There are some people who feel ignored by council because so many decisions lately are about developing downtown. They may ask: What about me/my ward?
I have 2 points of view, but they ultimately agree with each other:
The Practical Side
The goverment of Ontario has mandated Guelph as a 'Place to Grow' and we must find room for 50K more people. To accommodate that, we must build UP. Of course we could build towers in ward 4 or the eastern parts of ward 1 - but these dwellings, by their very nature, are significantly smaller than a single detached home, and the people living in these smaller spaces see their surroundings as an extension of their home, their backyard as such. Downtown, with it's built in restaurants, recreation, and culture, simply offers a more attractive backyard. Upgrades to our downtown - whether through new business, culture, or improved infrastructure - puts these condos in demand. There is no need to directly entice the developer; our vibrant downtown sells itself.
The Nostalgic Side
Many people have an opinion of downtown even though they themselves don't live there. Why? Although we live in our respective wards and pay attention to our neighborhood, downtown is like our summer cottage. We go into holiday mode while we're there; we show it off to guests who are visiting. The point is we feel like it is ours too. When developers simply slot in a cube of residential units, they fail to understand that they have become the city folks building too close to the water and ruining it for everyone. Having a vision for how a development will fit inside Guelph's community is the first step of a collaborative process. I agree with Gloria Kovach when she expressed surprise that there wasn't much appetite for 'bonusing' - this is the synergy of community and business. It's what turns that obnoxious cottage beside us into a neighbor we welcome.
Full disclosure: I don't own a cottage, metaphorical or otherwise
I have 2 points of view, but they ultimately agree with each other:
The Practical Side
The goverment of Ontario has mandated Guelph as a 'Place to Grow' and we must find room for 50K more people. To accommodate that, we must build UP. Of course we could build towers in ward 4 or the eastern parts of ward 1 - but these dwellings, by their very nature, are significantly smaller than a single detached home, and the people living in these smaller spaces see their surroundings as an extension of their home, their backyard as such. Downtown, with it's built in restaurants, recreation, and culture, simply offers a more attractive backyard. Upgrades to our downtown - whether through new business, culture, or improved infrastructure - puts these condos in demand. There is no need to directly entice the developer; our vibrant downtown sells itself.
The Nostalgic Side
Many people have an opinion of downtown even though they themselves don't live there. Why? Although we live in our respective wards and pay attention to our neighborhood, downtown is like our summer cottage. We go into holiday mode while we're there; we show it off to guests who are visiting. The point is we feel like it is ours too. When developers simply slot in a cube of residential units, they fail to understand that they have become the city folks building too close to the water and ruining it for everyone. Having a vision for how a development will fit inside Guelph's community is the first step of a collaborative process. I agree with Gloria Kovach when she expressed surprise that there wasn't much appetite for 'bonusing' - this is the synergy of community and business. It's what turns that obnoxious cottage beside us into a neighbor we welcome.
Full disclosure: I don't own a cottage, metaphorical or otherwise