Colt Canada wants to build parking lot in Kitchener to help with expansion

A weapons manufacturer is looking to double the size of its facility in Kitchener, which currently sits around 50,000 square feet. Colt Canada asked Kitchener council for amendments to the Official Plan and Zoning bylaw on Monday so they could flip land they acquired into a parking lot that boasts 110 spaces.

The land in question on Wilson Avenue has two older houses on it and contains existing natural heritage conservation areas. Colt Canada wants to remove the houses, build a lot, pedestrian bridge and three-storey stairwell that connects to the Colt facility while keeping the natural heritage areas.

An environmental assessment was done in consultation with Grand River Conservation Authority, the region and the City of Kitchener. They determined the build would not encroach on any natural feature.

Kitchener Council approved the amendment with future approval still needed in an upcoming council meeting.

Some complaints heard from people as part of the neighborhood meeting held previously included: traffic on Wilson Ave., impacts on existing natural features, loss of residential dwellings, security or privacy concerns, potential light and noise impacts.

Kristen Barisdale of GSP Group, a consultant for the weapons manufacturer said they plan to stagger employee shifts to lighten traffic impacts from the parking lot to nearby neighbours.

“There was some questions or concerns about potential traffic on Wilson Avenue. Wilson Avenue is the primary access to the existing Colt facility and will remain the primary access to the facility as well as the parking structure,” said Barisdale during the council meeting.

“The property at 1084 Wilson Ave. is quite an older building that has had a number of additions done over the years, I would suggest it’s not in the greatest shape. We did tour that building because I believe there was some potential questions as to the age of the building. So, we were out on site over the summer with staff, that building is not in the greatest shape.”

Barisdale added that the other house at 1094 Wilson Ave. also has had a number of additions and renovations which makes the building awkward to use. Both houses have deteriorated over time according to the consultant.

Neil Taylor spoke during the meeting, saying he has lived next to the facility for the past 50-years, before Colt Canada was there. Taylor said the houses in question were occupied until Colt Canada acquired them a few years ago.

Taylor was concerned with how close the lights from the new lot would be to his home and mentioned that the report to the public didn’t disclose those issues.

“Demolition of two community homes is not maintaining this unique community,” said Taylor.

Taylor was against the council amending the bylaw, adding it was only created in 2022.

“Its relevance is indisputable and yet there has been an application for a change of those official plans and zoning bylaws.”

Colt Canada has had a facility at 1036 Wilson Ave. since 1976, it was formerly known as Diemaco Inc. until Colt changed the name in 2005. The site currently has 149 full-time employees and during the council meeting the president of Colt Canada said their hoping to expand to add another 50.