Jess #1

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Edinburgh Road infill project would turn two units into eight or

GuelphToday

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Another home is being taken over by companies like Spruce Living, moving into corporate hands and being removed from being able to be owned by citizens. This is NOT affordable housing. This is rental housing, maximizing space for maximum profits to create rental income for a corporation. Homes are being taken from the market all over the city and placed into corporate hands. The city council, especially the mayor, supports this removal from the market. This will have up to 40 bedrooms and only one parking space per unit even though there may be 3 or 4 or 5 rooms for rent. It's essentially a boarding house. Thank you city council.

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Cycling advocates warn there will be more angry drivers this winter

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I personally ride a bike. I ride on the road or on the sidewalk. it is fine. We don't need to plough bike lanes. The real issue is that sidewalks can carry both bikes and people. It is ridiculous that the city does not want us riding on this perfectly good space. We can share the space. Neither are overcrowded in the winter, and most people do not ride or walk very far. I use the sidewalk all the time. it is fine, and it is ploughed.

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Guelph mayor looks to pause new bike lane installation

GuelphToday

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In some cases bike lanes may be useful. But they are not used in the Winter. How does one buy groceries and ride a bike, especially in the winter? The bike lobby has strong-armed cities. This is not about being pro cars, this is just about the fact that bikes are mostly impractical for anyone but students. How do you take kids to activities or shop on a bike? Be assured, the city is against cars, they have just approved parking for only 3 cars when 4 dwellings are built. Apartments require only .8 parking per dwelling. Remember these dwellings have up to 5 bedrooms with up to 40 bedroom and only 3 parking spaces. That is the new bi-law as of last week friends, did you miss it?. Downtown they have removed any requirements form parking when building residents.

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Local developers respond to city's 'rhetoric'

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Developers are not creating affordable housing, they are creating housing to make excessive profits. And, the real estate agents support them since they will make money from this. They all talk like they are wonderful people looking out for the little guy. Take a look at the big houses some of them live in. They are doing ok financially. I think Downer has a point. Developers are getting grants, lower standards for building requirements, and longer terms for mortgages. Should we build these places for them. Do your job and stop whining.

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Renoviction bylaw just one change being considered to address affordable housing

GuelphToday

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Take note, the city does not believe people have cars or that people visit with cars. Three parking spaces for 4 units is not enough. Also, any parking they do provide is parking one in front of the other, called stacked parking. So, if you need to get out, you need to ask your neighbour to move their car. In addition, one of those three parking spaces is in the garage where people store items and put their garbage cans. Also, take note these are rental properties owned by one or two large companies in Guelph. we are making millionaires and they are getting subsidies from OUR tax dollars to do it.

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Guelph mayor looks to pause new bike lane installation

GuelphToday

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If there are traffic problems they need to be dealt with of course, but bike lanes are not intended to deal with traffic issues like calming. There are devices for this. Bike lanes are for bikes. If they are rarely used, then they add no value. Talk to the city about dealing with this speed and turning issue, but bike lanes are not the proper method. Interestingly, people who speed are impatient, but those who are frustrated by turning issues are also impatient. Would waiting be so bad? Enjoy life. Maybe you both need to learn some patience - respectfully.

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Church redevelopment plan sparks traffic, parking and other concerns

GuelphToday

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Some accuse the residents of NIMBYism. let's get this straight, Spruce living is doing this elsewhere. They make money from these RENTAL properties. Meanwhile, the people who have to deal with this get called names while developers make millions, But the bad guys are the folks who make no money. The street would be happy to replace this church with a few homes. That would help the city. But Spruce Living and Mezcon are placing the max of 40 rental bedrooms on this lot. Be reasonable. And, the mayor supports this along with the city councillors.

