112 Union St East | 4 fl | U/C

[Spokes]

Waterloo homeowners ask developer to buy their ‘orphaned’ properties
Paige Desmond | February 4, 2014 | Waterloo Region Record | Link

WATERLOO — Two downtown Waterloo homeowners appealed with a developer Monday to buy them out due to fears their homes are being orphaned by a proposed townhouse project at 112 Union St. E.

The appeals were made during an informal council meeting to hear plans for the project. A decision on whether to permit several exceptions to the city's rules won't be made until later.

"In an ideal world I would to like to sell my house to the developer and then that would allow them extra parking," said Lynette Zimmerman.

She added: "The original situation of being orphaned is deplorable."

Zimmerman is one of three property owners with a home facing Moore Street. One of two three-storey townhouses proposed by Lexington Park Real Estate Inc. will back on to her property.

The development property is a unique shape, facing both Union and Moore and the boundaries result in the three homes facing Moore essentially being surrounded by the project.

Ken Epps, who lives in one of those homes, agreed the homeowners want out.

"We are concerned about being isolated," Epps said.

The proposed project would see two townhouse buildings constructed and up to 35 parking spaces provided. Another 17 bike parking spaces would be on site.

A 21-unit building would face Moore and 12 units would face Union, with parking access off that street.

The developer is asking for exceptions to the city's rules for parking, setbacks and for permission to build the "terrace dwellings" which are not currently permitted in city zoning rules.

Acting as agent for the developer Scott Patterson, from Labreche Patterson and Associates, said Lexington Park is building townhouses in an attempt to build something suitable for the neighbourhood.

"The proposed development is a transitional use for terrace dwellings that are slightly taller than low density developments, but are less intense than your typical apartment dwelling which would also be permitted on this site," he said.

Councillors raised several concerns about the proposal including noise from ventilation systems, accessibility, landscaping and the potential impact on neighbours.

Initially Lexington Park planned a six-storey apartment building that would be permitted under city zoning. The plan changed.

Councillors heard one of the trade-offs of building townhouses instead of apartments was that there will not be any accessible units on site.

"The intent of this project, the intent of this form of development on this site was to work within the neighbourhood, to be less impactful," Patterson said.