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[Spokes]

222 King apartment proposal may face challenges
January 17, 2013 | Paige Desmond | Waterloo Region Record |

WATERLOO — Planners for KGR Holdings appealed to Waterloo officials this week to approve planning amendments for a six-storey apartment building at 222 King St. S.

A mix of 49 one and two-bedroom apartments, it would back on to Dodds Lane and front on King where the Region of Waterloo’s light rail transit line will run.

“We’re looking to build a modern and contemporary building on the site,” said Aaron Hill of MacKinnon and Associates, agent for the developer. “We want to integrate with the surrounding neighbourhood.”

Hill said the building would be pedestrian-oriented, with street-level landscaping. The main floor would be a mix of commercial uses, primarily intended for the building’s residents.

There would be one level of underground parking with 32 spaces and an outdoor, rooftop amenity space.

The planning amendments the developer seeks are in line with the city’s proposed Official Plan, but councillors had some concerns.

The project is similar to the Red Condos by Momentum Developments located nearby at 188 King St. S. When that project went through the rezoning process, some neighbours were concerned about the building’s height and traffic noise from Dodds Lane.

“We have shared that information with the applicant,” said city planner Laura Dowell. “They’re aware of some of the challenges.”

Dowell said a traffic study by KGR Holdings showed there would be 25 new trips on Dodds Lane and King Street during the morning peak time and 37 in the evening.

“They are quite low,” Dowell said. “The lane is looking at probably 12 cars in any peak time.”

Coun. Mark Whaley pointed out similar projects can be expected in the future, as development intensifies along the light rail transit line.

“The entire length of the LRT route will one day be these types of buildings,” he said.

The application for zone change will now be circulated to various agencies for comment and will be followed by a report to council. Another public meeting will be held after the report and before council makes a decision.