Good planning requires good data

Re: Sixo Midtown plan

Good urban design demands thoughtful analysis of reliable data. Do we have what it takes to ensure infill developments will enhance our neighbourhoods? The Sixo Midtown plan to redevelop five acres of former industrial lands, across from the future transit hub near King and Victoria streets, proposes a highly dense, mixed-use redevelopment: 1,000 residential units and over 300,000 square feet of office and commercial space. Compare this to the Schneider plant proposal: five times the land size and better road connectivity, proposes 2,000 residential units and less than half of the commercial space.

The Sixo site plan is much more dense, but less accessible, bounded by the main railway line and narrowed roads. Sixo is proposing 1,000 fewer parking spaces due to proximity to the LRT, yet the traffic study submitted by the developer to support the plan confesses old and insufficient data, and even then identifies high traffic impacts. The study ignores other significant infill projects underway or planned within four blocks of the site. To date, no comprehensive study has been undertaken that looks at the combined traffic impacts of these large developments.

Big changes are coming to the Waterloo Region. We have an opportunity to change from welcoming any redevelopment to demanding accessible, livable neighbourhoods. Having trusted, independent studies (such as traffic) would enhance our capacity to thoughtfully planning an accessible, livable cities. Kathy Mortimer Kitchener