HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSD-20-157 - 2020 Kitchener Growth Management Strategy 2020 Annual Monitoring ReportREPORT TO:Community & Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: November 2, 2020
SUBMITTED BY:Justin Readman, General Manager, Development Services 519-
741-2200 ext. 7646
PREPARED BY:Tim Donegani, Senior Planner 519-741-2200 ext. 7067
Sarah Coutu, Planner(Policy)519-741-2200 ext. 7592
WARD(S) INVOLVED:ALL
DATE OF REPORT:October 8, 2020
REPORT NO.: DSD-20-157
SUBJECT:Kitchener Growth Management Strategy 2020Annual Monitoring
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT Report DSD-20-157Kitchener Growth Management Strategy 2020Annual
Monitoring Report be submitted to the Regional Municipality of Waterloo in fulfillment of
Clause 22.1 of the Administrative Agreement between the City of Kitchener and the
Region regarding delegated approval authority.
BACKGROUND:
The purpose of this report is to provide Committee and Council with the Kitchener Growth
Management Strategy 2020Annual Monitoring Report (Monitoring Report). The Monitoring
Report is an action item of the 2009 Kitchener Growth Management Strategy (KGMS), which
requirestracking of the general supply of land and the achievement of intensification and density
targets on an annual basis.
REPORT:
In 2009 Kitchener approved its Growth Management Strategy (KGMS). The KGMS goals and
actions support the Province’s 2006 Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (Growth
Plan) and Regional Growth Management Strategy (RGMS). The KGMS provides a long-term
framework for planning where and how future residential and employment growth should occur
in Kitchener. To ensure thatgrowth contributes positively to our quality of life, the KGMS
coordinates the provision of infrastructure and services with new development.
The KGMS introduced a number ofgoals, one of which was to develop and facilitate 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 this goal is to prepare an annual monitoring report
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
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to track the supply of development opportunities and the achievement of intensification and
density targets. Monitoring reports have been prepared annually since 2010.
The 2020Monitoring Report (Appendix A) provides a summary and assessment of growth with
the Built-up Area (intensification areas) and Designated Greenfield Area of the city over the past
year (June 2019 to June 2020).
Highlights of the 2020Monitoring Report Include:
Residential Development Rates in 2019
The number of new dwelling units created in 2019 (3,672) increased significantly from
2018 (1,302). This is the highest year for new units created through buildings permits in
the last 30 years.
75% of the new residential units were in the form of multiple dwellings.
Urban Growth Centre (UGC) Density
The estimated density of the Urban Growth Centre (UGC) is185 residents and jobs per
hectare. Kitchener continues to be well on its way to achieving the Official Plan target of
225 residents and jobs per hectare by 2031.
Built Up Area and DesignatedGreenfield Area Development (June 2019 and June 2020)
The intensification level over the past year (new residential construction that occurs within
the Built-up Area) is 75%. This is the highest level achieved in the 10 years of monitoring.
Over the next several years, it is expected that the intensification level will decrease as
lands within Kitchener’s Designated Greenfield Area (i.e. newer subdivision areas) build
out. The City’s 5-year average intensification level is 51%, which exceeds the Region of
Waterloo’s minimum target of 45%;
Building permits issued for new residential units between June 2019 and June 2020within
the Designated Greenfield Area continue to provide a varied and balanced supply of
dwelling types.
The number of multiple dwelling permits issued in the Built-Up Area far exceed those that
that were issues within the Designated Greenfield Area.
Capacity for Growth
The City continues to have the potentialto accommodate its current allocated population
and employment growth within its urban area.
Future of City’s Growth Management Program
All ofthe goals and action items of the KGMS have now been completed.
It is anticipated that the City’s growth management program, including the strategy,
framework and dynamic tracking and monitoring system, will be updated in future years
to reflect: recent changes to provincial legislation; updates to the Region’s Official Plan
following the completion of their Official Plan Review currently underway; and,
subsequently the City’s Official Plan review which will follow.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
Commitment to Accountability:measuringand reporting.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no new or additional capital budget requests with this recommendation.
