U/C 279-307 Lester Street

[markster]

In the council packet, page 23, they talk about development of the parcels on Lester St (279-307 Lester St) that are opposite the end of Hickory.

This is the ideal location for a pedestrian linkage through to Philip St.

Mercifully, the proposed plan (pg 31) isn't terrible, in that it doesn't put a big building dead centre in the way. But the location of the (hopefully future) path is primarily a driveway with narrow sidewalks, with a small "landscaped" square with a transformer on it.

It also mentions a "Proposed new wood fence" at the back of the property. A new wood fence that might survive a month before people tear the boards off.

[Ian Davis]

On 26 September 2011 Waterloo Council was asked to permit demolition of:

279, 281, 289, 295, 299, 303 and 307 Lester Street.


http://www.waterloo.ca/Portals/57ad7...il_Meeting.pdf

295 Lester is directly opposite Hickory Street and this demolition provides at least the potential for a walk/bike way to exist from Phillip Street to Hickory, providing much better access into Northdale from the University of Waterloo; the opportunity for much quieter walks to and from home; much safer bike routes to and from home; and reduced times to get to and from the university. It reduces a 0.82km (10 minute) walk to get to Hickory to a 0.20 km (2 minute) walk for anyone who lives in Northdale, or wishes to visit friends in Northdale.

It is not at all certain if this walkway will be implemented as part of the reconstruction of this site, since the developer may not want the added complication of such a walkway through their development.

One of the levers which might encourage the implementation of such a walkway, would be for those at the University of Waterloo, RIM, etc. to communicate their enthusiasm for such a walk way to Jeff Henry and the Major Brenda Halloran, and to present the need for such a walkway to the city council when request for planning permission is submitted to the council for whatever is to be built on this site.

It is frankly currently nuts that there is no access to Hickory from Phillip.

This seems like just too good an opportunity to miss, if such a walkway can be created.

Ian Davis

[markster]

This is probably one of the most pressing issues in Waterloo right now. There's very little time to get a provision saved for the walkway, and it's very easy for them to claim that it can't be done because it has to deal with a third party (WCRI) on the other side. In fact, that's what I was straight up told when I asked them about it at the Official Plan open house.

[mpd618]

There's an entire department of the city whose purpose is (ostensibly) to make it so that private property owners make decisions that accord with the interests of the broader community. This is what planning is about!

And yet, I'm hearing that the city can't do much because it's a private owner, and oh, we're so helpless. Oh really? You can't tell me with a straight face that this property owner won't give the city the easement necessary in exchange for a 50% increase in allowed density? I just don't think our planners care very much about this; they might care, but not enough to do anything substantial or deviate from the standard approach.

It is a particularly strange situation given that the property owner would massively benefit from a connection - it would cut walking distance for its own prospective tenants by a 1/3 or more. Instead of being the worst part of the Lester Street block in terms of walking distance, it would become the best one.

We've heard nothing in the media. This seems like a good situation for a petition to get it some more attention. Anyone up for it?

[UrbanWaterloo]

Fencing has gone up and trees have come down on Lester Street.

May 21, 2012

Overview Looking North






279 Lester Street


281-289 Lester Street


291-299 Lester Street


303-307 Lester Street


Overview Looking South

Note: previously misposted in the Phillip Street Student Housing Complex thread.

[Lugnut]

Jesus christ, this thing isn't actually happening is it??

[RangersFan]

Has anyone seen any documentation regarding this development? Has it gone before city council?

[BuildingScout]

After many years of incorrectly referring to student neighbourhoods as "the student ghetto" it seems that Waterloo Council will finally get its wish and get a true ghetto, or if not that, at least the Jackson Heights project look.

[Waterlooian4Life]

After many years of incorrectly referring to student neighbourhoods as "the student ghetto" it seems that Waterloo Council will finally get its wish and get a true ghetto, or if not that, at least the Jackson Heights project look.

This fencing is not for this project it is if for a smaller project that is noted in the 2011 09 26 council minutes.

This concept still has not gone ahead it is is for the existing complex across from Molly's on Philip street

[UrbanWaterloo]

Sorry about the confusion. I had never seen 7 houses in a row ready for demolition before, so my mind immediately thought of the largest multi-tower development in the area. For comparison the 315 King Street North tower only took down 5 homes. The thread is now fixed.

Here's some photos of the demolition...

June 7, 2012

[mpd618]

Ah yes, the development that will not have the through connection at the end of Hickory Street. Thanks, city planners who apparently didn't even suggest the idea to the developer, let alone have it in any plans. And thanks, developer who didn't think of it either.

We really need more city-building in this city. I'm just not sure the city-builders want to be in Waterloo.

[WatDot]

Ah yes, the development that will not have the through connection at the end of Hickory Street. Thanks, city planners who apparently didn't even suggest the idea to the developer, let alone have it in any plans. And thanks, developer who didn't think of it either.

We really need more city-building in this city. I'm just not sure the city-builders want to be in Waterloo.

Yup pretty dumb. I'm 99% sure that potential renters for this project would utilize/enjoy a pathway to Phillip St. It would have been in the interest of the developer no doubt.

[UrbanWaterloo]

Construction has begun...

July 2, 2012

[UrbanWaterloo]

July 29, 2012

[UrbanWaterloo]

August 23, 2012

[UrbanWaterloo]

November 8, 2012

South


North

[UrbanWaterloo]

December 13, 2012

North


South

[UrbanWaterloo]

March 14, 2013

North Building


Banner for Model Suite @ 295 Weber Street North


South Building & Lester Street

[panamaniac]

That last photo. Every time I think it just can't get any worse, it does.