King-Bridgeport tower will set a dangerous precedent

Re: Tower threatens heritage, council warned — March 8

My concern about the proposed development at King Street and Bridgeport Road is more fundamental than worrying about heritage. My chief objection is that it does not adhere to official plan or zoning bylaw guidelines. Approving it will set a dangerous precedent.

It will also undermine several other city initiatives undertaken that were guided by the official plan, such as the active transportation network and streetscape improvements planning.

The proposed 16-storey King Street height of the development is almost quadruple the four storeys permitted by the official plan and zoning bylaw. The wind effects created by this extra tall building will make it uncomfortable to sit along King Street or even to leisurely walk around the corners of the building, thus negating the frustration endured and money spent on streetscape.

With its estimated 190 to 284 more cars turning into or out of its parking lot per day, the project seriously threatens the Regina Street portion of the active transportation network so carefully developed by council, citizens and staff.

But most dangerously, approving these requests will fuel speculation and make uptown Waterloo increasingly less affordable to the average citizen. An exemption approved today becomes the standard for tomorrow. How can it be fair to not grant Developer B what we granted last week to Developer A?

It’s time for council to thank staff and citizens for the hundreds of hours we have invested in carefully researching, debating and formulating plans to guide our city’s long-term development — by sticking to them.

Kae Elgie

Waterloo