Concerns Regarding the Proposed Alternative Plan #3 Lancaster Street W. Kitchener ON Reconstruction

We, the undersigned residents and concerned citizens, respectfully submit this petition urging the Council to reconsider the proposed changes to Lancaster Street W. for the following reasons:  

1. Impact on Property Value and Accessibility: • The proposed removal of property frontage, reduction of through lanes, and the loss of street parking in favor of bike lanes could result in property devaluation. • While compensation from the Region may be forthcoming, it may not adequately cover the loss of property value, reduced parking, and the potential traffic bottleneck created by these changes, which could hinder access to essential services.

2. Traffic Concerns and Impact on Businesses: • Lancaster St. W. accommodates a significant amount of heavy traffic from commercial activities, including large supply trucks essential to area businesses. • Introducing bike lanes could deter traffic flow, posing a challenge for both residential and commercial stakeholders and impacting the overall efficiency of essential deliveries and services.

3. Underutilization of Existing Bike Lanes: • The area already boasts several bike lanes that, by observation, are underutilized. • National statistics indicate that only 4% of Canadian adults prefer bicycling as their primary mode of transport for distances up to 2 kilometers or roughly 1 mile. Given the high traffic volume on Lancaster St. W., vehicular traffic should remain a priority.

4. Infrastructure Necessities: • There is an urgent need to address and replace the deteriorating pavement structure, outdated sanitary sewers, storm sewers, and water mains on Lancaster St. W. • Delaying these essential upgrades to accommodate bike lanes might be perceived as negligence and could potentially result in inefficient use of taxpayer money. We strongly urge the Council to take into account the broad implications of the proposed changes and the expressed concerns of the community. Our collective hope is for a comprehensive solution that serves the best interests of all stakeholders on Lancaster St. W. Kitchener.  

The information contained in this public Petition at the City of Kitchener may be subject to the scrutiny of the City and other members of the general public.  

Jane Richard    Contact the author of the petition