Why neighbours have a problem with a Kitchener parking lot

A parking lot in Kitchener is causing frustration and confusion for neighbours. CTV’s Karis Mapp explains why.

A parking lot in Kitchener has left residents confused and convinced it was built without proper city approvals.

The lot in question is on Highland Road West, just east of Ira Needles Boulevard, beside a new condo development.

Omar Zela said the bright lights on the property keep his family awake at night. He believes, along with other neighbours, that the property is being used for overflow parking.

“It took us by surprise, knowing that this is zoned for housing only,” Zela said.

“We noticed they were starting to pave the parking lot, and this is when we brought up concerns with the city councillor and, basically, see if the proper approvals were in place,” explained Kitchener resident Lindsay Markle.

CTV News visited the property on Friday and were approached by someone who identified themselves as a representative of Savic Homes, the Waterloo Region-based developer behind the Avalon condo development. They asked us to leave.

CTV News then spoke directly with Savic’s operations manager who said the lot was being used by tradespeople working on a nearby project.

Neighbours disputed this claim.

“We haven’t seen anybody working here at all,” Zela said.

Markle’s theory is tenants in the condo development are using the lot, not tradespeople.

“There’s lots of people that live in those buildings, and they don’t have enough parking for the people who live there,” she hypothesized.

In a call to Avalon’s leasing department, a representative said it was being used for residents who need additional spaces at a cost of $100 per month.

“This is a parking lot that has been built illegally, based on the information we got from the city,” Zela claimed.

He showed CTV News emails he exchanged with the City of Kitchener. In them, a city manager confirmed the paving was done without any planning approval and a city employee said a violation notice had been issued to the landowner. Meanwhile, the region, which is responsible for Highland Road, knew nothing about the parking lot.

According to Zela’s emails, the property owner was working with the city to bring the lot into compliance. That process, the city explained, could take time.

Residents were disappointed with that response.

“As soon as the landowner reached out to them to work out a resolution, they said they were not pursing any enforcement,” Zela said, pointing out that no changes had been made to the lot since concerns were raised. “Our neighbours had to get blackout blinds because they can’t sleep with those lights shining through the night.”

“If I was to build a parking on my property, I would instantly be told not to do it,” Markle said. “How did it still happen? The lights should not be on. There should be a barricade across here.”

The operations manager for Savic Homes declined CTV News’ request for an interview and the City of Kitchener did not have anyone available to comment on the situation.