Councillors on a committee in the City of Kitchener have chosen to delay their decision on a large residential project on Courtland Avenue until they gather more information about water capacity issues affecting the Region of Waterloo.
The proposal for development and the request to change zoning at 808 and 836 Courtland Ave. was presented to Kitchener’s Planning & Strategic Initiatives Committee on Monday.
Zehr Group first brought its plan to the city over two years ago, spending most of 2025 addressing concerns raised by CN Rail and Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation since the site is next to the expressway and its ramps.
Several residents from Kitchener have shared their worries about the development with the city through written letters, expressing concerns about traffic, parking, tower height, and other issues.
However, it was a letter from a development officer at the Region of Waterloo that led to postponing any decisions regarding this development until next week.
In December, the region reported a water capacity problem in the Mannheim Service Area, which covers much of Kitchener, Uptown Waterloo, and parts of Cambridge’s Preston area.
An overhead concept view of the proposed development. (City of Kitchener)
“As this site falls within the Mannheim Service Area, the region is not in a position to support approval of this application at this time,” stated Amanda Kutler, associate director of regional development services, in her letter to City of Kitchener staff.
The region claims that population growth along with aging infrastructure has contributed to this water capacity issue and emphasized that it needs prompt attention. This includes an independent review of regional water resources that is currently in progress.
Kitchener city staff noted that more information about this water capacity issue is expected from the region on Tuesday.
Since no decision was made yet, both the development proposal and zoning bylaw amendment will be brought before Kitchener city council at their next regular meeting on January 12.
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