[GREN-Exec] Fw: Strategic Disposition of City Lands -- Stirling/Homer Watson

Tue Jun 9 08:17:30 EDT 2009

FYI, see below e-mail received through the GREN website.

Theo

--- On Tue, 6/9/09, Robert Horvath <rjsahorvath at gmail.com> wrote:

From: Robert Horvath <rjsahorvath at gmail.com>
Subject: Strategic Disposition of City Lands -- Stirling/Homer Watson
To: info at gren.ca
Received: Tuesday, June 9, 2009, 8:03 AM

Hi! 

Thanks for the email that outlines activities of the Grand River Environmental Network.  For the sake of keeping things short for me, I have included an email that I sent to Geoff Lorentz and Carl Zehr on Saturday.  I just found out about the plan to rezone land adjacent to Lakeside Park (very close to the lake/pond) and a rally is being held in the park this Sunday afternoon. 

Please do not distribute the attached email.  It was put together quickly by me in order to make a point to our alderman and mayor. 

If you would like more information about the event contact me for a flyer. 

Bob 

Robert Horvath 
Kitchener, ON 

Subject: Strategic Disposition of City Lands -- Stirling/Homer Watson

From: Robert Horvath <rjsahorvath at gmail.com>

Date: Sat, 06 Jun 2009 21:34:17 -0400

To: geoff.lorentz at kitchener.ca

CC: carl.zehr at kitchener.ca

Robert Horvath
92 Blueridge Avenue
Kitchener, ON
N2M 4E1
June 6, 2009
Mr. Geoff Lorentz
Alderman – Ward 5
City of Kitchener
Dear Mr. Lorentz:
I was visited today by a resident of my neighbourhood who was a member of the “Friends of Lakeside Park”.  She has made me aware of the potential city land sale at Stirling/Homer Watson that I was not previously aware of.  I have watched the potential sale of part Kiwanis Park with great interest in the media but I have heard nothing about the sale that will affect the residents of your ward in our neighbourhood.  I also noted a letter to the editor that was written in our local community newsletter today.  All of this seems to be quite new to me.
I decided to do some follow up on the City of Kitchener website and read the report that was submitted to Kitchener City Council on March 2nd, 2009.  I noted that only residents within 120 metres of any parcel of city land that was being considered would be notified of what was going on.  I feel that City of Kitchener staff were negligent in giving directions of this type considering the effect that the sale of this land could have on the neighbourhoods surrounding Lakeside Park.  City of Kitchener staff  have assumed that 250 apartment units and 45 townhouses will be built in on this land when estimating future property tax generated.  This type of development will significantly affect traffic levels and services in this area of your ward.  It will also negatively affect the green space and the animals, birds, etc that inhabit Lakeside Park by pushing development closer and closer to this area.  The comments made by City of Kitchener staff in
 regards to this parcel of land in the report do not seem to have been well thought out (as with many recommendations made by our planning department in prior years).
This area is not within walking distance of a shopping area as stated in the report and is therefore not suitable for high rise or medium apartments.  Schools have been closed in this area and students would have to be bussed.  I don’t think planning staff have been on/around Stirling Avenue/Greenbrook Drive and Homer Watson during rush hour or they would not conclude that road capacity is adequate.  The city has just spent much time and effort in calming traffic on Greenbrook Drive.  What will happen to this additional traffic?  If this land is sold and rezoned would the City of Kitchener now recommend the extension of Belmont Avenue to Stirling Avenue further deteriorating the green space of Lakeside Park?
There are many other aspects of this sale that have not been thought through adequately.  The minimal notice and the lack of information given to the residents of your ward by city staff is appalling.  It appears that City of Kitchener staff have recommended this sale purely for monetary reasons through the initial funds received on the sale and on property taxes to be received in the future … and hoped it would slip under the radar.
This sale will not just slip through with some developer getting a sweet deal and the green space being eroded in our city.  I certainly hope you will work on behalf of your constituents when dealing with city staff and private land developers.
I’m looking for your support in keeping the site designated as “Open Space” as it is in the official plan.  
I was invited to a information session by “The Friends of Lakeside Park” next Sunday, June 14 at the park.  If you would like more information about the afternoon, I will certainly send you a copy of the flyer that they left with me.
I hope to see you there.
Sincerely,

Bob

Robert Horvath
rjsahorvath at gmail.com

copy to:  Mayor Carl Zehr
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