Proposed zoning changes could lead to a grocery store at York and Victoria
The City is reviewing and updating the commercial policies in the Official Plan. The policies guide the location, amount and function of retail and service land throughout Guelph.
In a recent discussion paper (3.2Mb PDF), staff have laid out options for two new community mixed-use centres, one at York Road and Victoria Road in the Ward and the other further east at York Road and Watson Parkway. Changes are also planned for the existing community mixed-use centre at Starwood Drive and Watson Parkway, property owned by Loblaw Companies Ltd.
Ward 1 Councillors have lobbied Loblaws for years to build a grocery store at Starwood and Watson but the land remains vacant. Currently the Starwood site is the only land in the east side that is zoned for a grocery store. If the York Road sites are rezoned then competition would be introduced as there would now be three potential grocery store sites in Ward 1. Loblaws could be spurred to open at Starwood and Watson or a competitor could open at one of the York Road sites.
Mercury Tribune article: ‘Holding their feet to the fire’: East Guelph grocery store could come through proposed zoning changes
City website: Commercial policy Review
