HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-14-072 - Kitchener Growth Management Strategy - 2014 Annual Monitoring Report Staff Report
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REPORT TO: Community & Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: August 11, 2014
SUBMITTED BY: Alain Pinard, Director of Planning, 519-741-2200 ext. 7319
PREPARED BY: Sarah Coutu, Policy Analyst (519-741-2200 ext. 7069)
Natalie Goss, Senior Planner (519-741-2200 ext. 7067)
WARD(S) INVOLVED: All Wards
DATE OF REPORT: July 24, 2014
REPORT NO.: CSD-14-072
SUBJECT: Kitchener Growth Management Strategy (KGMS)
2014 Annual Monitoring Report
RECOMMENDATION:
That Report CSD-14-072 Kitchener Growth Management Strategy — 2014 Annual
Monitoring Report be endorsed for information, and;
That Report CSD-14-072 be submitted to the Regional Municipality of Waterloo in
fulfilment of Clause 22.1 of the Administrative Agreement between the City of
Kitchener and the Regional Municipality of Waterloo regarding delegated
authority.
BACKGROUND:
The purpose of this report is to provide Committee and Council with the 2014 Kitchener
Growth Management Strategy Annual Monitoring Report (Monitoring Report)
information. The Monitoring Report is an action item of the Kitchener Growth
Management Strategy (KGMS) which requires tracking of the general supply of land
and the achievement of intensification and density targets on an annual basis.
REPORT:
The 2009 KGMS provides a long-term framework for planning where and how future
residential and employment growth can be accommodated in Kitchener. To ensure that
growth contributes positively to our quality of life, the KGMS coordinates the provision of
infrastructure and services with new development. The KGMS goals and actions
support the Province's Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (Growth Plan)
and Regional Growth Management Strategy (RGMS).
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The KGMS introduced an ongoing growth management program to manage growth-
related change in an effective and co-ordinated manner (Goal 6). One of the action
items of the KGMS Goal 6 is to prepare an Annual Monitoring Report to track the supply
of development opportunities and the achievement of intensification and density targets.
Monitoring reports have been prepared annually since 2010.
The 2014 KGMS Annual Monitoring Report (Attachment A) monitors growth within the
built-up (intensification areas) and designated greenfield areas of the City over the past
year (June 2013 to June 2014) and provides a summary of observations and changes
that may have occurred during this time frame compared to previous years. The report
also provides an analysis of how this information relates to Growth Plan initiatives and
the RGMS.
Highlights
The results of the updated growth management data are encouraging. The estimated
density of the Urban Growth Centre increased from 155 residents and jobs per hectare
in 2013 to 167 residents and jobs per hectare in 2014. Much of this increase in
residents and jobs per hectare in the UGC can be attributed to the continued addition of
jobs in the tech sector and refinement of the City's jobs database to incorporate updated
employment data from a major employer. The above-mentioned employment growth
and continued construction in new condominiums suggest that the City is well on its way
to achieving the provincially mandated target of 200 persons and jobs per hectare and
the new Kitchener Official Plan target of 225 persons and jobs per hectare by 2031.
Over the past year there were a number of new apartments under construction. As a
result, the City's current intensification level of 54% within its built-up area continues to
be higher than the Growth Plan and Regional Official Plan intensification targets. The
5-year average intensification level is now 47%. This measure illustrates that more
residential growth (i.e. new residential units) occurred within the City's built-up area than
within the designated greenfield area.
The number of new residential dwelling units created through building permits in 2013
was marginally higher (4%) than in 2012. This increase was seen mainly in townhouse
and multiple dwelling units. The number of dwelling units created through building
permits for the first six months of 2014 are almost double than during the same time
period in 2013.
Based on the data reported in the 2014 KGMS Annual Monitoring Report, the City
continues to have the potential to accommodate its current allocated population and
employment growth within its urban area.
Next Steps
Staff has begun the 5-year review of the KGMS and is currently exploring opportunities
for data refinements and enhancements. It is anticipated that any further changes that
may be required to the KGMS will be prepared in late 2015.
