HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-10-051 - Official Plan Review - Formal Public Meeting
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Development &
Tec~rr~ca~ Services
REPORT T0: Development & Technical Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: March 8, 2010
SUBMITTED BY: Alain Pinard, Interim Director of Planning
PREPARED BY: Brandon Sloan, Senior Project Manager (741-2648)
WARD(S) INVOLVED: All
DATE OF REPORT: February 26, 2010
REPORT NO.: DTS-10-051
SUBJECT: OFFICIAL PLAN REVIEW
STATUTORY PUBLIC MEETING
RECOMMENDATION:
That staff proceed with the Official Plan Review as outlined in Reports DTS-09-158 and
DTS-10-051.
BACKGROUND:
Kitchener's current Official Plan (entitled Municipal Plan) was adopted by City Council in 1994
and approved by the Region of Waterloo in 1995. A comprehensive review of the Official Plan
is now underway. The target date for completion is June 2011.
The Planning Acf requires a municipality to hold a public meeting to confirm the need to the
review Official Plan. Report DTS-09-158 (Appendix "A") summarizes the rationale and scope of
the Official Plan Review that is underway. It is noted that several revisions to the Official Plan
are needed in order to comply with new legislation or new Provincial planning documents.
However, a public meeting at this time is an opportunity to hear from the community at a
relatively early stage to make sure that all major items are considered. Any comments raised at
the meeting will be addressed in the review process.
REPORT:
The Official Plan contains objectives and policies to manage Kitchener's future growth, guide
how land can be used, protect the natural environment and ensure the timely provision and
adequacy of services. The current Plan contains many policies that remain valid and will be
incorporated into the new document.
The City is preparing several Background Studies and Master Plans in support of the new
Official Plan. These studies will give direction to new and revised policies that staff will start to
draft later this year. The new Official Plan is required to implement new legislation and provincial
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and regional policy documents. It is anticipated that draft policies will be available for public
review in early 2011.
The rationale for renewing the Official Plan, the review process, and a list of the Background
Studies and Master Plans are contained in DTS Report 09-158 which is attached as Appendix
«A„
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The financial implications are outlined in Report DTS-09-058. No additional costs have been
identified.
COMMUNICATIONS:
The public meeting was advertised in The Record, the Kitchener Citizen and the Community
News. The ads are attached as Appendix "B". Many of the Background Studies and Master
Plans include community engagement. Additional public forums and a statutory public meeting
to receive comments on the draft Official Plan will take place between January and June 2011.
Any written suggestions on land use issues that should be considered in the new Plan can be
submitted to OfficialPlan(~kitchener.ca. A dedicated webpage and formal comment sheet will be
available shortly.
CONTRIBUTING AUTHOR: Tina Malone-Wright, Senior Planner
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Jeff Willmer, Interim General Manager
Development and Technical Services Department
Attachments:
Appendix "A" -DTS Report 09-158
Appendix "B" -Newspaper Advertisements
Kitchener Official Plan Review
Background Studies 2009-10
Prepare Policies 2010
Public Review 2011
Final Plan
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I~rTCx~~R
Development &
Techrr~ca~ Services
REPORT T0: Development & Technical Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: October 26, 2009
SUBMITTED BY: Alain Pinard, Interim Director of Planning
PREPARED BY: Brandon Sloan, Senior Project Manager (741-2648)
WARD(S) INVOLVED: All
DATE OF REPORT: October 20, 2009
REPORT NO.: DTS-09-158
SUBJECT: OFFICIAL PLAN REVIEW UPDATE
RECOMMENDATION:
That Report DTS-09-158 regarding the Official Plan Review be received for information.
BACKGROUND:
Currently, our Municipal Plan is the Official Plan for the City of Kitchener under the Ontario
Planning Act. It contains objectives and policies to manage Kitchener's future growth, advise
how land can be used, protect the natural environment and ensure the timely provision and
adequacy of services. Prepared with input from the community, the Plan coordinates future
planning and development in order to ensure it meets specific needs. Although the Plan is
concerned mainly with land use and physical development of the city, the underlying
consideration in its formulation is the need to balance the social, economic, and environmental
interests of the community.
