Email Sent: March 1, 2012 12:33 PM

With the owners of student housing appealing to the OMB, most recent case (Committee of Adjustment Application A-80/11, 415 Cole Rd), the city has elected to cancel/repeal the Interim Control By-law (2010)-19019 and pursue an other course of action.

It has been mentioned in the local press that the city intends to license student residences. This new by-law must have "teeth" and be able to withstand the scrutiny of the courts and/or the OMB.

As a minimum, the license should consider the following points with timely enforcement:
            
•    a fee attached and be the same price as hotel businesses, to be renewed on an annual basis.
•    allow safety inspections by the fire department to ensure compliance with fire code and maximum occupancy.
•    emergency lighting in case of fire or other unplanned situations.
•    proper egress in case of emergency.
•    permit by-law officer and/or police officer entry when noise or other violations are reported.
•    impose escalating fines, on owners for failure to comply and attached the fine to the tax bill if fines are disregarded.
•    fine the offenders (all occupants if necessary) for noise and drinking infractions and report to the university all such infractions.
•    get the city to put increased pressure on the university to suspend and expel students.
•    proper liability insurance for damage to surrounding properties, caused by the occupants.
•    enough parking spaces based on the number of rooms.
•    clean premises, front and back yards.
•    sanitary conditions, required for hotels/inns.
•    regulations similar to other businesses in Guelph to be allowed to operate.

I do not know if all the above can be incorporated in the proposed licensing or if this would have the desired effect of limiting and reversing the uncontrolled spread of student housing with all their associated problems.

It is a good place to start, please do it right this time and do it as quickly as possible before we have a repeat of last Sept/Oct.

Please consider the interest of the local residents rather than the "developers" and absentee landlords.
Thanks you,

P.

Reply on March 3rd, 2012:

I called P. back to thank you him for taking the time to contact me with his suggestions.

Thanks,

Cam