As concerned residents of the Parklands neighborhood and surrounding areas, we are united in opposing the proposed by-law amendment and site plan for 451 Grange Way (rezoning application #02107 Z2114) submitted by Mason Homes. While we recognize the importance of thoughtful growth and development in Peterborough, the high-density and poorly designed nature of this project poses serious risks to the well-being of current and future Parklands residents.

We are concerned that the proposed development is incompatible with the character and needs of our community for the following reasons: 

Parking Deficiencies: A Growing Crisis in the Parklands
The proposed development fails to provide adequate parking for new residents and visitors, a shortfall that will significantly worsen an already critical issue in the Parklands neighborhood. While the proposal technically meets the City of Peterborough's minimum parking requirements, these standards are insufficient given the realities of our community. A myriad of factors including high housing costs, limited alternative transportation options and demand for student housing mean that many households require more parking space than the minimum standards provide. 

With street parking within the neighborhood, residents and their visitors are already forced to park illegally, causing dangerous congestion through roads and laneways and mounting frustration among residents. The lack of adequate parking within the proposed development will intensify this problem, burden our already strained infrastructure and create further safety hazards and discord within our community. 

We urge the City of Peterborough to require the developer significantly increase the amount of parking available for residents and visitors of the proposed development prior to approving the by-law amendment.

Traffic Congestion: An Urgent Safety Concern
The proposed development poses a significant risk to traffic flow and safety within the Parklands neighborhood. We are deeply troubled by the proposal’s reliance on existing residential laneways, particularly Buckingham Lane, which drivers will inevitably use as a shortcut to major arteries. This will increase traffic flow through narrow streets that are not designed for two-way traffic, creating bottlenecks and jeopardizing neighborhood safety.  

Current traffic patterns already highlight alarming safety issues: drivers speed through back lanes, disregard stop signs, and navigate streets crowded with illegally parked vehicles due to insufficient parking. These conditions are hazardous, particularly for children playing, as parked cars obstruct visibility and amplify the risk of accidents. The lack of adequate parking in the proposed development will only exacerbate these dangers, making our streets less safe for everyone.

Adding to our concerns, Mason Homes’ traffic study dates back to 2016, before Phase 2 of the Parklands neighborhood was completed and occupied. It is both outdated and unrepresentative of the current and future traffic realities. Without an updated traffic study that accurately reflects the community’s needs, the development risks creating untenable congestion along Broadway Blvd, Grange Way, and Chemong Road.

We strongly urge the City of Peterborough to deny the proposed by-law amendment until a comprehensive, updated traffic study is conducted and adequate measures are put in place to address these critical issues.

We further urge the City of Peterborough to consider whether the proposed development’s access points can be relocated to Chemong Road to reduce the impact of additional traffic on the existing residential streets. In the event this is not possible, we urge the City to require that the proposed development’s access points do not create intersections with existing laneways.

A Call for Balanced, Sustainable Development 
The proposed development’s lack of commercial and retail spaces represents a missed opportunity to create a thriving, self-sustaining community. Currently, a significant portion of 451 Grange Way is zoned SP.351, permitting commercial uses, yet Mason Homes seeks to relocate this zoning to 1290 Chemong Road. This change would strip Parklands residents of convenient access to essential amenities, forcing greater reliance on cars and undermining the vision of a vibrant, mixed-use neighborhood where people can live, work, and play.

Preserving SP.351 zoning at 451 Grange Way is critical to fostering sustainable development that aligns with the City of Peterborough’s long-term growth strategy. By integrating commercial spaces into the heart of the community, the City can ensure that Parklands grows into a connected and accessible neighborhood that supports its residents’ daily needs.

We urge the City of Peterborough to maintain SP.351 zoning within a portion of 451 Grange Way in order to ensure sustainable, mixed-use development consistent with the City’s long-term growth strategy.

We, the undersigned residents of Parklands, implore the City of Peterborough and Mason Homes to prioritize the well-being of current and future residents by reconsidering this proposal. We urge a more balanced approach - one that includes sufficient parking, updated traffic considerations, and mixed-use development - in order to better serve our community and set the standard for thoughtful urban planning in our city.