HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-15-061 - Kitchener Growth Management Strategy - 2015 Annual Monitoring Report Staff Report
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REPORT TO: Community & Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: August 31, 2015
SUBMITTED BY: Alain Pinard, Director of Planning
PREPARED BY: Natalie Goss, Senior Planner, 519-741-2200 ext. 7067
Sarah Coutu, Policy Planner
WARD(S) INVOLVED: ALL
DATE OF REPORT: August 10, 2015
REPORT NO.: CSD-15-061
SUBJECT: Kitchener Growth Management Strategy
2015 Annual Monitoring Report
RECOMMENDATION:
That Report CSD-15-061 Kitchener Growth Management Strategy — 2015 Annual
Monitoring Report be received for information, and;
That Report CSD-15-061 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 Region regarding delegated approval authority.
BACKGROUND:
The purpose of this report is to provide Committee and Council with the 2015 Kitchener
Growth Management Strategy Annual Monitoring Report (Monitoring Report). The
Monitoring Report is an action item of the 2009 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 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).
The KGMS introduced a number of goals, 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 to track the supply of development opportunities and the
***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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achievement of intensification and density targets. Monitoring reports have been
prepared annually since 2010.
The 2015 Monitoring Report (see Appendix A) provides a summary and assessment of
growth within the Built-up Areas (intensification areas) and Designated Greenfield Areas
of the City over the past year (June 2014 to June 2015).
Highlights of the 2015 Monitoring Report include:
• The estimated density of the Urban Growth Centre (UGC) increased from 167
residents and jobs per hectare (2014) to 169 residents and jobs per hectare (2015).
Kitchener continues to be well on its way to achieving the provincial target of 200
and the new Official Plan target of 225 residents and jobs per hectare by 2031;
• The intensification level over the past year (new residential construction that occurs
within the built-up area) is 49% and over the past 5-years is an average of 48%. This
exceeds the target of 45% that is required in the Region's new Official Plan;
• 2014 saw the second highest number of new dwelling units created (2,417) in the
last 30+ years;
• The City continues to have the potential to accommodate its current allocated
population and employment growth within its urban area.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
This report aligns with the City of Kitchener Strategic Plan community priority of
`Development' as it monitors growth as part of an ongoing program to manage 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 is scheduled to be
presented to the Waterloo Region Homebuilders Liaison Committee for information in
mid-August.
CONCLUSION:
The 2015 Monitoring Report demonstrates that Kitchener continues to be well
positioned to accommodate growth and achieve identified targets.
REVIEWED BY:
Brandon Sloan, Manager, Long Range and Policy Planning
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Alain Pinard, Acting Deputy CAO (Community Services)
Appendix A— Kitchener Growth Management Strategy (KGMS)
Annual Monitoring Report - 2015
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Growth Management Strategy
2015 Annual Monitoring Report
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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 its 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 within the
Corporate Business Plan to be completed over the next few years. The results of
the 2015 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 167 RJs/ha in 2014 to approximately 169 RJs/ha in
2015. This is an excellent step towards achieving the provincially-mandated target
of 200 RJs/ha by 2031. The City's current intensification level of 49% and 5-year
average intensification level of 48% within its Built-Up Area continues to be higher
than the intended intensification target (45%).
In 2014, building permits were issued for a total of 2,416 new residential units. This
represents a 225% increase from 2013. The majority of new residential units
developed were in the form of multiple dwellings (63%).
In future years, the formal intensification areas, dwelling types and other matters will
be updated to reflect the new Official Plan and pending new Zoning By-law.
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1. 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, 2015 (the anniversary date of the Growth Plan).
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2. Delegated Approval Authority Summary for 2014
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 dwelling units (herein after referred to as units) created by these approvals in
2014. This is a requirement of an agreement between the City of Kitchener and the
Region of Waterloo regarding delegated approval authority.
Figure 1: 2014 Development Applications Received
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Subdivisions 1 30T-14201 GEHL PL 402 274
30CDM-14204 ADAM ST 21 0
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30CDM-14207 BLAIR CREEK DR 0 40
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Part Lot Control 18
Consents 112
TOTAL 136 451 444
The number of development applications (for new lot creation) received in 2014 (136)
was higher than the number received in 2013 (77). The increase is primarily attributed
to Part Lot Control and Consent applications.
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Figure 2: 2014 Development Applications Approved
Combination of Combination of
2014 Singles, Semis or Multiple Residential,
Street Fronting Cluster Townhouse
Townhouse Units and Quad Units
Subdivision Draft Approved Units 73 12
Subdivision Draft Approved Units
(Appealed to Ontario Municipal 680 1,046
Board)
Condominium Draft Approved Units* 0 12
Subdivision Registered Units 778 124
Condominium Registered Units* 32 981
Part Lot Control 8 0
Consents 23 0
Total 1,594 2,175
*Includes condominium conversions
A total of 85 dwelling units were created through an approved draft plan of subdivision in
2014. An additional 1,726 units received Council approval in 2014 through plans of
subdivisions however; they were appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board. The number
of condominium registered units in 2014 (1,013) was considerably higher than 2013
(290).
