WATERLOO — VanLegend Regina LP has received approval from the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) to move forward with the proposed mixed-use redevelopment at 6 Regina Street North and 24, 28, and 34 Erb Street East.
Following the City of Waterloo’s lack of a timely decision on the Official Plan Amendment (OPA) and Zoning By-law Amendment (ZBA) applications, the Tribunal has authorized amendments that will enable a 25-storey building with 289 residential units and commercial space to proceed.
The revised development includes an 18-storey tower atop a podium, reaching a total height of 25 storeys, which will include 289 residential units and 352 bedrooms.
The original development concept included an 18-storey tower with the podium included in the height. The tower was proposed to have 218 dwelling units and 245 bedrooms.
The development density stands at 1,578 bedrooms per hectare, and the ground floor will feature 500 square metres of commercial space oriented toward Erb Street East. The development also previously proposed 1,963 square metres of office space on level 4, but the space has been removed in the revised concept.
A Specific Provision Area (SPA 83) will be established, re-designating 6 Regina Street North from “Medium Density, 20 Metres” to “High Density, 81 Metres.”
The entirety of the subject lands zoned ‘Uptown Commercial Core with height restrictions of 20, 60, and 81 metres’, (depending on the parcel), will now be uniformly zoned under the ‘Uptown Commercial Core-81 (U1-81)’ category, permitting an 81-metre maximum building height.
Key amendments to the zoning regulations include an increase in allowable building height from 18 to 25 storeys, achieved by implementing a slimmer tower design with a reduced width from 53.2 metres to 46.5 metres on Levels 6 through 25.
The building will now incorporate 178 bicycle parking spaces and 163 vehicle parking spaces, above the original proposal’s 146 bicycle spaces and 122 parking spaces.
Site plans require a Flood Emergency Plan before final approval, a stipulation due to the location’s potential flood risk.
Additionally, the redesigned tower features several modifications, such as:
● Enlarged indoor amenity space, achieved by increasing the Level 5 footprint to 1,080 square metres.
● V-shaped balconies extending into the tower stepback on Levels 6 through 25, creating a dynamic façade along Erb Street East.
● An increase in the number of two- and three-bedroom units, accommodating a broader range of unit sizes.
The Tribunal officially approved the OPA and ZBA, allowing the Municipal Clerk of Waterloo to amend the By-law’s and update the Official Plan to reflect the new high-density designation and specific zoning provisions.
The Order from the Tribunal, effective as of October 1, 2024, permits the commencement of redevelopment activities in accordance with the new zoning framework.
The landmark project is set to replace existing commercial structures with a striking new addition to Waterloo’s skyline, providing increased residential density and expanded commercial services in a rapidly evolving urban centre.
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