The Fellowship of Guelphissauga continues after Monday's standoff
with the Property-Developer Orcs. In a meeting lasting longer than a
Lord of the Rings movie, Guelph City Council discussed the proposal to
build Skyline's monolithic tower. But downtown was not the only target
for the residential zoning blight. Using a classic pincer move, the P-D
Orcs simultaneously pointed their shovels at Whitelaw Forest.
Leanne Caron Piper rallied the Fellowship by stating the 25-storey building's
“height is of significant concern”. Issues around the building's small
550 to 650 foot apartments and the 30-50% smaller building width were
also raised by other Councillors. The main opposition was to the tower's
height breaking the longstanding Rule of the Ward of keeping building
heights below 6 storeys. Sadly the strength of the Fellowship's numbers
weakened when it came to the support of Councillors Bell, Downer, and
Mayor Guthrie. Even though they initially stated to be against
25-storeys, they hinted at flipping their vote for a lesser 12 to 20
storey building as they have with other repeated building proposals
The Skyline Orcs were prepared for the People's resistance. Calling in
backup from the Guelph Business Association and Chamber of Commerce, the
NIMBY Orcs praised the monolith's proposal by dismissing the Rule of
the Ward as antiquated and out of date. They added on by saying a
6-storey building would be unprofitable. When James Gordon
raised the dilemma about the friction between the people's will and
corporate profit, the NIMBY Orcs hit back immediately and told him to
“do his job”. Hopefully James Gordon makes the right choice and picks People over Profit.
Meanwhile at the other end of town, the P-D Orcs took a second shot at
paving over Whitelaw Forest. This time the Fellowship gathered quickly
to protect the sacred forest. As usual, P-D Orc allies Mayor Guthrie and
Bob Bell voted in favour of the proposal. With the Fellowship gathering
the support of Coucillors O'Rouke, Billings, & Hofland, Whitelaw
Forest was protected from the residential zoning blight.
What do you think?
Can the Fellowship withstand a second wave attack from Skyline?
Will City Council respect the longstanding 6-storey Rule of the Ward?
Will Mayor Guthrie and Rodrigo Goller flip sides in the second round again?
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