HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-17-100 - PARTS Rockway PlanREPORT TO: Planning & Strategic Initiatives Committee
DATE OF MEETING: December 4, 2017
SUBMITTED BY: Brandon Sloan, Manager, Long Range & Policy Planning
PREPARED BY: Tina Malone-Wright, Senior Planner 519-741-2200 x7765
WARD(S) INVOLVED: Wards 9 and 10
DATE OF REPORT: November 15, 2017
REPORT NO.: CSD-17-100
SUBJECT: Planning Around Rapid Transit Station Areas (PARTS)
PARTS Rockway Plan
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RECOMMENDATION:
THAT the PARTS Rockway Plan, attached as Appendix A to report CSD-17-100, be
approved;
THAT staff prepare the appropriate Official Plan Amendment (i.e. incorporate an
updated Secondary Plan),the corresponding Zoning By-law Amendment and
related urban design guidelines, which will include additional public engagement
and consultation, to implement the PARTS Rockway Plan;
AND FURTHER THAT the mobility, public realm or any relevant technical and
implementation recommendations identified in the PARTS Rockway Plan be
prioritized as a part of future business plan, work plan and budget processes.
BACKGROUND:
In September of 2014, Report CSD-14-090concluded five corridor-wide initiatives in
Phase 2 of the Planning Around Rapid Transit Stations (PARTS) project and launched
the beginning of sequentially preparing plans for individual areas within a 10-minute
walk of ION LRT stations. Council approved thehighest priority, PARTS Central Plan on
May 9, 2017. The PARTS Midtown and Rockway Plan were to be completed next and
via Report FCS-16-012,Urban Strategies Inc. was hired to prepare the Midtown and
Rockway Plans, including community engagement and the completion of supporting
technical studies. The PARTS Midtown Plan was approved by Council on October 16,
2017 and now the PARTS Rockway Plan is being delivered.
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REPORT:
The ION has the potential to be a major factor in the long-term growth and continued
economic prosperity of our area. With it comes the potential for continued change in
areas close to the stations. The primary purpose of the PARTS Rockway Plan (see
Appendix A) is to ensure and provide a proper framework and direction to guide growth
andstability within the rapid transit station area along with recommendations for capital
projects to ensure that this area develops in a way that is transit-supportive and adds
value to our community.
In February of 2016, the City of Kitchener embarked on the detailed planning for the
future use of land and infrastructure requirements within a ten (10) minute walk of the
Borden and Mill ION stops in the Rockway area utilizing an integrated Environmental
Assessment and Planning Act process. This process involved an extensive and
collaborative community consultation exercise involving various stakeholders, including
property owners, residents, business owners, and development interests over
approximately eighteen (18) months.
As a result of the extensive public consultation and engagement, the PARTS Rockway
Plan has been completed. The top three (3) highlights of the plan are as follows:
The identification of twelve (12) Key Directions and detailed strategies for Land
Useand Built Form to identify the areas the focus for growth, change and
intensification and the conservation and protection of stable established
neighbourhoods.
The identification of four (4) Key Directions and detailed strategies to enhance
connectivity, increase transportation choice, balance the needs of all users of the
mobility system and reduce the demand for surface parking while continuing to
support key employment uses and neighbourhood and regional assets.
The identification of five (5) Key Directions and detailed strategies for the public
realm, identifying opportunities to improve existing and introduce new parks and
public spaces over time, as well as targeting streetscape and public realm
improvements on key corridors.
The PARTS Rockway Plan outlines a number of opportunities that could be
implemented to assist in making the area around the Borden and Mill ION stops
additional vibrant, liveable and laces in Kitchener.
The next step for implementing the PARTS Rockway Plan includes the preparation of
an Official Plan Amendment and corresponding Zoning By-law Amendment to facilitate
the vision for land use, urban design, natural and cultural heritage and transportation
policies. Any Official Plan/Zoning By-law Amendment that is undertaken to implement
the PARTS Rockway Plan will involve further direct public engagement and
consultation. It is anticipated that this work will start in the winter of 2018.
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ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
Strategic Priority 1 Open Government
Strategic Priority 2 Strong and Resilient Economy
Strategic Priority 3 Safe and Thriving Neighbourhoods
Strategy 3.3 - Manage growth, curb urban sprawl, and foster more mixed-use
development, ensuring new development is integrated with the diversity and character
of the surrounding community.
Strategic Priority 4 Sustainable Environment and Infrastructure
Business Plan ID# NB-08 PARTS Rockway RT Station Area Plan.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The PARTS Rockway Plan was prepared within the allocated budget.Any
recommendations and implementation costs identified in the Parts RockwayPlan will be
prioritized and brought forward through future budget processes.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
The PARTS Rockway Plan engagement utilized the
y.
INFORM
advance of the council / committee meeting. Notice of this meeting and the completion
of the PARTS Rockway Plan was provided by social media and also sent out to the
project distribution email list.
CONSULT/COLLABORATE The PARTS Rockway Plan was prepared utilizing an
integrated Environmental Assessment and Planning Act process. There was extensive
public consultation and collaboration over a period of eighteen (18) months including
three (3) community engagement sessions, May 5, 2016, September 29, 2016 and May
18, 2017, stakeholder interviews, site walks and the use of social media/email.
Additional content on the consultation is included in the PARTS Rockway Plan
document.
All of the comments and feedback received throughout the process have been
summarized and for information and reference. The
comments and feedback assisted in influencing and formulating the creation of the
PARTS Rockway Plan.
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CONCLUSION:
After several months of public engagement and consultation the PARTS Rockway Plan
has been created to guide development and change in and around the Borden and Mill
ION stops,support the ridership of ION, and ensure that the PARTS Rockway area is
an attractive place to live, work, study, shop and play.
The City of Kitchener has been a leader in managing growth and that leadership will
continue with the approval and implementation of the PARTS Rockway Plan to guide
development, growth and change in the Rockway area.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Michael May, Deputy CAO (Community Services)
Appendix A - PARTS Rockway Plan (see website)
https://www.kitchener.ca/en/city-services/parts-study-areas.aspx
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