The Kitchener Municipal (Official) Plan was adopted by City Council in 1994 and approved by
the Region in 1995. Every 5 years, a municipality is required by the Province of Ontario to
review their Official Plans. As a result, in 2000 Council directed staff to prepare a review of our
Official Plan. After beginning to review the Plan, planning staff were apprised in 2002 that there
were significant changes pending in planning legislation and policy, both at the provincial and
regional level. These changes resulted in the preparation and approval of the first Regional
Growth Management Strategy (2003), the new Provincial Policy Statement (2005), the
provincial Places to Grow Act (2005) and Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe
(2006), changes to the Planning Act through Bill 51 (Royal Assent in 2006, in effect January
2007) and the new Region Official Plan (2009). Given these numerous and profound changes,
planning staff put the preparation of a new Official Plan on hold.
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Notwithstanding the expected policy changes, planning staff did proceed with several specific
Official Plan Amendments in order to complete projects or to address specific issues that arose.
This includes the commercial policy structure (MPA #36), new downtown design policies (MPA
#64) and changes resulting from the City's Triplex Study (MPA #75). Several components of
the plan and mapping required minor edits which occurred as part of housekeeping
amendments (MPAs #13, 50, 51 and 59).
The provincial Places to Grow Growth Plan includes new measures for how communities should
be planned and designed. Municipalities are undertaking a significant amount of studies and
work to ensure compliance with the Places to Grow Growth Plan. Through Council's approval of
the Kitchener Growth Management Strategy (KGMS) and Plan in 2009, a major component of
reviewing the Places to Grow requirements at the local level is now complete. The KGMS
provides recommended actions for preparing the necessary studies to comply with Places to
Grow and provides some of the basis for the new Official Plan. Other requirements are still
being sorted out at the regional level, such as specific greenfield density and intensification level
targets. The new Regional Official Plan (ROP) also includes direction for area municipalities to
complete a significant amount of work and policy direction as part of local level Official Plans.
Although Kitchener completed several major policy directions that could influence the Official
Plan, such as the Plan for a Healthy Kitchener and the Strategic Plan for the Environment
update, there are still numerous other master plans and background studies required to be
undertaken.
All municipalities in the Greater Golden Horseshoe are spending a significant amount of time
and resources to complete Places to Grow implementation, growth strategies, master plans and
Official Plan reviews.
REPORT:
The current Official Plan Review is a Planning Division-led project having corporate implications.
An Official Plan Coordinating Team has been established and consists of Alain Pinard, Interim
Director of Planning; Leon Bensason, Interim Manager of Long Range and Policy Planning;
Della Ross, Manager of Development Review; Tina Malone-Wright, Senior Planner; and
Brandon Sloan, Senior Project Manager. Brandon Sloan is responsible for overall project
management of the OP review. This consists of coordinating background studieslmaster plans
(referred to as `subprojects'), project management, budgeting, communications, and leading
several subprojects. Tina Malone-Wright is responsible for preparation of the Official Plan
document and leading select subprojects. Several subprojects are led by various individuals
within the Planning Division or within other divisions or departments. Project teams are utilized
to complete the work.
The list of subprojects for the Official Plan Review is attached as Appendix "A". These
subprojects or studies include the Comprehensive Review of Employment (Industrial) Lands, a
Transportation Master Plan, the new Parks Master Plan, Designated Greenfield ArealDensity
Assessment, and the identification of a local-level Natural Heritage System. There is also a
significant amount of work that needs to be undertaken to meet the timing for the Southwest
Urban Area Studies and Fischer Hallman Corridor Secondary Plan. Given the breadth of
background studies that are typically needed for preparing a new Official Plan and the tight
timeframe to complete the plan (the ROP identifies a two year deadline from June 16, 2009),
coordination and prioritization are important. Several projects will have to be prepared after
completion of the new Official Plan in 2011. This includes conducting a major review of all of our
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Secondary Plans, and the preparation of new Secondary Plans in Major Transit Station Areas or
other central areas of the city.
The general timing of the Official Plan Review process is outlined in the chart below. The details
of public engagement, beyond what is expected to occur in each of the subprojects, are
currently under preparation as part of a Project Communication Plan (see Communications
section of this report).
General Official Plan Review (2009-2011) Process:
Background Studies/Master Plans (Subprojects)
Southwest Urban Area Studies/
Fischer Hallman Corridor Secondar Plan Ongoing -Fall 2010*
Early 2010 -Early 2011
Draft Official Plan preparation Dec 2009 -Dec 2010
Public Review Januar 2011 -June 2011
Approval Required June 2011
*Several Background Studies/Master Plans will result in reports to Committee/Council, which may
include recommendations for new Official Plan policy direction and endorsement of principles to be
considered in the OP review..
