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KEN YEE CHEW

GUELPH CITY COUNCILLOR

Representing South Guelph - Ward 6

Guelph Lake Nature Centre / Meet Katherine Hauser / Parks Construction / Pergola Commons / GID Lands / Affordable Housing Incentives / Budget 2026 Forecast

Dedicated to the people of Ward 6.

This report is produced for education and communication purposes only. The opinions and views presented are not endorsed by the City of Guelph or any other entities. Unless otherwise indicated with a link or in-text citation, all images and graphics are created by Ken Yee Chew.

The contents of this report are accompanied by links to original sources and can be accessed by hovering your cursor over the visuals and graphics. To briefly view the front pages of any referenced reports, zoom in for a better view of the contents.

To form a comprehensive view on the commentary, visit the sources for deeper context.

The communities of South Guelph, Ward 6

Town of Puslinch

Township of Guelph/Eramosa

Town of Puslinch

City

Main themes at a glance

Schedule an in-person coffee chat

Find me at Cavan Coffee on Gordon St, one of my regular spots for meetings

Guelph Lake Nature Centre

On September 4, 2025, the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) and the Grand River Conservation Foundation (GRCF) opened the new Guelph Lake Nature Centre (GLNC). I still remember walking the site with the board two years ago. Shoutout to all the donors and supporters of the Grand River Conservation Foundation for making all this possible despite the COVID delays, funding shortfall and inflationary pressures.

Top to bottom, left to right: Susan Frasson, supporters and Greg Meridith

In front of the nature centre with GRCA CAO Samantha Lawson & GRCA Board Chair John Challinor II

Meet Katherine Hauser

On July 24, City Council appointed Katherine Hauser as the new Ward 6 Councillor following a tied vote with candidate Rebecca Adam.

The tie was broken by a draw, in accordance with the Council Vacancy Policy, and Katherine was formally sworn in at the special Council meeting.

A longtime Guelph resident, Katherine has served as the Ward 6 & Puslinch School Trustee since 2022 and works at the University of Guelph. Since her appointment, Katherine and I have made multiple appearances together at public events throughout the summer in South Guelph. We are both committed to working collaboratively with each other for the remainder of the term.

July 24th Special Council Meeting

South End Parks Under Construction

Back in July, Amelia, a young girl in the South End, wrote to me to share how sad she was not to have nearby parks to play in this past summer. I know many families felt the same frustration, especially when it looked like no work was happening after the old equipment was removed.

In reality, several behind-the-scenes steps were underway, including site preparation, utility locates, survey work, and concrete forming for new accessible pathways and ramps. These tasks often don’t look like visible progress but are necessary to meet safety and accessibility standards before new equipment can be installed. Like baking bread: the ingredients need to be prepared and measured, the dough proofed and baked, before you can enjoy the final result.

Both Colonial Drive Park and Holland Crescent Park are scheduled to reopen by the end of October with modern, safe, and fully accessible play spaces that will serve families for years to come.

For now, I would encourage you to visit the newly renovated Gosling Gardens Park for a teaser of what to expect.

Overlooking construction on Holland Crescent Park, PC James Wood, July 23, 2025

Summer Dog Days

This summer stood out for the increased initiative shown by local residents and business owners. Compared to last year, there was a clear increase in neighbourhood-led gatherings and projects. From the return of Hot Summer Nights at Orin Reid Park to the Clairfields Block Party, as well as Summer Chill Night, the Kortright Plaza Community Block Party, and the Hanlon Creek Boardwalk Project, it was encouraging to see more participation and volunteerism.

I was glad to support several of these events. If you have any future initiatives, please let me know. I am happy to help promote, point to resources, and spread the word. Just reach out and contact me over phone or email.

South Guelph is filled with many first-generation homes and families. There is a strong desire for connection, and I’m always looking for ways to support community members willing to take the personal initiative to strengthen our community fabric.

July 31st at Orin Reid Park

Hot Summer Nights are back!

Gelato from Councillor Chew & Hauser by WhyNot Italian Food

Hot Summer Night Gelato line up at Orin Reid Park, July 31, 2025

3rd Annual Kortright Plaza Block Party, September 7, 2025

Hanlon Creek Boardwalk Maintenance Day, September 13, 2025

2nd Annual Clairfields Block Party, September 20, 2025

Pergola Commons Rezoning

On September 9, we held the first public meeting to review the Pergola Commons rezoning application for 1 Clair Road, submitted by First Capital. Several local residents attended and shared their concerns with Council. One of the key challenges I highlighted was the traffic and circulation on Poppy Drive, which is expected to extend to the South End Community Centre next year. With the completion of the third tower at Gordon Square, residents in that area are already facing challenges related to waste staging and site access.

Feedback for traffic and Circulation

I suggested to planning staff and the First Capital team that they explore making the woonerf access on Poppy Drive a temporary emergency access only, and consider shifting the secondary entrance on Hawkins Drive and Farley Drive instead. This would allow First Capital to maintain the woonerf design while minimizing and monitoring future impacts on traffic flow.

Emergency access only

LEGEND

SUBJECT SITE

COMMERCIAL

RESIDENTIAL LOBBY

GRADE-RELATED TOWNHOUSE UNIT

RESIDENTIAL FRONTAGE

INDOOR AMENITY

OUTDOOR AMENITY (NOT PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE)

LANDSCAPED OPEN SPACE PUBLIC PLAZA

PROPOSED PUBLIC PARK

LOBBY ENTRANCE

COMMERCIAL ENTRANCE

What to expect moving forward

We are still in the early stages of this process. Council asked First Capital what residents can expect once zoning is complete, but ultimately, whether construction moves forward will depend on the company’s long-term plans. While no one can predict the future, we do know there are long-term leases in place for tenants such as Cineplex, Harvey’s, The Beer Store, and the State & Main building. As an asset management company, First Capital is known for maintaining existing leases and working with local businesses in the plazas it acquires or develops. I trust they will work in good-faith with all stakeholders involved throughout the process.

