Decision deferred on highrise development, amid calls to save Kitchener climbing gym
Kitchener councillors put off a decision Monday on a proposed highrise development, amid calls to help a climbing business that would be displaced by the project.
The proposal from Bramptonbased developer Falco Group would see three towers with 1,076 residential units and commercial space built at 236 and 264 Victoria St. N., between Margaret Avenue and St. Leger Street.
Two existing buildings would be demolished — a three-storey office building and the former LA Fitness building, where indoor climbing gym Grand River Rocks/Go Bananas expects to open in June.
Grand River Rocks only planned this move because its current Kitchener location on Borden Avenue is also up for redevelopment.
The business’ owners say they weren’t told of any redevelopment plans for the Victoria Street building when they signed a lease for the space last June.
On Monday, councillors heard from Grand River Rocks employees and members who urged them to stand up for a small business that employs about 60 and has an estimated 3,500 to 4,000 members.
“We’re a community of people that are bonded by a love of sport, acceptance and support,” said employee Tiffany Bolark. “The thought that this might be lost is heartbreaking for us.”
The business has a second location in Waterloo, but it’s used for bouldering and doesn’t have tall climbing walls.
Grand River Rocks signed a fiveyear lease for the Victoria Street site, with an option for another five years.
They’ve been renovating the space since, adding costly, custombuilt climbing walls and equipment that would take about 10 years to pay off, said co-owner Mike Cieplak.
“Give us a fighting chance by denying this zoning approval, and give us a chance to delay this to get those 10 years out of it.”
After speaking with the developer, consultant Andrea Sinclair of MHBC Planning told council that nothing will happen to Grand River Rocks’ new location for the first five years of its lease.
The site isn’t shovel-ready — it may require environmental remediation and backs directly onto train tracks, meaning a lot of work is needed to meet CN Rail and Metrolinx requirements, she said.
Construction of the towers — 18, 35 and 40 storeys — would also be phased.
Several councillors said they empathized with the situation Grand River Rocks finds itself in, but have to balance those concerns against the need for housing.
“(Grand River Rocks) is a great community, and I would hate to see it go … I would hope that there’s some sort of workaround for a transition period,” said Coun. Bil Ioannidis, who requested the deferral.
Councillors ultimately decided Monday night to give the parties a few more days for continued discussions; a vote on the proposal is expected at a special council meeting in the coming days.
Tight provincial planning timelines mean the developer could appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal if a decision isn’t made by April 19; the city could also be forced to refund some application fees.
The properties sit just outside a major transit station area boundary, meaning new rules requiring some affordable units in new developments in those areas don’t apply here.
The developer was asked to consider including affordable units, and Sinclair said they’d commit to making up to 32 units affordable.
They’ve also been encouraged to look at adding three-bedroom units to the one and two-bedroom options initially proposed, she said.
The development would include more than 152,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor amenity space, including a large rooftop patio and an outdoor plaza along Victoria Street.
That’s the recommended location for a commemorative feature acknowledging the site’s industrial past — the lands have ties to businesses including shoe manufacturer Greb Industries and the Bauer Skate company, once a Greb affiliate.
Councillors ultimately decided Monday night to give the parties a few more days for continued discussions