Calling it the type of development the city needs as it looks to its future, Waterloo councillors unanimously approved plans for a 55-unit townhouse complex in the Beechwood area on Monday night.
The approval came despite the objections of more than 15 area residents, whose concerns ranged from increased traffic and density in the established single-family home neighbourhood to fears the newcomers would want to use their private condo association pool and tennis courts.
“Single-family homes would blend into our environment, and would not decrease the value of our homes,” resident Steven Hoke told council.
Developer Cook Homes wants to build off of Winchester Drive in a field that has stood vacant for 25 years, land originally identified as a possible school site.
“Resistance to intensification has been a theme in this council chamber for years,” said Coun. Mark Whaley. “This isn’t parkland, it never was parkland. It was always meant to be built on.”
Coun. Jeff Henry noted that with 35,000 newcomers expected to arrive in the city in the next 20 years, “this is what we need to do.”
With input from a neighbourhood committee and city staff, Cook Homes has already amended its plan to address some concerns. Most notably, no buildings will stand immediately adjacent to the Beechwood West 2 neighbourhood association’s pool and tennis courts.
“That was a big concern we heard from the neighbourhood,” said the city’s Scott Amos.
The south edge of the property, where the south branch of Clair Creek meanders, has also been deemed a “no touch” environmental area.
Some people remain concerned about the impact the development will have on the creek, which can quickly turn from a dry bed to a torrent in heavy rains. Armed with photos of the creek’s different moods, residents and staff recently convinced the builder to manage stormwater within the townhome complex. Any water released would be restricted to pre-development levels.
The city already intended to study the creek and come up with solutions to the problem. Some residents urged council to fix the creek before allowing construction to begin.
“The risk is going to increase and be exacerbated by the construction of 55 townhouse units,” said Karen Lochead.
Others expressed concerns that the development’s sole access is off of Winchester Drive, where residents worry that traffic volumes will double.
City staff said traffic volumes are already quite low in the area.
by Brent Davis, The Record