Minutes of Guelph City Council

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Council Chambers
Guelph City Hall, 1 Carden Street
Council:
  • Mayor C. Guthrie
  • Councillor P. Allt
  • Councillor C. Billings
  • Councillor L. Busuttil
  • Councillor E. Caton
  • Councillor K. Chew
  • Councillor D. Gibson
  • Councillor R. Goller
  • Councillor K. Hauser
  • Councillor C. Klassen
  • Councillor M. Richardson
Absent:
  • Councillor L. Caron
  • Councillor C. Downer
Staff:
  • T. Baker, Chief Administrative Officer
  • C. Clack-Bush, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Public Services
  • T. Gayman, Acting Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Infrastructure, Development, and Environment
  • D. McMahon, Acting Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Corporate Services
  • K. Walkey, General Manager, Planning and Building Services
  • E. Irvine, Manager, Policy Planning and Urban Design
  • M. Lemon, Manager, Park and Trail Development
  • S. Robinson, Planner III, Senior Heritage Planner
  • L. Mollame, Project Manager, Policy Planning
  • G. Meades, Manager, Legislative Services/Deputy City Clerk
  • K. Besse, Council and Committee Assistant
  • G. Brennan, Council and Committee Coordinator
  • A. Sandor, Council and Committee Coordinator
  • J. Tang, Legislative Coordinator
Also Present:

  • Heidy Schopf, Lead, Consultant Team WSP

2.
Call to Order

 

Mayor Guthrie called the meeting to order. (2:32 p.m.).

3.
Authority to move into closed meeting

 
  • Moved ByCouncillor Busuttil
    Seconded ByCouncillor Allt
    1. That the Council of the City of Guelph now hold a meeting that is closed to the public, pursuant to the Municipal Act, to consider:
      Comprehensive Zoning By-law Appeals - Ontario Land Tribunal Update - 2026-35
      As per Section 239(2)(e) and (f) of the Municipal Act, regarding litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board and advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose.
    Voting in Favour: (9)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew
    Carried (9 to 0)

    The following items were considered:


3.1
Call to Order (closed meeting)

 

3.2
Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof

 

3.3
Comprehensive Zoning By-law Appeals - Ontario Land Tribunal Update - 2026-35

 

4.
Closed Meeting Summary

 

Mayor Guthrie called the meeting to order (4:01 p.m.).

Mayor Guthrie noted the following:

Comprehensive Zoning By-law Appeals - Ontario Land Tribunal Update - 2026-35

Council received information and gave direction to staff.

5.
Open Meeting

 

6.
Council Consent Agenda

 
  • Moved ByCouncillor Klassen
    Seconded ByCouncillor Goller
    1. That the February 10, 2026 Council Consent Agenda identified below be adopted.

6.2
44 Edinburgh Road North - Notice of Intention to Designate - 2026-20

This item has attachments. 
1.44 Edinburgh Road North - Notice of Intention to Designate - 2026-20.pdf
2.Attachment-1 Ontario Regulation 9-06 Criteria for Determining Cultural Heritage Value or Interest(1).pdf
    1. That the City Clerk be authorized to publish and serve notice of intention to designate 44 Edinburgh Road North pursuant to Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.
    2. That the Heritage Advisory Committee advises City Council that the committee supports the heritage attributes recommended in the staff report titled “44 Edinburgh Road North – Draft Council Designation Report” and dated January 15, 2026.
    Voting in Favour: (10)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew
    Carried (10 to 0)

7.
Public Meeting to Hear Applications Under Sections 17, 34 and 51 of The Planning Act

 

7.1
Public Meeting and Decision Report 266-280 Clair Rd. W. Proposed Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment File OZS25-018

 

Mayor Guthrie advised that this application has been deferred as requested by the applicant.

