posting
06-10-2008, 11:17 PM
SMART GROWTH - LIMITING URBAN SPRAWL
At a time of global trends toward re-urbanization and more compact cities, Kingston is proposing the opposite by expanding its urban growth boundary in its draft Official Plan. An urban boundary represents the limit of urban development that will occur over the planning horizon of an Official Plan.
Kingston’s proposed urban boundary expansion is in direct conflict with recommendations of the 2004 Urban Growth Strategy (UGS) commissioned by the City. This study was a comprehensive review of growth issues faced by the amalgamated City of Kingston, commissioned by the City in order to guide its new Official Plan. The UGS established an urban boundary encompassing sufficient land to accommodate development until 2026 (the planning horizon of the new Official Plan). Despite no new studies since the UGS, the City now proposes expanding its urban boundary to include areas with large significant woodlands on the periphery of the existing settlement area. (see www.kingstoncitzensforsmartgrowth.wordpress.com (http://www.kingstoncitzensforsmartgrowth.wordpress.com/) for more information on this topic)
Kingston's proposed Urban Boundary expansion puts Significant Woodlands at risk to development. Developers lobbied to extend the boundary despite population studies showing there is no need. Expansion of the urban boundary risks having the forest being paved over for development in the near future.
Areas at risk include woodlands in Mile Square Block near Collins Creek in the St. Lawrence Community and an area North of the 401 near Division Street.
YOUR HELP IS NEEDED AND TIME IS RUNNING OUT. The deadline for public input on Kingston's Official Plan is Friday June 13, 2008. Write the City Planning Department and your District Councillor to express your opinion about the proposed urban boundary expansion and the threat this poses to woodlands. The City web site ( www.cityofkingston.ca/residents/development/officialplan (http://www.cityofkingston.ca/residents/development/officialplan)) includes a section for citizen comment.
For more information and for a SAMPLE LETTER see:
www.kingstoncitizensforsmartgrowth.wordpress.com (http://www.kingstoncitizensforsmartgrowth.wordpress.com/)
Celeste Booth
Kingston Citizens for Smart Growth
www.kingstoncitizensforsmartgrowth.wordpress.com (http://www.kingstoncitizensforsmartgrowth.wordpress.com/)
At a time of global trends toward re-urbanization and more compact cities, Kingston is proposing the opposite by expanding its urban growth boundary in its draft Official Plan. An urban boundary represents the limit of urban development that will occur over the planning horizon of an Official Plan.
Kingston’s proposed urban boundary expansion is in direct conflict with recommendations of the 2004 Urban Growth Strategy (UGS) commissioned by the City. This study was a comprehensive review of growth issues faced by the amalgamated City of Kingston, commissioned by the City in order to guide its new Official Plan. The UGS established an urban boundary encompassing sufficient land to accommodate development until 2026 (the planning horizon of the new Official Plan). Despite no new studies since the UGS, the City now proposes expanding its urban boundary to include areas with large significant woodlands on the periphery of the existing settlement area. (see www.kingstoncitzensforsmartgrowth.wordpress.com (http://www.kingstoncitzensforsmartgrowth.wordpress.com/) for more information on this topic)
Kingston's proposed Urban Boundary expansion puts Significant Woodlands at risk to development. Developers lobbied to extend the boundary despite population studies showing there is no need. Expansion of the urban boundary risks having the forest being paved over for development in the near future.
Areas at risk include woodlands in Mile Square Block near Collins Creek in the St. Lawrence Community and an area North of the 401 near Division Street.
YOUR HELP IS NEEDED AND TIME IS RUNNING OUT. The deadline for public input on Kingston's Official Plan is Friday June 13, 2008. Write the City Planning Department and your District Councillor to express your opinion about the proposed urban boundary expansion and the threat this poses to woodlands. The City web site ( www.cityofkingston.ca/residents/development/officialplan (http://www.cityofkingston.ca/residents/development/officialplan)) includes a section for citizen comment.
For more information and for a SAMPLE LETTER see:
www.kingstoncitizensforsmartgrowth.wordpress.com (http://www.kingstoncitizensforsmartgrowth.wordpress.com/)
Celeste Booth
Kingston Citizens for Smart Growth
www.kingstoncitizensforsmartgrowth.wordpress.com (http://www.kingstoncitizensforsmartgrowth.wordpress.com/)