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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, monitoring report information was discussed with the
Waterloo Region Home Builders Liaison Committee onOctober 16, 2020.
CONCLUSION:
The 2020MonitoringReport demonstrates that Kitchener continues to be well positioned to
accommodate growth and achieve identified targets.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Justin Readman - General Manager, Development Services
Appendix A – Kitchener Growth Management Strategy (KGMS) Annual Monitoring Report 2020
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Appendix A
KitchenerGrowth
Management Strategy
2020Annual Monitoring Report
November 2, 2020
RE: DSD-20-157
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Executive Summary
In 2009 Kitchener approved its Growth Management Strategy (KGMS). Kitchener is
expected to accommodate a relatively significant amount of residential and
employment growth by 2031, as forecast by the Provincial growth plan.The City is
also mandated by the Province to achieve certain numerical targets and other
planning objectives.
Kitchener is on the leading edge with respect to its ability to track and monitor
specific growth data in a dynamic manner. A snapshot of the data is contained within
this report.
All of the goals and action items of the KGMS have now beencompletedandthe
results of the 2020 growth management data continue to be encouraging. The
number of residents and jobs per hectare (RJs/ha) in the Urban Growth Centre
(Downtown) is 185 RJs/ha and is trending towardsachieving the provincially
mandatedtarget of 200 RJs/ha by 2031, which was further established in the City’s
Official Plan, at a minimum target of 225 RJs/ha by 2031. The City’s current
intensification level of 75% and 5-year average intensification level of 51% within its
Built-up Area exceeds the regional intensification target (45%).
In 2019, building permits were issued for a total of 3,672 new residential units. This
represents a 182% increase from 2018 and is the highest year for new units created
through buildings permits in the last 30 years. 75% of new residential units
developed were in the form of multiple dwellings.
It is anticipated that the City’s growth management program, including the strategy,
framework and dynamic tracking and monitoring system, will be updated in future
years to reflect: recent changes to provincial legislation; updates to the Region’s
Official Plan following the completion of their Official Plan Review currently
underway; and, subsequently the City’s Official Plan review which will follow.
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1.Introduction
In 2009, Kitchener approved its 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 the City’squality of life. The goals
and actions outlined in the KGMS support the provincial Places to Grow Growth Plan for the
Greater Horseshoe (2006 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, the achievement of intensification and density targets. Monitoring
Reports have been preparedand presented to Council and the development industryannually
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 bothwithin the
Built-up Area(intensification areas) and in the Designated Greenfield Area. The original data
from the KGMS Background Study wasas of June 16, 2008 (with some of the existing
residential data at the time coming from the 2006Census). The monitoring report also provides
a summary of development applications that have been received and those that have been
approvedin 2019.
This monitoring report captures a snapshot of all data (with the exception of Sections 2 and3)
as ofJune 16, 2020(the anniversary date of the 2006 Growth Plan).
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2.Delegated Approval Authority Summary for 2019
This section provides a summary of the number of plans of subdivision, plans of condominium,
part-lot control applications, and consent applications received and the number and type of
dwelling units (herein after referred to as units) approvedthrough these applications in 2019.
Reporting on those approvalsis a requirement of an agreement between the City of Kitchener
and the Region of Waterloo regarding delegated approval authority.Figure 1 includesthe
number of applications received, approved and registered in 2019.
