Today, December 6, 2021. The Government of Ontario and the City of Guelph made the following announcement:
- https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1001285/ontario-supports-future-development-of-new-homes-in-guelph
- The text of the Ontario release can be found below.
The City of Guelph release can be found here:
- https://guelph.ca/2021/12/province-approves-boundary-adjustment-and-zoning-changes-for-dolime-quarry-lands-to-protect-local-drinking-water/
- The text of the City of Guelph release can also be found below.
A video of the announcement can be found here:
For further information, contact Robert Baxter: [email protected]
Ontario Supports Future Development of New Homes in Guelph
Minister’s Zoning Order responds to City’s request and will help add to the supply of new housing while protecting City’s drinking water supply
December 06, 2021
GUELPH ― The Ontario government is using a Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO) to help lay the groundwork for much-needed housing in the City of Guelph, while protecting the City of Guelph’s drinking water supply for years to come.
The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing has granted Guelph City Council’s request for an MZO, which enables homes to be built faster on the site of the Dolime Quarry lands in the Township of Guelph/Eramosa. Guelph’s City Council passed a council resolution requesting this MZO on July 19, 2021, following several years of public consultation.
“Young families, seniors and all hardworking Ontarians are desperate for housing that meets their needs and budget. As Ontario enters a period of economic recovery, we are working hard to protect our progress and increase the supply of housing our province needs,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “I’m proud to grant the City of Guelph’s request for a Minister’s Zoning Order to help build more homes faster, all while protecting the drinking water for the people of Guelph and Eramosa.”
Ontario is balancing responsible growth with protecting the environment for future generations. This MZO will also protect sensitive groundwater beneath the Dolime Quarry lands, from which the City draws its drinking water.
The Minister has also approved the City of Guelph and Township of Guelph/Eramosa’s proposal to transfer jurisdiction of the quarry lands to the City from the Township. The annexation of the Dolime lands is part of a quarry rehabilitation initiative to protect drinking water, following several years of public consultation by the municipalities. The annexation and MZO will come into effect on January 1, 2022.
“Every step we’ve made toward protecting our community’s drinking water has felt like progress, but this one is the big one,” said Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie. “I want to thank Minister Steve Clark for upholding our community-supported solution to a complex problem. The approval of our requests makes the province’s commitment to addressing drinking water protection loud and clear, and also, over the longer term, supports the need to address the housing crisis our province faces.”
Everyone has a role to play in fixing Ontario’s housing crisis. Ontario will continue to work with municipal partners to help them use the tools the province has provided to unlock housing and make finding a home more affordable for hardworking Ontarians. This includes working with municipalities through the upcoming Provincial-Municipal Housing Summit and a special session with rural municipalities leading up to the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) conference in January 2022.
Quick Facts
- The Minister’s Zoning Order comes into effect on January 1, 2022, the same day as the restructuring order for the Township of Guelph/Eramosa and the City of Guelph.
- Future development of the quarry site would involve additional future public consultation.
Province approves boundary adjustment and zoning changes for Dolime quarry lands to protect local drinking water
Agreement with quarry owners provides commitment to full planning process for new residential community
Guelph, Ont., December 6, 2021 – Today, Honourable Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, announced that the Province of Ontario has approved the City of Guelph’s request for a boundary adjustment to include the Dolime Quarry lands in Guelph’s municipal boundary and a Minister’s Zoning Order to allow future residential development on the property.
“Every step we’ve made toward protecting our community’s drinking water has felt like progress, but this one is the big one,” says Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie. “I want to thank Minister Steve Clark for upholding our community-supported solution to a complex problem. The approval of our requests makes the Province’s commitment to drinking water protection loud and clear.”
“Young families, seniors and all hardworking Ontarians are desperate for housing that meets their needs and budget. As Ontario enters a period of economic recovery, we are working hard to protect our progress and increase the supply of housing our province needs,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “I’m proud to grant the City of Guelph’s request for a Minister’s Zoning Order to help build more homes faster, all while protecting the drinking water for the people of Guelph and Eramosa.”
Commitment to thorough planning process with opportunities for community input
While the Province was unable to include Council’s direction around the requirement for a full planning process for the residential community in the zoning order, the City and quarry owner, River Valley Developments Inc. (RVD), have signed an agreement that publicly commits to following a thorough public planning process for the new residential community, and ensures Council’s direction is met. Together, the Minister’s Zoning Order allows for residential development on the lands in principle, and the agreement between the City and RVD articulates the requirement for a planning process, similar to a secondary plan, to determine the specific residential uses that are appropriate.
Planning will include environmental impact and other required studies and define development limits, road networks, parkland allocations, natural heritage buffers, and servicing needs for water, wastewater and stormwater management. The planning process will include opportunities for the community to help shape the new residential development through formal engagement. The agreement also assures that these planning requirements would apply to future property owners if the land is sold.
Next steps
Land use studies and planning for the residential development are expected to begin next year.
Meanwhile, the Southwest Guelph Water Supply Class Environmental Assessment currently underway includes a testing program to monitor water quality and quantity at the Dolime Quarry and throughout Guelph’s southwest. Results from the testing program will be used inform the need for, and design and function of a water management system to protect Guelph’s drinking water for the long-term and help determine how much additional water supply is available to meet Guelph’s growing needs. We’ll also be looking into the environmental impacts of using groundwater resources currently used in quarry operations.
Resources
Our Community, Our Water project page
Planning process agreement between the City and River Valley Developments, Inc.
Media Contact
Laura Mousseau, Manager, Strategic Communications
Strategic Communications and Community Engagement
City of Guelph
519-822-1260 extension 2463
Mobile: 226-821-4185
[email protected]