Thank you, Planning Staff, for presenting an opportunity for public engagement and sharing information on the decision-making process. Thank you, Activa, for sharing information on the proposal and engaging with the community.
Table of Contents
1.Neighbourhood Information Meeting presented materials
2.Community Concerns
3.Next steps and opportunities to engage
4.Links to Key Municipal Planning Documents
Neighbourhood Information Meeting presented materials
Below is a condensed, edited version of the presentation in slideshow format from the May 9, 2019 Neighbourhood Information Meeting on 30 Margaret Avenue. Click here or on the image below to view the presentation.
Poster boards which include a site map and dimensioned drawings and shadow studies can be seen here (updated May 21, 2019) with thanks to Activa.
We have also received a copy of the historical map used in the presentation by Activa. (updated May 30, 2019). You can view the original here.
Community Concerns
Many concerns were raised by the approximately 60 people who attended the meeting in the Conestoga Room at City Hall.
Site Plan Concerns
- Preserving trees
- Grade changes
- Storm water run off to Ellen houses
- Salt run off to Ellen houses
- Wind
- Space for snow accumulation in winter, particularly onto boulevards
- Garbage collection
- Increased Traffic – do traffic studies address cumulative effect of existing and proposed developments?
- Loss of on-street parking
- Congestion and loss of parking space from delivery vehicles
- Adequate visitor parking
- Headlights and noise from cars accessing the visitor parking interfering with the enjoyment of backyard leisure for Ellen St homes
Zoning Concerns
- Incompatible building height
- Incompatible massing
- Incompatible transitions in height and massing
- Front yard setbacks
- Rear yard setbacks
Heritage Concerns
- Lack of mirroring cadence, character of the street and single family nature of neighbourhood
- Lack of units large enough for families, so as to keep neighbourhood character
- Lack of stepbacks to ensure light and reduce the perception of height difference
- Lack of ground floor units looking like the neighbourhood single family homes and directly accessing the street
- Creation of a gated community
- Preservation of boulevards and streetscape
- Isolation of 54 Margaret
Next steps and opportunities to engage
June 4 Heritage Kitchener reviews the draft Heritage Impact Assessment
June 19 Planning Staff review the Site Plan
August 6 Heritage Kitchener reviews the Heritage Permit Application
August 20 Committee of Adjustment rules on the requested variances
August 26 Council rules on Heritage Permit Application
Questions and comments should be addressed to
Juliane vonWesterholt, Senior Planner, Planning Division, City of Kitchener
Tel. 519-741-2200 x 7157
TTY 1-866-969-9994
juliane.vonwesterholt@kitchener.ca
Please share your written comments with the Olde Berlin Town Neighbourhood Association at writeus@oldeberlintown.ca
Links to Key Municipal Planning Documents
The most important heritage protection in our neighbourhood is our Civic Centre Heritage Conservation District Plan.
Below is a list of some key planning documents as related to the Olde Berlin Neighbourhood (also referred to as Civic Centre Neighbourhood in some documents):
i) Official Plan
ii) Current Zoning By-law 85-1
iii) Comprehensive Review of the Zoning By-law (CRoZBy)
iv) Planning Around Rapid Transit Stations
v) Heritage Conservation District Plans (general)
v) Civic Centre Heritage Conservation District Plan
vi) Civic Centre Neighbourhood Plan for Land Use (Secondary Plan Map)
vii) Secondary Plans (text, including Civic Centre)
viii) Olde Berlin Civic Centre Secondary Plan Review Process
ix) Citizen’s Guide to Neighbourhood Development