Figure 1: 2019 Development Applications Received, Approved and Registered
Combination of
Combination of Multiple Residential,
Application # of Singles, Semis or Cluster Townhouse
TypeApplicationsStreet Fronting Units, Commercial and
Townhouse UnitsMixed Use
Developments
Received Applications
Subdivision102,818
Condominium10114422
Part Lot Control 7
Consents80
Total981143,240
Approved Lots/Units
Subdivision000
Condominium25812
Part Lot Control 61220
Consents803524
Total 8821536
Registered Lots/Units
Subdivision7587746
Condominium110632
Total 185871,378
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-
7*
708071
536632122
Total
2,8181,333
--
1236
/CT
746422632
2019
2,818
Multiple
7*
80
---
5835
587114122
SST
and registered
9
1866
13*
680688389655136
Total
2,635
approved
-
4
75
CT
729171594389641
2018
Multiple/
66
13*
-
9
94141461
509
SST
1,906
-
32
19*33*
284283603695532371
Total
Dwelling
7
nsent applications received,
-- -
6
CT
222583675526
201
Multiple/
19*33*
-
6
62202023
283371
SST
24
25*48*
142449633384673924145
Total
Multiple, Cluster Townhouse
6
–
85
CT
5**
124186615
232384897
201
Multiple/
25*48*
-
1858276027
263401
SST
4020
20*62*
160186660554498
Total
3,505
5
-
4
4**
/CT
108660554470
Subdivision, Condominium, Part Lot Control, and Consent Applications Received, Approved and Registered201
1,190
Multiple
20*62*
2019
-
- -
5
52284020
182
SST
2,315
.
2019
to
4
Figure 2: 201
visions
Single, Semi, Street Townhouse Dwelling; Multiple/CT
–
Consents
Subdi
Condominiums
Part Lot Control
Figure 2 compares the number of subdivision, condominium, part lot control, and cofrom 201 ReceivedDraft ApprovedRegisteredReceivedDraft ApprovedRegisteredReceivedApprovedReceivedApprovedSST
*Total number of applications received**Total number of multiple blocks approved
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3.Residential Development Rates
This section provides an overview ofpast development rates in the City through the examination
of building permits fornew residential units by dwelling type.
Figure 3: Residential Development Rates
New Residential Dwelling Units Created
Through Building Permit*
5-year 10-year 20-year
AverageAverageAverage
Dwelling Type20182019(2015-2019)(2010-2019)(2000-2019)
Single Detached*298342483593636
Semi-Detached*3033265550
Duplex**1462121207562
Townhouses216340296311302
Multiple Dwellings***6122,7451,169659578
Total New Units1,3023,6722,0941,6931,627
*Gross new units (conversion/additions included, demolitions not subtracted)
**Includes additions that create new units
***Includes additions that create new units and stacked townhouses
In 2019, building permits were issued for a total of 3,672new residential units. This is a
significant increase compared to 2018. This is the highest year for new units created through
building permits in the last 30 years. The second highest year was in 1987 with 2,684 units.
75% of new residential units developed in 2019 were in the form of multiple dwellings.During
the first six months of 2020the City issued building permits for 732new residential units.
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4.Intensification Level
The Region of Waterloo’s Official Plan requires the achievement of a region-wide target of a
minimum of 45% of all new residential development to be located within the Built-up Area
(BUA). The map below illustrates the location of Kitchener’s BUA, Designated Greenfield Area
(DGA), built boundary line (the limits of the City’s developed urban area as established by the
Province in 2006). It shows the location of new units created within these areasbetween June
16, 2019and June 15, 2020.
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Achieving the minimum intensification level of 45% could be a challenge for some municipalities
that still have a significantamount of Designated Greenfield Area (DGA)lands available and
limited intensification opportunities. The most recent measures of new residential units by type
in the BUAand DGA are indicated in Figure 4 below.
