KITCHENER — The Knossos Housing Corporation of Waterloo Region has received approval from the City of Kitchener for an ambitious new residential development at the intersection of Duke Street East and Madison Avenue North.
The project will transform four currently vacant properties into an 8-storey residential building featuring 100 dwelling units, with a significant portion dedicated to affordable housing.
The development site consolidates the properties at 206 and 210 Duke Street East and 46 and 50 Madison Avenue North, forming an irregular parcel of land spanning approximately 0.22 hectares (0.54 acres), with 39 metres of frontage along Duke Street East and 24.26 metres along Madison Avenue North.
The newly approved building will include 100 residential units comprising 18 bachelor units, 54 one-bedroom units, and 28 two-bedroom units.
Significantly, 40 of these units will be deeply affordable and rented at least 40% below the market rate, while the remaining 60 units will be offered at market rates.
The project also includes the provision of 51 parking spaces, with 40 spaces located underground and 11 on the surface/internal to the building.
For cyclists, the development will feature 50 indoor secured bicycle parking spaces and six outdoor visitor spaces.
Situated within 250 metres of the Kitchener Market ION LRT station and near key bus routes, the development benefits from excellent public transit accessibility.
Before approval, 206 and 210 Duke Street East were zoned as Residential Seven (R-7) with Special Regulation Provision 755R and Special Use Regulation 480U, while 46 and 50 Madison Avenue North were zoned as Residential Seven (R-7).
To support the proposed development, the Knossos Housing Corporation requested amendments to the zoning by-law and the official plan.
The properties are now designated as ‘Residential Seven Zone (R-7) with modified Special Regulation Provision 755R and Holding Provision 95H’.
The modifications include increasing the maximum Floor Space Ratio (FSR) from 2.0 to 3.6, reducing the rear yard setback, and applying a Holding Provision requiring a noise study to the satisfaction of the Region of Waterloo.
The site-specific regulations approved as part of the development facilitate increased density and optimize the use of space while ensuring compatibility with the surrounding area.
These include a building height of 25 metres (8 storeys) and a Floor Space Ratio of 3.6.
The parking ratio has been adjusted to 0.51, with 51 spaces for the 100 units, which is below typical requirements but deemed suitable given the site’s proximity to public transit.
The development maintains Special Use Regulation 480U, which prohibits certain uses such as single-detached and semi-detached homes, ensuring the site remains focused on higher-density residential purposes.
The new development promises to enhance the urban landscape of Kitchener, provide modern housing solutions, and integrate effectively with the diverse land uses in the surrounding neighbourhood.
The project is a significant step towards meeting the city’s housing needs and promoting sustainable urban growth.
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