Dedicated to the people of Guelph and Ward 6.
This report is produced for education and communication purposes only. The opinions and views presented are not endorsed by the City of Guelph or any other entities. Unless otherwise indicated with a link or in-text citation, all visuals and graphics are originally created by Ken Yee Chew.
PRESERVATION PARK
SOUTH END COMMUNITY PARK
Guelph City Council is comprised of the Mayor and 12 independently elected councillors. Every four years, each ward elects two members of council to represent its residents. Ward 6 is one of the largest ward by land mass and population making up South Guelph. The constituency is represented by myself and Councillor Dominique O’Rourke. Both of us reside in the area and collaborate closely to respond to phone calls, emails, and case work through our personal capacity or by coordinating with the Mayor, council colleagues, city staff, businesses, and external agencies.
This past spring has been characterized by active engagements, with businesses opening in the Hanlon Creek and candid discussions in Ward 6 neighborhoods about property tax increases and the state of housing in our City. In April, the annual tree planting in Hanlon Creek Forest provided an opportunity to actively promote the City’s Parks Stewards program initiative. I personally love this program as I fnd it empowers residents to take a greater role in caring for our parks and open spaces through activities like seed distribution and tree planting events.
Additionally, I supported Rotary’s Stop Human Traffcking campaign, raising awareness about this evil crime that is constantly redirecting Guelph Police resources from neighbourhood traffc enforcement. While we as councillors often receive emails about the need for traffc enforcement and consistently advocate for more to GPS, the stark reality is that issues of human traffcking have now become widespread and demand our immediate attention to be eradicated from our City. Guelph’s increasing appeal as a location outside the GTA only underscores the urgency to empower our local police agency to act swiftly.
Early in May, I visited Queen’s Park for the very frst time to lend my support for a new Practice Act for the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects. Despite years of advocacy and private bipartisan support, this initiative still awaits legislative action. I frmly believe this Act will help enhance design thinking and collaboration across engineering, construction, and design sectors. It aims to empower landscape architects to lead design partners with their skills, such as site grading and site analysis, so the built form and natural environment can be better integrated in development projects. Ultimately, the goal is to shift stakeholder perspectives in the design industry and promote better spatial literacy.
In mid-May, the City and County formally established a joint social services and land ambulance committee. Recent reorganization efforts are aimed at addressing health and homelessness issues highlighted during the March 22 Health and Housing symposium. Councillor O’Rourke from Ward 6, alongside Mayor Guthrie, Councillors Busutill, and Downer, represents the City on this committee, working closely with counterparts from the County. Current discussions include exploring options like a sanctioned encampment for those facing chronic homelessness and resourcing of the County’s shelter system.
In June, I represented Guelph in a council delegation at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) in Calgary. Our focus was to promote Guelph, make meaningful connections and engage with members from cities and towns across the country. Back home at Council, we oversaw strategic plan updates which includes progress reports from our internal departments, and external boards. These updates are important for transparency and Fall budget deliberations, as the Mayor intends to maintain the tax levy at a 4% increase over the forecasted 9.8%.
Concurrently, our staff introduced to us their progress on the 2024 Asset Management Plan, which builds on the 2021 plan to further map out a comprehensive inventory and analysis of all City assets. This is in efforts to streamline and standardize the state of good repair for roads and critical infrastructure for city-wide parity and sound fscal stewardship of our operational budget allocation.
At the end of June, the GRCA board will review the GRCA Niska Management Plan, which is slated to be ratifed based on the 2018 Ontario Municipal Board minutes of settlement. Located on Niska and Ptarmigan, the adoption of the plan marks a pivotal moment for these lands, setting the stage for future environmental restoration efforts, parks development, passive recreation, and sustainable land use planning for the 64-hectares. Resolving this longstanding issue is a priority for me to address in the interest of Ward 6, as the longstanding delays due to historical differences have severely hindered formal community maintenance agreements and a cohesive long-range vision for Guelph’s ruralurban edge.
Thank you for your ongoing support as we work together to nurture and enhance our city and neighborhoods. Please feel free to reach out so we can continue this important dialogue.
Ken Yee Chew
Guelph City Councillor - Ward 6
The contents of this report are accompanied by links to original sources and can be accessed by hovering your cursor over the visuals and graphics. To briefy view the front pages of any referenced reports, zoom in for a better view of the contents. To form a comprehensive view on the commentary provided, it is recommended to visit the sources provided for deeper context.
