[All] Please read with Hidden Valley in mind: Comprehensive Review of the Zoning By-law - City of Kitchener

[Daphne Nichollls]

>> Dear friends, 
>> 
>> Kitchener is reconsidering the current zoning by-laws in several parts of the city. Hidden Valley is one of these. The current Hidden Valley Community Plan permits a light industrial "park", a business "park", and a subdivision. (Quotation marks mine.... to emphasize my preferred concept of  a park .... a "Natural Area Park".) 
>> 
>> Two city planners have told me that Hidden Valley is the most boidiverse natural are in the city, along with the Huron Natural area. It is a very significant property, and worth fighting for!
>> 
>> The current zoning standards  for Hidden Valley were established over 25 years ago. We've learned things about the environment since then. If 2014 zoning standards can be introduced by the city, development would be more restricted than it is by the current by-laws.
>> 
>> We have an opportunity till the end of July (let's aim for July 28 to be on the safe side), to respond to an on-line survey and say that Kitchener needs stricter regulations to protect the environment, in Hidden Valley and elsewhere.
>> 
>> If you click on the link below it will take you to the city's website and the links to information about changes to the zoning by laws, and answers to your questions.
>> 
>> To find the just the questionnaire you need to look under the heading, How can I get involved?  and then hit Survey. 
>> 
>> It's on the first page of the information about the Comprehensive Review of the Zoning By-Laws.
>> 
>> The Friends of Hidden Valley and some members of the KW Field Naturalists whom I've contacted, agree that filling in this survey is important, so please make time to respond to it. You may also want to consider your own neighbourhood, and whether it applies to that. 
>> 
>> Please think about the proposals and the survey and share the site with your family and friends.  Please send your response to the survey to the city of Kitchener. 
>> 
>> Even if you don't live in Kitchener, zoning decisions can impact everyone in the Region, and beyond. 
>> 
>> Think about air quality if more forests are destroyed. KW has the poorest air quality in Ontario. The recommended forest-coverage is 30%,  but in KW it was already down to 12% in 2007. Kitchener is not providing for satisfactory air quality in the future. 
>> 
>> Drinking-water quality could be further compromised if Hidden Valley is developed and contaminated runoff goes into the Grand, just upstream from the intake pipe for 25% of the Region's drinking water. 
>> 
>> Without good air to breathe and safe water to drink, our quality of life in the future will be severely compromised.
>> 
>> Now is the time to speak up for the environment in Kitchener, so new standards can be incorporated in the new Official Plan.
>> 
>> Thanks in advance for your help!
>> 
>> Sincerely,
>> 
>> Daphne Nicholls
>> Friends of Hidden Valley
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>> Subject: Comprehensive Review of the Zoning By-law - City of Kitchener
>>> 
>>> 
>>> http://www.kitchener.ca/en/insidecityhall/Comprehensive-Review-of-the-Zoning-By-law.asp
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