City seeks public's feedback on options for potential surplus lands

KITCHENER - City residents are encouraged to participate in a two-week public consultation process which will help Kitchener City Council decide whether or not to declare five city-owned properties as surplus to the city's needs.

The public consultation process will run from Monday, April 20 through Monday, May 4.

At its meeting of March 2, 2009, the City's Development and Technical Services Committee voted in favour of giving further consideration to potentially declaring five parcels of land as surplus, including:

* 0.43 hectares on the west side of the McLennan Park gate
* 0.31 hectares on the east side of the McLennan Park gate
* 1.37 hectares at Stirling Avenue/Homer Watson Boulevard
* 0.07 hectares of land on Kehl Street
* Up to 9.6 hectares of Kiwanis Park table lands

The properties identified for consideration are only options at this point. No decisions have been made. Prior to considering the options themselves, city council directed staff to first undertake a full public consultation process to enable residents to provide their comments.

If any of the properties were declared surplus in the future, they could then be sold and redeveloped, however the parcels would only be sold under strict conditions aimed at contributing to the achievement of the city's overall environmental objectives. Revenue from the land sale would be directly reinvested in community benefits.

Staff will consider the public's feedback when making final recommendations to Council. Additionally, Council will consider public opinion when making its final decision at a regularly scheduled meeting anticipated for later this spring.

''I sincerely hope that residents will take the opportunity to provide us with their feedback on this important discussion,'' said Mayor Carl Zehr.

To ensure that as many residents as possible are able to participate in the public consultation process, which begins April 20 at 9 a.m., there will be several ways for residents to provide their feedback.

Attend a public information session
Four informal sessions will be held where residents can learn more about all of the property options and participate in one-on-one discussion with City staff. Sessions will have a specific focus on one property, but discussion and questions about all properties are welcome.

Wednesday, April 22, 7-9 p.m.
Forest Hill United Church
121 Westmount Rd. E.
Focus properties: Stirling Avenue/Homer Watson lands and Kehl Street lands

Saturday, April 25, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Your Kitchener Market, lower level
300 King St. E.
Focus properties: All

Tuesday, April 28, 2009, 7-9 p.m.
Blessed Sacrament RC Parish Centre
305 Laurentian Drive, lower level
Focus properties: McLennan Park Gate, east and west side

Wednesday, April 29, 2009, 7-9 p.m.
Bridgeport Community Centre
20 Tyson Dr.
Focus properties: Kiwanis Park lands

Online feedback
Visit www.kitchener.ca beginning Monday, April 20, 2009, click on the ''Public Consultation: Strategic Disposition of Lands'' link on the front page, read the background information and fill out our on-line feedback form.

Email
Beginning Monday, April 20, email your comments or questions to landdisposition@kitchener.ca. Please include your name and address.

Call us
Call 519-741-2602 after Monday, April 20 and leave a voicemail message. Please remember to leave your name and address.