Minutes of Guelph City Council

Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 6:00 P.m. - 11:00 P.m.

Council Chambers

Guelph City Hall, 1 Carden Street

Council:

• Mayor C. Guthrie
• Councillor P. Allt
• Councillor C. Billings
• Councillor L. Busuttil
• Councillor L. Caron
• Councillor E. Caton
• Councillor K. Chew
• Councillor C. Downer
• Councillor D. Gibson
• Councillor R. Goller
• Councillor K. Hauser
• Councillor C. Klassen
• Councillor M. Richardson

Staff:

• T. Baker, Chief Administrative Officer
• C. Clack-Bush, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Public Services
• J. Holmes, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Infrastructure, Development and Environment
• G. Matthews, Acting Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Corporate Services
• T. Gayman, General Manager, Engineering and Transportation Services
• J. Goodram, General Manager, Economic Development and Tourism
• M. Lemon, Acting General Manager, Parks
• S. O'Brien, General Manager, City Clerk's Office/City Clerk
• K. Walkey, General Manager, Planning and Building Services
• L. Mollame, Project Manager, Policy Planning
• L. Sulatycki, Planner III, Senior Planner
• G. Brennan, Council and Committee Coordinator
• A. Sandor, Council and Committee Coordinator
• J. Tang, Legislative Coordinator

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1.

Call to Order - 6:00 p.m.

Mayor Guthrie called the meeting to order (6:04 p.m.).

1.4

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof

There were no disclosures.

2.

Items for Discussion

2.1

Decision Report on Endorsement of the Guelph Innovation District Block Plan for Blocks 1 and 2 File BLKP24-001 - 2025-419

Jayne Holmes, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Infrastructure, Development and Environment, Lucas Mollame, Project Manager, Policy Planning, Lindsay Sulatycki, Planner III, Senior Planner, and Mallory Lemon, Acting General Manager, Parks presented on Decision Report on Endorsement of the Guelph Innovation District Block Plan for Blocks 1 and 2 File BLKP24-001.

The following delegates spoke:
Lee Piccoli
Michael Darmon
Scott Frederick
Einat Lubliner
Susan Watson
Dave Aston
Ryan Scott

Council recessed (8:49 p.m.). Council reconvened (9:03 p.m.).

• Main Motion
  Moved By Councillor Busuttil
  Seconded By Councillor Downer
  1. That the report titled Decision Report on Endorsement of the Guelph Innovation District Block Plan for Blocks 1 and 2, regarding the Block Plan application submitted by MHBC Planning Limited on behalf of the owner, Fusion Homes for lands municipally known as 328 Victoria Road South and 588 Stone Road East, from Infrastructure, Development and Environment dated September 10, 2025 be received.
  2. That City Council refuse the applicant submitted Block Plan for the Guelph Innovation District Blocks 1 and 2 as shown in Attachment-5 for the reasons outlined in Attachment-6 of Report 2025-419.
  3. That City Council authorize the General Manager of Planning and Building Services to issue final Block Plan endorsement after the applicant modifies the Block Plan to the satisfaction of City staff to include:
     1. A Community Park of at least 6.7 hectares in size;
     2. A minimum of 16.48 hectares of Employment Mixed-use land;
     3. The elementary school in a non-Employment Mixed-use Block, provided it meets the sizing and phasing requirements of the Upper Grand District School Board;
     4. The Frost Building in a Residential Block;
     5. A single-loaded road along the eastern edge of Blocks 1 and 2; and,
     6. Any revisions necessary to the Stormwater Management facilities to ensure adequate design and sizing, to the satisfaction of the City Engineer.
  4. That the Block Plan be brought back to Council for endorsement if the above modifications are made in a way that is not satisfactory to City staff.

  This motion was requested to be voted on separately and was reordered for clarity.

  
  
• First Clause to Main Motion
  Moved By Councillor Busuttil
  Seconded By Councillor Downer
  1. That the report titled Decision Report on Endorsement of the Guelph Innovation District Block Plan for Blocks 1 and 2, regarding the Block Plan application submitted by MHBC Planning Limited on behalf of the owner, Fusion Homes for lands municipally known as 328 Victoria Road South and 588 Stone Road East, from Infrastructure, Development and Environment dated September 10, 2025 be received.