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ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
The 2014 KGMS Annual Monitoring Report implements, in part, the KGMS. The KGMS
aligns with the City of Kitchener Strategic Plan community priority of `Development' as it
is an ongoing growth management program that manages growth-related change in an
effective and co-ordinated manner.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no new or additional capital budget requests with this recommendation.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM — This report has been posted to the City's website with the agenda in
advance of the council / committee meeting. In addition this report was also provided to
the Waterloo Region Homebuilders Liaison Committee for information in July.
CONCLUSION:
The 2014 KGMS Annual Monitoring Report (Attachment A) implements one of the
action items of Goal 6 of the KGMS which is to establish an ongoing growth
management program including the preparation of an annual monitoring report.
REVIEWED BY:
Brandon Sloan, Manager, Long Range and Policy Planning
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Mark Hildebrand, Acting Deputy CAO (Community Services)
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KiTcHEN'ER
Growth Management Strategy
2014 Annual Monitoring Report
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1. Executive Summary
In 2009 Kitchener City Council approved the Kitchener Growth Management Strategy
(KGMS) in support of the City's Strategic Plan. Kitchener is expected to accommodate a
relatively significant amount of residential and employment growth over the next twenty
years. We are also mandated by the Province to achieve certain numerical targets and
other planning objectives.
Kitchener is on the leading edge with respect to the ability to track and monitor specific
growth data in a dynamic manner. As part of Kitchener's ongoing growth management
program the intent is to continually refine the data, improve the dynamic capabilities and
provide information to help support numerous corporate studies and infrastructure
projects. A snapshot of the data is contained within this report.
All of the goals and action items of the KGMS are completed or are targeted to be
completed over the next few years. The completion of these items is timely as the City
is in the preliminary stages of a 5-year review of the KGMS. The results of the 2014
growth management data are encouraging. The number of residents and jobs per
hectare (RJs/ha) in the Urban Growth Centre (Downtown) is gradually increasing from
approximately 155 RJs/ha in 2013 to approximately 167 RJs/ha in 2014. This is an
excellent step towards achieving the provincially-mandated target of 200 RJs/ha by
2031. The City's current intensification level of 54% and 5-year average intensification
level of 47% within its Built-Up Area continues to be higher than the draft intensification
target (45%).
In 2013, building permits were issued for a total of 1,070 new residential units. This
represents a 4% increase from 2012. The majority of new residential units developed
were in the form of townhouses and multiple dwellings.
The City and other partners have undertaken significant efforts over the past decade to
support intensification which continues to contribute to positive results.
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2. Introduction
In 2009, Council approved the Kitchener Growth Management Strategy (KGMS). The
KGMS provides a framework for planning where and how future residential and
employment growth can be accommodated in Kitchener while positively contributing to
our quality of life. The goals and actions outlined in the KGMS support the provincial
Places to Grow Growth Plan for the Greater Horseshoe (Growth Plan) and the Regional
Growth Management Strategy (RGMS).
The KGMS introduced an ongoing growth management program to manage growth-
related change in an effective and coordinated manner (Goal 6). One of the action items
of this goal is to prepare an Annual Growth Management Monitoring Report to track the
supply of development opportunities and the achievement of intensification and density
targets. Monitoring Reports have been prepared and presented to Council and the
development industry annually since 2010. The Monitoring report provides an update on
the progress of implementing the KGMS action items along with provincial and regional
growth plans.
The primary purpose of the Monitoring Report is to update data from the KGMS
Background Study: Current Baseline Report (Parts 6-9) annually. It presents a summary
of recent residential development rates and updates the potential capacity to
accommodate growth both within the Built-Up Area (intensification areas) and in the
Designated Greenfield Area. The original data from the KGMS Background Study was
as of June 16, 2008 (with some of the existing residential data at the time coming from
the 2006 Census).
This monitoring report captures a snapshot of all data (with the exception of Sections 3
and 4) as of June 16, 2014 (the anniversary date of the Growth Plan).
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3. Delegated Approval Authority Summary for 2013
This section provides a summary of the number and status of plans of subdivision, plans
of condominium, part-lot control applications, consent applications and the number and
type of units created by approvals in 2013. This is a requirement of an agreement
between the City and Region regarding delegated approval authority.