Representing the Communities of Ward 6
Zoning Bylaw Update
Supportive Housing
South End Community Centre
Gordon Street Improvements
Parks and Recreation
Transit and Road Safety
Guelph Lake Nature Centre
The Niska Lands
nurturing growth beneath the surface
kenyeechew.ca
Making Waves Swim School has opened its ffth location in Guelph celebrating its 30th anniversary. The new Guelph facility located on 104 Cooper Dr features state-of-the-art facilities designed to offer an optimal learning environment for swimmers of all ages.
They are a B Corp certifed company and are committed to offering the best learning environment for swimmers of all ages. Making Waves’ certifed instructors are dedicated to providing personalized swim instruction and offer many mentorship pathways for swimmers and future instructors.
On May 16th Councillor O’Rourke and I recently visited the new facility. We believe it will be a valuable addition to our community, providing another option for swim instruction alongside the South End Community Centre that is set to open in 2026. Bill Bond, our City’s senior economic development offcer, played a crucial role in helping the business navigate the building permitting process, ensuring a smooth expansion. We are so excited to have them situated in the Hanlon Creek Business Park.
DBL CRS Sim Lounge is a premier golf simulation facility at 589 Hanlon Creek Boulevard in Guelph. This state-of-the-art venue features fve oversized simulator bays, over 70 golf courses, a virtual driving range, and a fully licensed bar.
Last September, a zoning bylaw amendment was presented to city council to permit this recreational facility, changing the zoning from “Hanlon Creek Business Park” and “Specialized Corporate Business Park” Zones to “Specialized Hanlon Creek Business Park” and “Specialized Corporate Business Park” Zones, as per the 1995 and 2023 Zoning Bylaws. This received unanimous support and approval by Council, moving the project to move forward subject to building permitting, approvals and inspections.
We are excited to see more small recreational businesses like this opening in Hanlon Creek, reinforcing transit’s Route 19 and enhancing access for Ward 6 neighbourhoods. Congratulations to Ged Smyth and Matt Tindale for opening up shop and thank you for your business contribution to the South End.
On April 27, 2024, the Rotary Hanlon Creek Tree Planting event brought together community members once again. Volunteers planted native trees and wildfowers, enhancing urban biodiversity and environmental sustainability within this vital environmental corridor. The event featured an Environmental Fair with educational booths, entertainment, and food. Equipped with shovels, mulch, and pails provided by the City, participants helped introduce essential native plant species, strengthening the ground cover diversity in the area. The 4.2-hectare site at 213 Clair Rd W is poised to become a crucial ecological link, benefting the City’s natural areas.
The surge in human traffcking activities in Guelph presents signifcant challenges for community policing efforts, particularly in the realm of traffc enforcement. In recent years GPS has had to allocate more resources towards combating human traffcking. This is part of the challenge to maintain routine traffc patrols, especially in Ward 6.
Human traffcking investigations demand intensive resources, including specialized training, surveillance, and coordination with various agencies. These efforts are crucial to identifying and dismantling traffcking networks operating within the community. However, the focus on traffcking investigations can lead to reduced visibility and enforcement in other areas, such as traffc violations and road safety measures.
Moreover, the nature of human traffcking often involves transportation networks and movement across jurisdictions, complicating efforts to monitor and intercept criminal activities without robust policing measures in place. This dynamic necessitates a delicate balance between responding to immediate threats posed by traffcking and maintaining proactive measures to ensure general public safety, including effective traffc management and enforcement.
Addressing these challenges requires strategic planning, adequate resource allocation, and community collaboration to address both anti-traffcking efforts and routine policing.
As a councillor, I strongly support police resourcing and maintain regular communication with our Chief to stay informed about daily operations. Recently, I participated in an engagement session held on April 15th at the GPS Emergency Operations Training Centre, where discussions helped contribute to the GPS 2024-2028 Strategic Plan. Frequent City engagement with the GPS is important as they enable representatives like myself to better understand how police resourcing and operations serve residents and people in need.
In recent years, the Guelph Police Service (GPS) has actively pursued ways to enhance community policing efforts. Originating from a traditional paramilitary structure, the GPS has prioritized diversifying its front line customer service skills and approach. Initiatives such as the Downtown Resource Offcer (DRO) program exemplify these efforts, aiming to create safer and more welcoming streets in downtown Guelph. Additionally, the Integrated Mobile Police and Crisis Teams (IMPACT) represent another positive step forward.
