I am a resident of West Minister Woods and I am writing to you with regards to the proposed building of the Sikh Temple at 410 Clair Road East in Guelph, ON. My/my family’s particular concerns are regarding:
1) the potential increased traffic flow along Goodwin Drive (particularly due to the rear access to the temple)
2) the potential increased parking along the streets of our residential neighbourhood (due to access to the building from the rear entrance off of Goodwin Drive)
3) given that we pay additional fees to live in a “gated” community, how else will the residents of West Minister Woods be affected by the increase in numbers of non-residents to our neighbourhood?
4) the grandiosity of such a structure within our residential neighbourhood (re: given the strict guidelines set by Reid’s Heritage Homes to the residents when initially purchasing their homes- how does the design of this temple fit into the existing aesthetics of the
neighbourhood?)5) the proposed height of the Sikh Temple and how does this keep with the maximum height requirements/guidelines in comparison to the existing buildings/residences?
6) the change in zoning designated to this area. When my husband and I originally purchased our home in 2007, we were told that 410 Clair Road East was to be seniors’ residence. How does the building of a religious structure add to the housing diversity in the neighbourhood (bringing the area closer to the provincial density requirements)?
I have to mention that the majority of my neighbours are not upset about having a Sikh Temple built within the south end of Guelph, as we feel that everyone has a right to worship/practice their religion; but rather, we are concerned due to the potential outcomes of such a religious structure, as listed above.
We also feel that as affected residents of the community, we have not been fully notified of this by the city of Guelph. I know that the city has met it’s legal requirements with regards to its signage (along Clair) and distribution of information to the immediately affected residents, however, I live two streets over on Goodwin Drive and have not been provided notice (of the initial proposal or council meetings) nor updates by the city.
Information that I have received has been only through concerned neighbours and reading the latest coverage through Guelph Mercury (and it’s “blogs”)- and neither of these sources are unbiased. I think the residents on my street feel that this matter could have been/can still be handled in a better manner.AC