Below is a revised notice from our recent e-blast about the Yorklands site. The City of Guelph is working on three issues regarding the Yorklands site:
- The final version of the Ontario Reformatory Heritage Conservation District Plan and Guidelines.
- An environmental assessment to determine whether to restore or rebuild the historic McQuillan’s Bridge located on Stone Rd between Victoria and Watson.
- Negotiations for the purchase of a 3.35 acres 10-12 meters wide strip of land along the southside of York Road.
1. Ontario Reformatory Heritage Conservation District Plan and Guidelines (ORHCD)
Yorklands Green Hub is very concerned about the inclusion of residential development guidelines in the ORHCD regarding a large area of the Yorklands site. The area under consideration surrounds the main buildings and a strip of land north toward York Rd. Previous planning documents for this site (including the Official Plan and the GID Secondary Plan do not mention residential development nor does this portion of land have the appropriate zoning for residential development.
The ORHCD, once approved by Council, will override the GID Secondary and Official Plan and development is more likely to occur without the community being allowed to provide any input if the land is sold to a developer. YGH does not support residential development anywhere on this site and does not feel that this HCD Plan is the correct vehicle to even entertain residential development for this property.
At the moment the property is still owned by the Province but once it is sold, the ORHCD plan would be in effect. We are urging people to speak/delegate to Council on Feb 10th at 4pm about this issue or write to them.
Deadline to register online for delegating is Feb 6th 10am at guelph.ca/delegation or submit written comments to clerks@guelph.ca also by Feb 6th (10am).
You can also write to councillorsandmayor@guelph.ca
If you are not comfortable with either, you can attend the meeting, show your support and listen in.
2. McQuillan’s Bridge
The historic McQuillan’s bridge with its unique arches originally built in 1916 provides an important access point across the Eramosa River and onto the Yorklands site connecting both bike and hiking trails.
The City is doing an environmental assessment of the section of Stone Rd and Victoria which includes the bridge for possible widening of the roads. They are examining different options to save features of the bridge or just completely rebuild. We will be advocating for all of the key historical features of the bridge to be saved.
Attend the Open House – on Feb 5th 5-7pm at the Royal Canadian Legion 57 Watson Pkwy South.
To learn more: https://guelph.ca/living/construction-projects/york-road-reconstruction/
3. The City of Guelph’s Purchase of Land
Regarding the strip of land currently being negotiated for purchase by the City, we have learned that the City will not be widening the road beyond the current 2 lanes. However, they will be adding bike lanes and sidewalks on both sides which may have an impact on the heritage stone walls along the edge of the property. It is not entirely clear what impacts will occur on Clythe Creek which runs alongside York Rd.
To learn more: https://guelph.ca/living/construction-projects/york-road-reconstruction/