Too many Dens, claims city council and "some community members".
Waterloo concerned about possible den conversions
The Record
So what exactly is the real problem here?
This is a development right in between two universities. It's next to employment, retail services, entertainment. It's on a major bus corridor. It's very close to a future LRT stop. If this isn't where you should have higher density, where is?
Waterloo concerned about possible den conversions
The Record
Quote:Waterloo politicians are concerned that developers are skirting density rules by including dens in their projects that can later be converted to bedrooms.
"Allowing dens has given the development industry a way around our community's density and parking requirements," Coun. Mark Whaley said.
On Monday, council voted unanimously to defer a decision on a 16-storey, 92-unit condo project at 131 University Ave.
It's sandwiched between the two university campuses and is intended to house students.
The project is at the maximum density allowed for the site according to city rules. The units are supposed to include one bedroom, but 82 also include dens.
In recent months, politicians and some community members have raised concerns about the 'plus-den' projects. They worry those dens later get used as bedrooms.
[...]
The city has a review underway of its zoning bylaw that could address the den issue.
Other cities count dens as bedrooms when they calculate density. Rapp said the city will explore various legislation that could help the city get a handle on dens.
So what exactly is the real problem here?
This is a development right in between two universities. It's next to employment, retail services, entertainment. It's on a major bus corridor. It's very close to a future LRT stop. If this isn't where you should have higher density, where is?