IMPACT teams consist of specially trained offcers who collaborate with mental health professionals to respond to calls involving individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. This proactive approach not only addresses immediate safety concerns but also provides supportive interventions to connect individuals with necessary resources and services.
By integrating initiatives like the DRO program and IMPACT teams, GPS demonstrates progressive responsiveness to community needs. This holistic approach to community safety prioritizes collaboration and tailored interventions, aiming to meet the diverse needs of Guelph residents, workers, and visitors. These efforts contribute to a more secure and inclusive urban environment, fostering trust and partnership within the community.
The Guelph Police Service recently released an extensive overview video of the Police Service. I would highly encourage you to watch the video if you have time as it highlights GPS’s commitment to serving the community through various initiatives and operational strategies. In the video, GPS also emphasizes its role in ensuring safety and supporting a growing population, aiming to adapt and innovate for future needs.
Key elements include the recent renovation of their headquarters to meet modern demands, the integration of civilian roles crucial for operations such as dispatch and support services, and the implementation of advanced technologies like hybrid feet vehicles, drones, and forensic labs.
The GPS also focuses on community partnerships, mental health crisis response, and offcer wellness programs, underscoring their holistic approach to policing. They highlight initiatives like Project Lifesaver for locating missing persons and the IMPACT team for mental health crisis interventions. Click to view
Throughout the Spring, I have been out in-person to discuss service requests related to traffc calming and road safety. Did you know the City has Slow Down lawn sign for residents? You can pick one up from any City of Guelph community centre for free.
Navigating traffc calming measures on thoroughfare streets like Downey and Niska presents signifcant challenges due to their location on the rural-urban edge. Councillor O’Rourke and I have engaged with residents on both roads to address these concerns. We both recognize the inherent shortcomings of the roads, especially regarding traffc fow. For example, on Niska, this issue is exacerbated by its strategic location towards Cambridge via Whitelaw and Highway 124. Despite efforts such as truck exclusionary bylaws and signage, we still unfortunately see trucking take place on Niska. I am equally frustrated by the noise and disruption; however, it is an inherited issue that will require long-range planning to address. In the meantime, we still routinely remind staff to notify GPS to enforce.
To tackle these issues, I am actively discussing with staff solutions within their operational purview to sincerely address these perpetual disruptions. Recently, I have asked staff to consider enlarging the stop signs to enhance compliance and safety at intersections. According to the Ontario Traffc Manual, an enlarged sign may be installed “where the prevailing traffc conditions warrants greater visibility or emphasis.” A request for a radar board is also an option and later in the future, when the automatic speed enforcement camera program expands outside school zones, Niska could be a possible candidate.
The challenge is that these solutions are operational in nature, therefore we still have to respect traffc engineering’s process and standard operating procedure for city-wide parity. The process exists so different parts of the city are not in competition for resourcing and attention. Nevertheless, Councillor O’Rourke and I will continue to advocate to staff as a form of public accountability in the system.
While I humbly respect and understand our city’s process for traffc engineering, personally, as a city representative and urban designer, it has been challenging to articulate a sound rationale for creating quicker operational solutions without violating traffc engineering regulations. Often in the municipal public sector, it is hard to shake the group-think logic so prevalent not only in Ontario but North America as a whole. This provocative book shared by R. John Anderson on LinkedIn is quite thought-provoking and resonates deeply with my sentiments. Having said, I am still determined to fnd ways to improve our neighbourhood traffc conditions and I will continue my internal conversations with city staff who are required to work within the confnes of policy. My hope is that the ongoing conversations I have with city staff, council colleagues and you in the public, may end up infuencing major policy changes within my ability to introduce motions at City Council. If you have any bright ideas, please contact me. Always eager to consider suggestions and best practices from other municipal jurisdictions.
In the Kortright Hills subdivision, initial plans envisioned Ptarmigan Road linking up to College Avenue, and Stone Road extending across the river to Elmira on the West End. However, rapid development of new subdivisions altered these plans as residents advocated for preserving nearby natural heritage areas. Consequently, these planned road connections were never realized, despite early expectations.
Today, the absence of these planned connections have resulted in all thoroughfare traffc funneling through Niska Road, originally a historic county road not intended for heavy goods movement. This situation underscores a confict between planning for future growth and addressing immediate concerns. The infux of residents and the preservation of natural areas led to a redirection of traffc patterns, impacting Niska Road signifcantly.
