Kitchener 2051 - Engagement Continues
Kitchener 2051 - Engagement Continues
More details on Kitchener's Official Plan review
Kitchener’s Official Plan review, known as Kitchener 2051, continues with a recently announced Speaker Series. The first panel discussion will explore “what does it mean to build a caring and connected city?” They will also discuss how the design of our communities shapes our experiences within them. Panelists include: Dr. Samantha Biglieri, Dr. Robin Mazumder, Kathleen Vanderlinden, and a community member supported by KW Habilitation. This event will be held on Tuesday, November 19th from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Kitchener Public Library – Central Branch. Register today as space is limited.
If you’re unable to attend this event, there are still other opportunities for you to participate through online survey and activities. However, those opportunities are only available until November 22nd, so provide your feedback soon.
Details about the Official Plan
The Planning Act requires that Official Plans be updated at least every 10 years. Kitchener’s Official Plan was last completed in 2014 and needs to be updated.
The staff report states, “The Official Plan presents a significant opportunity for all of us to think about what we love about Kitchener and what we want to become. The opportunity before us is to think about:
The cities and neighbourhoods we have visited or might want to live in someday, what makes them great and how they can inform the Kitchener of the future?
What does the future of my neighbourhood look like?
How can I welcome new neighbours?
How we can ensure that Kitchener takes care of the world around us, and each other?
Which new ideas can help address our most pressing city-building challenges and capitalize on opportunities?
Building on the Strategic Plan Vision for the City, staff propose that the new Official Plan focus on the following key themes.
Staff are recommending a series of background studies to be prepared to support the Official Plan.
Confirm population and employment forecast and servicing capacity
Housing needs assessment
Strategic Growth Areas and Intensification Study
Energy Transition and Climate Change Mitigation Study
Climate Adaptation Plan
Secondary Plan Review
Non-residential uses and complete communities
Analyze Growth Scenarios
Conformity Study
The Official Plan will coordinate with existing municipal plans, including: Integrated Sanitary Master Plan; City and Regional Transportation Master Plans; Regional Water Supply Strategy; City and Regional Water Distribution Master Plans; Places and Spaces, and; Leisure and Facilities Master Plan.
This process will take several years. This year, staff are focused on technical studies, establishing the community working group, and broad community engagement. In 2025, staff will begin to draft the new Official Plan based on earlier studies and community engagement. The Official Plan will be presented to Council for a decision in early 2026.
The costs for the Official Plan review will primarily be funded through Development Charges and the Housing Accelerator Fund (specifically, $745,000 funding from Development Charges and approximately $300,000 from the City’s Housing Accelerator Fund).
Have Your Say
The Region and Kitchener are creating a vision for reuse of the former Charles Street Transit Terminal in Downtown Kitchener. There are two ‘pop-up’ input sessions this month.
November 21st 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM at Kitchener City Hall Rotunda Space
November 30th 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM at the Kitchener Market
From the Engage WR page: Join us at a pop-up public input session to learn about and provide feedback on the Charles Street redevelopment design options. Residents and community members will have the opportunity to review design concepts, ask questions, and share their thoughts with the project team. These sessions will gather feedback from the community to ensure the designs meet local needs and aspirations.
Cambridge Council will discuss plans to rezone two city-owned properties (0 Grand Ridge Drive and 25 Chalmers St) for affordable housing at the November 12th meeting (starting at 6:30pm). Delegations are encouraged to register to speak to this issue. I suspect there may be some delegations opposed to this (as well as some on Cambridge Council) so if you’re in support, please consider delegating or writing council to let them know that you’re supportive of this plan.
And, a little good news to all those who have long been waiting for the re-opening of The Boathouse - it looks like an opening date of November 22nd has been set! The updated space includes: an enlarged, cantilevered outdoor patio, an all-new kitchen, a stage area to host local musicians, improved views of the lake, and a brand-new takeout window.