Issues and Expectations
Typically, a municipality will take several years to complete a review of its Official Plan. The
timing to complete the subprojects and complete a review of the Kitchener Official Plan (by June
2011) is aggressive. Although there may not be a large amount of time available for extensive
engagement, the local community and stakeholders have been consulted on visioning and
numerous master planning efforts in the past several years (e.g. Plan for a Healthy Kitchener,
Strategic Plan for the Environment Update, etc.). In addition, there will be opportunities for
public involvement in several of the subprojects and during the review of the Official Plan.
The Official Plan is required to focus on land use policies, and the expectation is that the new
Official Plan will continue to pursue areas of policy that this community has embraced decades.
This includes directives for a built form that has nodes and corridors, mixed use, and a
continued focus on downtown. The new Official Plan is also expected to refine our planning
actions with respect to conserving the natural environment, improved transportation demand
management, urban design and conservation of heritage resources. In addition to supporting
rapid transit and intensification objectives, the direction in the new Plan may also include policy
direction for the future "completing of communities".
Additional issues or expectations forthis Official Plan Review may include:
^ The greenfield density and intensification targets for each municipality (requires resolution
within the year). This will have implications to the built form and service requirements for new
subdivisions and the entire city.
^ A revised parks classification system.
^ An updated approach to transportation master planning.
^ Increased emphasis on place making.
^A review of our city's urban structure including the role of transit corridors.
^ A limited scope of work is expected on downtown policies given there was a recent review.
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^ Specific themes or policies of the Official Plan will be of interest to specific interest groups,
such as the natural environment policies, cycling, community gardens, etc.
^ Any issues with respect to the southwest edge of the city that is outside the City Urban Area
(according to the ROP) are not expected to be dealt with as part of this Official Plan. There is
still additional Regional study and discussion required for this area.
^A comprehensive review of existing and potential new Secondary Plans is expected after
this Official Plan. This Official Plan should establish the desired urban structure and policy
direction for undertaking this work. Also, the Secondary Plan review is a major endeavour
that should be given additional time for public involvement.
^ The new Official Plan will be aligned with more recently established visions and strategies
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The Official Plan Review (and KGMS Implementation) will require funds from the existing
Planning Studies Capital account. The 2009 Development Charges (DC) Background Study/By-
law identifies funds to be used towards Planning Studies ($216,000 in each of 2010 and 2011).
A portion of this amount is intended to be used towards the Southwest Urban Area
Studies/Fischer Hallman Corridor Secondary Plan, with the remainder dedicated to the Planning
Division-led studies/subprojects and the Official Plan document. Engineering studies/
subprojects related to the new Official Plan are also identified in the 2009 DC Study (totalling
$800,000 over 2009-13). This includes a Transportation Master Plan, Southwest Transportation
Network Study and aCity-wide Sanitary Capacity Analysis.
The written component of the Official Plan, and as much of the subprojects as possible, are
intended to be completed with existing staff resources. Some technical expertise from
consultants will be required. Partnerships with the Universities or other options will be explored.
COMMUNICATIONS:
This report is an information update only. A formal public meeting is required at the outset of the
Official Plan. The intended timing for an advertised public meeting is early in 2010. There will be
numerous opportunities for stakeholder and public involvement. This will occur through the
subprojects and primarily during the public review of the draft Official Plan expected in January-
June 2011. Open houses, newsletters, etc. will be undertaken in advance to inform the public.
A formal Communications Plan is to be prepared for this project. A significant amount of
community visioning and master planning has occurred in the last several years, and much of
this can be distilled into land use policies in the new Official Plan.
