Waterloo Region Record

Infill would replace house with 32 stacked units

Developer requesting increases in density, building height, reduced backyard setback

BRENT DAVIS WATERLOO REGION RECORD

A development proposal in Kitchener would see 32 stacked townhouses rise on a property beside Grand River Hospital’s Freeport Campus.

The site at 7 Morrison Rd. is about 0.35 hectares (0.9 acres) in size and is currently occupied by a single detached home and detached garage. A new townhouse development already stands directly across Morrison Road, and the property is bordered to the south by a Canadian Pacific Railway line and right-of-way.

Owner Klondike Homes wants to construct two stacked townhouse buildings with 16 units each. A design brief prepared by planning firm MHBC says the project provides “an infill opportunity to create a medium-density residential development on an underutilized piece of property.”

Details were outlined at an online neighbourhood information meeting Tuesday night.

The project needs official plan and zoning bylaw amendments; the developer is requesting slight increases in density and building height and a reduced rear yard setback and visitor parking requirement.

Planning staff will present a recommendation to council for

A new townhouse development already stands directly across Morrison Road, and the property is bordered to the south by a railway line

consideration at future committee and council meetings.

Senior city planner Brian Bateman said the property is part of what’s described as a “community area,” in which “limited intensification may be permitted.”

Due to the property’s grading, the townhouses would be three storeys tall at the rear and four storeys at the front; four units in each building will have a single-car garage.

There will be a total of 45 surface, driveway and garage parking spots for the development, with an entrance via a private road off Morrison Road. A small outdoor amenity area is planned along the southern property line.

Pierre Chauvin of MHBC said the builder’s current intention is to offer the townhouses as condos.

Klondike Homes also owns 33 Morrison Rd., two doors away from 7 Morrison Rd.; another home stands between them at 25 Morrison Rd. Chauvin was asked whether Klondike plans to expand the development beyond the current proposal for 7 Morrison.

“At this point in time, there’s no specific application put forward with the city,” Chauvin said. “I think if there were development intentions, it would probably require a bit more land consolidation to do that.”

Few questions were asked during Tuesday’s meeting, but Bateman said the city has received some comments and concerns about the project. Concerns include traffic speed and volume along Morrison Road, compatibility of the proposed development, safety next to the railroad track, and property value impact.

It’s anticipated that sidewalks will be installed along Morrison Road, but Bateman said he wasn’t sure when that would occur.

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2022-12-01T08:00:00.0000000Z

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