06-21-2016, 10:15 AM
(06-21-2016, 09:54 AM)Viewfromthe42 Wrote: I'm a bit curious about the setback guidelines they're touting, wanting to push tall buildings back to create a more inviting pedestrian space. I'm pretty sure there's plenty of setback on King between University and Columbia that's part of the inhospitability, whereas I'm very confident that 1Vic will have a positive pedestrian experience, just as any active streetwall of no setback would. Something to consider commenting to them on.
It will all be covered in the tall building guidelines, but there is no delivery date for the full guidelines. Setbacks are probably going to be most important in the Innovation district as the entire area is basically a blank slate and proper setbacks (on rear and side yards) are going to be important to ensure we don't end up with tall buildings too close together. With that said, it's really beneficial to have guidelines in place BEFORE all the tall buildings start to go up, and the guidelines will provide a set of known rules for everyone to play by which *should* reduce opposition to these developments when they come forward. The display panels sum it up nicely:
http://www.kitchener.ca/en/businessinkit...Panels.pdf
(Slide 2 is my favorite: "Fall 2014, Council Directs Development of Tall Building Guidelines" ... that's me and my Planner! lol)