[All] Hidden Valley updates from City of Kitchener

[water.lulu at yahoo.ca]

Hi folks
I took a quick look at the City of Kitchener website and found some updates in regards to development/planning & timing of upcoming reports regarding Hidden Valley.
Hidden Valley Crescent Neighborhood ParkHidden Valley Crescent Park is currently being designed on the South/East end of Hidden Valley Drive. The area is currently naturalized but there are plans to turn it into an urban park.  To review information on this visit the City of Kitchener website here: http://www.kitchener.ca/en/livinginkitchener/hidden-valley-crescent-neighbourhood-park.asp 
The final plan of design was due this December with construction taking place in Spring/Summer of 2017. The concerns I have are the following:1. Are there any ongoing EA's taking place in the area? The construction may create a disturbance for area sensitive species. 2. Would this increase noise/traffic/light pollution or human encroachment in the area?  If so how can we mitigate the risks? 3. Would this damage possible habitats?  If so how can we mitigate the risks? 4. Is this corridor being used to facilitate infrastructure? 
City of Kitchener's Finance & Corporate Services Committee December 5, 2016 re: report CAO-16-031Passages specific to Hidden Valley are the following: 
NB5 Public Interest In Hidden Valley LandsThe core natural features within the Hidden Valley area are protected from developmentwhile the surrounding farmland is designated for development. Acquiring and protectingboth the natural features and the farmland serves community interests but comes at a cost.Discussing options with property owners ill inform analysis of costs and benefits to informthe City’s decision-making and budgeting as necessary for land acquisition and propertyimprovement. Time frame given: 2016-17  (NOTE: The term "ill inform analysis of costs" is actually in the report.) 

NB21 Hidden Valley Land Use StudyTo develop a Master/Community Plan for the Hidden Valley area that would beimplemented by way of amendments to the Official Plan and Zoning By-law. This projectwould be integrated with a servicing study for the area that will be led by Engineering. Time frame given:  2016-18

NB5  Public Interest in Hidden ValleyReason:  Key vacancy has resulted in this project being put on hold andtherefore the end date has been pushed out further into the future. 
NB5 Public Interest In Hidden ValleyLead Division: OperationsThe core natural features within Hidden Valley area are protected from development while thesurrounding farmland is designated for development. Acquiring and protecting both the naturalfeatures and the farmland serves community interests but comes at a cost. Discussing optionswith property owners will inform analysis of costs and benefits to inform the City's decision-makingand budgeting as necessary for land acquisition and property improvement.Aug-2017DESCRIPTION:KEY PLANNED EVENTS:Expected Completion:KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:Background data collection has begun.Project was initiated later than anticipated due to staff resources and delays in the timing ofapproval for Class EA for River Road extension (June 2016).New end date set for August 2017. 

Source: just visit City of Kitchener website and search the term: CAO-16-031 

Safe and Thriving Neighbourhoods Report 2016.NB21 Hidden Valley Land Use Study Lead Division: Planning Description: To develop a Master/Community Plan for the Hidden Valley area that would be implemented byway of amendments to the Official Plan and Zoning By-law. This project would be integrated witha servicing study for the area that will be led by Engineering. KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:Completed initial meetings. 
KEY PLANNED EVENTS: Review and completion of project Terms of Reference.
Related Reports: Expected completion  Dec-2018 
Source: Page 10 of the pdf here: 
http://www.kitchener.ca/en/insidecityhall/resources/business_planning/business_plan_status_updates/2016-august/2016-safe--thriving-neighbourhoods---status-update.pdf


Lulu :0)
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://gren.ca/pipermail/all_gren.ca/attachments/20170104/dc5e95a4/attachment.html>