Cambridge council discusses proposed high rises in Galt

High-rise project proposed for Galt From CTV Kitchener's Jeff Pickel: Cambridge council heard from residents about a proposed high-rise project planned in Galt.

KITCHENER — A pair of sky-high buildings proposed along the Grand River were up for discussion at Cambridge council on Tuesday.

Councillors heard from the public about the proposal, which would include the tallest buildings in Galt.

The buildings are 28 and 37 storeys. Some delegates had concerns about the buildings.

"I believe strongly that the placement of two high-rise towers, alarmingly high-rise, 37 storeys and 28 storeys, along the river where proposed, would be inconsistent with the historic character and charm of Galt," delegate Michael Bean said.

Councillor Nicholas Ermeta said when it comes to the skyline of a community like Cambridge, it only takes one mistake to screw it up.

"From my perspective, we do need to protect the character of downtown," he said. "It is very unique in the province of Ontario and across the country, and once you lose that character, you don't get it back."

Many others, however, gave the proposal a thumbs up.

"A development of this nature has a huge opportunity not just to support our downtown core that desperately needs a more vibrant and bigger population, more consumers, more business traffic," delegate Darren Drouillard said. "I see this development as something that, for decades, my generation and other generations in this community have begged for."

The proposed towers would include 150 hotel suites, 250 condo units and retail and food space.

Council ultimately did approve the project onto the next phase. That does not mean it is a done deal.

Staff will now look at the plans and come back to council with a recommendation based on community feedback from Tuesday's meeting is expected back before council in the fall.