8.
Items for Discussion

 

8.1
Designation of Ontario Reformatory Heritage Conservation District - 2026-43

This item has attachments. 
1.Designation of Ontario Reformatory Heritage Conservation District - 2026-43.pdf
2.Attachment-1 Ontario Reformatory Heritage Conservation District boundary.pdf
3.Attachment-2 Ontario Reformatory HCD Plan and Guidelines.pdf
4.Attachment-3 By-law Number (2026) - 21192 Ontario Reformatory Heritage Conservation District.pdf
5.Correspondence - Jay Wilson.pdf
6.Correspondence - Jill de Munnik.pdf
7.Correspondence - Allie Mayberry.pdf
8.Correspondence - Michelle Browne.pdf
9.Correspondence - Barbara Main.pdf
10.Correspondence - Anne Marie Sims.pdf
11.Correspondence - Lynn Roodbol.pdf
12.Correspondence - Elizabeth Goodale.pdf
13.Correspondence - Michelle Martin Donaldson.pdf
14.Correspondence - carol williams.pdf
15.Correspondence - Catherine Saunders.pdf
16.Correspondence - Norah Chaloner.pdf
17.Correspondence - Sue Rietschin.pdf
18.Correspondene - Laura Murr Speaking Notes.pdf
19.Correspondence - Laura Murr.pdf
20.Correspondence - Brad Sinclair.pdf
21.Correspondence - Anna Baggio.pdf
22.Correspondence - Bruce Weaver.pdf
23.Correspondence - Alexander Smith.pdf
24.Correspondene - P. Brian Skerrett.pdf
25.Correspondence - Miranda Corman and Fab Piovesan.pdf

Stephen Robinson, Planner III, Senior Heritage Planner, presented on the Designation of Ontario Reformatory Heritage Conservation
District - 2026-43.

The following delegates spoke:
Lynn Bestari
Susan Ratcliffe
Eva Kuczynski
P. Brian Skerrett
Alexander Smith

  • Main Motion
    Moved ByCouncillor Richardson
    Seconded ByCouncillor Goller
    1. That City Council, in accordance with Section 41 of the Ontario Heritage Act, designate by by-law the area shown in Attachment-1 of this report, as the Ontario Reformatory Heritage Conservation District.
    2. That City Council adopt by by-law the Ontario Reformatory Heritage Conservation District Plan and Guidelines (Attachment-2) as the district plan for the Ontario Reformatory Heritage Conservation District.
  • Amendment to Main Motion
    Moved ByCouncillor Caton
    Seconded ByCouncillor Goller
    1. That staff remove mentions and provisions for residential development from the Ontario Reformatory Heritage Conservation District Plan and Guidelines included as Attachment-2 of the staff report.
    2. That staff bring the amended Ontario Reformatory Heritage Conservation District Plan and Guidelines and subsequent bylaw to a future Council meeting for approval.
    Voting in Favour: (7)Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, and Councillor Hauser
    Voting Against: (4)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew
    Carried (7 to 4)
  • Main Motion as Amended
    Moved ByCouncillor Richardson
    Seconded ByCouncillor Goller
    1. That City Council, in accordance with Section 41 of the Ontario Heritage Act, designate by by-law the area shown in Attachment-1 of this report, as the Ontario Reformatory Heritage Conservation District as amended.
    2. That staff remove mentions and provisions for residential development from the Ontario Reformatory Heritage Conservation District Plan and Guidelines included as Attachment-2 of the staff report.
    3. That staff bring the amended Ontario Reformatory Heritage Conservation District Plan and Guidelines and subsequent bylaw to a future Council meeting for approval. 
    Voting in Favour: (11)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Chew, and Councillor Hauser
    Carried (11 to 0)

    Council recessed (6:00) Council reconvened (6:31 p.m.).


8.2
Official Plan Update - Phase 1 Official Plan Amendment Decision Report - 2026-40

This item has attachments. 
1.Official Plan Update - Phase 1 Official Plan Amendment Decision Report - 2026-40.pdf
2.Attachment-1 Final Recommended Official Plan Amendment Number 110.pdf
3.Attachment-2 Official Plan Update Phase 1 - Council Presentation.pdf
4.Correspondence - Susan Watson 7.2 (2).pdf
5.Correspondence - Susan Watson 7.2.pdf
6.Correspondence - Hugh Whiteley 7.2.pdf

Lucas Mollame, Project Manager, Policy Planner and Krista Walkey, General Manager, Planning and Building Services, presented on Official Plan Update - Phase 1 Official Plan Amendment Decision Report - 2026-40.

