Our neighborhood in Guelph is facing an urgent threat. The rental homes at 61 - 65 College Avenue West —including long-term community members who have lived here for over 14 years— are soon to be facing renoviction due to a proposed redevelopment project. Without any prior communication, a development sign was placed on the lawn, catching all renters completely by surprise.
This proposed plan appears to pave the way for large student-housing developments that could dramatically change the character of our community. If approved, it would likely:
- Increase noise, traffic, and congestion, making the area far busier than our residential streets are designed for.
- Erase the historical character and aesthetic beauty of our neighbourhood, replacing long-standing homes with oversized buildings.
- Risks reducing existing tree canopy and permeable green space, directly conflicting with Guelph’s Official Plan objectives to enhance urban forest cover, protect local biodiversity, and improve climate resilience through natural heritage conservation.
- Raise rental prices, reducing already-limited affordable housing options in Guelph.
We believe in responsible, transparent development that considers existing residents, affordability, and neighborhood wellbeing—not rushed decisions and displacement.
A hearing on this proposed development is scheduled for November 27th, so we must act quickly. By signing this petition, you are calling on the City of Guelph to:
- Reject the proposed redevelopment in its current form,
- Prevent the renoviction of current tenants, and
- Ensure that any future development aligns with community needs, affordability, and transparent consultation.
Let’s protect our neighborhood, support our long-term tenants, and ensure development in Guelph remains fair, responsible, and community-centered.
Please sign and share this petition today. Our collective voice matters—especially now.
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
November 27, 2025
31 Comments
As a resident of one of these units, it was dosgusting finding out about this after living here almost 5 years from the sign posted out front. The proposal to remove the RENT CONTROLLED semi- detached units of 61-63 to build NOT rent-controlled semi- detached units of the same square footage is appalling and does nothing to support renters. The community of old university does not want this…. Large developers do.
As one of the renters living in 61, it was heart breaking to find out we may loose our house from a sign on the road. This is nothing more than our property owner wanting to make more money, with complete disregard of the community, historical significance of the building and renter wants. Removing a rent controlled semi- detached home to build the exact sized non- rent controlled unit is appalling and not helping to solve the housing crisis.
I lament the loss of old buildings but recognize the need to increase residential capacity in the city, especially on a street like College Ave. The replacement structures that are planned appear to be bland, suburban style, car oriented boxes. I support development if that development supports the city and neighbourhood by being of higher quality.
We are surprised that the hearing for this is tomorrow. As you may know College Ave is under construction and we simply don’t go that way because of the construction. And since the meeting is tomorrow we only found out by word of mouth. We are unable to attend - but feel this is not a correct process with proper neighborhood consultation.
I’ve seen too many student ghettos—we have balanced town/ gown quite well ( or you will destroy what has been considered one of the best places to live in Guelph by not over developing student temporary housing.. Please don’t destroy our neighborhood with another for profit project
Im hating on the landlord !!
The current tenants should not b forced out of their homes for the sake of an owner to make more money.
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Our neighborhood in Guelph is facing an urgent threat. The rental homes at 61 - 65 College Avenue West —including long-term community members who have lived here for over 14 years— are soon to be facing renoviction due to a proposed redevelopment project. Without any prior communication, a development sign was placed on the lawn, catching all renters completely by surprise.
This proposed plan appears to pave the way for large student-housing developments that could dramatically change the character of our community. If approved, it would likely:
- Increase noise, traffic, and congestion, making the area far busier than our residential streets are designed for.
- Erase the historical character and aesthetic beauty of our neighbourhood, replacing long-standing homes with oversized buildings.
- Risks reducing existing tree canopy and permeable green space, directly conflicting with Guelph’s Official Plan objectives to enhance urban forest cover, protect local biodiversity, and improve climate resilience through natural heritage conservation.
- Raise rental prices, reducing already-limited affordable housing options in Guelph.
We believe in responsible, transparent development that considers existing residents, affordability, and neighborhood wellbeing—not rushed decisions and displacement.
A hearing on this proposed development is scheduled for November 27th, so we must act quickly. By signing this petition, you are calling on the City of Guelph to:
- Reject the proposed redevelopment in its current form,
- Prevent the renoviction of current tenants, and
- Ensure that any future development aligns with community needs, affordability, and transparent consultation.
Let’s protect our neighborhood, support our long-term tenants, and ensure development in Guelph remains fair, responsible, and community-centered.
Please sign and share this petition today. Our collective voice matters—especially now.
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
November 27, 2025
31 Comments
Old University has absorbed and absorbed it has lost and lost. This diverse neighbourhood with elderly and small children is now car lined streets and speed. Garbage left out for days. The beauty giving way to the transit student housing
As a resident of one of these units, it was dosgusting finding out about this after living here almost 5 years from the sign posted out front. The proposal to remove the RENT CONTROLLED semi- detached units of 61-63 to build NOT rent-controlled semi- detached units of the same square footage is appalling and does nothing to support renters. The community of old university does not want this…. Large developers do.
As one of the renters living in 61, it was heart breaking to find out we may loose our house from a sign on the road. This is nothing more than our property owner wanting to make more money, with complete disregard of the community, historical significance of the building and renter wants. Removing a rent controlled semi- detached home to build the exact sized non- rent controlled unit is appalling and not helping to solve the housing crisis.
I lament the loss of old buildings but recognize the need to increase residential capacity in the city, especially on a street like College Ave. The replacement structures that are planned appear to be bland, suburban style, car oriented boxes. I support development if that development supports the city and neighbourhood by being of higher quality.
We are surprised that the hearing for this is tomorrow. As you may know College Ave is under construction and we simply don’t go that way because of the construction. And since the meeting is tomorrow we only found out by word of mouth. We are unable to attend - but feel this is not a correct process with proper neighborhood consultation.
I’ve seen too many student ghettos—we have balanced town/ gown quite well ( or you will destroy what has been considered one of the best places to live in Guelph by not over developing student temporary housing.. Please don’t destroy our neighborhood with another for profit project
Im hating on the landlord !!
The current tenants should not b forced out of their homes for the sake of an owner to make more money.
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Old University has absorbed and absorbed it has lost and lost. This diverse neighbourhood with elderly and small children is now car lined streets and speed. Garbage left out for days. The beauty giving way to the transit student housing