24/7 by the Guelph Community Health Centre (GCHC) as it is a partnership between Kindle Communities, GCHC and the current owners of the two properties – Skyline Group of Companies and Starlight Investments.
Last month, Dominica McPherson, coordinator for Guelph & Wellington Task Force for Poverty Elimination, praised the project saying the city is in critical need for such a building and the location of the building is perfect because of its close proximity to transit, employment opportunities and community services that would ensure a safe and affordable home for many in the community.
“If the wheels have already moved on and that is the location that it has to be in and it's already moving ahead, I'm not really sure what we can do about it but I do recognize that is something that we should be really looking at to find ways to help those kids stay in our preschool grounds and not experience everything that's going to come into that other building,” said trustee Robin Ross.
The motion passed unanimously.