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OPINION: Land use debates and the dwindling returns of the housing crisis

GuelphToday

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With respect Mr. Donaldson, take a drive around the city, lots of homes are going up. So I'm a bit confused as to why he seems to feel the issue is silent at Queens Park. Take a look at Bill 162 which overrides municipalities (undemocratically) and forces them to build in areas regardless of homeowners and voters. Just because they don't talk about it does not mean they are not building homes. It does take time. I agree that most homes are not affordable. That takes millions of dollars. In addition, you again use the term NIMBY. Your editorial stated a few months back that essentially any person who wants reasonable intensification in their community is somehow selfish. Meanwhile, builders, realtors and developers sit in meetings with city officials acting like they are great humanitarians, when, let's face it, they are using the housing crisis to make piles of money. let's build more homes, but let's do it in a way that adds dwellings without destroying existing communities.

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No public opposition for proposed former Loblaw lands development

GuelphToday

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Funny how when nobody says anything the mayor takes this as speaking volumes. Fair enough. But when hundreds of people speak out against a development he's deaf to their concerns.

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Locals think housing affordability is worsening: poll

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There may be an affordability problem but if you asked people at any point of history if prices for everything are going up they will automatically answer yes. If the Realtors Association is so concerned about home ownership, how about lowering their commissions? They admit homes are more expensive, but don’t lower their windfall fees to help us out. If single-family homes are what people want, why is the mayor bringing in bylaws to create more rental properties, not single-family homes? The university should be providing more off-campus housing. that is what students want. As far as red tape, did you know that the province wants to allow the expropriation of land for housing before any environmental assessment is done? Check out proposed bill 162. Is that the red tape reduction we are talking about? Everybody wins here, except people renting or buying homes and those whose homes developers want to tear down so they can build rooming houses and make money.

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Conestoga College president has contract extended

GuelphToday

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The Kitchener Waterloo Record reported a surplus of 252 million dollars. One of the most profitable colleges in Canada. This was partly done because of Foreign Students who now cannot find housing. As a part time student I'm in a class with people who barely know how to write English. But, they get pushed through. The school is about pure money.

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Guelph residents worried their homes are headed for 'demoviction'

GuelphToday

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City councils don't step in. They could take on the province to reduce this. Real estate organizations could lobby against this, but that does not suit their business model.

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Council makes move to speed up development process

GuelphToday

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People don't realise that Dillon Consulting is a mega consulting firm started in London, Ontario. They make huge amounts of money from the city. It allows the city to avoid putting these jobs on the books. They are pro destroying single-family homes and converting them to student rentals. The city is helping the University and Conastga destroy communities.

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Locals think housing affordability is worsening: poll

GuelphToday

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Isn't it interesting that the Guelph & District Association of Realtors promotes the fact that people want single-family homes? The very type of home that they like selling and make the most money from. Well, Well, what a coincidence.

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Public school board against online voting for

GuelphToday

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Your point is well taken, however, the bigger issue is that the city did not consult the citizens nor the board of education. This is not democrazy.

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Guelph welcomes Canada's newest citizens

GuelphToday

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Yes, we need more uber and amazon delivery folks.

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Weekend see and do: BIG Book Sale, Praise The Ward and more

GuelphToday

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I see there is a big multi-street yard sale on Ridgeway & Malvern in the south end on Saturday, I'm heading there for some bargains!

Public school board against online voting for

GuelphToday

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If you follow the City and the province, they are becoming less democratic on so many issues. Look at housing. The councilors argue they may as well go along with the mayor because he will use his strong mayor powers to do what HE wants. So, they argue that it is pointless going against him. The mayor feels he is doing the right thing. He is not anti-democratic but like many leaders around the world, they feel they will do what is best for us. The Conservative province and the Liberals in Ottawa are doing this also. No matter what the party, they want what they want and they don't want to hear objections.

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Bracelet of Hope campaign aims to raise $100K for South African health clinic

GuelphToday

Reaching outside our community is what makes Canada great. We have needs here, but we need to think beyond as well. It's not either or. Both are important.