My priority for this rezoning is to ensure that public feedback is clearly communicated early, before plans are finalized. Thank you to all residents who attended the meeting and provided thoughtful, constructive feedback. It was all well received. I will keep you posted on what's next.

Key

design

KEY DESIGN PRINCIPLES

principles for us to consider

What would a future proposal look like in this area with a zoning change?

Plaza Vehicular Circulation

Residential Driveways

Woonerf (Shared Street)

Main Roadway

South End Community Centre

Dragon Fly Park

Bishop MacDonell Catholic High School

Gardens

*First Capital’s pre-submission plan is subject to change. Illustration is for conversations and demonstration purposes only.

How do we

Gosling

Clair Road W

Gordon St

Poppy Drive W

Shops and Retail

Guelph Innovation District Block Plan

On September 10, 2025, Council held a special meeting to review updates on the Guelph Innovation District (GID) Lands. The discussion focused on next steps for the area’s long-term growth, including planning considerations for the street and block pattern. Council was asked to decide between the staff-recommended block plan (right) and the applicant’s proposal from Fusion Homes and MHBC Planning. (left)

City staff had expressed concerns that the proposed community park and “park play corridors” (see next pages) were too small to accommodate amenities, and that there was a reduction in employment mixed-use lands compared to what was protected through the last Official Plan Amendment. They recommended modifications to address these points before Council considered endorsement.

After hearing from staff, delegates, and the applicant, Council approved the applicant’s block plan with several key amendments. These included locating the elementary school adjacent to the park without a road dividing them, ensuring the Frost Building is not within the park block, requiring a single-loaded road along the eastern edge of the site, and confirming adequate stormwater management design.

Council also directed that the plan return for further review if future modifications are not satisfactory to City staff.

How

are we envisioning our parks, natural spaces, employments, spaces for live/work/play?

I encourage residents to review the Urban Design Guidelines and consider the proposal based on its overall planning and design merits. The applicant has presented a forward-looking concept that integrates more dispersed parks and open spaces, a mix of housing types, and employment areas designed to blend with the neighbourhood, rather than relying on the traditional industrial warehouse model.

The plan features a connected street and block pattern that supports efficient servicing, snow clearing, emergency access, and accessibility for all users. It also includes thoughtfully designed open spaces, such as naturalized linear parks inspired by the trail experience in Westminster Woods.

The applicant has demonstrated a collaborative approach, remaining open to community feedback. Earlier this year, they partnered with Sasaki, an internationally recognized design firm, to host a public open house and gather resident input.

We also discussed how modern employment uses are being reflected in the built form of the district, consistent with the intent of the Official Plan Amendment approved two years ago. There is still a long way to go and further opportunities ahead for Council and the public to help shape the outcome.

COMMUNITY CORRIDOR

DOWNTOWN GUELPH CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT

COMMUNITY NODE

URBAN GROUND CENTRE

THE YORK/ ELIZABETH PROJECT

UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH

Accessible park spaces are provided centrally to the neighbourhoods in the form of Park Play Corridors, serving as vital connective pathways that integrate community amenities. Designed with ﬂexibility, these pathways can be adapted to accommodate various planting and programming needs, enhancing both accessibility and engagement. By providing inviting and multi-use spaces, these corridors strengthen neighbourhood connectivity while supporting recreation and social interaction all within walking distance of residents.

References

1.2.1 COMMUNITY DESIGN ! SEASONALITY

The Master Plan vision though ully integrates the diverse rhythms of community life, embracing the ﬂuidity of daily routines, seasonal shi s, and the dynamic nature of Guelph. It captures the essence of the city by celebrating its evolving character and weaving in unique programs that cater to all stages of life. From the vibrant energy of everyday interactions to the quiet reﬂection of changing seasons, the design creates spaces that grow and adapt with the community.

FIGURE:

URBAN EDGES

BIKELANES AND DOCKS

COMMUNITY AMENITIES

ART INTEGRATION

SMALL SPORTS

YOGA

SPILL OUT AREAS

ACTIVATION POCKETS

White Florwers Boulevard, Russia 8 Architects

Sport activities on the lawn

Parc Mallet Stevens Robert Mallet-Stevens

Big Bang, China 100 Architects

Ball Chair Finn Stone

Activity Zone, Poland SLAS Architects

Stadium Park, Perth HASSELL

Electric Scooter

Ground ﬂoor Activation Spill-out

Incentivizing Affordable Housing Thresholds with Property Tax Discounts ��

In September, we approved a new property tax discount program to encourage more affordable rental housing in Guelph. Starting January 1, 2026, multi-residential properties that provide units meeting the Province’s definition of “affordable residential unit,” and that are regulated by agreements with federal, provincial, or municipal bodies, will be eligible for a 35% reduction on the municipal portion of property taxes.

This program is important because it gives the City a concrete tool (aka "carrot") to help encourage developers and landlords to create and maintain affordable rental units. By lowering ongoing costs for property owners who commit to affordability, we make it easier for them to include units at rent levels people can actually afford.

For residents concerned about impacts on the overall tax base, this program will not create a material increase in property taxes for others. It is designed to be a targeted incentive, limited in scope, and balanced within our overall financial framework. For the average homeowner, there will be no noticeable change on your tax bill.