10-12-2017, 07:21 AM
(10-11-2017, 08:29 PM)tomh009 Wrote:(10-11-2017, 07:01 PM)rangersfan Wrote: Article from the Kitchener Post on updates from the PARTS plan for the Midtown station area.
https://www.kitchenerpost.ca/news-story/...g-middle-/
It's an interesting article but it seems like some local politicians either don't understand the core objective for the Ion project (intensification in core areas) or don't understand how basics economics work. If I am a developer with a parcel of land in Midtown with the appropriate zoning, given the opportunity to build a town house or a high-rise, I am building the high rise every-time. Unless there are incentives to build a town home or lower density project.
Overall, I quite like the plan. That said, they could probably shift a bit more space from high-rise to mid-rise to assuage concerns.
There was considerable consultation for this. In addition to the usual feedback opportunities available at each step, and the public information centres set up, neighbours did things like host walks to discuss the different options and how they'd look on the ground, and bring info to neighbourhood events.
I don't really understand the councillor's concerns about density. Much of the land is set aside for mid-rise, to "step down" from the taller buildings. I disagree with his comments about housing affordability- the way to increase affordability is to build more units, not fewer. Thinking about it, the headline of the article really irks me- the area has no "missing middle" in terms of density. It's almost entirely low-density now. Additionally, the planning area in question is small- outside of it, within a short walk or bike ride to the LRT, will continue to exist many single family homes for those who want them.
I like the plan a lot. I really like the attention paid to green space in the proposed planning framework. I don't think the new or existing residents will be in want of parks if the plan is implemented as is.
Re: the parking lot. It's referring to the parking lot at the south corner of King/Union, bounded by King, Union, Park and Mount Hope. That's a big lot.