A Cambridge councillor is asking the developer behind a 37-unit apartment building proposal to go back to the drawing board and come back with a design that’s a better fit with the surrounding heritage homes and buildings on Queen Street in Hespeler.
During a public meeting on the proposal Tuesday morning, Coun. Mike Devine said he likes everything about the building except its modern, minimalist design in contrast to homes on Winston Boulevard and the former Silknit factory heritage building across the street.
The development application for the former gas station property on 212 Queen St. W. will require an amendment to the city’s official plan to allow 167 units per hectare where 57 are currently allowed.
No public delegations called into Tuesday’s public meeting to voice concerns about the proposal by Blackthorn Development Corp.
Maurizio Rogato, principal at Blackthorn, attended the meeting to answer any questions.
“The building itself is a beautiful building, but I do believe... the building that you’ve designed is out of place on Queen Street,” Devine told Rogato. “Is there a possibility of changing the architecture to add more stone, more brick.”
Devine said since most of the homes in the surrounding area are more than 100 years old, he'd like to see a more compatible design.
Rogato said he’d be willing to work with staff through the site plan process to change some of the materials used on the building.
“I would say we could mix it up. Absolutely,” Rogato said.
The building would contain 21 one-bedroom units and 16 two-bedroom units, all of which will be for rent.
Coun. Donna Reid said she was happy to see a developer adding to the city’s rental stock but wondered if the building would remain that way.
Rogato confirmed his client is committed to rental tenure and there are no plans to market the units for sale. “In fact, I think that’s a big bonus for this project,” he added.
Coun. Scott Hamilton wanted to know if the design incorporates bike storage, given the building's proximity to the core and bike trails, and provision for charging stations.
Rogato said bike storage is already part of the plan and charging stations could be considered.
Mayor Kathryn McGarry called the proposal a "win,win, win" for the community in terms of ticking off all of the boxes for intensification and revitalization in the core.
The project submission has been referred back to city staff for a report and recommendation that will be tabled for a decision from council in the new year.
