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Downtown Height Study

Here we grow!

In response to the need to meet our new population density target of 200 people and jobs per hectare in the Downtown by 2051, we must revisit the current maximum building heights for Downtown as set out by the Downtown Secondary Plan (2015). This study aims to understand where and how new, taller buildings can be permitted in the downtown and what design considerations will be required.

We've been exploring the answers to some simple questions with complicated impacts:

  • What is tall in the context of Downtown Guelph?
  • Should the Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate influence the height limits in Downtown Guelph?
  • What are the positive or negative impacts of additional building height in different locations throughout Downtown?

We are using feedback from the community, combined with information from experts in the field and best practices from other communities to make a necessary amendment to the Official Plan and create updates to the downtown built form standards.

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467 participants

Who's Listening

Stacey Laughlin, Downtown Revitalization Advisor

stacey.laughlin@guelph.ca

Tracy Suerich

Tracy Suerich, Community Engagement Advisor, City of Guelph

tracy.suerich@guelph.ca

Phases

Phases overview
Phase 1 - Community priorities
Where can taller buildings go?
Phase 2- Proposed Official Plan amendments
Phase 3 - Council OPA approval
Phase 4 - Built form Standards

Phase 1 - Community priorities

December 9, 2024 - January 12, 2025

In December 2023, City Council directed staff to undertake a study to approve additional heights in the Downtown Area. Currently, the maximum height of buildings in Downtown has been influenced by the topography (i.e., the height of the ground in different areas), with taller buildings generally built at lower elevations.

This study will explore which areas of the Downtown can support greater building heights. Design standards for tall buildings across the city will also be developed. The City has an ambitious goal of almost doubling our Downtown density to accommodate 200 people and jobs per hectare by 2051 (currently 109 people and jobs per hectare). Beyond ensuring that Downtown can functionally manage the added height and density through infrastructure studies, we are also looking at what taller buildings will feel like in our Downtown and how they will impact the people in Guelph. 

Share your thoughts about how and where we can build taller in the Downtown

We invite the community to share your thoughts on which areas may be appropriate for taller buildings and what design guidance those taller buildings may need so Downtown can still feel like the Guelph you love today.

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