A developer of a 140-bedroom apartment building in Waterloo was directed to meet with neighbouring residents before the application can proceed.

Coun. Melissa Durrell, the ward councillor at 115 and 117 Erb St. E in Waterloo, moved that the developer be required to meet with concerned homeowners nearby, consider a building height amendment and come back to council on March 26.

The main concern with the proposed development, which includes a 12-storey tower along Erb Street and a six-storey tower in the back, is the height and fit with the area. Residents requested that the back tower be reduced from six to four storeys, but it fell on deaf ears when the proqject made it to the public meeting process on Monday.

Residents were also concerned about the fact that the area is a floodplain and the addition of a nonpermeable surface could result in more flooding in residents’ backyards.

“This time of year, I have to take a canoe to my shed,” said resident representative Dominic Bellissimo.

Six homes along Moore Avenue have backyards that back onto the proposed building.

The applicant, Lee Kieswetter, is attempting to change the zoning on the piece of land to MR-12 in the front and MR-6 in the back to align with the building plans. Currently, the land, a total space of 0.28 hectares is split into three different zones.

The developer is also asking for variances in setbacks on the plot, meaning the building would be closer to property lines as normally allowed.

On the easterly side of the building, where 20 metres of setback is normally required, 9.5 metres is requested. The developer has promised, however, that landscaping and walls will be used to protect the privacy of the homes along Moore Avenue.

Durrell questioned representative Heather Price of GSP Group about exactly what changes were made.