Figure 1: 2013 Development Applications Received
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30T-13203 New Dundee Rd. 401 0
Subdivisions 3 30T-13202* Homer Watson Blvd. 0 0
30T-13201 Homer Watson Blvd. 0 87
30CDM-13201 Maitland St. 0 42
30CDM-13202 Westmount Rd. 0 7
30CDM-13204 Fischer Hallman Rd. 0 219
Condominiums 7 30CDM-13205 East Ave. 0 7
30CDM-13206 Doon Village Rd. 0 17
30CDM-13207 Countrystone Rd. 0 24
30CDM-13208 Frederick St. 0 12
Part Lot Control 14
Consents 53
TOTAL 77 401 415
*This is a commercial/industrial plan of subdivision
The number of development applications (for new lot creation) received in 2013 (77) was
higher than the number received in 2012 (52 applications). Most of these additional
received applications were in part lot controls and consents.
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Figure 2: 2013 Development Applications Approved
Combination of Singles, Multiple Residential Units
2013 Semis or Street Fronting (includes cluster townhouse,
Townhouse Units apartment and quad units)
Subdivision Draft Approved 170 0
Units
Condominium Draft Approved 845 247
Units*
Subdivision Registered Units 548 765
Condominium Registered 43 247
Units*
Part Lot Control 159 0
Consents 21 0
Total 1,786 1,259
*Includes condominium conversions
The total number of subdivision draft approved units in 2013 (170 units) were
substantially less than the total number draft approved in 2012 (3,114 units). The total
number of draft approved units in 2012 was unusually high and the totals from 2013 are
more in line with the average numbers draft approved annually. The number of
subdivision registered units in 2013 (1,313 units) increased significantly from 2012 (508
units).This is to be expected as units which were draft approved in 2012 or earlier
become registered.
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4. Residential Development Rates
This section provides an overview of past development rates in the City through the
examination of building permits for new residential units by dwelling type.
Figure 3: Residential Development Rates
New Residential Dwelling Units Created
Through Building Permit*
5-year 10-year 20-year
Average Average Average
Dwelling Type 2012 2013 (2009-2013) (2003-2013) (1994-2013)
Single Detached 393 346 474 659 648
Semi-Detached 14 1 22 38 72 69
Duplex** 65 85 20 19 16
Townhouses*** 307 339 280 320 249
Multiple Dwellings** 249 278 343 352 272
Total New Units 1,028 1,070 1,155 1,423 1,254
*Gross new units (conversion/additions included, demolitions not subtracted)
**Includes additions
***Includes street fronting and cluster townhouses
In 2013, building permits were issued for a total of
1,070 new residential units. This is an increase of
42 residential units compared to 2013. Despite this
modest increase, the 2012 and 2013 development
rates were lower than the 5, 10 and 20-year
averages. Although the total number of duplex
dwellings accounted for only 8% of the total new
units developed, duplex dwelling units increased
57% from 2013. All but two of these new duplex
dwellings were created through additions to
existing buildings. The percentage split of new
residential units by dwelling type remained
consistent between 2012 and 2013 with
approximately 1/3 of the new units being single
` detached dwellings, 1/3 being townhouse dwellings
and 1/4 being multiple dwellings.
0 � Building permits for the first six months of 2014
were almost double (1,021 permits) what they were during the same time period in 2013
(537 permits). During the first six months of 2014 permits for new townhouse units and
multiple dwelling units have significantly increased from 2013 whereas single detached
dwelling units continue to trend downwards and below the 5, 10 and 20-year averages.
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5. Intensification Level
The Growth Plan requires that a minimum of 40% of all new residential development
occur within a Region's Built-Up Area (BUA) by the year 2015. According to the Region
of Waterloo's new Official Plan (under appeal), the target for the urban municipalities,
including Kitchener, is 45%. This could be a challenge for Kitchener as it still has a
significant amount of Designated Greenfield Area (DGA) lands available; however, we
also have a number of large intensification opportunities. The most recent measures of
new residential units by type in the BUA and DGA are indicated in Figure 4 below.
Figure 4: Intensification and Designated Greenfield Area Development Levels
(June 16/13 - June 15/14)
Designated
Greenfield Area Built-Up Area
New Residential Building New
Dwelling Type Units Residential Units Total
Single Detached 439 18 457
Semi-Detached 8 8 16
Duplex 6 79 85
Street
Townhouses 136 0 136
Cluster
Townhouses 0 192 192
Multiple Dwellings 108 507 615
Total 697 804 1,501
Percent of Total 46% 54% 100%
1 f�f jj As expected, there were more multiple
dwellings in the BUA and more single
detached dwellings and street
" townhouse dwellings in the DGA. The
City continues to exceed the 45%
intensification target while achieving a
balance of growth between the BUA
and DGA.
