Waterloo retirement home asks council to reject residential tower proposal

A high-rise proposal is causing a stir in the city of Waterloo.

A developer is looking for council to approve a zoning amendment for a 13-storey tower on Dietz Avenue.

The apartment building would contain 135 residential units with a combination of one, two and three-bedroom units. 15 of the one-bedroom units are proposed to be affordable.

The current zoning only allows for a six-storey building on the property, and the residents of the Waterloo Heights Seniors Apartments want to keep it that way.

The public had an opportunity before Aug. 30 to submit a letter to be included in Monday’s council agenda. The only letter that appears in the agenda is from Waterloo Heights Executive Director, Stephanie Paddock.

Paddock wrote on behalf of the residents and staff that the proposal would have a negative effect on nearby properties.

It added that seniors chose to live on the southwest-facing side of the building for full sun exposure, but according to the shade study, the building will block the sun and any view, impacting balcony gardens and outdoor spaces.

“We ask that you consider the detrimental impact on the mental health of the vulnerable populations residing at the adjacent properties based on these significant changes,” read the letter.

The development will include 106 vehicle parking spaces and 84 bicycle parking spaces. On top of the capability to build higher than six storeys, the zoning amendment would also change several Official Plan designations. That includes changing the classification from mixed-use medium density residential to mixed-use medium high density residential and permitting a density of 900 bedrooms per hectare.

You can read the full report in the council agenda here.