KITCHENER — In June 2023, the City of Kitchener’s council approved a significant redevelopment project at 130-140 Highland Road East and 270 Spadina Road East.
The ambitious initiative, led by Vive Development Corporation, represents the third phase of a larger land consolidation project.
The subject lands, totalling approximately 0.92 hectares (2.26 acres), have been earmarked for redevelopment, aiming to transition to medium to high-density residential use.
The development includes the demolition of a single-storey chiropractor’s office at 130 Highland Road East and the transformation of the vacant lot at 140 Highland Road East, formerly a gas station site.
The newly approved development will feature a 17-storey rental apartment building, reaching a maximum height of 51.2 metres, with 211 dwelling units.
These units will offer a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments, some with optional dens, along with four live/work units and 98 square metres of commercial floor space.
The Floor Space Ratio (FSR) for the site has been adjusted to 5.17. Previously, the requested FSR was 3.17 and 1.0 was permitted, reflecting the amendments made to accommodate the project’s density requirements.
Parking for the development will consist of structured parking accessible from Highland Road East, with a total of 281 spaces approved to accommodate the 404 dwelling units across the site, resulting in a parking ratio of approximately 0.59 spaces per unit.
Additionally, plans include surface visitor parking spaces accessed via the existing vehicular park access to Highland Courts Park, subject to a recommended Holding Provision.
The redevelopment necessitated amendments to the City of Kitchener Official Plan and Zoning By-law.
The Official Plan amendments redesignate the subject lands from “Low-Density Commercial Residential” to “High-Density Commercial Residential,” allowing for a higher Floor Space Ratio and supporting the creation of a high-rise residential development within a Neighbourhood Node.
The Zoning By-law amendments rezoned the subject lands to a “Commercial Residential Three Zone (CR-3) Zone” with specific regulations tailored to the site’s characteristics.
These regulations include a maximum building height of 51.2 metres, front yard setbacks of 0.6 metres (where 3.0 metres were required), and side yard setbacks of 0 metres (where 3.0 metres were required).
Additionally, a reduced parking ratio has been approved from the previously required 1.25 spaces per unit, including 0.20 spaces for visitors, to 0.59 for residents and 0.089 spaces per unit for visitors.
Strategically located within a Neighbourhood Node, the site is designated for intensification, supporting urban growth objectives and addressing housing needs in Ontario.
The project also includes environmental cleanup and remediation efforts for the former gas station site at 130 Highland Road West.
It is noted that the site at 270 Spadina Road East has been removed from the development plan, as the developer was unable to consolidate the site.
The council’s approval marks a significant milestone for the redevelopment project at Highland Road East and Spadina Road East, promising to deliver high-density residential units and contribute to the city’s growth objectives while addressing housing needs in Ontario.
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