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Figure 5 illustrates the historic intensification levels, as per the Provincial Built Boundary
Line (which is the edge of the BUA and DGA shown in Appendix A).
Figure 5: Intensification Level (2001 to present)
Intensification Levels -2001 to Present
Built Boundary Line Method
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60
50
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w
30
20
d
S 10
0
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Year
Between June 16, 2013 and June 15, 2014, the intensification level in Kitchener
decreased from 58% in the last reporting year to 54% within the BUA. The City expects
to see "spike" and "dip" years with respect to the BUA intensification level as the timing
of 2-3 apartment developments can impact the reported rate in a given year for a
municipality of our scale. This is why it is important to examine the intensification level
at 5 and 10 year averages. This will provide a better understanding of whether the City
is on track to achieving any required intensification level. The 5-year average
Intensification Level (2010-2014) is now at 47% with the 10-year average (2005-2014) at
44%.
The intensification level may remain relatively high in the next year or two as more
redevelopment occurs in the Urban Growth Centre (Downtown) along with the
construction of other multiple dwellings in the approval stages. In addition, it is expected
that in the next few years there could be an increase in new subdivision development in
the DGA as the higher volume of draft approved and registered units move towards
construction and areas requiring major servicing become available. As a result, it may be
challenging to maintain a high intensification rate every year over the next 5-year period.
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6. Intensification Areas — Existing Measures and Additional
Capacity for New Growth
Existing Measures
Figure 6 quantifies the existing number of dwelling units, residents, jobs and density
measure (residents and jobs per hectare) for the currently identified intensification areas
within the BUA.
Figure 6: Existing Measures for Current Intensification Areas
Non-
Land Residential
Area Floor Residents
Intensification Area (Ha) Units Residents Space (m2) Jobs + Jobs/ha
Urban Growth Centre* 107 2,234 4,021 874,727 13,859 167
Primary Node 115 1,792 3,227 203,504 3,515 76
Mixed Use Nodes 294 3,788 6,814 276,660 5,993 40
Mixed Use Corridors 123 1,784 3,432 289,881 6,348 89
Neighbourhood Mixed Use
Centres 46 162 414 10,486 1,828 52
Comprehensive
Development Areas 27 0 0 125,341 351 9
Subtotal of
Intensification Areas 712 9,760 17,908 1,780,599 31,894
Site Specific Intensification
Opportunities 1,091 2,151 713,076 7,585 53
Grand Total 10,851 20,059 2,493,675 39,479
**UGC data is based on several data sources including the Economic Development downtown
employment database
The estimated density of the Urban Growth
Centre (UGC) increased from 155 RJs/ha in
2013 to 167 RJs/ha in 2013. The number of
jobs in the UGC increased by approximately
1,300 in 2013. This increase was due
mainly to refined information from one
major employer within this area along with
continued growth of the tech sector. As
redevelopment continues to occur in the
City's intensification areas, the residential
and employment densities continue to
gradually rise as expected.
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Capacity for New Growth
Figure 7 explores the potential for accommodating new development within each of
intensification areas based on the existing zoning only.
Figure 7: Additional Capacity Measures for Current Intensification Areas
50% Scenario
It is assumed that the intensification opportunities may be accommodated on average
to 50% of their maximum zoned capacity during the next planning horizon
Non-
Residential
Intensification Area Floor Residents
Areas (Ha) Units Residents Space(m2) Jobs + Jobs/ha
Urban Growth
Centre 107 1,866 3,319 226,475 9,607 120
Primary Node 115 304 655 0 1,114 18
Mixed Use
Nodes 294 4,478 8,946 275,254 7,422 61
Mixed Use
Corridors 123 6,978 12,686 419,749 13,224 184
Neighbourhood
Mixed Use
Centres 46 74 137 22,200 234 7
Comprehensive
Development
Areas 27 958 2,096 3,840 273 79
Subtotal of
Intensification
Areas 712 14,657 27,839 947,519 31,875
Site Specific
Intensification
Opportunities 2,783 4,967 253,032 4,555 44
Grand Total 17,441 32,806 1,200,551 36,430
The future continues to be bright with the land use approvals in place for a number of
redevelopment projects within the intensification areas as well as the future King/Victoria
Multi-Modal (and proposed mixed use) Transit Hub. These will result in utilization of the
existing capacity to grow in these areas. New development applications and updates to
the zoning in these areas as a result of CRoZBy and PARTS will continue to refine and
add to the capacity to accommodate growth in these areas. These types of projects not
only help achieve the provincial numerical target but, perhaps more importantly, they
contribute positively to the social, environmental, economic and cultural well-being of the
community.
