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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>GREN Executive:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I wrote this to Ginny and few weeks ago and was am
now seeing the same issues pop up all over.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Who decided and when that this area was to grow in
the way that they decided and why?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Things have changed.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Randy</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Ginny:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I am watching from some distance and is seems that
no one is asking an important question(s).</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Does the province of Ontario, and those who are
supposed to govern it, still think this Region and area is going to have a mass
influx of population in the next 20 to 25 years elevating the population by
50%?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Who came up with this theory?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Why does this Region and the cities have thier
heads so deep in the sand (or other places) not to be able to step back and say
"WAIT!, the last year or so has shown that many people have been wrong and that
has been true with housing, development, industrial expansion, economic
shrinking, global warming, the free market, banking governance, food inspection,
terrorists or the lack thereof, etc. etc. could it also be so with the
provincial vision of the future and the places to grow plan that we may be doing
all this preperation for all these people who may not even bother to show
up."</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Is it time to ask for a rethinking of the quality
of life and never mind seeing how many people we can squeeze into the city
limits of Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge. Besides, and not being
indifferent, If we grow the way we are then in 25 years everybody will have a
next door neighbour who was never even heard of the ROPP.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Randy</FONT></DIV></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=ante712-gren@yahoo.ca href="mailto:ante712-gren@yahoo.ca">Theo
Negoita</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=executive@gren.ca
href="mailto:executive@gren.ca">Executive GREN</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, June 09, 2009 8:17
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> [GREN-Exec] Fw: Strategic
Disposition of City Lands --Stirling/Homer Watson</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
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<DIV>FYI, see below e-mail received through the GREN website.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Theo<BR><BR>--- On <B>Tue, 6/9/09, Robert Horvath <I><<A
href="mailto:rjsahorvath@gmail.com">rjsahorvath@gmail.com</A>></I></B>
wrote:<BR></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: rgb(16,16,255) 2px solid"><BR>From:
Robert Horvath <<A
href="mailto:rjsahorvath@gmail.com">rjsahorvath@gmail.com</A>><BR>Subject:
Strategic Disposition of City Lands -- Stirling/Homer Watson<BR>To: <A
href="mailto:info@gren.ca">info@gren.ca</A><BR>Received: Tuesday, June
9, 2009, 8:03 AM<BR><BR>
<DIV id=yiv1960034750>
<DIV class=moz-text-flowed lang=x-western
style="FONT-SIZE: 13px; FONT-FAMILY: -moz-fixed">Hi! <BR><BR>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. <BR><BR>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. <BR><BR>If you
would like more information about the event contact me for a flyer.
<BR><BR>Bob <BR><BR>Robert Horvath <BR>Kitchener, ON <BR></DIV><BR>
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<DIV class=headerdisplayname style="DISPLAY: inline">Subject:
</DIV>Strategic Disposition of City Lands -- Stirling/Homer
Watson</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>
<DIV class=headerdisplayname style="DISPLAY: inline">From:
</DIV>Robert Horvath <A class=moz-txt-link-rfc2396E
href="http://ca.mc881.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=rjsahorvath@gmail.com"
target=_blank rel=nofollow
ymailto="mailto:rjsahorvath@gmail.com"><rjsahorvath@gmail.com></A></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>
<DIV class=headerdisplayname style="DISPLAY: inline">Date:
</DIV>Sat, 06 Jun 2009 21:34:17 -0400</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
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<DIV class=headerdisplayname style="DISPLAY: inline">To:
</DIV><A class=moz-txt-link-abbreviated
href="http://ca.mc881.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=geoff.lorentz@kitchener.ca"
target=_blank rel=nofollow
ymailto="mailto:geoff.lorentz@kitchener.ca">geoff.lorentz@kitchener.ca</A></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>
