At least five delegations are hoping city council will do a 180 and vote against a staff recommendation to allow an 11-unit townhouse condominium complex to be built at 180 Gordon St.
Councillors are expected to make their decision at Monday night’s council meeting.
The property is on the east side of Gordon Street just south of the Boathouse beside Marianne’s Park. Podium Developments is requesting an Official Plan amendment to allow a reduced setback from the river edge and a zoning bylaw amendment from convenience commercial to townhouse specialized.
Delegations will argue the reduced setback puts the health of the Eramosa River at risk and means the townhomes will loom over Marianne’s Park, a memorial park intended to be quiet and contemplative.
Neighbours worry that these three-bedroom units will appeal to university students and there are already issues in the neighbourhood around drunken students being loud and rowdy and disrespectful. The rooftop space in the townhouse design will only attract rooftop parties.
Some delegations are requesting fewer units and fewer parking spaces be permitted. It’s already a busy corridor along Gordon Street with both auto and pedestrian traffic.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m.
by The Mercury
http://www.guelphmercury.com/news/local/article/665822--gordon-street-condo-on-council-agenda