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1388 New Dundee Rd | 22 fl | Proposed
#1
1388 New Dundee Rd is one of Activa's current subdivisions, its marketing name is Harvest Park, when the subdivision was designed years ago it was called Stauffer Woods, the engineering firms involved still call it Stauffer Woods. The subdivision itself is divided into 10 stages. Stages 1, 2 and 3 are entirely complete and contain SFH, townhomes, an elementary school and two SWM ponds. Stage 4 is one of the portions that Activa is currently selling homes from, stage 4 has a few SFH blocks and a larger block (95, more on it later) left. Stage 5 is the other portion of the subdivision that Activa is currently selling from, stage 5 was completed this past summer, site servicing occurred in May and June, curb and asphalt work occurred in July and the remaining services (hydro/cable/gas) was completed after that. The only other portions of the subdivision that have had work take place are stages 7 and 9 with the SWM ponds completed, both ponds in stage 9 were completed this past summer. Stages 6, 8 and 10 haven't had any work occur on them.

Here's a map of the subdivision, Stages 1-5 and the SWM pond for 7 are completed or under construction:
[Image: screenshot_20-3-2025_164046_www-google-ca-jpeg.638239]


Here's the subdivision plan, everything in red is subject to the OPA/ZBA:
[Image: screenshot-2025-03-20-204352-png.638282]



Activa is requesting various changes to the approved zoning for the subdivision which will allow for significantly more density. I will go through each stage in order for it to make some semblance of sense, The plans are very conceptual as the plans used for some are identical to plans already used on other Activa projects (1198 Fischer Hallman, Trussler West subdivision, and the Trailside subdivision).

Here are the conceptual site plans, the vast majority of the buildings are L shaped so there's very little point in showing them all. I'll include the more interesting ones in the post:740470_Site Plan Concepts Compiled.pdf

Stage 4 Block 95
This is the last portion of Stage 4 that doesn't have any development (ignoring the handful of SFH lots left), it is the eastern corner of Stauffer Woods Trail and New Dundee Rd. The intent of the application is to rezone this to Med Density Residential (Res-6) from Low Rise Residential (Res-5), the new site specific provision will combine the existing provisions and amend them to conform to the Res-6 zoning (Special Provision New-A). For this block Activa is currently planning on a 6 floor midrise building containing 102 units, parking is at a rate greater than 1.0 but for this part of KW there is no good option for anything else.

Stage 5 Block 12
This is the only portion of Stage 5 that isn't currently being sold, it is the western corner of Stauffer Woods Trail and New Dundee Rd, opposite from Stage 4 Block 95. The amendments are identical to Stage 4 Block 95 (Special Provision New-A), in the concept there is a 4 floor building containing 60 units and a 6 floor building containing 90. This block is definitely going to change from the conceptual design because the eastern portion of building 4 is directly on top of an existing infiltration gallery, it could move but if there's underground parking that's going to be a very annoying task.

Stage 4 Block 95
[Image: screenshot_20-3-2025_21301_app2-kitchene...peg.638298]

Stage 6 Block 4
This is the eastern corner of the future Blair Valley St and New Dundee Rd intersection. Much like the last two blocks the amendments asked are identical (Special Provision New-A). In this concept there is 102 units proposed in a 6 floor building, Activa is currently working through the final design and approval process of the rest of Stage 6.

Stage 6 Block 5
This is the western corner of the future Blair Valley St and New Dundee Rd intersection. This will be changed to Res-6 zoning much like the previous blocks. The amendment will compile the existing site specific policies while also adding policies to allow for a max FSR of 2.5 and a height of 10 floors/32 meters (New-B). Activa's concept plan includes 5 buildings, building A and E are 10 floors with 160 units each, B is 4 floors with 56 units, C is 8 floors with 128 units, and D is 8 floors with 116 units. The total unit count is 616 units with 678 parking spaces. This concept plan is copy and past of Block 95.

Block 5
[Image: screenshot_20-3-2025_212632_app2-kitchen...peg.638291]

Stage 8
This amendment will allow for additional educational usage across both Block 1 and 2, this will allow WCDSB to develop an elementary school (New-E). There is no concept at this point.

Stage 9 Block 14
This is the southern corner of the future Reidel/Blair Creek Dr intersection, This will have identical amendments as the previous lands with Special Provision New-A. The concept is two 6 floor buildings each with 84 units.

Stage 9 Block 15
This is the northern corner of the future Reidel/Blair Creek Dr intersection, this will have identical amendments as Block 14 (Special Provision New-A). In this concept there are two buildings, building A will have 6 floors with 114 units and building B will have 6 floors and 108 units. Likewise there will be a parking rate over 1.0 (same as all the previous ones).

Stage 9 Block 16
This is just to the south of the completed SWM Pond 4, this will combine the existing site specific policies and allow for a max FSR of 1.0. The concept is for 16 rear garage townhomes (New-C).

Stage 9 Block 17
This is opposite of Block 16, like much of the blocks it will have Res-6 zoning with Special Provision New-A. The concept that Activa has developed is for two 6 floor apartments with 108 and 90 units respectively. Likewise parking is above 1.0 spaces per unit.

Stage 10 Block 1/2
This is the western side of Reidel, south of Block 14 and north of New Dundee. In this case there are 3 proposed towers, two at 14 and one at 22 floors. There will be 508 units in the apartments with the remaining area on the block being used for stacked townhomes. This will require new provisions to allow for the additional height, a FSR of 4.0, combining the existing site specific policies, and requiring a minimum amount of GFA to be non residential (only commercial in the entire subdivision).

