No parking lot, but Wilmot makes way for Schneider land donation
After a backlash over a proposed parking lot, Wilmot council will permit the Schneider family to sever and donate 95 hectares of ecologically sensitive land to the rare Charitable Research Reserve.
Instead of a parking lot, on-road parking restrictions and other road safety measures have been approved to satisfy liability concerns over future public use of the conservation area at the corner of Wilmot Line and Carmel-Koch Road.
Residents appeared before council on Monday to question some of the changes and request better points of access in the future.
“The staff report would restrict parking to make it as inconvenient, as difficult as possible for the public to access the land,” said Dean Peachey, a longtime New Hamburg resident who has utilized the property for 40 years for hiking and cross-country skiing.
“I think, I hope, we can do better than that,” Peachey said.
Township staff explained the recommendations before council represented an attempt to advance the Schneider family’s donation in the interest of time, as requested, after discussions to establish onsite parking were unsuccessful.
“That was a discussion that was ongoing for some time, and it was clear that there wasn’t an interest on the side of the applicants to pursue that sort of arrangement,” said Andrew Martin, the township’s manager of planning and economic development.
“So then, what the municipality is left with is addressing liability.”
Changes approved Monday include year-round and seasonal parking restrictions on CarmelKoch Road, Wilmot Line, and Berlett’s Road, speed reductions and heavy truck prohibitions on Wilmot Line, as well as a three-way stop at the intersection of Wilmot Line and Wideman Road.
Though people have enjoyed free access to the family’s property with no major issue in the past, there are significant concerns with continued public use, staff emphasized.
“To suggest that status quo is sufficient because certain activities have occurred for many years really is a short-sighted argument,” the staff report states. “The township is being asked to permit the establishment of three estate residential lots and, ultimately, create a large publicly accessible property with no defined access or provision for parking.”
Through the majority of the year, there are limited parking demands for the Schneider lands, the report notes; however, when winter conditions are ideal for cross-country skiing, parking is significant along Carmel-Koch Road.
“The shoulders of the road are not sufficient to accommodate parking without interfering with the travelled portion of the road. Given sight line restrictions both with respect to corners and hills, the opportunity for conflict between motorists, pedestrians and winter maintenance equipment is significant.”
Further discussions will take place prior to the fall to try and come up with a parking solution that can provide better access to the site for recreation.
Staff alluded to other commercial and farm operations that provide seasonal on-site parking for customers.
Stephanie Sobek-Swant, executive director of the rare Charitable Research reserve, said the road safety measures proposed are a good start for more discussions.
“Based on the staff report, it seems that some improvements to roadside parking are cost prohibitive, and I want to offer that we would gladly work with you on raising the funds for the project,” she said. “While we appreciate and are most grateful for any financial support that comes from the township directly, it’s not our expectation that the township needs to solely carry the cost of any such changes.”
Sobek-Swant said she’s humbled by the support the donation has received from the community and honoured by the trust the Schneider family has put in rare to steward the lands.
“We are excited to work with the community, the township and the City of Waterloo to ensure that these lands remain healthy and a benefit to local residents,” said Sobek-Swant.
On behalf of her sister, Anne Fontana, Peggy Schneider read a letter stressing the need for careful, measured use of the ecologically sensitive property in the future.
“My parents, Fred and Jane Schneider, have stewarded this land for 40 years, and we believe that rare will continue to follow our principles of ensuring the ecological integrity of this wonderful landscape,” Schneider read.
“This donation is a base for the future and is the beginning of something the community can enjoy for a long time to come … Please take the time to make measured and sound decisions on parking, speed limits, etc. that work for all.”
After being told on-site parking wasn’t an option and given a deadline to get the donation done, township staff “went above and beyond, with hands tied behind their back” to make it possible, said Coun. Lillianne Dunstall.
Despite a public backlash, the township wasn’t about to let it fall off the table and worked with insurance and the City of Waterloo to come up with a viable solution, said Dunstall.
About two dozen residents filled the council chamber with applause Monday evening following council’s vote to facilitate the land donation, with mayor Natasha Salonen reiterating that she looks forward to seeing continued use of the property in the future.
Changes approved Monday include year-round and seasonal parking restrictions on Carmel-Koch Road, Wilmot Line and Berlett’s Road