In hindsight, this serves as a poignant example of the challenges in municipal planning, where balancing long-term development goals with current community priorities can prove challenging. The decisions made in response to community input and environmental considerations have shaped the traffc dynamics in the area, highlighting the importance of thoughtful urban planning and community engagement in managing growth and infrastructure development effectively.
Following the April 9th council discussion on four-unit housing as of right, Councillor O’Rourke and I have been in direct communication with many residents since March on Ridgeway and Malvern. Because our new zoning bylaw permits three units, this will signifcantly affect this mature neighbourhood as it has traditionally wider lot sizes that date back to when the area was part of Puslinch. Located on the Gordon Street corridor and near Bus Route 99, the area around this community is undergoing signifcant changes. To date, we have held two neighborhood meetings in-person to discuss both current and future developments. The prevailing consensus from these gatherings is a request for city staff to prioritize future road safety improvements in light of these changes. Naturally, change can be challenging, especially in an established neighborhood with rich generational history. This area has seen minimal physical alteration until recent years, which have brought a few lot severances and custom renovations. Nevertheless, the City is actively engaged with residents, addressing requests for parking changes and other concerns. If you live on Malvern/Ridgeway, please reach out. It is important for us to continue fnding ways to nurture a strong and resilient community within our collective ability and infuence.
On May 6th, I had the privilege of attending the OALA advocacy day at Queen’s Park alongside 20 members from across the province. Throughout the day, OALA engaged in discussions with 32 Ministers and MPPs from all political parties. Currently, the Practice Act has garnered support from 12 Ministers and MPPs in the 43rd Parliament of Ontario. These meetings play a crucial role in advancing policies that enhance the role of landscape architects in the design industry. Personally, I have been supportive of the Practice Act since last year and helped with advocacy at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO). From my perspective as a councillor, participating in this advocacy has provided valuable networking opportunities to promote Guelph. I also intend to stay connected with the OALA network to explore avenues for community engagement in Guelph, whether through partnerships with the university or collaboration with external non-proft organizations.
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE PROFESSION
CHALLENGES FACING ONTARIO
ONTARIO ASSOCIATION OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT TITLE
REGULATION AND RISK OF HARM
LANDSCAPE PRACTICE ACT
TRANSITIONING
Throughout May, Council had extensive discussions at Committee and Council regarding the implementation of online voting for the next municipal election. *Fun fact, Guelph once used online voting in the 2014 election for advanced voting. It was a highly contentious and subjective debate, balancing the need for safety, risk management and increasing voter access to accessible options. Both sides - for and against - presented strong arguments, weighing the potential benefts and concerns. Overall, in my view, our fnal amendments and requests to staff refects a balanced approach to enhancing voter accessibility while maintaining election integrity. Council’s discussion emphasized the need for careful implementation and learning from best practices to ensure a secure and effective online voting system for Guelph’s future elections. The key points and the resulting decision from these discussions are summarized as follows:
Markham has a population of 342,000 and has used internet voting since 2003. Fundamentally for my decision making rationale, if a municipality the size of Markham is able to offer this service for the last 19+ years, to the point of being confdent enough to offer it for fnal day voting (we are not there yet), I believe we can adopt similar protocols to provide voter confdence - and be alongside the 200+ other municipalities that offer it.
Purpose of Online Voting: Internet voting is intended as an alternative voting method for the advanced voting period. This approach aims to provide an accessible option for voters without exposing the system to the vulnerabilities of a one-day event.
Voter Accessibility: Advocates for online voting highlighted several benefts, such as improved accessibility for voters, the ability to test the system in a controlled environment during the advanced voting period, and learning from other municipalities like Markham, which has successfully implemented online voting for nearly two decades.
Security and Integrity: Concerns about the security and integrity of online voting were addressed by referencing successful implementations in other jurisdictions and the potential for robust security measures. Council stressed the importance of thorough testing and security protocols to ensure voter confdence.
Subject to the satisfaction of the Clerk: Council has been made aware of heightened cyber-security threats, as well as a long-standing vendor in the industry no longer offering online voting services. Therefore, the decision to explore online voting for the next municipal election is contingent on implementing robust security measures and protocols.
