WATERLOO — Hygate Development Corp has unveiled plans for a significant residential development project in Waterloo.
The proposed project, situated at 215-229 Lexington Rd, entails the demolition of the existing Pinehaven Nursing Home and the construction of two new residential apartment buildings.
Phase 2 of the development includes the establishment of a seven-storey building comprising 71 units and a 12-storey building offering 376 units.
The developer’s proposal necessitates amendments to both the Official Plan and the Zoning By-law, requiring thorough review and approval by city planners and council before proceeding with construction.
Among the requested changes are an increase in building height from 20 metres to 40 metres and alterations to setback requirements, driveway dimensions, parking ratios, and landscaped open space.
The subject property, spanning approximately 1.925 hectares, boasts a frontage of approximately 105 metres along Lexington Road.
Following necessary adjustments, the lot will then offer a lot area of 1.904 hectares.
Positioned on the south side of Lexington Road, the site sits opposite the intersection with Davenport Road and north of Conestoga Parkway/Highway Number 85, sharing a boundary of approximately 124 metres with the highway.
Phase 2 of the development, following the completion of Phase 1, involves the demolition of the Pinehaven Nursing Home, making way for the construction of Building A, a seven-storey structure fronting Lexington Road, and Building B, a tiered ‘U’ shaped building with heights ranging from 12 to 6 storeys.
Both buildings combined will provide a total of 447 units and 608 bedrooms. The development plans include 551 parking spaces, primarily underground, with 332 bicycle parking spaces also designated to address parking needs.
The proposed design incorporates indoor amenity space within each building and a courtyard between the two structures to offer outdoor communal space.
Additionally, the existing stormwater management pond at the rear of the property will be retained, serving as a buffer to nearby residential areas.
In seeking the necessary approvals, Hygate Development Corp aims to secure amendments to the Official Plan and Zoning By-law to accommodate the proposed development.
The proposed Official Plan Amendment seeks to accommodate the development’s requested building height of 40 metres, notwithstanding the provisions of policy 10.1.4(3)(b), while maintaining the existing land use designation of ‘Mixed-Use Medium Density Residential.’
The subject property is currently zoned RMU-20 (Residential Mixed-Use Zone) with site-specific regulation number 99.
It is noted that the development plan does not propose rezoning the site.
The proposed changes include special provisions to permit a maximum building height of 40 metres and adjustments to various zoning requirements.
Examples of the adjustments include:
●Reducing the low-rise residential setback along the easterly lot line to 9.2 metres where 16.65 metres is required
● Increasing the driveway width to 7.3 metres, where a maximum width of 7.0 metres is allowed.
● Reducing the landscaped open space to 26% from a required 30%
● Reducing the residential parking to 1.0 spaces per unit, where at least 1.15 spaces per unit are required.
● Reducing the visitor parking to 0.05 spaces per unit, where at least 0.1 space per unit is required.
● Reducing the required parking for the assisted living facility (with full kitchen): 0.48 spaces per suite, where 0.7 spaces per suite are required.
While these amendments are subject to scrutiny and approval processes, the developer remains committed to realizing this ambitious residential project, contributing to the urban landscape of Waterloo.
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