Kitchener subdivision has been planned for 21 years, but . . .

(Updated) More than 300 residential units projected for area which includes wooded area neighbours want protected

Kitchener city council to look at drawings and plan again on April 11

By Mark Schadenberg

As I follow news surrounding Woodstock city council, you can see on occasion that a plan of subdivision is granted a 2-year extension as there is a forecast existing to build (homes or possibly commercial), but the initial time period on the council approval is expiring.

Sometimes, plans do change and an area’s visions shows more intensification (townhouses versus semi-detached, for example) or other modifications in zoning as R1 or R2.

I’m surprised this week to see in the Waterloo Record newspaper that a subdivision approved originally way way back in 1995 is still on the books and now appears ready to proceed.

The controversy formulating there – if one truly exists – is that the plan for 326 residential units includes removing mature trees from a wooded area.

Wm. J. Gies Construction is seeking full approval on drawings for 181 detached homes, plus additional semi-detached and ‘stacked’ construction for a total of 326 new family homes. Located near Keewatin Avenue and Lackner Boulevard, this Sandra Springs subdivision will be on the docket for city council to consider on April 11, according to The Record.

Neighbourhood groups are naturally upset as nature will be affected with a cul-de-sac of picturesque properties scribbled on the map in an area which has been to the home – according to nearby citizens – of trees, plants, coyotes, deer and hawks. The homeowners already in the vicinity fully realize, according to the story with the online link below, that someday this area would be developed for residential use as part of the community master plan, but there is a specific concern pointed out.

"Nobody's arguing with the development of the farmland," said Pete Carter (in the newspaper clipping), whose home on Dunnigan Drive backs onto the woodlot. "We realize you can't stop progress. But why plow down all those trees and all that nature, just to build (13) houses? It's just greed to me …. Can't they be satisfied with 300-plus homes and just leave that trail?

"Open spaces and natural spaces, I think they're very important," Carter continued. "During the winter, skiers come through, and in the spring people hike through there. It's definitely well-used.

"We'd like to keep it, not only for ourselves but for the whole neighbourhood."

Read the predicament as noted in The Record story, and the premise the so-called nature cul-de-sac has always been part of the plan for its 21 years since its original approval.

However, I would say if the wood lot has matured now to the point where it’s a home to nature, it should be protected. Times do change and nature appears to have a strong presence there.

Another question I have is this: Has the K-W area conducted a thorough official plan on zonings in the past 21 years? If it has, then this space has been deemed or circled as residential for quite some time and the ‘change of use’ process time has likely passed.

With its relative proximity to the Grand River, if there were concerns from the conservation authority they likely would have placed their thumb on the area to protect it.

At the April 11 meeting, there was a summary noted in the Waterloo Region Record noting that the planning committee would approve the subdivision based on the new residential area having a park with connections to existing trails and that there would be a tree retention plan included.

I’m only the messenger here who likes to keep tabs on what is happening in a surrounding community for development and real estate.

Again, my thoughts are that all neighbourhoods require greenspace and parks. The new ball diamond park in Woodstock’s northeast off Devonshire includes many mature trees and park spaces will be built (for the most part) around the wood lots. In the Havelock Corners brand new subdivision north of Pittock Lake, there is a park with playground equipment under construction right now as all neighbourhoods deserve a park (To be named Shanna Larsen memorial park) for kids of all ages.

LINKS:

http://www.therecord.com/news-story/6454111-residents-fear-loss-of-woodlot-as-subdivision-plan-moves-ahead-after-21-years/

www.kitchener.ca

https://www.kitchener.ca/en/livinginkitchener/AboutKitchener.asp
NEW LINK:
http://www.therecord.com/news-story/6481183-kitchener-approves-subdivision-in-mature-woodlot-along-lackner-boulevard/

Full-Time Realtor for Woodstock & Oxford County

Mark Schadenberg, Sales Representative

Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES designation)

Royal LePage Triland Realty Brokerage