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3. 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 2013 2014 (2010-2014) (2004-2014) (1995-2014)
Single Detached* 346 503 481 600 652
Semi-Detached* 22 18 32 64 67
Duplex** 85 87 16 17 16
Townhouses 217 275 271 314 259
Multiple Dwellings*** 400 1,534 343 352 272
Total New Units 1,070 2,417 1,142 1,347 1,266
*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 2014, building permits were issued for a total of 2,417 new residential units. This is
an increase of 1,347 residential units compared to 2013. 2014 saw the second highest
number of new dwelling units created in the last 30+ years and more than double the 5-
year average. The majority of new units were in the form of multiple dwellings,
accounting for 63% of new residential units. The number of new multiple dwelling units
almost quadrupled from 2013 to 2014. This is due in part to four significant high-rise
apartment buildings beginning construction located at 460 Belmont Avenue West (HIP
Developments), 15 Prince Albert Boulevard (Reids Heritage), 200 Old Carriage Drive
(Drewlo Holdings) and, 101 Fallowfield Drive (Drewlo Holdings). 2014 also saw a
continued rise in the newer forms of multiples like stacked townhouse units and low-rise
multiple units.
Building permits issued during the first six months of 2015 created 546 new residential
units. Compared to the same time in 2014, the numbers are significantly lower which can
mainly be attributed to a typical drop-off after a very high year of multiple dwelling
construction. It is expected that over the next few years there will be an increase in
single detached dwellings as several approved subdivisions are now under or nearing
construction.
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4. Intensification Level
The Region of Waterloo's new Official Plan requires urban municipalities, including
Kitchener, to achieve a minimum of 45% of all new residential development within its
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) and shows the location of new units
created within these areas.
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Achieving the minimum intensification level could be a challenge for some municipalities
that still have a significant amount of Designated Greenfield Area (DGA) lands available
and limited intensification opportunities. Kitchener however, is well positioned to achieve
this target. The most recent measures of new residential units by type in the BUA and
DGA are indicated in Figure 4 below.
Figure 4: Designated Greenfield Area and Built-up Area Development Levels
(June 16/14 - June 15/15)
Designated
Greenfield Area Built-Up Area
(New Residential (New Residential
Dwelling Type Units) Units) Total
Single Detached 535 17 552
Semi-Detached 2 14 16
Duplex 3 81 84
Street Townhouses 237 0 237
Cluster Townhouses 0 80 80
Multiple Dwellings 274 817 1,091
Total 1 1,051 1 1,009 1 27060
Percent of Total 1 51% 1 49% 1 100%
As expected, there were more multiple dwellings in the BUA and more single detached
and street townhouse dwellings in the DGA. A substantial amount of the new units
created in the DGA were multiple dwellings (26%). Overall, the City continues to achieve
a balance in new residential units between the DGA and BUA.
The most recent intensification level of 49% continues to be an indication that the City
remains positioned to exceed the intensification target. Following a year of major
multiple dwelling construction, and considering that 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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Figure 5 illustrates the historic intensification levels, as per the Provincial Built Boundary
Line.
Figure 5: Intensification Level (2001 to present)
Intensification Levels - 2001 to Present
Built Boundary Line Method
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The intensification level has remained relatively high in the past couple of years as
redevelopment continues to occur in the Urban Growth Centre (Downtown) and in
several locations throughout the City. However, 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. An average will provide a better understanding of whether the City is on track to
achieving any required intensification level. Figure 6 below illustrates the 5 year average
intensification levels from June 2001 to June 2015.
Figure 6: 5 Year Average Intensification Levels
5 Year Average
Intensification Level
Year (%)
June 2001 - June 2006 50
June 2006 - June 2011 41
June 2011 - June 2015 48
The 5-year average Intensification Level (June 2011 - June 2015) is now at 48% with
the 10-year average (2005-2015) slightly lower at 44%.
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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 Areas
within the BUA.
Figure 7: Existing Measures for Current Intensification Areas
Land Non-
Intensification Area Area Units Residents Residential Jobs Residents
(Ha) Floor + Jobs/ha
Space (m2)
Urban Growth Centre* 107 2,242 4,036 878,885 14,056 169
Primary Node 115 1,792 3,227 203,504 3,515 76
Mixed Use Nodes 294 3,790 6,817 276,030 5,972 40
Mixed Use Corridors 123 1,786 3,437 268,719 6,315 89
Neighbourhood Mixed 46 162 414 10,695 1,828 52
Use Centres
Comprehensive 27 16 29 126,982 351 11
Development Areas
Subtotal of 712 9,788 17,959 1,764,815 32,037
Intensification Areas
Site Specific
Intensification 1,094 2,159 713,958 7,619 53
Opportunities
Grand Total 10,882 20,118 2,478,773 39,656
**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 167 RJs/ha in
2013 to 169 RJs/ha in 2014. 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 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
Intensification Floor Residents
Areas Area (Ha) Units Residents Space(m2) Jobs + Jobs/ha
Urban Growth 107 1,871 3,331 199,950 8,724 112
Centre
Primary Node 115 304 655 0 1,114 18
Mixed Use Nodes 294 4,176 8,401 316,865 8,579 66
Mixed Use 123 6,957 12,643 435,953 13,251 184
Corridors
Neighbourhood
Mixed Use 46 68 123 22,100 234 7
Centres
Comprehensive
Development 27 942 2,067 2,199 273 66
Areas
Subtotal of
Intensification 712 14,317 27,220 977,068 32,176
Areas
Site Specific
Intensification 2,643 4,716 252,023 4,782 43
Opportunities
Grand Total 16,960 31,936 1,229,091 36,958
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 of the Zoning By-law (CRoZBy) and Planning Around Rapid
Transit Stations (PARTS) will continue to refine the planning framework 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 9 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.