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Figure 8: Total Measures (Existing + Additional Capacity) for Current
Intensification Areas
Non-
Residential
Intensification Area Floor Residents
Areas (Ha) Units Residents Space(m2) Jobs + Jobs/ha
Urban Growth
Centre 107 4,100 7,340 1,101,202 23,466 288
Primary Node 115 2,096 3,881 0 4,629 94
Mixed Use
Nodes 294 8,266 15,760 551,914 13,415 102
Mixed Use
Corridors 123 8,762 16,118 709,630 19,572 273
Neighbourhood
Mixed Use
Centres 46 236 551 32,686 2,063 59
Comprehensive
Development
Areas 27 958 2,096 129,181 624 87
Subtotal of
Intensification
Areas 712 24,417 45,747 2,728,118 63,769
Site Specific
Intensification
Opportunities 3,874 7,118 966,108 12,140 97
Grand Total 28,292 52,865 3,694,226 75,909
Figure 8 provides an account of the total number of units, residents, non-residential floor
space and jobs that could result at build-out of the intensification areas under the current
zoning scenario. The UGC and Mixed Use Corridors have the highest potential. Figure
8 also demonstrates that there is capacity to achieve the UGC target of 225 persons and
jobs per hectare by 2031 as outlined in the City's new Official Plan.
7. Estimated Land Supply (Kitchener Measures)
The estimated land supply for Kitchener is a total of the potential capacity within the BUA
and the DGA. As development moves from raw land through the development approvals
stage and eventually to construction, the land supply estimates become more accurate.
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7.1 Potential Built-Up Area (BUA) Supply
The built-up area land supply includes lands within the Built Boundary Line that are
within intensification areas, are site specific intensification opportunities, include a minor
intensification factor within existing communities (community interiors) and include the
potential supply from any remaining registered, draft approved and in-circulation
subdivisions that were capture inside the built boundary line.
Figure 9: Estimated Built-up Area Supply (intensification lands inside the Built
Boundary)
Intensification Area Units Residents Non-Res. Jobs
Space (ml)
Urban Growth Centre 1,866 3,319 226,475 9,607
Primary Node 304 655 0 1,114
Mixed Use Nodes* 4,478 8,946 275,254 7,422
Mixed Use Corridors 6,978 12,686 419,749 13,224
Neighbourhood Mixed
Use Centres 74 137 22,200 234
Comprehensive
Development Areas 958 2,096 3,840 273
Subtotal of Intensification 14,657 27,839 947,519 31,875
Areas
Site Specific
Intensification 2,783 4,967 253,032 4,555
Opportunities
Total of Current 17,441 32,806 1,200,551 36,430
Intensification Areas
Community Interiors 850 2,149 0 58
Registered (Vacant Land 880 3,223 244,814 3,574
Inventory)
Draft Approved 109 316 0 0
In Circulation 43 114 0 0
Other Designated 0 0 0 0
Subtotal 1,882 5,803 244,814 3,632
Total Potential Supply
(Current Zoning) 19,323 38,609 1,445,365 40,062
*Does not include Lackner/Fairway Mixed Use Node which is in the Designated
Greenfield Area.
Figure 9 illustrates that the City's current estimated built-up area land supply includes
approximately 19,000 residential units and 1.4 million square metres of non-residential
floor space.
7.2 Potential Designated Greenfield Area Supply
The potential DGA inventory includes all lands outside the Built Boundary Line that are
designated for development in the City's Official Plan. The estimates will become more
refined as land parcels within this area move through the development approval process.
