Condo development near Conestoga College gets green light

KITCHENER — City council has approved a two-storey cluster townhouse development with 75 two- or three-bedroom units in an area that has seen a rash of student housing.

The site at 50 Pinnacle Dr. is near Conestoga College on an unusual lot that is almost completely hemmed in by homes.

It’s right next to a property where council recently turned down a plan to build a 172-bedroom student housing complex that had been vehemently opposed by the permanent residents.

The developer, Owl Developments, is appealing council’s rejection to the Ontario Municipal Board.

Ironically, the development that was approved will add about as many bedrooms as the student housing the neighbourhood so strongly opposed.

But neighbours say owneroccupied condos will add to the stability of the neighbourhood, citing two other nearby condo developments at 350 Doon Valley Dr. and 105 Pinnacle Dr.

At a public meeting earlier this year about the proposed townhouses on Pinnacle, residents made it clear their main concern is that the townhouses not be rented to students, saying the area is already overrun with poorly maintained, crowded illegal conversions to student apartments. Even if the development starts out as a marketrate condo, some residents fear owners will then rent their condo units out to students.

Provincial law prohibits the city from regulating who lives where. The developer, Cook Homes Limited, has said it intends to build market-rate condos, and has asked the city to include a ban on lodging houses in the zoning for the site.

“I look forward to seeing some market-driven townhouses in that area,” said Coun. Yvonne Fernandes, who represents the area.

“I think that will really be a strong statement in that area.”