Further study needed into proposed condo tower in Kitchener's Belmont Village: Council
CBC
No decision will be made until later this month on a proposed residential tower development in Kitchener's Belmont Village as city staff and the Zehr Group take into consideration community comments made at two meetings this week.
There were so many people who wanted to speak about the proposed development this week at the City of Kitchener's planning and strategic initiatives committee meeting, that the meeting was split into two nights, Monday and Wednesday.
The Zehr group wants to build an 11-storey residential tower, two floors of which would be mixed-used commercial space, according to city documents. It would include 92 one-bedroom and 40 two-bedroom units at a time when housing supply in the community is of significant concern and prices have soared.
Coun. Margaret Johnston, who represents the ward on city council, said she appreciated the robust conversation the city had with residents.
"We heard from very, very passionate people," she said.
The common theme, from those in favour or opposed to the proposed building, is that Belmont Village is a "community gem and it deserves some special treatment," she said.
Councillors asked city staff and the Zehr Group to meet and consider input from the community, with the decision to permit a change to the zoning bylaw deferred to Feb. 28.
Resident Rafael Sorkin started off the long list of delegates Wednesday evening by saying he felt after Monday's meeting, "the deal is done."
Sorkin said he felt the proposed development put profits ahead of the community's desire to maintain the feel of the area.
"It just doesn't fit. It's not what we need. Send it back to the drawing board," he said.
Robin Waldman says her home on Gildner Street is very close to the proposed development and would be most impacted by "this monstrosity."
She said the building would cast a shadow over her home. She's also concerned about increased people, traffic noise and light pollution.
Andreas Kitzmann said the housing development would mean amendments to city bylaws to allow for a higher building.
He noted bylaws can change and evolve as a city grows, but it should be done only after extensive community consultation.
A Calgary dentist who defrauded five insurance companies over a decade should spend up to three years in prison, the prosecution argued Friday.
B.C. Conservation Officer Service says it has called off its search for a bear responsible for an attack on a group of school children in Bella Coola, B.C. on Nov. 20.
The union president called it a rally for solidarity as Iqaluit Housing Authority employees gathered Friday while negotiations are ongoing between the Nunavut Employees Union and the employer.
The federal government is stoking Quebec separatism by walking back its climate commitments — including in its recent deal with Alberta — Liberal MP and former cabinet minister Steven Guilbeault says.
Four more Alberta MLAs are facing recall petitions organized by their constituents, including the first NDP representative to be caught in the province's ongoing wave of recall efforts.
Frank Gehry, the Canadian-born renegade architect behind some of the world's most recognizable buildings, has died at 96.
Hundreds of P.E.I. parents can't find child-care spaces, especially for infants. The provincial government says expanding those spots remains a top priority — and it recognizes the concern.
An Alberta judge says a referendum proposal on Alberta separating from Canada goes against Charter and and Treaty rights, in a decision given less than 24 hours after the provincial government introduced legislation that would have ended the court proceeding.
The architect of Alberta's politician recall legislation says it was never meant to be used as a political weapon, but as an "ultimate tool of accountability" if a politician engages in illegal or unethical behaviour.
The Government of Saskatchewan has introduced its long-promised involuntary treatment legislation on the final day of the fall sitting.
The Law Society of Ontario has suspended the licence of Deepak Paradkar, one of seven Canadians arrested in connection with alleged drug lord Ryan Wedding’s cocaine smuggling ring.
London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is getting rid of unlimited mental health benefits for staff, blaming ballooning costs and former administrators for implementing it without proper due diligence or oversight.
Netflix has agreed to buy Warner Bros. Discovery's TV and film studios and streaming division for $72 billion US, a deal that would hand control of one of Hollywood's most prized and oldest assets to the streaming pioneer that has upended the media industry.