Guelph Land Returned to Indigenous Community Amidst Neighbor Concerns

A piece of Guelph land has been given back to the Indigenous community, despite opposition from some local residents.

On Thursday,the city’s committee of adjustment unanimously voted in favour of severing a Hyland Road property owned by Thresholds Homes and Supports,who plan to donate it to an Indigenous Land Trust managed by Crow Shield Lodge,a non-profit dedicated to land-based healing and education.

Thresholds recently acquired the property at 47 Hyland Rd., and is currently using the dwelling to support people with mental health challenges.

Under Crow Shield Lodge’s stewardship, the donated 4.34 acres of natural heritage land will be used for small-scale programming, including sharing circles, medicinal walks, and knowledge sharing with elders.

A coordinated shuttle service will be provided for pick-up and drop-off to mitigate parking and congestion issues on the street.

There are no advancement plans proposed for the severed lot, which is technically addressed as 87 hyland Rd.

“Along with serving people experiencing mental health issues, Thresholds is committed to acts of reconciliation,” a cover letter for the application stated.

“This severance provides a notable reconciliation chance by donating a large parcel to the Indigenous Land Trust managed by Crow Shield Lodge, who will continue to protect and preserve the land.”

A previous application, heard by the committee over the summer, included plans for temporary structures and was deferred for further discussion and planning. The current application does not include those temporary structures.

“I felt this application was quite complete and addressed any of the concerns I had from the July meeting,” said committee member Goodfellow. “The proposed site management seems respectful.”

The application specifically requested the severance of the existing lot from the portion of the property zoned as a natural heritage system. Historically, the residential lot was separate but was merged on title by a previous owner.

City planner Eric rempel confirmed the proposal conforms with official plans and zoning bylaws. he added that the applicant has been collaborating with city staff to develop a land management plan, ensuring the severance will not negatively impact natural features.

Staff also noted that, even if the severance application was denied, Crow Shield could still utilize the land for uses already permitted within the area’s zoning.

“The path that we’re going for is reconciliation, which is why the severance is proposed,” said Brianna Miller from Van Harten Surveying, speaking on behalf of Thresholds.

However, the proposal faced pushback from some neighbours. Several Hyland Road residents attended the meeting to express their concerns regarding the land’s use – though the meeting was solely to address the severance application, not the intended use.

Julie Lobsinger, a resident of Hyland Road for over 30 years, expressed concern that the donation “could affect the fabric of our community.” She questioned Thresholds’ funding sources and the potential impact on property values. Other residents voiced concerns about increased traffic and potential noise.