GUELPH, December 2024 — A proposal has been submitted to the City of Guelph to renovate the existing apartment building at 493 Victoria Road North, increasing the total number of residential units to 31. The property is situated within the Medium Density Residential 6 (RM.6) Zone, and the project seeks several zoning variances to facilitate the redevelopment.
Proposed Variances and Details
To accommodate the renovation, the applicant has requested relief from the following provisions of Zoning By-law (2023)-20790:
- Buffer Strip:
- Requirement: 3 metres.
- Proposed: Reduced to 0.6 metres along interior side and rear lot lines and around surface parking lots.
- Parking Spaces:
- Requirement: 44 spaces, based on 1.5 spaces per unit for the first 20 units and 1.25 spaces per unit for additional units (with 20% for visitor parking).
- Proposed: Reduced to 39 spaces.
- Landscaped Open Space:
- Requirement: 40% of the lot area (~1,372 square metres).
- Proposed: Reduced to 31.5% (~1,081 square metres).
- Bicycle Parking:
- Requirement: 31 long-term bicycle parking spaces (one per unit).
- Proposed: Waived entirely.
- Common Amenity Area:
- Requirement: 20 square metres per unit (620 square metres total).
- Proposed: Fully compliant.
Context and Compliance
The applicant notes that these variances align with the intent of the new zoning by-law, as certain regulations in the RM.6 Zone are still under appeal and not yet in effect. The proposed adjustments provide an interim solution to meet the project’s needs while adhering to the city’s broader urban development goals.
Public Hearing Scheduled
A public hearing to review this application is scheduled for December 12, 2024. Community members are encouraged to participate and provide input on the proposed variances and redevelopment plan.
