Phillip Square
256 Phillip st, Waterloo, ON
Developer: JD Development
http://www.blairhouse.ca/
2 20 story and 2 21 story apartments?





before

Quote:WATERLOO — The City of Waterloo is hoping it can settle appeals of its plan for the Northdale neighbourhood without a long battle at the Ontario Municipal Board.

At a pre-hearing Friday at city hall, developers and city officials met before the board to sort out three appeals.

The provincial board is charged with deciding planning disputes.

Consultants representing the developers and city representatives seemed willing to settle the matters through negotiation. Telephone conferences have been set up for May and June to report back to the board on the results of the talks.

“I’m very hopeful we’re going to get it resolved,” said Patrick Kraemer of White, Duncan, Linton, who is representing the city.

He said he does not anticipate the appeals will be dragged out before the board.

In June 2012, councillors approved the Northdale land-use and community improvement plan study. The plan aims to revamp the neighbourhood of mostly single-family homes and student rentals to multi-residential, mixed-use developments with green space and high-quality urban design.

The city will use a combination of zoning changes, urban design and, if politicians choose, up to $11 million in public money to make things happen.

Six appeals were filed with the municipal board in July. Three challenges have been dropped. An additional appeal may be added in coming weeks if it can’t be settled.

Developers are trying to ensure their interests in individual properties and projects aren’t affected by the city’s plan.

Chris Pidgeon, of GSP Group, represented a numbered company which owns five properties in a block on Hickory Street, Spruce Street and King Street North.

“We’re hopeful that ultimately we’ll be able to come back to the board with a settlement,” Pidgeon said.

Eric Davis of Miller Thompson represented JD Development Group for a property at 256 Phillip St. The company has plans for a four-tower apartment development.

“We’ve had discussions with the City of Waterloo in an attempt to resolve this matter,” he said. “We feel we’re very close to a resolution.”

His client is also appealing the City of Waterloo’s official plan because it contains the Northdale provisions. The Northdale plan was years in the making.

It was borne with a resolution from city council in 2010 and subsequent studies. It affects a large area bounded by Columbia Street to University Avenue and Phillip Street to King Street North.

It can’t go into effect until all the appeals are settled. Kraemer said officials want to move things along.

“The city’s interest is in putting in place this plan,” he said.

Lajendra Singh owns two properties on Lester Street and is also working with the city to sort out a property frontage issue.

He said his plans would fall a few feet short of the minimum the Northdale plan dictates. He wants, “the opportunity to develop the property to its full potential,” Singh said.

Northdale has been a challenge for Waterloo, plagued by a bad reputation as a student ghetto. Much animosity has brewed between its residents and the many university students who call Northdale their temporary home.

If the city can’t resolve the appeals on its own, further hearings will be held.