Figure 4: Intensification and Designated Greenfield Area Development Levels
(June 16/19-June 15/20)
Designated Greenfield
Area Built-Up Area
Dwelling Type(New Residential Units)(New Residential Units)Total
Single Detached43120451
Semi-Detached06060
Duplex38247285
Street Townhouses28442326
Cluster Townhouses606
Multiple Dwellings*1562,440 2,596
9152,8093,724
Total
Percent of Total25%75%100%
*Includes dwelling units within mixed use buildings
The intensification level over the past year (new residential construction that occurs within the
Built-up Area) is 75%. This is the highest level achieved in the 10 years of monitoringand
continues to be an indication that the City remains positioned to both contribute towards, and in
some years exceed, the intensification target. As we have seen in recent years, when there is a
substantial number of multiple dwelling unitscreated in the Built-upArea, the City’s
intensification level is higher. As the City’s new greenfield areas are opening up, it is expected
that moving forward over the next few years Kitchener may not achieve as high an
intensification level.
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Figure5 illustrates the historic intensification levels, as per the Provincial Built Boundary Line.
Figure 5: Intensification Level (2001 to present)
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
Intensification Level (%)
10
0
Year
The City expects to see “spike” (i.e. 2013,2020) and “dip” (i.e. 2012) years with respect to the
BUA intensification level as the timing of 2-3 multiple dwelling developments can affectthe
reported rate in a given year for a municipality the size of Kitchener. This is particularlyevident
for this reporting year, 2020, with 8 buildings permits issued for multiple dwelling developments
exceeding 100 units. An average provides a better understanding, for monitoring purposes, of
whether the City is on track to achieving the required intensification level. Figure 6 below
illustrates the 5-yearaverage intensification levels from June 2005 to June 2020.
Figure 6: 5 Year Average Intensification Levels
Year5Year Average Intensification Level (%)
June 2005 -June 201039
June 2010 -June 201548
June 2015 -June 202051
The 5-year average Intensification Level (June 2015 – June 2020) is now at 51% with the 10-
year average (2010-2020) slightly lower at 48%.
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5.Intensification Areas – Existing Measures and Additional Capacity
for New Growth
Existing Measures
Figure 7 quantifies the existing number of dwelling units, residents, jobs and density measure
(residents and jobs per hectare) for the currently identified Intensification Areaswithin the BUA.
Figure 7: Existing Measures for Current Intensification Areas
Non-
Land
Residential Residents
Intensification AreaArea UnitsResidentsJobs
Floor + Jobs/ha
(Ha)
Space (m2)
Urban Growth Centre*1073,2405,735841,90114,052185
Primary Node1151,5122,723106,4983,49869
Mixed Use Nodes2944,0977,386289,5046,29043
Mixed Use Corridors1232,2654,276202,2936,76996
Neighbourhood Mixed
4616241010,6931,82652
Use Centres
Comprehensive
27411938126,98229976
Development Areas
Subtotal of
71211,68721,4681,577,87132,734
Intensification Areas
Site Specific
Intensification 1,2432,409726,8477,87354
Opportunities
Grand Total12,93023,8772,304,71840,607
*UGC data is provided by the Region
It is noted that the data sourcesfor reporting jobs within the Urban Growth Centre(UGC)has
changed from last year. In previous years, the Region’s Workplace Count Surveythat is
conducted every two years has been used and has been supplemented with more data
provided by the City’sEconomic Development staff in the years that the Workplace Count
Survey was not conducted. This year, the UGC data has been provided by the Region and has
beencalculated using data from the 2016 Census and adjusted to include estimatedadditional
employees based on non-residential floor spaceconstructed since the Census.
The estimated density of the UGC is 185RJs/ha in 2020. It is noted that this number is lower
than reported last year and this is due to the change in data sources. Additionally, at the time of
writing this report, we do not have any information regarding the number of employeesin
Kitchenerwho have lost their jobs due to novel coronavirus COVID-19.However, according to
the Labour Force Survey released by Statistic Canada, we know that the number of people
employed in the Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge Census Metropolitan Area has decreased by
17% since mid-year 2019.The degree to which COVID-19 will have long term implications on
employment and residential development is currently unknown, but based on planning
applications and permits in process, it is still estimated that approximately 2,450 units may be
built and occupied in theUGC in thenext 2-5 years.
