New Kitchener Condo development splits local opinion

By Benjamin Bach, the Wealth Team on June 26, 2010 in kitchener waterloo, Real Estate Investment

New Condos coming to Margaret Ave in Kitchener

Fresh off our discussion of the new Condos, Hotel, and Commercial real estate coming toWaterloo - the Barrel Yards, here is some information about a new development going in donwtown Kitchener at 30-40 Margaret Ave.

I happen to think it’s a great addition to the area! Read the article from today’s Record, and leave a comment below!

Condo development approved for site of old mansions on Margaret Avenue

Kitchener Condo development approved for site of old mansions on Margaret Avenue

By Terry Pender, Record staff

KITCHENER — Over the continued objections of many nearby homeowners a developer cleared a critical hurdle in the decades-long story to redevelop 30-40 Margaret Ave.

The city’s Official Plan and zoning regulations will be changed to accommodate a six-storey building containing 210 condominiums and underground parking.

“It is really quite a massive building taking up most of the land there,” said Laura Gorman, who lives on Ellen Street.

Opponents of the proposed development say it comes too close to their backyards off Ellen Street; the front of the new building will be too close to Margaret Avenue; larger trees should be planted to replace the loss of the mature trees that now shade the area, which lies between Queen Street North and Victoria Street North.

When Christine Runstedtler moved into 11 Margaret Ave. in 1974, historic mansions graced the lots across the street.

Those historic buildings, owned at one time by the Kaufman family, were allowed to deteriorate and finally demolished in 1988 along with some other buildings on that stretch of Margaret Avenue, which forms part of the city’s oldest neighbourhood.

Runstedtler said she’s enjoyed using the heavily treed lots as a park.

“But we always knew that had to come to an end and the end appears now,” Runstedtler said in a presentation to the city’s development and technical services committee on Monday.

Added Bryan Kaufman of Ellen Street: “I moved into the neighbourhood in 1989 and I, like a lot of my neighbours, got used to a nice empty lot.”

Even with the approvals granted on Monday the development is not a sure thing. More agreements and permits are needed from the city and if the economy tanks again the project could easily go on hold.

Even though the empty lots sit among some of the most attractive residential streets in the old city, close to Centre in the Square and the main library, they have not been redeveloped in more than 22 years.

But Denis Pellerin of Louisa Street hopes that changes now. Pellerin attended the meeting to speak in favour of the development that will bring more people to live in the central neighbourhood.

“This project is every important,” Pellerin said. “It needs to go forward.”

Community Expansion Inc. and Melloul-Blamey Construction have been working on this project since 2007.

There is near-unanimous support for the development among city councillors.

“This is a good development for this property,” Mayor Carl Zehr said.

Added Coun. Geoff Lorentz: “I think this is a good proposal. I think it was a long time in coming.”

The City of Kitchener spent years preparing the studies and background work to establish its fourth heritage conservation district, called Olde Towne Berlin, that is roughly bordered by Weber, Victoria, Lancaster, Ellen and Queen streets.

City council passed the enabling bylaw for the new heritage conservation district in 2008, but that was immediately appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB), a provincial tribunal that rules on land-use disputes.

Community Expansion Inc. appealed to the OMB. The city expects the developer will drop the appeal once the two parties have a site plan agreement in place that details how the Margaret Avenue development will take place.