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The City is reviewing and updating the commercial policies in the Official Plan. The policies guide the location, amount and function of retail and service land throughout Guelph.
The commercial policy review will:
- update the commercial policies to reflect recent changes in the retail market;
- ensure the amount, location and type of commercial land designated in Guelph matches the projected growth needs for 2031 and provides the basis to meet the needs for 2041
- address the role, type and amount of commercial space in the Downtown, community mixed-use nodes (e.g. Starwood Drive/Watson Parkway), intensification corridors (e.g. York Road) and service commercial designations (e.g. fast-food, repair and service shops, auto sales, building supply, etc.); and
- consider second storey commercial space in the Downtown, community mixed-use nodes and intensification corridors.
Staged approach
The project will be completed in three stages.
Stage 1
Complete and release a Commercial analysis and background report that provides information about Guelph’s current policy context,retail trends, stakeholder input, consumer research, commercial supply and needs analysis.
Stage 2
Policy review and development of:
- commercial vision and principles,
- draft policy alternatives
- a preferred commercial policy framework report (page 88)
April 18, 2018 Public Workshop materials
Display boards – April 18, 2018
November 29, 2017 Public Workshop materials
Presentation – November 29, 2017
Display boards – November 29, 2017
Stage 3
Update relevant planning policies and documents, specifically the Official Plan and zoning bylaw.
Terms of Reference
The Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Commercial Policy Review was approved by City Council on November 28, 2016.
About the existing commercial policy
The commercial policy structure contained in the City of Guelph Official Plan was established in 2006 and builds on Downtown as the most important commercial multi-function centre. The commercial policy structure was expanded to include mixed-use nodes (e.g. Paisley/Imperial and Clair/Gordon) and intensification areas (e.g. Stone Road, Gordon Street) as the planned locations for large concentrations of retail, service and community uses. Smaller commercial areas such as neighbourhood commercial centres and service commercial areas are planned throughout Guelph.
Resources
Commercial Policy Review Discussion PaperCouncil Report Commercial Policy Review: Preferred Framework (page 88)Consultant Report Commercial Policy Review: Stage 2 Preferred Policy Framework ReportCouncil Report Commercial Policy Review: Policy Alternatives (page 82)
Committee of the Whole Report Commercial Policy Review: Vision and Principles
Memo to Committee of the Whole: Response to Questions Regarding Commercial Policy Review: Stage 1 Commercial Analysis and Background ReportConsultant Report Commercial Policy Review: Stage 1 Commercial Analysis and Background ReportCouncil Information Report Commercial Policy Review: Stage 1 Commercial Analysis and Background Report
For more information
Melissa Aldunate
Manager, Policy Planning and Urban Design
Planning Services
519-822-1260 extension 2361
[email protected]