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Past and future collide
November, 06, 2013 | James Jackson | Waterloo Chronicle |Link

Parishioners of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. Sophia filled the council chambers Monday night to protest a proposed mixed-used condo development near uptown Waterloo.

Seven people, including the parish priest and tenants of the church-owned semi-detached home on the property, spoke against the project by UID Development Inc., a two-tower condo that could ultimately reach 23-storeys tall.

“We are dedicated to working with the city and our neighbours, we understand it and we accept (development will occur) but we will guard our own interests,” said Franko Diakowsky, a parishioner of the church.

The proposed development would consolidate several pieces of property directly adjacent to the church, which is located at 154 King St. N. The properties to be consolidated include 158 and 160 King St. N., 8 and 10 Noecker St., and 11 James St. S.

If approved, the project would become one of the tallest in uptown. It will have a two-storey base on the ground floor, home to commercial space, and two residential towers built on top. One is designed to be 21 storeys tall, excluding the base, and the other would be 11 storeys. The development would have 185 units, most of them one-bedroom spaces.

The development would also have two levels of underground parking with 106 spaces and some surface parking with 27 spots. The builder is requesting relief from nearly every property setback required by the city, with sections of the underground parking seeking a zero metre setback.

The sheer size of the development and associated impacts such as wind, shade and privacy are among the concerns of the church. Moreover, they are worried having so many people living so close to the church would limit parking in the area, lead to rowdy behaviour on church property and impact the quality of life for those who worship.

“I worry I will never see the sun,” said Rev. Myroslav Shmyhelsky, who also lives in the semi-detached home on the property and has a young family. “I want privacy (for my family), I want it to be safe, I don’t want someone throwing a bottle out of the 21st floor.”

There are also worries about the impact the construction of the project will have on the church, from noise to damage to the structure. The church offers worship every evening during the week, on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and on special feast days (at least two per month).

Parishioners also say they received inadequate notice of Monday’s meeting. They say a notice was posted on the property late last week.

While not opposed to new development, they feel this project does not fit into the neighbourhood and will be a disruption. They want to ensure steps are taken to protect them and their property.

The church wants the developer to pay the rent of the tenants currently living in the semi-detached home on the property, that they provide a church and home inspection prior to construction and pay for any repairs necessary and that the developer pays for new windows to be installed in the church to insulate against sound.
“We know we can’t block (the development), but we want them to be concerned with our concerns,” said parishioner Claudia Griebnow.

Edward Thomas of SRM Architects spoke to council about the development and said his group is willing to work with the church to address some of their issues. He said the building was primarily aimed at a young professional crowd, not undergraduate students, and the site was ideal given its proximity to both the uptown core and the university lands.

Since Monday’s meeting was an informal session, no decisions were made. A formal public hearing and council vote on the project is expected next year.