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Capacity for New Growth
Figure 8 explores the potential for accommodating new development within each of
intensification areas based on the existing zoning only.
Figure 8: Additional Capacity Measures for Current Intensification Areas
50% Scenario
It is assumed that the intensification opportunities may have a capacity of, on average, up to 50% of
their maximum zoned capacity during the planning horizon
Non-
Residential
Floor Residents +
Intensification AreasArea (Ha)UnitsResidentsSpace(m2)JobsJobs/ha
Urban Growth Centre1071,9113,413237,0129,632121
Primary Node11544691001,17622
Mixed Use Nodes2944,1198,291360,9498,64764
Mixed Use Corridors1236,50512,061443,54613,261182
Neighbourhood Mixed Use
466812322,1792357
Centres
Comprehensive
277871,7052,19927333
Development Areas
Subtotal of Intensification
71213,83526,5031,065,88633,224
Areas
Site Specific Intensification
2,3844,263231,8334,50941
Opportunities
Grand Total16,21930,7661,297,71937,733
*Some data reported utilizes MPAC data which has limitations (i.e. non-residential building floor
space).
Buildings and sites within the Urban Growth
Centre and the City’s other Intensification
Areas are well positioned with existing land
use, density, design approvals and amenities
in place which can help the existing capacity
to grow in these areas. New development
applications and updates to the zoning in
these areas as a result of the Comprehensive
Review ofthe Zoning By-law (CRoZBy),
Planning Around Rapid Transit Stations
(PARTS), and neighbourhood specific
planning reviewswill continue to refine the
planning framework and add to the capacity
to accommodate growth in these areas.
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Figure 9 provides an account of the total number of dwelling units, residents, non-residential
floor space and jobs that could result at build-out of the Intensification Areas.
Figure 9: Total Measures (Existing + Additional Capacity) forCurrent Intensification
Areas
Non-
Residentia
Intensification Area l Floor Residents
Areas(Ha)UnitsResidentsSpace(m2)Jobs+ Jobs/ha
Urban Growth
Centre1075,1519,1481,079,37323,684306
Primary Node1151,9583,63304,67490
Mixed Use Nodes2948,13815,537575,20314,814106
Mixed Use Corridors1238,77016,336645,83920,030278
Neighbourhood
Mixed Use Centres4623053232,8722,06058
Comprehensive
Development Areas271,1982,643129,181572109
Subtotal of
Intensification
Areas71225,44447,8292,568,96765,835
Site Specific
Intensification
Opportunities3,6276,672958,68012,38295
Grand Total29,07154,5013,527,64778,217
Given the additional opportunitiesfor redevelopment, based on existing zoning, there is capacity
and potential to achieve higher densities within Kitchener’s Intensification Areas.
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6.Estimated Land Supply
The estimated land supply for Kitchener is a total of the potential capacity within the BUAand
the DGA. As development moves from raw land through the development approvals stage and
eventually to construction, the land supply estimates become more accurate.
6.1Potential Built-up Area Supply
TheBuilt-up Arealand 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 the potential supply from
registered, draft approved and in-circulation subdivisions.
Figure 10: Estimated Built-up Area Supply (capacity of intensification lands inside the Built
Boundary)
Non-Res.
Intensification AreaUnitsResidentsJobs
Space (m²)*
Urban Growth Centre
1,9113,413237,0129,632
Primary Node
44691001,176
Mixed Use Nodes**
4,1198,291360,9498,647
Mixed Use Corridors
6,50512,061443,54613,261
Neighbourhood Mixed Use Centres
6812322,179235
Comprehensive Development Areas
7871,7052,199273
Subtotal of Intensification Areas13,83526,5031,065,88633,224
Site Specific Intensification Opportunities2,3844,263231,8334,509
Total Potential Supply of Current
16,21930,7661,297,71937,733
Intensification Areas
Community Interiors5501,399038
Registered (Vacant Land Inventory) 322679215,6883,225
Draft Approved13336500
In Circulation0000
Other Designated0000
Subtotal1,0052,443215,6883,263
Total Potential Supply (Current Zoning)17,22433,2091,513,40740,996
*Some data reported utilizes MPAC data which has limitations (i.e. non-residential building floor
space).
