Sifton Properties seniors and apartment and restaurant | 12 fl | ?m | U/C

[rangersfan]

City council defers west-side drive-thru request
March 12, 2014 |  James Jackson | Waterloo Chronicle | LINK

City council has deferred a development request for a restaurant with a drive-thru on the city’s west end, citing concerns for traffic congestion and public safety.

Sifton Properties wants to redevelop a 0.75 acre parcel of land on the southeast corner of Erb Street West and Ira Needles Boulevard by building an 11-storey independent seniors’ living centre and the restaurant.

The 105-unit residence, which was approved by council, will be located at the south end of the property. The restaurant would abut the roundabout to the north.

Council had concerns with the configuration of the drive-thru, its proximity to the busy section of road and the risk posed to seniors walking around the property after exiting the residence.

“I’m just going to signal my intentions right from the front and say I don’t like it,” said Coun, Karen Scian.

“I have a couple dear seniors in my family and thinking of them making that trek makes absolutely no sense to me. And having teenagers in my house . . . and knowing they like to get in their cars and head down to drive-thru restaurants, I see a conflict here.”

Councillors took issue with the confusing figure-eight design of the drive-thru and the lack of details on its future configuration or how it would fit on the site.

“Not that I’m taking a stand against drive-thrus, but I struggle with the accommodation of one on this site,” said Coun. Scott Witmer.

Trevor Hawkins, a development planner with the city, said Sifton is applying for a phased site plan on the property and the seniors’ residence is first on their list. The restaurant was only included at last week’s meeting for conceptual purposes and the developer does not have a tenant in mind.

The applicant would like to keep the opportunity open to permit a drive-thru restaurant should a tenant come forward and have interest in the area, Hawkins said.

He suggested council support the seniors’ development and the restaurant, minus the drive-thru, so if a tenant comes forward who does not require a drive-thru the deal can proceed without council approval. Councillors agreed to the request.

To help alleviate the growing traffic congestion in the area, the region has said it is planning to widen Ira Needles Boulevard in two phases. Phase 1 will start this year and extend from Highview Drive in Kitchener to University Avenue. Phase 2 (2016) will stretch from University Avenue to Erb Street.

In the applicant’s traffic impact report from 2011 it was determined a road widening of between one to three metres on Ira Needles Boulevard would be required to make room for a left turn lane into the property.