Planning committee approves four towers
A development would include 760 units, while another has 26 detached homes
Two very different types of developments received planning committee approval in Kitchener this week.
One proposal would see four residential towers, ranging in height from 12 to 24 storeys, built at the corner of Huron and Strasburg roads in south Kitchener.
The development would include 760 apartments, a standalone amenity building, and the potential for future commercial buildings along Huron Road.
The second proposal would allow for the construction of 26 singledetached homes on large lots on the south side of Hidden Valley Road, east of Wabanaki Drive.
Councillors approved both developments at a planning committee meeting this week; formal approval is still required at an upcoming council meeting.
The high-density Huron Road plan from Waterloo-based Lexington Park has been expanded from an initial concept envisioning three buildings, 13 and 17 storeys tall, with about 500 units.
The vacant 3.4-hectare (8.4-acre) property would include 850 parking spaces in a mix of surface, underground and structure spots.
The two buildings at either side of the property, closest to Huron and Strasburg roads, would each be 12 storeys, with 20- and 24-storey buildings at the centre.
A staff report said “significant landscaping is proposed” along the street frontages.
“The proposed development presents an opportunity to develop an underutilized parcel of land,” senior city planner Craig Dumart said.
A previous Ontario Land Tribunal decision established specific areas on the property for commercial and mixed/residential uses.
Required Official Plan and zoning bylaw amendments for the
The Hidden Valley proposal would allow 26 homes to be built on a U-shaped property that has one existing home but is largely vacant
development would allow for building heights up to 24 storeys, while 15 storeys are currently allowed.
Height concerns were raised at the meeting by a representative from the neighbouring Apostolic Christian Church.
A mix of one- and two-bedroom units are proposed and will likely be rentals, said consultant Andrea Sinclair of MHBC Planning.
Coun. Christine Michaud asked whether three-bedroom units could be included.
While Dumart said the applicant is open to adding three-bedroom units during the site plan approval process, councillors also heard the majority of homes in this part of Kitchener likely have three or more bedrooms.
“In this neighbourhood specifically, this (development) does offer that variety of housing type that largely does not exist now,” said director of development and housing approvals Garett Stevenson.
“I think this would be a really good addition to the neighbourhood,” said Coun. Bil Ioannidis, especially for people who want to downsize but still live in the area.
If approved, it would take several years before all buildings are constructed.
The Hidden Valley proposal would allow 26 homes to be built on a U-shaped property that has one existing home but is largely vacant.
The homes would be custom-built on a private condominium road with two connections to Hidden Valley Road.
Grading work on the property is expected to resolve concerns regarding overland water flow toward existing homes on River Birch Street, councillors heard.
Loss of trees had been raised as a concern, but MHBC’s Sinclair said revised grading and tree management plans will allow more trees to be retained than originally planned.
Coun. Jason Deneault said those changes will preserve 113 large trees, including boundary trees between the back of this property and existing homes.
“I think that’s a great goodwill gesture on the owner’s part,” he said.
“This is a great development,” said Coun. Scott Davey. “I think it really respects the neighbourhood well.”