GUELPH — In a decisive ruling, the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) has endorsed a settlement agreement between the City of Guelph and Victoria Village Park Inc., paving the way for significant residential development on the former Victoria Park West Golf Club property.
The decision follows a series of appeals and revisions since the project was initially proposed in 2005.
The endorsed plan allows for the construction of 268 townhouses and a 187-unit apartment building at 12 Poole Street.
The revised plan replaces an earlier proposal that included 308 townhouses and a six to ten-storey stepped apartment building.
The new configuration results in a total of 493 residential units, equating to a density of approximately 208 units per hectare on the 2.37-hectare site.
The development will feature a significant amount of underground parking, with provisions for both residents and visitors.
There will be 528 underground parking spaces and 13 surface parking spaces, totalling 541 spaces. The parking spaces yield a parking ratio of approximately 1.1 spaces per unit.
The project required several amendments and approvals to align with the city’s planning and zoning regulations.
Currently, the subject lands are zoned “Specialized General Apartment” (R.4A-38), but this zoning has been under appeal since 2012 and is not fully in effect.
The existing Official Plan designation for the land is “Low-Density Greenfield Residential,” which permits a maximum building height of six storeys and a maximum density of 60 units per hectare.
An amendment was required to redesignate the land to “High-Density Residential” with a site-specific policy allowing for a maximum net density of 208 units per hectare and increased building heights to accommodate the new development.
The settlement agreement follows a hearing held in August 2023, where the appeal by Victoria Village Park Inc. was reviewed after the City of Guelph’s council rejected the initial plan in 2022.
The council’s initial decision cited concerns of “over-development.” The revised plan addresses these concerns by reducing the number of townhouses and adjusting the overall unit count.
The project is part of a long-discussed subdivision initially approved in 2013 by the Ontario Municipal Board, the predecessor to the OLT.
The entire 39.3-hectare subdivision was originally slated for 489 units, but subsequent revisions and appeals have adjusted these figures.
With the tribunal’s endorsement, Victoria Village Park Inc. can proceed with the development, pending any further site plan applications and detailed engineering approvals.
The project marks a significant step in the ongoing development and transformation of the former golf club property, aligning with Guelph’s broader goals for high-density residential growth in suitable areas.
To read more articles on this specific development, click here.
Comment Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in the comments section of this blog are solely those of the individuals who submit them and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of the author or the website owner. We do not endorse or support any comments that may be offensive, discriminatory, or harmful in nature.
We encourage open and respectful discussions and welcome diverse perspectives. However, it is important to remember that comments are the personal opinions of the commenters and not official representations of our stance or values. We reserve the right to moderate or remove comments that violate our comment policy or that we deem inappropriate.
Please engage in discussions with courtesy and respect for one another, keeping in mind that differing opinions can coexist in a constructive manner. Thank you for being a part of our community and for helping to maintain a positive and inclusive environment.