**Does not include Lackner/Fairway Mixed Use Node which is in the Designated Greenfield Area.
Figure 10 illustrates that the City’s current estimated Built-up Area land supply includes a
potential capacity of approximately 17,000dwelling units and 1.5 millionsquare metres of non-
residential floor space.
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6.2Potential Designated Greenfield Area Supply
The potential Designated Greenfield Area (DGA)land supplyincludes 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 maximumsfor blocks of land that
have a range of units.
Similar to Figure 10,the DGAland 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 11: Estimated Designated Greenfield Area Supply
(lands outside the Built Boundary)
Non-Res. Floor
2
Greenfield LocationUnitsResidentsSpace (m)Jobs
24043057,1001,180
Intensification Areas*
Site Specific Intensification Opportunities0044,566378
Other Designated Lands**5,78013,180112,9546,016
Registered (Vacant Land Inventory)2,7327,29283,5101,459
Draft Approved8,22619,456126126
In Circulation4,96112,34267,890461
Total***21,93952,699366,1459,621
*Includes Lackner/Fairway Mixed Use Node (outside Built Boundary Line)
** Using 55 residents+jobs/hectare assumption. Lands are net Provincial constraints only. No
Hidden Valley Community included. Includes Rosenberg lands without a development
application, based on densities in the Rosenberg Secondary Plan.
***Does not include any additional lands added in the Region Official Plan and City Official Plan
to the City Urban Area. Once the land use designations are considered, the DGA supply
estimates will be updated.
Figure 11 illustrates that the City’s current estimated Designated Greenfield Area land supply
includes a potential capacity of approximately 22,000residential units and 366,000square
metres of non-residential floor space.
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6.3Estimated Total Supply
When combined, the potential land supply of both the BUA and DGAprovidesa total estimate
for residential and employment land in Kitchener.
Figure 12: Estimated Total Supply: Built-up Area and Designated Greenfield Area
Non-Res. Space
LocationUnitsResidentsJobs
(m²)
Built-up Area (BUA)17,22433,2091,513,40740,996
Designated Greenfield
21,93952,699366,1459,621
Area (DGA)
Total 39,16385,9081,879,55250,617
The timing of development from the estimated supply of units is influenced by many factors
including infrastructure timing, landownerpriorities and market forces.
As previously discussed throughout this report, the estimated land supply for Kitchener is based
on existing lands within the City’s urban area as per the 1994 Official Plan and zoning at the
time of the preparation of the KGMS in 2009. It is not based on updatestozoningthat have
recently come into effect throughtheComprehensiveReviewoftheZoningBylaw (CRoZBy).
Further, it does not include any additional lands added in the Region’s Official Planand City’s
Official Planto the City’s urban area (within the DGA) nor does it include the intensification
areas withinthe Built-upArea as outlined in the City’s new Official Plan.It is anticipated that the
City’s growth management program, including the strategy, framework and dynamic tracking
and monitoring system, will be updated in future years to reflect: recent changes to provincial
legislation; updates to the Region’s Official Plan following the completion of their Official Plan
Review currently underway; and, subsequently the City’s Official Plan review which will follow.
7.Current Capacity for Growth
This section compares the current population and employment capacity with the population and
employment allocations provided by the Region of Waterloo.
Figure 13: Population Allocation vs. Estimated Capacity
PopulationEmployment
Existing262,000 *91,000*
Capacity88,19457,268
Total350,194148,268
2031 Growth Allocation 319,500132,500
Difference30,69415,768
*Unofficial interim population estimate as of mid-year 2020, Region
Kitchener’s 2020mid-year population estimated by the Region is now 262,000approximately
4,000more people than reported mid-year 2019. Figure 13 shows that the City has an existing
supply/capacity of developable land within the BUA and DGA that can accommodate more
residents and jobs than the 2031population and employment allocation from the Region.
