Kitchener councillors on board with highrise that needed NAV CANADA approval to takeoff
Posted Dec 15, 2023 07:11:29 AM.
Last Updated Dec 15, 2023 02:18:03 PM.
A proposal for a residential tower in downtown Kitchener is now ready for takeoff.
The plans for the 55-storey building at 417 King Street West were grounded temporarily after concerns that its height could obstruct planes taking off and landing at the Region of Waterloo International Airport.
The proposal from VanMar Developments was first presented to city council on October 30. The decision was first deferred to November 6, before it was pushed again to Monday’s meeting.
The latest deferral was to give time to NAV CANADA, the owner and operator of Canada’s civil air navigation service, to complete a land use evaluation.
“NAV CANADA has evaluated the captioned proposal and we have no objection to the project as submitted,” stated NAV CANADA’s letter to the developer.
The federal government agency listed several conditions that the project must adhere to. Examples included restrictions on changes made to the location, dimensions and height of the building and crane, as well as a height limit of 487 metres above sea level until the revised instrument flight procedures are in effect by July 11, 2024.
The Region of Waterloo also recommended an additional provision for the tower.
“I understand that [the region] would be satisfied if council were to implement a maximum building height of 535 metres above sea level,” said City of Kitchener planning manager Garett Stevenson. “The region’s main concern is that the development proposal, which has been approved and vetted by NAV CANADA, remains largely unchanged. A maximum building height would alleviate their concern about the building increasing in size.”
Councillor Dave Schnider was “happy to move” that motion, which was approved by the rest of the horseshoe.
The tower will bring an additional 622 residential units to downtown Kitchener.
— with files from Christine Clark