  Voting in Favour: (13)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Chew, and Councillor Hauser

  Carried (13 to 0)

• Councillor Klassen raised a Point of Order regarding comments made by Councillor Alt. Mayor Guthrie encouraged discussion to continue.

  Clause 2 (a) to Main Motion
  Moved By Councillor Busuttil
  Seconded By Councillor Downer

  2. That City Council authorize the General Manager of Planning and Building Services to issue final Block Plan endorsement after the applicant modifies the Block Plan to the satisfaction of City staff to include:

  a) A Community Park of at least 6.7 hectares in size;

  Voting in Favour: (6)	Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Hauser
  Voting Against: (7)	Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Billings, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, and Councillor Chew

  Defeated (6 to 7)

  Councillor Busuttil raised a Point of Privilege regarding electronic participation in meetings. Stephen O'Brien, City Clerk, clarified the definition of electronic participation as per the City of Guelph's Procedural By-law. Mayor Guthrie asked for discussion to move forward.

  
  
• Clause 2 (b) to Main Motion
  Moved By Councillor Busuttil
  Seconded By Councillor Downer

  2 (b) A minimum of 16.48 hectares of Employment Mixed-use land;

  Voting in Favour: (6)	Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, and Councillor Busuttil
  Voting Against: (7)	Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Billings, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Chew, and Councillor Hauser

  Defeated (6 to 7)
• Clause 2 (c) to Main Motion
  Moved By Councillor Busuttil
  Seconded By Councillor Downer

  2 (c) The elementary school in a non-Employment Mixed-use Block, provided it meets the sizing and phasing requirements of the Upper Grand District School Board;
• Amendment to Clause 2 (c) to Main Motion
  Moved By Councillor Goller
  Seconded By Councillor Hauser

  2 (c) The elementary school in a non-Employment Mixed-use Block, provided it meets the sizing and phasing requirements of the Upper Grand District School Board; and that is located adjacent to parkland, without a road dividing the parkland and the school area.

  Voting in Favour: (9)	Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Hauser
  Voting Against: (4)	Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Billings, Councillor Richardson, and Councillor Chew

  Carried (9 to 4)
• Clause 2 (c), as amended
  Moved By Councillor Busuttil
  Seconded By Councillor Downer

  2 (c) The elementary school in a non-Employment Mixed-use Block, provided it meets the sizing and phasing requirements of the Upper Grand District School Board; and that is located adjacent to parkland, without a road dividing the parkland and the school area.

  Voting in Favour: (13)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Chew, and Councillor Hauser

  Carried (13 to 0)
• Clause 2 (d) to Main Motion
  Moved By Councillor Busuttil
  Seconded By Councillor Downer

  2 (d) The Frost Building in a Residential Block;
• Amendment to Clasue 2 (d) to Main Motion
  Moved By Councillor Caron
  Seconded By Councillor Caton

  2 (d) The Frost Building not be located in a Park Block

  Voting in Favour: (8)	Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Hauser
  Voting Against: (5)	Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Billings, Councillor Richardson, and Councillor Chew

  Carried (8 to 5)
• Clause 2 (d), as amended
  Moved By Councillor Busuttil
  Seconded By Councillor Downer

  2 (d) The Frost Building not be located in a Park Block

  Voting in Favour: (13)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Chew, and Councillor Hauser

  Carried (13 to 0)
• Clause 2 (e) to Main Motion
  Moved By Councillor Busuttil
  Seconded By Councillor Downer

  2 (e) A single-loaded road along the eastern edge of Blocks 1 and 2; and,

  Voting in Favour: (7)	Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Hauser
  Voting Against: (6)	Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Billings, Councillor Richardson, and Councillor Chew

  Carried (7 to 6)
• Clause 2 (f) to Main Motion
  Moved By Councillor Busuttil
  Seconded By Councillor Downer

  2 (f) Any revisions necessary to the Stormwater Management facilities to ensure adequate design and sizing, to the satisfaction of the City Engineer.

