Kitchener city planners say proposal for a multi-storey tower is ‘unacceptable’

A report going to Kitchener City Council next Monday to build a multi-storey tower at 328-330 Mill St. could be refused.

The proposed development includes 293 residential units and a commercial space on the ground floor.

City planners don’t seem to like the look of the developer’s request for zoning bylaw amendments.

In a report going to council Sept. 16, city planners think an application to reduce setbacks on the property could cause over densification as well as safety concerns for occupants.

In the report, City Planner Rojan Mohammadi says the proposed separation distance doesn’t comply with regulations and is “unacceptable”, adding that the proposed buildings are too close together and would lack privacy.

Mohammadi added that the developer’s provided justification for “physical separation is insufficient and lacks thoroughness.”

“The setbacks were not properly applied, and the brief does not adequately explain why a reduced setback is a reasonable approach,” said Mohammadi.

The high-rise planned for Kitchener is located near the Mill St. ION station. It includes plans for 166 parking spaces.

Included in the application is a request to reduce the number of bicycle spaces that the developer would be required to provide per unit from one to half of one, which is against the city’s current regulations.

The application also includes a request to increase the maximum building length.

Due to issues with the application, city planners are recommending that the developer’s request be rejected when it comes to City of Kitchener council on Tuesday.