The dwelling unit numbers are primarily based on maximums.
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Similar to Figure 9 above, the DGA land supply includes intensification areas, site
specific intensification opportunities, lands which have been designated in the Official
Plan but do not currently have development applications (e.g. portions of the Rosenberg
Community) and the potential supply from registered, draft approved and in-circulation
subdivisions.
Figure 10: Estimated Designated Greenfield Area Supply (lands outside the Built
Boundary)
Non-Res. Floor
Greenfield Location Units Residents Space (m2) Jobs
Intensification Areas* 841 1,515 8,097 187
Site Specific
Intensification
Opportunities - - 44,773 383
Other Designated
Lands** 9,133 21,345 148,144 5,957
Registered (Vacant
Land Inventor 2,620 7,140 81,065 1,334
Draft Approved 5,398 13,525 9,730 955
In Circulation 3,033 10,666 49,000 126
Subtotal 21,025 54,191 340,809 8,942
Undesignated (ROPPA
16 remainder) 1,216 3,039 - 213
Total 1 22,241 1 57,230 1 340,809 1 9,155
*Includes Lackner/Fairway Mixed Use Node (outside Built Boundary Line) @ 50%
scenario
** Using 55 residents+jobs/hectare assumption. Lands are net Provincial constraints only.
No Hidden Valley Community. Includes Rosenberg lands without a development
application, based on densities in the Rosenberg Secondary Plan.
The estimated DGA land supply has remained relatively consistent with the 2013 land
supply with approximately 450 additional units being registered. It is anticipated that this
supply will decrease in coming years as development applications for the DGA continue
through the development process.
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7.3 Estimated Total Supply
The potential supply of both the BUA and DGA inventories can be combined to provide a
total estimated inventory for residential and employment land in Kitchener.
Figure 11: Estimated Total Supply: Built-up Area and Designated Greenfield
Area
Location Units Residents Non-Res. Space Jobs
Built-up Area (BUA) 19,323 38,609 1,445,365 40,062
Designated Greenfield 21,025 54,191 340,809 8,942
Area (DGA)
Sub-total 40,348 92,800 1,786,173 49,003
Undesignated (ROPPA 1,216 3,039 0 213
#16 remainder)
Total 41,564 95,839 1,786,173 49,216
The estimated total supply of dwelling units has decreased in the BUA and DGA from
June 2013. The total supply of dwelling units is expected to eventually decrease as
development continues to occur and the city moves towards a "mature state".
8. Current Capacity for Growth
This section compares the current population capacity with the 2029 population
allocation provided by the Region of Waterloo.
Figure 12: Population Allocation vs. Estimated Capacity
*Estimated mid-year 2014 Population 236,000
New Population Capacity 95,839
Total 331,839
**2029 Population Allocation (new Region Official Plan) 313,500
Difference 18,339
*Unofficial interim population estimate as of mid-year 2014, Regional Municipality of
Waterloo
**2031 Population Allocation has yet to be determined by the Regional Municipality of
Waterloo
The 2014 mid-year population estimated by the Region is now 236,000; approximately
2,170 more people than reported mid-year 2013.
Figure 12 shows that the lands within the City of Kitchener have a current estimated
capacity for accommodating approximately 18,000 more residents than the current
population allocation from the Region. The new Region Official Plan also includes an
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employment allocation of approximately 31,000 additional jobs. Figure 11 indicates that
Kitchener should have the capacity to accommodate the additional employment within
our urban area (current capacity of approximately 49,000 jobs). The population and
employment allocations from the Region may be subject to change pending future
processes such as the ongoing Ontario Municipal Board hearing/Division Court appeal
on the Regional Official Plan. Additional capacity may be required in the future should
population and employment allocations from the Region change.
9. Places to Grow Implementation
In June 2014 Kitchener City Council adopted a new Official Plan. This new Official Plan
is currently with the Region of Waterloo for approval. The new Official Plan includes
policies that implement the Growth Plan. The KGMS annual monitoring report will
continue to monitor new development and track Kitchener's achievements of the Growth
Plan targets.