<DIV class=headerdisplayname style="DISPLAY: inline">CC:
</DIV><A class=moz-txt-link-abbreviated
href="http://ca.mc881.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=carl.zehr@kitchener.ca"
target=_blank rel=nofollow
ymailto="mailto:carl.zehr@kitchener.ca">carl.zehr@kitchener.ca</A></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><BR>
<DIV class=moz-text-html lang=x-western>
<P class=SenderAddress><SPAN lang=EN-US>Robert Horvath<BR>92 Blueridge
Avenue<BR>Kitchener, ON<BR>N2M 4E1</SPAN></P></DIV>
<P class=MsoDate><SPAN lang=EN-US><SPAN>June 6,
2009</SPAN></SPAN></P></DIV>
<P class=RecipientAddress><SPAN lang=EN-US>Mr. Geoff
Lorentz<BR>Alderman – Ward 5<BR>City of Kitchener</SPAN>
<DIV></DIV>
<P class=MsoSalutation><SPAN lang=EN-US>Dear Mr. Lorentz:</SPAN>
<DIV></DIV>
<P class=MsoBodyText><SPAN lang=EN-US>I was visited today by a
resident of my neighbourhood who was a member of the “Friends of
Lakeside Park”.<SPAN> </SPAN>She has made me aware of the
potential city land sale at Stirling/Homer Watson that I was not
previously aware of.<SPAN> </SPAN>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
<U>your</U> ward in <U>our</U> neighbourhood.<SPAN> </SPAN>I
also noted a letter to the editor that was written in our local
community newsletter today.<SPAN> </SPAN>All of this seems to be
quite new to me.</SPAN>
<DIV></DIV>
<P class=MsoBodyText><SPAN lang=EN-US>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 2<SUP>nd</SUP>,
2009.<SPAN> </SPAN>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.<SPAN> </SPAN>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.<SPAN> </SPAN>City of Kitchener staff
<SPAN> </SPAN>have assumed that 250 apartment units and 45
townhouses will be built in on this land when estimating future
property tax generated.<SPAN> </SPAN>This type of development
will significantly affect traffic levels and services in this area of
your ward.<SPAN> </SPAN>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.<SPAN>
</SPAN>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).</SPAN>
<DIV></DIV>
<P class=MsoBodyText><SPAN lang=EN-US>This area is <U>not</U> within
walking distance of a shopping area as stated in the report and is
therefore not suitable for high rise or medium apartments.<SPAN>
</SPAN>Schools have been closed in this area and students would have
to be bussed.<SPAN> </SPAN>I don’t think planning staff have
been on/around Stirling Avenue/Greenbrook Drive<SPAN> </SPAN>and Homer
Watson during rush hour or they would not conclude that road capacity
is adequate.<SPAN> </SPAN>The city has just spent much time and
effort in calming traffic on Greenbrook Drive.<SPAN> </SPAN>What
will happen to this additional traffic?<SPAN> </SPAN>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?</SPAN>
<DIV></DIV>
<P class=MsoBodyText><SPAN lang=EN-US>There are many other aspects of
this sale that have not been thought through adequately.<SPAN>
</SPAN>The minimal notice and the lack of information given to the
residents of your ward by city staff is appalling.<SPAN>
</SPAN>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.</SPAN>
<DIV></DIV>
<P class=MsoBodyText><SPAN lang=EN-US>This sale will not just slip
through with some developer getting a sweet deal and the green space
being eroded in our city.<SPAN> </SPAN>I certainly hope you will
work on behalf of your constituents when dealing with city staff and
private land developers.</SPAN>
<DIV></DIV>
<P class=MsoBodyText><SPAN lang=EN-US>I’m looking for your support in
keeping the site designated as “Open Space” as it is in the official
plan.<SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN>
<DIV></DIV>
<P class=MsoBodyText><SPAN lang=EN-US>I was invited to a information
session by “The Friends of Lakeside Park” next Sunday, June 14 at the
park.<SPAN> </SPAN>If you would like more information about the
afternoon, I will certainly send you a copy of the flyer that they
left with me.</SPAN>
<DIV></DIV>
<P class=MsoBodyText><SPAN lang=EN-US>I hope to see you there.</SPAN>
<DIV></DIV>
<P class=MsoClosing><SPAN lang=EN-US>Sincerely,<BR></SPAN>
<DIV></DIV>
<P class=MsoClosing><SPAN lang=EN-US>Bob<BR></SPAN>
<DIV></DIV>
<P class=MsoSignature><SPAN lang=EN-US>Robert Horvath</SPAN>
<DIV></DIV>
<P class=MsoSignature><SPAN lang=EN-US><A
href="http://ca.mc881.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=rjsahorvath@gmail.com"
target=_blank rel=nofollow
ymailto="mailto:rjsahorvath@gmail.com">rjsahorvath@gmail.com</A></SPAN>
<DIV></DIV>
<P class=MsoSignature><SPAN lang=EN-US><BR>copy to:<SPAN>
</SPAN>Mayor Carl Zehr</SPAN>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
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<P></P>_______________________________________________<BR>Executive mailing
list<BR>Executive@gren.ca<BR>http://gren.ca/mailman/listinfo/executive_gren.ca<BR></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>