We received the information below from Sandy Walsh, Goldie Mill Park Enhancement Project. Its great to see this level of neighborhood activism. Shame on the City of Guelph if its true that they didn’t find time to engage the local residents before coming up with their plan. A significant number of mature trees will be removed to make this plan a reality. Replacing mature trees with more pavement will not enhance our urban canopy which is far less than the ideal 40% cover.
The City of Guelph has put forward a proposal to expand the parking lot at the Guelph Youth Music Centre. Currently the parking area is gravel and accommodates about 35 vehicles. The City plans to expand the lot, remove green space and several mature trees, pave the parking area and add pole lighting.
No citizen consultation meetings were held prior to the notice that was sent out by the City on July 22nd. The project start date is August 17.
Area residents and other concerned citizens are strongly opposed to the plan as it was presented by the City and are working together with Council and City Staff to work towards a more environmentally conscious and less costly solution.
THERE IS AN IMPORTANT MEETING regarding this project on Thursday, August 13 at 7.00 p.m. at GYMC parking lot
We hope to have a strong show of citizens come out for this meeting to show their concern for the proposal as it now stands. Please let your friends and neighbours know and encourage them to attend as well.
This is not a one-neighbourhood issue – We need to let City staff and Councillors know that we value the Citizen Input process, especially when it concerns projects that have a large impact on the neighbourhood, heritage areas and the environment.
We have created a web site at http://goldiemillpark.wordpress.com/ to keep residents informed on project developments and to serve as an information resource on this issue. Here you will find a copy of the City’s proposal and other related information. We encourage you to post your comments and suggestions on the site.
August 13, 2009 at 10:59 am
A number of residents have expressed concerns with a planned parking lot at the Guelph Youth Music Centre. The original plan involved the removal of a number of trees. Staff are now modifying the plan to ensure that most if not all of the trees can be saved, even though that means fewer parking spaces.
The revised plans will be presented at a public meeting today Thursday, August 13, at 7 p.m. in the Guelph Youth Music Centre (75 Cardigan Street) – in the UPSTAIRS FOYER – second floor – top of the stairs. Also accessible by elevator. Staff will be available for questions.
August 13, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Thanks for the update Ian. Kudos to you for getting this meeting set up with city staff. Hopefully they will come up with an acceptable solution that spares the mature trees on the site.