Click for additional resources:
This year marks the fnal reporting for the 2019-2023 Strategic Plan, evaluating key performance indicators (KPIs) and strategic initiatives. With 58% of KPIs reported and 79% of initiatives completed or in progress, this data is crucial for our 2025 budget discussions. Detailed reports can be found in Attachments 1 and 2. Looking ahead, the 2024-2027 Strategic Plan will report its frst year in 2025 using 2024 data. Initial data collection has begun to establish a baseline, with enhanced training improving KPI relevance and data availability. Details are in Attachment 3. Our local boards also provided a presentation of their work over the past year during the June 12th workshop.
Attachment 1 Attachment 2 Attachment 3
Councilor O’Rourke and I co-hosted a townhall on June 17 alongside Jackie Kay, one of our project engineers, focusing on capital improvements slated for Ward 6. This event provided residents with an opportunity to engage with us directly, ask questions and review project details. The main points of discussion included the Gordon Street Improvements, Lowes Road upgrades, and gradually the conversation shifted towards the state of housing, mental health and wellness. Overall it was an informative and engaging session and we thank all those who came in attendance. There will be more engagements in the future so please keep in touch via newsletter or Instagram to be notifed.
Excerpts from the Management Plan (GRCA,
The current zoning will govern the planning scope of the lands. Many private-public co-design opportunities after management plan is ratifed for trails maintenance, ecological rehabilitation and third-party collaborations.
• In 2018 the GRCA Board directs staff to develop the management plan.
• Draft management plan released for public comment May 2023.
• Public comments presented to GRCA Board with Draft management plan.
• Final version is subject to ratifcation from the Board of Directors on June 12, 2024.
The GRCA Management Plan aims to enhance recreational and conservation opportunities. It encourages discussions with the City of Guelph and other parties to establish maintenance agreements for land parcels, supporting both recreation and conservation. Collaboration with stakeholders has been reiterated as one of utmost importance for effective management, maintenance, accessibility and ecological sustainability of the site.
Statutes, regulations, policies, and guidelines are established to protect rural-urban environmental features, but these can be diffcult to decipher. Generally, those outside of the planning realm lack an understanding of the intentions behind them. As a result, even projects with strong leadership from the City and Conservation Authority often fall short when private and public stakeholders proceed with interpreting planning on their own.
Canadian Species at Risk Act (2002)
Canadian Navigable Waters Act (1985)
Ontario Environmental Protection Act (1999)
Conservation Authorities Act (1990)
Public Lands Act (1990)
Planning Act (1990)
Provincial Policy Statement (2020)
Local
Offcial Plan
Zoning Bylaw
Municipal Guidelines (Non-Binding)
Review process
• Pre-Consultation
• Pre-Submission
• Formal submission
Applications
• Offcial Plan amendment
• Zoning Bylaw amendment
• Plan of Subdivision
• Part lot control
• Minor Variance or consent
• Community Planning Permit System (CPPS)
• Community Improvement Plan (CIP)
• Holding By-law Provision (H)
The successful implementation of the GRCA Management Plan ought to be underpinned by the belief that collaborative private-public partnerships and stakeholder engagement will enhance the success of conservation and development initiatives. By merging technical expertise with community input, community recommendations can be translated into actionable strategies. Professionals in land management, ecological restoration, and land use planning offer valuable insights, grounding initiatives in sound principles, while community members allows professionals to better understand local needs, preferences, and priorities, enabling tailored solutions resonant within the community’s social fabric.
Moreover, a co-crafting approach nurtures trust and collaboration among stakeholders, crucial for the successful execution of Niska Management Plan recommendations. Establishing open communication channels and fostering transparency cultivates a shared sense of purpose and mutual respect, laying the groundwork for productive partnerships. This collaborative ethos not only streamlines project delivery but also fosters camaraderie and collective responsibility for Niska Lands stewardship.
In essence, co-crafting a community vision represents a holistic approach to unlocking Niska Lands’ potential while garnering community and stakeholder buy-in. Leveraging technical expertise, professionalism, and grassroots support ensures initiatives are grounded in local needs and driven by a shared future vision. Through inclusive decisionmaking and collective action, stakeholders can realize Niska Lands’ full potential as a vibrant, resilient, and sustainable community asset. A community-inspired plan that respects the regulatory limitations of public stakeholders (GRCA) stands as the best path forward to realize this ambitious vision, as it aligns operational imperatives with citizenry expectations, fostering compromise among interest groups.
The Elora Quarry Conservation Area will be open for day use beginning June, 22, 2024. The online ticket system offering tickets to the site is now open to both Conservation Area membership holders and the general public.
