Waterloo Region Connected
93-99 Benton St & 39 -43 St George St | 12 fl | Proposed - Printable Version

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+--- Thread: 93-99 Benton St & 39 -43 St George St | 12 fl | Proposed (/showthread.php?tid=1792)

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RE: 93-99 Benton St & 39 -43 St George St | 12 fl | Proposed - dtkvictim - 08-21-2023

(08-21-2023, 09:37 PM)nms Wrote: What are the chances that Kitchener (and Waterloo and Cambridge too), might follow Toronto's lead and require that lost units be replaced on site at the same rental rate? That might ease some of the concerns long-term.

I thought that was Ontario law? Skimming now though, I don't see anything about keeping the rental rate, so that is a problem.

Regardless, it's an almost meaningless concession for developers. Next to 0 existing tenants can find a "temporary" place for the 1-3 years it takes for the lot to be redeveloped, and then pack up their new life to move back. Unless you mean Toronto requires the same number of units at the previous rate to be provided regardless of returning tenants (i.e. not related to right of first refusal)?


RE: 93-99 Benton St & 39 -43 St George St | 12 fl | Proposed - dtkmelissa - 08-22-2023

(08-21-2023, 10:02 PM)panamaniac Wrote:
(08-21-2023, 09:37 PM)nms Wrote: What are the chances that Kitchener (and Waterloo and Cambridge too), might follow Toronto's lead and require that lost units be replaced on site at the same rental rate? That might ease some of the concerns long-term.

Has it ever featured in any local discussion?
Kitchener staff have been directed to bring back a report (before the end of 2023) looking at rental replacement rules and other tools the city can use to better protect tenants. See Scott Davey's motion near the bottom of this report: https://pub-kitchener.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=df5c1126-a95a-4aee-be01-2c18e6aeabca&Agenda=PostMinutes&lang=English&Item=62&Tab=attachments


RE: 93-99 Benton St & 39 -43 St George St | 12 fl | Proposed - tomh009 - 08-23-2023

(08-21-2023, 10:02 PM)panamaniac Wrote:
(08-21-2023, 09:37 PM)nms Wrote: What are the chances that Kitchener (and Waterloo and Cambridge too), might follow Toronto's lead and require that lost units be replaced on site at the same rental rate? That might ease some of the concerns long-term.

Has it ever featured in any local discussion?

Not yet.

For the current residents, a replacement unit at a different site might actually be better as they otherwise need to deal with a few years' gap during construction.


RE: 93-99 Benton St & 39 -43 St George St | 12 fl | Proposed - tomh009 - 12-13-2023

Demolition is now slated for spring 2025 for this project, based on letters sent to current tenants.


RE: 93-99 Benton St & 39 -43 St George St | 12 fl | Proposed - Square - 01-20-2024

Looks like this one is going to the OLT. Don't know if it's the developer or the tenant group.

https://pub-kitchener.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=4995f219-d8cf-4076-8668-ae22a0daede5&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English


RE: 93-99 Benton St & 39 -43 St George St | 12 fl | Proposed - bravado - 10-21-2024

Another big L for the city from the OLT:

https://www.canlii.org/en/on/onlt/doc/2024/2024canlii97537/2024canlii97537.html

Quote:AND THE TRIBUNAL, having considered the uncontested affidavit evidence of Juliane von Westerholt on the nature and scope of the revisions to the original applications arrived at through discussions between the Parties that gave effect to the proposed settlement, including:
a.      A floor space ratio for all uses of 5.1 rather than 5.0;
b.      A maximum building height of 45 metres and 13 storeys, not including rooftop mechanicals;
c.      A minimum front yard setback (St. George Street) of 1.5 metres;
d.      A minimum side yard abutting a street (Benton Street) of 0 metres;
e.      A minimum rear yard setback of 7.5 metres for the portion of the building above 6 metres in building height and 1.5 metres for the portion of the building below 6 metres in building height;
f.        A minimum street line stepback for a tall building of 1.5 metres;
g.      A prohibition on geothermal energy systems; and
h.      The inclusion of a holding provision to require the completion of a noise study to the satisfaction of the Region of Waterloo;

AND THE TRIBUNAL, finds that it is satisfied that the proposed settlement and revised instruments giving effect thereto:
a.  have appropriate regard for matters of provincial interest under s. 2 of the Planning Act, in particular by optimizing the use of existing land and infrastructure within a settlement area;
b.  are consistent with the policies and directives in the Provincial Policy Statement 2020, and conform to and do not conflict with the A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2020, by supporting intensification in underutilized sites in built-up urban areas that are well served by municipal infrastructure and transit;
c.  are in conformity with the Regional Official Plan by supporting policies for re-urbanization of lands located within Major Transit Station Areas and planned to accommodate intensification;
d.  are in conformity with the City of Kitchener Official Plan and support public transit; provide additional housing options and contribute toward the development of complete communities;
e.  represent good planning and are in the public interest by implementing a high-quality transit-orientated development proposal that provides for additional housing units within a Major Transit Station Area.

NOW THEREFORE:

THE TRIBUNAL ORDERS that the appeals are allowed and the Tribunal approves:
1.  Official Plan Amendment No. 136, that amends the City of Kitchener Official Plan (1994), as set out in Attachment 1 to this Order; and
2.  the site-specific Zoning By-law Amendment, that amends the City of Kitchener Zoning By-law 85-1, as amended, as set out in Attachment 2 to this Order.



RE: 93-99 Benton St & 39 -43 St George St | 12 fl | Proposed - tomh009 - 10-21-2024

My understanding is that the developer negotiated the parameters (above) with the city (presumably staff) but since the council did not make a timely decision the developer appealed to the OLT--which still took nine months.


RE: 93-99 Benton St & 39 -43 St George St | 12 fl | Proposed - ZEBuilder - 10-21-2024

The entire reason it went to the OLT was because council wanted more time because the neighbors were pissed that there wouldn't be any affordable housing, council seemingly forgot they had an inclusionary zoning bylaw coming so this is legally required to have affordable units anyways unless there's some bizarre stipulation in the OLT settlement.

So in this case it's a phenomenal waste of tax payers money for getting the exact same product from the OLT as was brought to council months ago.