GUFF supporters will want to attend the Guelph City Council Planning meeting on June 5 at which Council will consider approving Official Plan Amendment 48 (OPA 48).
There are worrisome losses of protection of our green and river corridors in this version. The City’s River Systems Advisory Committee was not consulted about the changes and has asked for a delay in approval so that they can be briefed on the changes and can provide input. The details of OPA 48 and how it will affect the current version of the Official Plan have only been available online for the public since May 28.
Also, GUFF thinks that a section should be added to the Official Plan that provides a framework for identifying wooded ravines as an important residual landscape element that has both natural heritage and cultural heritage values. The absence of ravine protection policies is a major flaw in Guelph’s protection of important wooded features. Other Ontario cities have recognized ravines as a key component of their greenway systems.
We also believe that significantly more discussion and citizen input should be required before OPA 48 is approved. A substantial percentage of the existing Official Plan is simply being deleted without explanation as to the reason for or impact of the changes.
There are lots of background information on the Guelph Civic League blog and the City of Guelph website under the link Official Plan.
The Guelph Tribune and The Guelph Mercury have published excellent letters and articles on this subject. Helen Purdy, Peter Beckett, Clover Woods and James Gordon have all outlined problems with this proposed plan.
Check out the facts and please show support for council to stay this decision until more input can be made.
Delegations to City Council are limited to 5 minutes and one needs to register by calling 519-822-1260.
You can also contact your councillors and come to the meeting.
Get involved before it is too late!