[Image: screenshot_20-3-2025_213611_app2-kitchen...peg.638303]

For this development the existing services have adequate capacity to deal with the additional demand from the additional units contemplated in the ZBA/OPA. There may be a need to have PRVs (Pressure reducing valves) on the eastern edge of Stage 9 as its at the boundary between two of Kitchener's pressure zones, this was always expected to some degree. Sanitary sewer is an interesting situation as the catchment area is proposed to be reduced due to the additional density proposed, so it will have impacts on development upstream. The only good thing is Activa owns a large portion of that area so to them it won't matter.

The TIA does indicate that the existing and proposed intersections will require changes to function at adequate level of services, this includes turning lanes and signalizations. The TIA considers both roundabouts and traffic signals for the locations mentioned in the TIA (New Dundee/Reidel, New Dundee/Stauffer Woods, and New Dundee at Blair Valley St). New Dundee Rd is Regionally owned so it would not be surprising if the Region were to install roundabouts at all those locations instead of signals especially given that roundabouts are being constructed in the not so distance future at Fischer Hallman, the future Strasburg Rd extension, and Robert Ferrie Dr.

Here's all the docs: https://app2.kitchener.ca/AppDocs/OpenDa...740470.pdf
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#2
God, another poorly planned out subdivision in south Kitchener. What a mess.  I hate suburban sprawl in general, but if we have to do it, could we at least do it like the new subdivisions in Markham where streets connect with each other, there are multiple options for people to access neighbourhoods and larger neighbourhood parks. Not saying they are perfect, but they Are miles ahead of what we have allowed to happen in south kitchener. 

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.8922405,...FQAw%3D%3D

I thought Kitchener had adopted a complete street by-law for new developments? this just seems like an area filled with "private" roads with one access point, cressents which seem to be the new Cul-de-sac and commercialercial developments on the edge of the subdivision on a busy street guaranteeing everyone drives for everything.
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#3
Neighbourhood Meeting - Proposed Development (1388 New Dundee Road) 
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
The City of Kitchener has received applications for an Official Plan Amendment and a Zoning By-law Amendment to increase the density (Building Height and Floor Space Ratio) and establish site-specific permissions for 12 Mixed Use/Multi-Residential parcels of land within a subdivision that is currently under development/construction.

This meeting is your opportunity to:

Learn more about the proposed application and how the process works
Let City staff know your thoughts on the proposal
Ask questions of City staff and the applicant
For more information, please visit kitchener.ca/PlanningApplications.

To connect to the virtual meeting, go to www.zoom.us/join and enter meeting ID #895 1471 2206. To participate by telephone, please dial 1.647.558.0588 and enter meeting ID #895 1471 2206 when prompted.
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#4
I missed this meeting and only discovered this thread now.

I have difficulty conceptualizing the streets/layout. What I already know about this area is the overused through streets reek havoc on speeding and traffic as is. Are there not going to be several arteries added to lead onto New Dundee?

And yes as mentioned above this is a drive-far-to-everything pocket of Kitchener. I guess the density even with this sprawl wouldn't not yet warrant another full scale shopping plaza/Rec centre/anything?
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#5
(04-20-2025, 12:24 AM)Momo26 Wrote: I missed this meeting and only discovered this thread now.

I have difficulty conceptualizing the streets/layout. What I already know about this area is the overused through streets reek havoc on speeding and traffic as is. Are there not going to be several arteries added to lead onto New Dundee?

And yes as mentioned above this is a drive-far-to-everything pocket of Kitchener. I guess the density even with this sprawl wouldn't not yet warrant another full scale shopping plaza/Rec centre/anything?

Right now it's a mess but keep in mind Strasburg is going to get extended in the coming years (Activa owns all that land as well) which should reduce a significant amount of the through traffic cutting through some of the existing roads in Doon. Blair Creek drive will also be extended west to connect to Strasburg so the subdivision will have another major arterial to move traffic. Beyond feeding everyone to Beihn on Robert Ferrie.

With any form of sprawl there is going to be issues with traffic but the roads in their present state are not yet hitting their intended AADT so they still have capacity left, so while it may appear busy design capacity is still higher.
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#6
(04-20-2025, 12:24 AM)Momo26 Wrote: What I already know about this area is the overused through streets reek havoc on speeding and traffic as is.

Wreak. 😊 Another fine Anglo-Saxon (Germanic) word that contributes to the wild and crazy world of English spelling and pronunciation! (It's the same root as wreck, as the meaning is to cause damage or harm.)
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#7
(04-21-2025, 02:58 PM)tomh009 Wrote:
(04-20-2025, 12:24 AM)Momo26 Wrote: What I already know about this area is the overused through streets reek havoc on speeding and traffic as is.

Wreak. 😊 Another fine Anglo-Saxon (Germanic) word that contributes to the wild and crazy world of English spelling and pronunciation! (It's the same root as wreck, as the meaning is to cause damage or harm.)

It never ceases to amaze me that so many computer users haven't discovered grammar checkers.
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#8
(04-21-2025, 10:36 PM)Acitta Wrote:
(04-21-2025, 02:58 PM)tomh009 Wrote: Wreak. 😊 Another fine Anglo-Saxon (Germanic) word that contributes to the wild and crazy world of English spelling and pronunciation! (It's the same root as wreck, as the meaning is to cause damage or harm.)

It never ceases to amaze me that so many computer users haven't discovered grammar checkers.

Probably the first time I've amazed anyone Smile
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#9
(04-21-2025, 10:36 PM)Acitta Wrote:
(04-21-2025, 02:58 PM)tomh009 Wrote: Wreak. 😊 Another fine Anglo-Saxon (Germanic) word that contributes to the wild and crazy world of English spelling and pronunciation! (It's the same root as wreck, as the meaning is to cause damage or harm.)

It never ceases to amaze me that so many computer users haven't discovered grammar checkers.

Well, this case, I prefer 'reek' over 'wreak'. Gives it another meaning.
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