The following delegates spoke:
Susan Watson
Hugh Whiteley

The following delegates did not speak:
Meg Thorburn
Laura Murr

  • Moved ByCouncillor Gibson
    Seconded ByCouncillor Busuttil
    1. That the City-initiated Official Plan Amendment Number 110 to update the Official Plan be approved in accordance with Attachment-1 of Report 2026-40, dated February 10, 2026.
    Voting in Favour: (11)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Chew, and Councillor Hauser
    Carried (11 to 0)

8.3
Site-specific Land Use Planning Considerations

This item has attachments. 
1.Correspondence - Norah Chaloner 2.pdf
2.Correspondence - Norah Chaloner 7.3.pdf
3.Correspondence - Betsy Puthon.pdf
4.Correspondence - Hugh Whiteley 7.3.pdf

Mayor Guthrie provided introductory remarks to this item.

The following delegates spoke:
Anne Moore
Susan Watson
Renata Mares
Lin Grist
Ron East
Cate McCorquodale and Catherine Hammill
Hugh Whiteley
Sarah Christie
Phil Pothen
Gina Lammel

The following delegates did not speak:
Carol Easton
Andrea Baker

  • Moved ByCouncillor Billings
    Seconded ByCouncillor Chew
    1. That staff be directed to report back no later than Q2 2026, with a City initiated amendment to the City’s Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw, pursuant to Section 17 and 34 of the Planning Act, to designate the parcel of land with the legal description of PT LT 13 CON 5 Puslinch PT 1, 61R1483, as open-space and parkland.
    Voting in Favour: (11)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Chew, and Councillor Hauser
    Carried (11 to 0)

8.4
Amendment to the February 3, 2026 Committee of the Whole Draft Minutes

 
  • Moved ByCouncillor Gibson
    Seconded ByCouncillor Billings
    1. That the City Clerk be directed to amend the February 3, 2026 Committee of the Whole draft minutes such that the vote result for clauses one and two of the staff recommendations from the Council Remuneration Review reflect Councillor Gibson voting against.
    2. That the City Clerk be directed to amend the February 3, 2026 Committee of the Whole draft minutes such that the vote result for clause two of the staff recommendations from the Council Remuneration Review reflect Mayor Guthrie voting against.
    3. That the City Clerk be directed to amend the February 3, 2026 Committee of the Whole draft minutes such that the vote result for clause two of the staff recommendations from the Council Remuneration Review reflect Councillor Hauser voting in favour.

    This motion was withdrawn by the mover and seconder.


  • Moved ByCouncillor Gibson
    Seconded ByCouncillor Billings
    1. That the City Clerk be directed to amend the February 3, 2026 Committee of the Whole draft minutes such that the vote result for clauses one and two of the staff recommendations from the Council Remuneration Review reflect Councillor Gibson voting against.
    2. That the City Clerk be directed to amend the February 3, 2026 Committee of the Whole draft minutes such that the vote result for clauses two of the staff recommendations from the Council Remuneration Review reflect Mayor Guthrie voting against.
    3. That the City Clerk be directed to amend the February 3, 2026 Committee of the Whole draft minutes such that the vote result for clauses two of the staff recommendations from the Council Remuneration Review reflect Councillor Hauser voting in favour.
    4. That the City Clerk be directed to amend the February 3, 2026 Committee of the Whole draft minutes such that the vote result for clauses one and two of the staff recommendations from the Council Remuneration Review reflect Councillor Klassen voting in favour.
    Voting in Favour: (11)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Chew, and Councillor Hauser
    Carried (11 to 0)

9.
By-laws

 
  • Moved ByCouncillor Richardson
    Seconded ByCouncillor Allt
    1. That by-laws (2026) - 21197, (2026) - 21211, and (2026) - 21212 be approved subject to Section 284.11 (4) of the Municipal Act.
    Voting in Favour: (11)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Chew, and Councillor Hauser
    Carried (11 to 0)

11.
Adjournment

 
  • Moved ByCouncillor Hauser
    Seconded ByCouncillor Caton
    1. That the meeting be adjourned (8:28 p.m.).
    Carried
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