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8.A Placeto Grow Implementation
On May 16,2019 a new Growth Plan(A Place to Grow)came into effect which, among other
things, provides for revisedintensification levels and densitytargets.The new targets will come
into effect upon completion of the Regional Official Plan review, currently underway. It is
expected that theCity’s growth management strategy and framework as well as the annual
monitoring report may be revisedfollowing the Region’sOfficial Plan Review and subsequently
the City’s Official Plan review.
Growth Forecasts
In response to previousProvincial growth forecasts (and Regional allocation thereof), the City
developed background information in support of the KGMS that analyzesthe growth capacity of
various areas of the city. As indicated in Section 7.0, Kitchener has the capacity to
accommodate the allocated growth into appropriate areas.
The Province continues to update long-term growth forecast scenarios for the Greater Golden
Horseshoe. These forecasts are required to be included within the Region’s Official Plan and
the allocations ofthese forecasts within local Official Plans. At such time as the Region of
Waterloo amendstheir Plan to identify any different/further allocation of the forecasts for
Kitchener, an update to the growth management assessment and the Kitchener Official Plan
may be required.
Urban Growth Centre
The 2006 Growth Plan required that our Urban Growth Centre be planned to achieve a
minimum of 200 RJs/ha by 2031. The City’s Official Plan setthis target at 225 RJs/ha by 2031.
The present density is 185RJs/ha. With additional intensification projects currently happening
or proposed in the UGC, the city is well positioned to meet and exceed these targetsbefore
2031.
Intensification
The 2006 Growth Plan required that 40% of residential development be directed to the BUA by
2015. Thetarget within the Regional Official Planis a minimum of 45% of all new residential
development to be located within the BUA. The 2019Growth Plan has a higher intensification
level targetanddetermining how to implement the target in our region is being considered as
part of the Region’s Official Plan Review.To monitor new development, the City has a dynamic
system that tracks building permit issuance for new residential units inside and outside the Built
Boundary Line. The most recent intensification level over a one-year period was75% while the
five-year average intensification level is now at51%. As indicated in Section 4.0, a multi-year
average provides a better understanding, for monitoring purposes, of whether the City is on
track to achieving the required intensification level.
Designated Greenfield Area Densities
TheGrowth Planmandates that future development within the Designated Greenfield Area
should achieve specific, transit-supportive density targets. Based on the 2006 Growth Plan, to
contribute to meeting the Region’sminimum density target of 50 residents and jobs combined
per hectare for the entire Designated Greenfield Area shown in the Regional Official Plan,
Kitchener’s targetis 55 residents and jobs per hectare in residential subdivisions. Kitchener is
well positioned to meet this target. There are several plans of subdivision that are in areas
served, or to be served, by transit that meet or exceed the overall target. The Kitchener Growth
Management Plan (KGMP) provides a tool for identifying and tracking the Designated
Greenfield Area density.
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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, clean up brownfield sites and achieve mixed
use developments that are pedestrian-oriented are significant. The City isfurther 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. Ultimately, the goal is to help achieve a higher quality of life in a
complete and healthy community.
9.Regional Growth Management Strategy Implementation
The goals outlined in the Regional Growth Management Strategy (RGMS), are largely reflected
in the goals of the KGMS.
10.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. All ofthe objectives, initiatives and recommendations of the KGMS have now
been completed in the past 11years, with the most recent achieved in the delivery of the new
urban design manual in September 2019.
11.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 infrastructure 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 current KGMP (2019-2021+) was
adopted by City Council in November 2019. The next KGMP for 2021-2023+ will be considered
by Committee of Council in Fall 2021.
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