  Voting in Favour: (13)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Chew, and Councillor Hauser

  Carried (13 to 0)
• Clause Three to Main Motion
  Moved By Councillor Busuttil
  Seconded By Councillor Downer

  3. That City Council refuse the applicant submitted Block Plan for the Guelph Innovation District Blocks 1 and 2 as shown in Attachment-5 for the reasons outlined in Attachment-6 of Report 2025-419.
• Amendment to Clause Three to Main Motion
  Moved By Councillor Goller
  Seconded By Councillor Hauser

  3. That City Council approve the applicant submitted Block Plan for the Guelph Innovation District Blocks 1 and 2 as shown in Attachment-5, as amended.

  Voting in Favour: (13)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Chew, and Councillor Hauser

  Carried (13 to 0)
• Clause Three to Main Motion, as amended
  Moved By Councillor Busuttil
  Seconded By Councillor Downer

  3. That City Council approve the applicant submitted Block Plan for the Guelph Innovation District Blocks 1 and 2 as shown in Attachment-5, as amended.

  Voting in Favour: (13)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Chew, and Councillor Hauser

  Carried (13 to 0)
• Clause Four to Main Motion
  Moved By Councillor Busuttil
  Seconded By Councillor Downer

  4. That the Block Plan be brought back to Council for endorsement if the above modifications are made in a way that is not satisfactory to City staff.

  Voting in Favour: (13)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Chew, and Councillor Hauser

  Carried (13 to 0)
• Approved Main Motion, As Amended
  1. That the report titled Decision Report on Endorsement of the Guelph Innovation District Block Plan for Blocks 1 and 2, regarding the Block Plan application submitted by MHBC Planning Limited on behalf of the owner, Fusion Homes for lands municipally known as 328 Victoria Road South and 588 Stone Road East, from Infrastructure, Development and Environment dated September 10, 2025 be received.
  2. That City Council authorize the General Manager of Planning and Building Services to issue final Block Plan endorsement after the applicant modifies the Block Plan to the satisfaction of City staff to include:
     1. The elementary school in a non-Employment Mixed-use Block, provided it meets the sizing and phasing requirements of the Upper Grand District School Board; and that is located adjacent to parkland, without a road dividing the parkland and the school area
     2. The Frost Building not be located in a Park Block
     3. A single-loaded road along the eastern edge of Blocks 1 and 2; and,
     4. Any revisions necessary to the Stormwater Management facilities to ensure adequate design and sizing, to the satisfaction of the City Engineer.
  3. That City Council approve the applicant submitted Block Plan for the Guelph Innovation District Blocks 1 and 2 as shown in Attachment-5, as amended.
  4. That the Block Plan be brought back to Council for endorsement if the above modifications are made in a way that is not satisfactory to City staff.
• Motion to Extend Beyond the Automatic Adjournment Time
  Moved By Councillor Caron
  Seconded By Councillor Goller
  1. That Council extend the September 10, 2025 Special Council meeting beyond the automatic adjournment time of 11:00 p.m. and extend the meeting to 11:59 p.m.

  Voting in Favour: (13)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Chew, and Councillor Hauser

  Carried (13 to 0)

  Council recessed (10:28 p.m.). Council reconvened (10:34 p.m.).

  
  

3.

Council Consent Agenda

• Moved By Councillor Caron
  Seconded By Councillor Klassen
  1. That the September 10, 2025 Council Consent Agenda identified below be adopted.

3.1

328 Victoria Road South (Frost Building) Notice of Intention to Designate - 2025-416

• 1. That the City Clerk be authorized to publish and serve notice of intention to designate the Frost Building at 328 Victoria Road South pursuant to Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.
  2. That the designation bylaw be brought before Council for approval if no objections are received within the thirty (30) day objection period.

  Voting in Favour: (8)	Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Hauser
  Voting Against: (5)	Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Billings, Councillor Richardson, and Councillor Chew

  Carried (8 to 5)

4.

By-laws

• Moved By Councillor Goller
  Seconded By Councillor Caron

  That by-law (2025) - 21148, be approved subject to Section 284.11 (4) of the Municipal Act.

  Voting in Favour: (13)

  Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, Councillor Chew, and Councillor Hauser

  Carried (13 to 0)

4.1

By-law Number (2025) - 21148

6.

Adjournment

• Moved By Councillor Richardson
  Seconded By Councillor Hauser

  That the meeting be adjourned (10:38 p.m.).

  Carried