REVIEWED BY: Tina Malone-Wright, Senior Planner
Leon Bensason, Interim Manager of Long Range & Policy Planning
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Jeff Willmer, Interim General Manager
Development and Technical Services Department
Attachment:
Appendix "A" -Official Plan Review Subprojects
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Appendix "A"
KITCHENER OFFICIAL PLAN REVIEW (2009-2011) SUBPROJECTS
Project
Lead
Proposed Timing
1. Parks Master Plan CSD-Parks End 2009
2. Comprehensive Review -Employment Lands Planning June 2009-Early 2010
3. Designated Greenfield Area Assessment Planning Fall 2009
4. Natural Heritage Systems Assessment Planning Fall 2009-June 2010
5. Comprehensive Review -Intensification Areas Planning Fall 2009-Dec 2010
Report: Principles June 2010
6. Review of "Green" Development Policies Planning Fall 2009-Earth Day 2010+
7. City-wide Sanitary Capacity Analysis Engineering Fall 2009-Summer 2010
8. Southwest Urban Studies/FH Secondary Plan Planning Fall 2009-Early 2011
Phase 1 &2: Community-level Planning Jan 2010-Summer 2010
Phase 3: Detailed PlanslDesign Fall 2010-Early 2011
Phase 4: Final Recommendations By June 2011
9. Secondary Plans -Minor Review Planning Nov 2009-June 2010
10. Community Infrastructure Plan Planning Fall 2009-Early 2010
11. Social/Demographic Profile Planning Jan 2010-June 2010
12. Housing Profile/Inventory Planning Jan 2010-June 2010
13. Transportation Master Planning Eng.ITrans. PI. Early 2010-Early 2011
14. Transportation Demand Management Plan Eng.lTrans. PI. Pending
15. Commercial Policy Review Planning Early 2010-Fall 2010
Assessment of Municipal Plan (TBD) Planning TBD
OP Document Preparation Planning Fall 2009-Fall 2010
OP Document Internal Review Fall 2010
OP Document Public Review Jan 2011-June 2011
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SUBPROJECTS AFTER 2011 OFFICIAL PLAN
Project Lead Proposed Timing
16. Secondary Plans -Major Review Planning Post 2011 (2012-2016)
17. Secondary Plans -Major Transit Station Areas Planning Post 2011
18. Review of "Green" Development Implementation Planning Post 2011
19. Environmental Management Plan Post 2011
20. Cultural Heritage Landscape Inventory Planning Post 2011
21. City Wastewater Infrastructure Plan Engineering TBD
22. City Water main Infrastructure Plan Engineering TBD
Other 2011 Official Plan Implementation TBD
5-Year OP Review: Update any Background Studies 2014-2015
5-Year OP Review: Plan Preparation 2015-1016
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APPENDIX "B"
(advertised in The Record on January 29t", 20010 and February 5t", 2010}
PLANNING MATTERS:
PROPERTY OWNERS AND INTERESTED PARTIES ARE INVITED
TO ATTEND A PUBLIC MEETING TO DISCUSS
THE PREPARATION OF THE NEW CITY OF KITCHENER OFFICIAL PLAN
UNDER SECTIONS 17 AND 26 OF THE PLANNING ACT, R.S.O. 1990, C.P. 13 AS AMENDED
Help shape the Kitchener of tomorrow!
The City of Kitchener is updating its Official Plan. An Official Plan is a document that contains objectives and policies
to manage a city's growth and change, advise how land can be used, protect the natural environment and ensure the
timely provision and adequacy of services. An Official Plan is typically directed at land use and physical development
of the city. In the last several years, the province and region have approved new planning policies and direction
that require local municipalities to update their Official Plans.
A public meeting will be held to obtain preliminary ideas or suggestions to be considered in drafting the new
Kitchener Official Plan. This will be the first in a series of public consultation sessions that will be announced
throughout the process. The meeting will take place during the Development and Technical Services
Committee meeting on:
MONDAY, MARCH 8t", 2010 at 7:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 2nd FLOOR, CITY HALL
200 KING STREET WEST, KITCHENER.
Any person may attend the Public Meeting and make written andlor verbal representation either in support of, or
in opposition to, the above noted proposal. If a person or public body that files a notice of appeal of a
decision, does not make oral submissions at this public meeting or make a written submission prior to
approvallrefusal of this proposal, the Ontario Municipal Board may dismiss all or part of a subsequent
appeal.
If you would like to speak at the public meeting, please register in advance by calling the City Clerk's Office at 741-
2286. Written submissions can be sent to the City Clerks Office, 200 King Street West - 2nd Floor, Kitchener, ON,
N2G 4G7. If you wish to be notified of any public meeting andlor the adoption of the Official Plan, please submit your
name and contact information to the City Clerk.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION is available by contacting the appropriate staff person noted below and by viewing the
report contained in the meeting agenda (available on the Friday afternoon prior to the meeting, in the calendar section
of the website http://www.kitchener.ca/calendarlcalendarEvent.aspx), or in person at the Development and Technical
Services Department -Planning Division, 6t" Floor, City Hall, 200 King Street West, Kitchener between 8:30 a.m. -
5:00 p.m. (Monday to Friday).
Brandon Sloan, Senior Project Manager - 519-741-2648, brandon.sloan(a~kitchener.ca
Tina Malone-Wright, Senior Planner - 519-741-2765, tina.malonewri, ht ,kitchener.ca
(TTY: 1-866-969-9994)
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