Petition Related to City of Guelph
Public Meeting - MARCH 03, 2008

TO PRESENT THE PROPOSED OFFICIAL PLAN AND ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT APPLICATIONS FROM SILVERCREEK GUELPH DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED.

"The former Lafarge property when developed should be used for mixed use commercial buildings, not the 'old style' shopping centre that has been proposed by Silvercreek Developments Ltd."

To Mayor Karen Farbridge and members of Guelph City Council:

We the undersigned request that Guelph City Council DENY the current application by Silvercreek Developments Ltd. to allow the development of a retail and service commercial centre to a maximum of 400,000 square feet (37,162 square metres) of commercial floor space and a community park to the east of Howitt Creek. We, the undersigned, also suggest to the Developer that they review their proposal and submit it back for consideration when it meets the requirements as stated below:

- The current proposal will have an impact that is incompatible with the mature neighbourhoods that surround and 'land-lock' this site.

- The current proposal does not address the paralyzing effect that an additional 1600 + trips per hour will have on the surrounding streets and walkways.

-The current proposal does not comply with the growth plan specified in the CPR (Commercial Policy Review). If approved, the city will be placed in an accelerated growth model impacting the whole of Guelph.

- The current proposal does not comply with Ontario's Places to Grow, which is intended to intensify employment lands within our city's boundaries.

- The current proposal will not maintain the contribution the land presently provides to the environment through green spaces and wetlands.

- The current proposal is one that is suited to models found in the outskirts of southern Ontario cities. The former Lafarge site is 2km from downtown. The current proposal will not promote an, 'inner city community' lifestyle.

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