Waterloo councillors have approved a zone change to allow a new 18 unit townhouse development to be built at Park and Allen Streets.

Hit the "read more" link to read a recent article in the Record newspaper. After the article we have included links to the City of Waterloo website for more in-depth information on the new development. You can also view the Concept Building Elevations (drawings) for the Townhouses on the city website.

Follow up:

Another development approved for Park and Allen streets

September 15, 2009 - BY LIZ MONTEIRO, RECORD STAFF

WATERLOO - Waterloo councillors last night gave the go-ahead for another residential development at Park and Allen streets.

A 3 ½ storey building with 18 units of stacked townhouses will be built at Park and Allen. It will include 23 parking spaces.

Construction could begin by December and the development could be completed by fall of 2010, said Scott Patterson of Labreche Patterson and Associates who represented the builder, Rom Dam Developments of Waterloo.

Councillors approved a zone change which allows for residential development and approved demolition of three existing buildings that are now on the property.

All councillors except Coun. Karen Scian supported the move. Scian was against the project because the building will not have an elevator.

"It's absolutely absurd a development excludes complete sectors of society - seniors and the disabled,'' she said.

Coun. Diane Freeman said she, too, was concerned with the lack of accessibility to those who are not able-bodied but supported the development.

Freeman said concerns raised by a resident in the area about traffic concerns were valid.

Jim Hosepian, who lives on Allen Street at the Chippendale Common townhouses, said he's worried with the increased traffic in the area. He's also concerned with the plan to have vehicles move in and out of the property off Allen and not Park Street.

City planner Trevor Hawkins said the city wants to continue with its plans to make Park Street pedestrian friendly. Across the street, the Catalina townhomes have the front of the houses facing Park and not driveways.

Hawkins said the other development at Park and Allen, 144 Park, a 19-storey condo development with 143 units and eight three-storey brick townhouses will have the townhouses facing Park.

To concerns from residents that the development could have students living there, Patterson said the owner plans to turn the building into condos with high-end units. - lmonteiro@therecord.com

Here are links to the City of Waterloo Website:

• Zone Change Application - 133 Park ST and 36, 38 and 40 Allen St W
• Staff Report
• concept site plan
• concept building elevations