Park space a concern near proposed Huck Glove redevelopment
Residents happy about preservation, but worry about traffic congestion
KITCHENER — Green space, heritage preservation, increased traffic and short-term condominium rentals were some of the topics residents brought up at a neighbourhood meeting on a $120-million development that will include the former Huck Glove factory.
“My concern is we have a growing population of children that have to get exercise,” said Kathy Johnston, a resident who lives a few blocks from the site and wants to see more park space in the area. “Give them some outside; we have to give them the green space that’s required for them to play.”
On Wednesday evening, the City of Kitchener invited neighbourhood residents to an information and feedback session on a developer’s plan to transform the site at the corner of Victoria Street South and Bramm Street.
Most of the two dozen or so people who attended the meeting seemed pleased with the preservation of the historic Huck Glove building and were happy to provide some comments and minor critiques of the design. However, concerns were raised, including the need for nearby park space.
“Right now, this property, as well as many others in the downtown, are exempt from providing parkland dedication,” said Juliane vonWesterholt, senior planner with the city.
“That will be running out, but at the moment, that is the case.”
Last fall, Momentum Partnership announced it acquired the former Huck Glove factory with plans to restore the brick building and construct an addition for mixed commercial, retail and office use. It has also proposed a 25-storey residential tower containing about 300 units, to be built behind the former factory.
The developer is already constructing two residential towers — one is 17 storeys and the other is 21 storeys — adjacent to the site of the proposed development.
In order to build the third condo tower, the city has to approve a zoning amendment “to increase the density, to allow for residential uses, to allow for retail uses (and) to reduce the parking requirements,” said vonWesterholt.
Residents at the meeting also expressed concern about increased traffic flow the development would cause in the area, and possible congestion around the driveways in and out of the development.
One resident wanted to know if the condo development would permit short-term rentals and Airbnbs.
Momentum Development president Mike Maxwell said this type of use wouldn’t be allowed in the rules governing the residential tower.
“That is a contentious one, there’s no two ways about it,” he said. “People who buy condos, some people want that flexibility, but for the stability of the neighbourhood as an ownership group … it’s not an allowed use.”
Residents who attended the meeting were asked to provide written feedback to vonWesterholt, who will prepare a report with recommendations about the zoning application to council. The report is expected to go to council in March.
Momentum Partnership includes Waterloobased Momentum Developments, Kitchenerbased Zehr Group and KingSett Capital, based in Toronto.