In response to Leanne Piper’s “Councillor frets about troubling trend in city,” it is over- exaggerated and needs to be put into context (Tribune, Jan. 24). It would appear that Coun. Piper would prefer a city ”frozen in time” without consideration of desired housing standards in the 21st century.
My neighbourhood (St. George’s Park) within the last two years had one lot severance on which a home was built that is consistent with the neighbourhood. It also had two house demolitions for the lots and five total renovations, including doubling the size of the original house.
The two houses that were demolished had issues with respect to old plumbing, old wiring, no insulation and a layout within the house that would require gutting the house to its shell (close enough to total demolition).
Yes, a bigger house was built consistent with the neighbourhood.
The five houses of significant exterior quality were gutted to the shell, renovated to today’s standard and expanded to double their size.
With respect to the addition, the exterior of the old houses in the neighbourhood had been taken into account.
This is consistent with the city plan of intensification. Larger homes, more people in the core of the City of Guelph with reduction of the future carbon footprint, while retaining the fabric of the community.
As for the first-time home buyers, there are plenty of affordable houses in old Guelph that would be of no interest to the so-called “small scale developers.”
I think the City of Guelph is doing it right. That is, intensification that includes infills, minimal demolitions and many more renovations that include additions, while keeping the fabric and appearance of the community intact.
Martin Bosch
Guelph