Growth Forecasts
In response to the original Provincial growth forecasts for the Growth Plan (2006) (and
Regional allocation thereof), the City developed background information in support of the
KGMS that analyzes the growth capacity of various areas of the City. As indicated in
Section 8.0, Kitchener still has the capacity to accommodate the allocated growth into
appropriate areas. The Province continues to update growth forecasts for certain time
horizons and it is expected in the future that the Region will consider updated
allocations.
Urban Growth Centre
The Growth Plan requires that our Urban Growth Centre be planned to achieve a
minimum of 200 RJs/ha by 2031. The City's new Official Plan sets this target at 225
RJs/ha. The present density is 167 RJs/ha. With additional intensification projects
currently happening or proposed in the UGC, an opportunity exists to exceed these
targets.
Intensification
The Growth Plan requires that a significant portion of residential development be
directed to the Built Up Area by 2015. Kitchener's draft target according to the new
Region Official Plan is 45%. To achieve and monitor this target, the City has a dynamic
system that tracks building permit issuance for new residential units inside and outside
the Built Boundary Line. The 5-year average Intensification Level (2010-2014) is now at
47% with the 10-year average (2005-2014) slightly lower at 44%. The City's new Official
Plan also incorporates minimum residential intensification targets ranging from 40% in
2011-2016 to 70% in 2026-2031. The City is already achieving its 2016 intensification
target.
Designated Greenfield Area Densities
The Growth Plan mandates that future development within the Designated Greenfield
Area should achieve specific, transit-supportive density targets. Kitchener's draft target,
according to the draft new Region Official Plan, is 55 residents and jobs per hectare in
residential subdivisions. Kitchener is well positioned to meet this target. The Kitchener
Growth Management Plan (KGMP) provides a tool for identifying and tracking
Designated Greenfield Area subdivision density.
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CSD-14-072
Planning Principles
Planning a city is not just about achieving certain numerical targets. The majority of the
Growth Plan includes policy direction to achieve healthy and complete communities.
Kitchener has long been a leader in promoting walkable, transit-supportive development.
Kitchener's efforts to continue to revitalize the Urban Growth Centre, facilitate the clean-
up of brownfield sites and achieve mixed use developments that are pedestrian-oriented
are significant. We are further striving to enhance the linkages between land use
planning and other community considerations such as transportation options, community
infrastructure, social dynamics, economics and environmental conservation. The newly
adopted Official Plans is titled "A Complete and Healthy Community". Ultimately, the
goal is to help achieve a higher quality of life and a successful Kitchener.
10. Regional Growth Management Strategy Implementation
The goals outlined in the Regional Growth Management Strategy (RGMS), are largely
reflected in the goals of the KGMS. Many of the KGMS action items described in Section
11.0 below support the implementation of the RGMS as well. Additional initiatives that
support the RGMS include the new Five Best Bets for Air Quality, Kitchener Economic
Development Strategy (KEDS) and the new Official Plan
11. Kitchener Growth Management Strategy Implementation
The KGMS encompasses six goals that facilitate managing growth and development
within the City of Kitchener. These goals support the RGMS and have been adapted to
the City of Kitchener context. A significant portion of the objectives, initiatives and
recommendations of the KGMS have been completed in previous years and the status
of remaining items are listed below.
Action Item I Status
Goal 1 Enhance our valued natural and cultural heritage resources
Updated Urban Design Phase 1 underway. Comprehensive
3 Manual: "Green" update for 2015-16 to be scheduled in
business plan
6 Cultural Heritage Landscapes Underway. Public meeting held. Inventory
(CHL) phase scheduled for completion late 2014.
Goal 5 Strengthen communities
4 Prepare a Neighbourhood Discussion Report issued May 2014, Phase
Strategy 1 to begin early 2015.
12. Kitchener Growth Management Plan
The Kitchener Growth Management Plan (KGMP) is an evolution of the former Staging
of Development program and is used as a tool to assist with the implementation of the
KGMS. The KGMP establishes priority levels for development and projects for each
growth area within the City. It includes the prioritization and allocation of resources
towards completing initiatives that are required to move lands from the draft approval
stage to registration, construction and developing complete communities. The new
KGMP (2013-2015+) was adopted by City Council in 2013. The next version of the
KGMP is scheduled for consideration in the fall of 2015.
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2014 Annual Monitoring Report
CSD-14-072
Appendix A: Kitchener Growth Management Map
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