Decisions on contentious development proposals deferred
KITCHENER — Kitchener council delayed decisions on two development proposals near downtown, after nearby residents made it clear they weren’t happy with the plans.
Councillors considered two proposals at Monday’s planning committee: a six-storey 166-unit rental apartment on Borden Avenue near the Aud, and a 10-storey, 122-unit condo tower on Frederick Street near Victoria Street North.
The Borden Avenue project involves putting up a building on two lots at 155-169 Borden, one with a single-family house and the other that has been vacant since 2013. The tallest, six-storey portion is at the centre of the site, furthest from nearby homes, with a four-storey wing next to a single-family home, and a five-storey wing beside a 3 1/2-storey apartment.
Pierre Chauvin, planning consultant for local developer Vive Development, said the development would provide a new use for vacant land that is just blocks from the Borden Ion station, and would add new rental apartments, which are “desperately needed.”
But residents whose Weber Street homes back onto the proposed development asked for lower heights. They say the six-storey building, which is on higher ground, will loom over their backyards.
“I understand that it does need to be developed,” said Jackie Winstell. “It’s just from the perspective of living there, it may be a little hard to take.”
“The houses along Weber, they face a very busy street every day, so their backyard is their oasis,” noted Coun. Chris Michaud.
The developer already changed the design to reduce the building height and increase the distance from nearby homes, said Coun. Paul Singh. He questioned the wisdom of going against the recommendation of city planners, who try to balance resident and developer concerns with city and provincial policies. The Frederick Street proposal was also deferred, in the face of opposition from at least 100 nearby residents. Many questioned the need for a 10-storey building, saying they could live with an eight-storey building as is permitted under the existing zoning.
“These two plans have been challenging,” said Michaud. “But I think that we are first and foremost elected officials, and it’s our duty to listen to our constituents.”
Both proposals come back to council on Feb. 24.