HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnv - 2011-09-15 - Official Plan Review - Sub-Committee ReportCity of Kitchener
E-Newsletter
Why is the City reviewing and preparing a New Official Plan?
^ The City's current Official Plan was adopted in 1994. There has been considerable
growth and changes in the planning landscape in the past 17 years that requires the
City to review and update the Official Plan.
^ The Official Plan needs to be brought into conformity with provincial and regional policy
that has been introduced or revised in recent years, as well as the Kitchener Growth
Management Strategy that was approved in 2009.
• The new Official Plan is intended to guide growth and development in Kitchener unit)
2029, and will be reviewed every five years.
Where is the City in the Official Plan Review Process?
^ Over the past few months, the official plan review process has progressed well, aided
by the completion of numerous background studies. Since E-newsletter Issue #1 was
released, the Comprehensive Review of Intensification Areas Study and the Kitchener
Natural Heritage System Study have been completed, the Designated Greenfield Area
Assessment is near completion, and recommendations have been made for the
Community Trails Master Plan and Implementation Strategy.
^ A series of consultations has occurred with City staff, Regional staff, City Council and
City's Advisory Committees including: Heritage Kitchener, Downtown Advisory
Committee, Public Art Working Group, Arts and Culture Advisory Committee, Economic
Development Advisory Committee, Environmental Committee, Compass Kitchener,
Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee, Cycling Advisory Committee and the
Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee.
^ The first draft of the new Official Plan will be `tabled' at the Planning and Strategic
Initiatives Committee on Monday, June 20, 2011.
• No formal decision is to be required at the June meeting. This will kick off the formal
review and consultation period that will go until Wednesday, September 28, 2011.
What are the Highlights of the First Draft of the New Official Plan?
^ Contains community vision and goals based on "Plan for Healthy Kitchener".
• Continues to support Kitchener's desire to develop, evolve and grow wisely.
• Has revised community policy structure, including new mixed use policies and a focus
on intensification nodes and corridors, to support and assist us in creating and
maintaining a liveable and complete community
• Includes policies to support a healthy Kitchener with emphasis on an integrated
transportation system and walkability.
• Places increased emphasis on protecting lands for industrial employment and a
continued recognition of the importance of the City's Natural Heritage features, Energy
Conservation and Green Development, Cultural Heritage resources, a high quality of
Urban Design and Arts and Culture in our community.
^ The first draft of the new Official Plan is not a complete draft. Some sections of the Plan
are incomplete as they are reliant on the completion of other projects, such as the
Transportation Master Plan.
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Where Can I See a Copy of the First Draft of the New Official Plan?
• The City's first draft of the new Official Plan will be available for viewing and
downloading from the City's Official Plan webpage on Monday, June 20, 2011
^ A hard copy of the first draft of the new Official Plan will be also be available on
Monday, June 20, 2011 and thereafter for viewing at the City's Planning Department
counter at 200 King St West, 6t" Floor, during regular business hours.
How Can I Get Information on the First Draft of the New Official
Plan?
^ Visit the City's Official Plan webpage for additional information on the City's new Official
Plan process, including consultation, background studies and reports.
^ Attend the Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee meeting on Monday, June 20,
2011
• There will be additional open houses and public meetings scheduled throughout the
process leading up to the adoption of the City's new Official Plan. Watch for details on
these upcoming public open houses and meetings.
^ Contact staff (see contact information below)
^ To be added to the email circulation list, please email officialplan(a~kitchener.ca.
How can I provide comments on the First Draft of the New Official
Plan?
• Written comments on the first draft of the new Official Plan may be submitted to the
City's Planning Department on or before Wednesday, September 28, 2011 by mail, fax,
email officialplan(a~kitchener.ca or delivered in person.
^ Following the completion of the consultation period, staff will review, summarize, and
respond to comments in the form of a summary/response report and make revisions to
the draft Official Plan where appropriate.
When will the new Official Plan Come Into Effect?
• A public meeting is expected to be held in November 2011 to consider the timing for the
adoption of the new Official Plan. Staff will prepare a report for Council that will
recommend a course of action regarding adoption by Council that will depend in part on
how the Regional Official Plan appeals are progressing through the Ontario Municipal
Board.
• Once adopted by Council, the City will submit the Official Plan to the Region of Waterloo
for approval. The Region as an upper tier municipality has delegated approval authority
from the Province to approve local municipal Official Plans within its jurisdiction.
• The Region may approve, approve as modified, or refuse to approve all or parts of the
Official Plan and give a notice of decision. A person or a public body may appeal
(subject to appeal rights) the Region's decision to the Ontario Municipal Board within the
20-day appeal period. If there is no appeal, the official plan comes into effect on the day
after the appeal period expires.
• The new Official Plan will repeal and replace the City's existing Official Plan, as
amended. Until the new Official Plan is approved, the existing Official Plan is in place.
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