The ticketing system was implemented in 2021 to enhance visitor experience and protect the natural environment. Each day has two four-hour time slots to choose from when reserving tickets. The frst slot spans 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the second time slot covers 3 to 7 p.m. Tickets are released online through the online ticket platform each Friday afternoon for the following week. A $15 parking pass must be purchased for all vehicles entering the site. Tickets and parking passes are not available to purchase in person at the site, which means walk-ups are not allowed.
The cost of admission for non-members is $11 for people ages 13-64, $5.75 for children ages 4-12 and $8 for adults with disabilities or who are 65-years and older. Children ages three-years and younger are free.
Members can reserve tickets for entrance to the Elora Quarry Conservation Area at no charge through the online ticketing system. Parking passes, however, must be purchased online in advance. Membership covers entrance for up to fve guests.
Many of you have likely heard the news that the University has over-accepted students into the Fall 2024 cohort. To be frank, this issue stems from the University’s fnancial constraints and funding challenges. However, the repercussions of this over-enrollment will profoundly impact our neighbourhoods and rental housing market.
As an alum and outgoing graduate student, it deeply saddens me to see us in this situation. As a Ward 6 Councillor and member of the Town and Gown committee with Councillors O’Rourke and Downer, we have been engaged in direct discussions with the University. In every meeting, members of the committee have raised the need for the university to progress on new housing supply. Despite the University’s private-public partnerships in recent openings, like the former Holiday Inn at 601 Scottsdale and at the former Days Inn site on 785 Gordon, the challenge to accommodate the signifcant infux of students still remains.
Nevertheless, the Mayor and the City’s intergovernmental affairs team are committed to advocating directly with the University President, Premier, and Minister of Colleges and Universities. I would encourage everyone to voice your concerns directly to the Province emphasizing the urgency to help address this issue for our City. It is imperative for us to fnd solutions that mitigate the impacts of this situation on our neighbourhoods this Fall.
The recently passed Bill 185, Cutting Tape to Build More Homes Act, 2024, along with the newly enforced provisions of Bill 23, has signifcant implications for our City fnances.
1. Development Fee Exemptions: As of June 1, 2024, affordable rental and ownership developments are exempt from certain development fees. This aims to enhance accessibility but challenges our revenue projections, potentially costing the City $119 million over 10 years.
1. Development Fee Exemptions: As of June 1, 2024, affordable rental and ownership developments are exempt from certain development fees. This aims to enhance accessibility but challenges our revenue projections, potentially costing the City $119 million over 10 years.
1. Development Fee Exemptions: As of June 1, 2024, affordable rental and ownership developments are exempt from certain development fees. This aims to enhance accessibility but challenges our revenue projections, potentially costing the City $119 million over 10 years.
2. Removal of Phase-In Discounts: As of June 6, 2024, the mandatory phase-in of development charges is eliminated, leading to a 25% increase in these fees for developers.
2. Removal of Phase-In Discounts: As of June 6, 2024, the mandatory phase-in of development charges is eliminated, leading to a 25% increase in these fees for developers.
3. *Parking Minimums Eliminated in Major Transit Station Areas (MTSAs): As of June 5, 2024, downtown developments are no longer required to provide on-site parking, impacting the City’s ability to collect Parking Payment-in-Lieu (PIL) fees and affecting our long-term parking capital plans.
*This is important because Council last September adopted the Downtown Parking Master Plan which includes the creation of a Parking Payment-in-lieu Reserve fund - basically the fnal policy passed at council would have allowed the developer to opt out of creating the minimum required parking spaces (0.75 spaces/unit) by contributing to the PIL.
The changes necessitate staff to further review the upcoming 2025 budget to accommodate for fnancial implications especially as they relate to support for affordable housing initiatives. The loss of revenue from development fees and parking programs will need to be addressed. We will continue to seek clarity from our staff as they work to fnd ways to restructure our fnances and navigate the legislative changes in real time. Happy to answer and direct any of your questions, comments or concerns.
Read up on a legal commentary of the full changes here
May 2
G&DRA Housing Keynote Discussion
June 1
Riverside Park Annual Seed Distribution
May 22
Renewal Workshop
June 2 Legion Decoration Day Services
June 6-9
Calgary Conference
https://nativecanadianarts.com/artist/ame-papatsie/
Representing the Communities of Ward 6
