WATERLOO — A developer's revised plans for a controversial project at 151 King St. in Waterloo wasn't warmly received by residents during a neighbourhood meeting Tuesday at city hall.
About 50 people showed up and spent two hours querying the developer and architect on plans for the 25-storey condo project adjacent to MacGregor Public School.
NKL Properties is asking for variances to several city rules, including setbacks, reduced parking, increased height, increased density and additional commercial uses at the condo project.
Resident Peter Mansell said if the project goes ahead as proposed it's setting a problematic precedent.
"If (council grants) seven amendments on this particular project … the next developer at the podium is going to point and say you gave them seven amendments, here's our list of amendments," Mansell said.
Glenn Scheels of GSP Group, agent for the developer, said there isn't an alternative plan.
"This is what we've got," he said.
He added, "(Council's) going to have to look at the request that we've made and are those requests reasonable?"
Residents were concerned about everything from construction debris and wind to noise and the overall size of the building.
"Did you see it would benefit the neighbourhood or the city or was it just kind of this is the best I can do with what I've got," Kae Elgie asked the developer.
She questioned the motive for the project.
Developer Mark Gauthier said he saw a market that wasn't being served and wanted to fulfil it, after several years as a landlord. He didn't expect to become a developer.
"It's not something that I ever thought I would be doing," he said.
It's the second time this fall residents in the area of the project have spoken out after a council meeting last month.
The developer's revisions include decreasing the height by two metres, by removing one storey.
The original plan was a 26-storey, 83-metre building with 262 units and 284 bedrooms.
The revised application, to be presented to the neighbourhood, is for a 25-storey, 81-metre building with 250 units and 271 bedrooms. Units would be one and two bedrooms.
Both versions proposed commercial uses on the ground floor.
The project is located at 151, 157, 159 and 161 King St. N.
"We don't think it's incompatible with the schoolyard and the other buildings that are in the area," Scheels said.
In exchange for the variances, the developer is offering to salvage the heritage façade of 151 King St. N. and incorporate that into the lobby along with other community benefits, including public art, improved outdoor amenity area and secure bicycle storage.
Waterloo's bylaws allow exceptions to the rules if some community benefit is provided.
The project will be before Waterloo council for approval at a later date yet to be scheduled. Public feedback will be considered as part of staff's final recommendation.
