Waterloo to consider zoning for 22-storey development

By Luke Schulz

You may see a new shape dotting the skyline of Waterloo in the near future.

Waterloo council is set to discuss a proposed zoning change for a 22-storey development in the Erb Street East and Peppler Street area on Monday.

The space — at 36 and 42 Erb Street East and 39 Dupont Street East — would offer 234 units in a mix of one and two bedroom apartments, as well as assisted living and long-term care facilities above the first storey of the development.

Plans also include 163 parking spaces, with driveway access to both Dupont Street and Erb Street East.

On the ground floor, developers are proposing nearly eight-thousand square feet of commercial space.

In the finalized submission submitted to council, developers note uses in the building include a number of non-residential purposes, including potential for a nanobrewery, business incubator, childcare centre and more. 

The site for the proposed L-shaped development include several structures across three separate parcels of land, including a vacant two-and-a-half storey house formerly used as a veterinary clinic and a single-storey commercial building, both of which are proposed to be removed.

One parcel fronting Dupont Street East also includes a one-and-a-half storey historic house listed on the Municipal Heritage Register, which will be retained in the development. 

After preparing a Heritage Impact Assessment regarding that structure, the Municipal Heritage Committee has made a number of recommendations to mitigate the visual impact on the heritage building, including the incorporation of “sufficient green space” between the development and the home, and temporary fencing to ensure there's no damage through demolition of surrounding buildings or construction activity. 

In the report, city staff have expressed their support for the zoning change for a variety of reasons, stating that the application for the change conforms with the Regional and City of Waterloo Official Plan, while stating the proposed development is “an efficient use of land, services and infrastructure.”

That development is also noted to be “well served” by public transit running along Erb Street East, situated near two bus stops and “within a 200 metre walking distance” of an LRT station.

The space is also along the Laurel/Clair Creek, while offering access to several large and small commercial spaces between Waterloo Town Square and the Bridgeport Plaza.

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