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Debate heats up over height and density policy "And there‘s no one option that‘s going to solve every probâ€" lem. That‘s why it‘s going to be a challenging decision for council." Last fall Currie made some iniâ€" tial recommendations to council on how to proceed with the policy, density policy And thpee main issues seem to be at the heart of the battle: height restrictions, the fate of the uptown, and student housing. Dan Currie of the city‘s develâ€" opment services department, who has spent more than a year conâ€" ducting a study to determine the best policy practices, said it‘s been a challenge weighing the concerns. But he‘s confident the final polâ€" icy will satisfy most interests when he presents the report Waterloo city council next month. "It‘s a big study that addresses a lot of issues," he said. 4 Looking For a New or Preâ€"owned BMW www.bâ€"kmotors.com tugâ€"ofâ€"war is developing in the debate over the City of Waterloo‘s future height and By Anorea Baiey Chronicle Staff ~BDased on an option called the Mixed Use at Nodes and Cortidors model. Such a model would concenâ€" trate jobs, housing and services in mixedâ€"use settings, which would allow residential use in commerâ€" cial zones, either as a mixed use development or as a‘standâ€"alone residential use. The result, Currie said, would increase density and intensity at the nodes and corridors. In order to achieve the desired effect, Currie said the city‘s existâ€" ing lodging house regulations, as well as the current Minimum Disâ€" tance Separation (MDS) of 75 metres between lodging houses in applicable zones, should be mainâ€" tained. His position struck a chord with a number of residents â€" students in particular â€" who feel the MDS should be shortened to accommoâ€" date the growing need for student housing. But at the same time, homeâ€" owners near the universities fear that decreasing the MDS would PAGE 3 Currie said both sides have valid concerns. "People are afraid that more student housing will lead to more nonâ€"owner occupied housing," he said. "And real or not, there‘s a perâ€" cetved impact on property values." Currie said some residents have pave the way for lodging houses to take over their established neighâ€" bourhoods. "People are afraid that more student housing will lead to more nonâ€"owner occupied housing. And real or not, there‘s a pérceived impact on propert} values." city‘s development services The annual Farm Toy Show and Sale was held at Conestoga Mall last Saturday, and featured miniature farm equipment and the hobbyists who collect them. Manning the Broadfoot Family Collection was Jessica Swanston, eight, pictured left. Also taking in the display was Keiren Halliday, two, with grandâ€"dad Merv Cottrill. In terms of height, he said it‘s unlikely the policy will please everyone. "One person‘s tall is anothe; person‘s short," he said, referring the height restrictions that could be placed on any future developâ€" "We‘re finding that most people consider fiveâ€" to sevenâ€"storey buildings reasonable. Any more, and you start to hear concerns over privacy and shadowing." proposed theâ€"city identify viable areas near the university, and build taller buildings to accommodate students. "But then it becomes a height issue," he said. He also said factors like height, and the needs of the uptown area, must also be considered. Curric said concerns over intensification are also coming from those living in and around the uptown. "People really care about uptown. It‘s an important part of "We have to balance all of this," he said. Down on the farm + "Maybe we don‘t want continâ€" ued growth. Maybe we should look at slowing the growth," he said. Currie said he will take the research compiled so far, as well as the feedback received at the public open houses held in all five wards before Christmas, and formulate the "best option". our community," he said. "And it‘s surrounded by wellâ€"established neighbourhoods. s "We want to establish areas people can move to, but not at the expense of our older neighbourâ€" hoods." Currie reminded, Waterloo has a limited supply of land going into the future. "We are the fastest growing ({municipality) in the region," he said. "And our boundaries aren‘t likely going to change. "Meanwhile, all growth must be accommodated." He will present that option to council during a formal public hearing Feb. 24. That raises another issue, Cur riesaid. 808 vRBANAC PHOTO