Figure 9: 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 4,113 7,367 1,078,835 22,780 281
Primary Node 115 2,096 3,881 0 4,629 94
Mixed Use
Nodes 294 7,966 15,218 592,895 14,551 106
Mixed Use
Corridors 123 8,743 16,080 704,672 19,566 272
Neighbourhood
Mixed Use
Centres 46 230 537 32,795 2,063 59
Comprehensive
Development
Areas 27 958 2,096 129,181 624 77
Subtotal of
Intensification
Areas 712 24,105 45,180 2,741,883 64,213
Site Specific
Intensification
Opportunities 3,737 6,874 965,981 12,401 97
Grand Total 27,842 52,054 3,707,864 76,614
Given the additional opportunities for redevelopment, there is capacity and potential to
achieve higher densities within Kitchener's Intensification Areas.
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6. 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.
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 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 Area Units Residents Space Jobs
(mz)*
Urban Growth Centre 1,871 3,331 199,950 8,724
Primary Node 304 655 0 1,114
Mixed Use Nodes** 4,176 8,401 316,865 8,579
Mixed Use Corridors 6,957 12,643 435,953 13,251
Neighbourhood Mixed Use Centres 68 123 22,100 234
Comprehensive Development Areas
942 2,067 2,199 273
Subtotal of Intensification Areas 14,317 27,220 977,068 32,176
Site Specific Intensification Opportunities 2,643 4,716 252,023 4,782
Total Potential Supply of Current 16,960 31,936 1,229,091 36,958
Intensification Areas
Community Interiors 800 2,024 0 55
Registered (Vacant Land Inventory) 1,678 3,571 229,282 3,284
Draft Approved 119 345 0 0
In Circulation 0 0 0 0
Other Designated 0 0 0 0
Subtotal 2,597 5,940 229,282 3,339
Total Potential Supply (Current Zoning) 19,557 37,876 1,458,373 40,297
*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 19,000 residential units and 1.5 million square
metres of non-residential floor space.
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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 for blocks of land that have
a range of units.
Similar to Figure 10, 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 11: Estimated Designated Greenfield Area Supply
(lands outside the Built Boundary)
Non-Res.
Floor Space
Greenfield Location Units Residents (m2) Jobs
Intensification Areas* 240 430 57,100 1,180
Site Specific Intensification
Opportunities - - 44,773 383
Other Designated Lands** 8,245 19,319 120,154 5,915
Registered (Vacant Land
Inventory) 2,569 7,014 89,460 1,463
Draft Approved 1 51612 137783 37030 1 787
In Circulation 37386 87513 527090 126
Total 20,052 49,059 366,607 9,854
*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.
Figure 11 illustrates that the City's current estimated Designated Greenfield Area land
supply includes a potential capacity of approximately 20,000 residential units and over
350,000 square metres of non-residential floor space.
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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 12: Estimated Total Supply: Intensification and Designated Greenfield Area
Location Units Residents Non-Res. Space Jobs
Built-up Area (BUA) 19,557 37,876 1,458,373 40,297
Designated Greenfield 20,052 49,059 366,607 9,854
Area (DGA)
Total 39,610 86,934 1,824,980 50,150
The estimated supply of dwelling units has decreased in the BUA and DGA from June
2014. The total supply of dwelling units and jobs is expected to eventually decrease as
development continues to occur and the city moves towards a "mature state".
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 and Employment Allocations vs. Estimated Capacity
Population Employment
Existing 238,400* 87,409**
Capacity 86,934 50,150
Total 325,334 137,559
***2029 Growth Allocation 313,000 130,000
Difference 12,334 7,559
*Unofficial interim population estimate as of mid-year 2015, Region
**Based on the 2011 Census household survey which was conducted in a different
format. Also includes the incremental increase in UGC (downtown)jobs since 2011
***Once the 2031 Population Allocation has been incorporated into the City's Official
Plan it will be reported in future monitoring reports
Kitchener's 2015 mid-year population estimated by the Region is now 238,400;
approximately 2,400 more people than reported mid-year 2014. 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 2029 population and employment
allocation from the Region. The allocations to 2031 were recently identified and
considered through the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) process for the Region's Official
Plan. Following the written decision, a process will be required for the Region to update
the allocations within the City's new Official Plan. Subsequent monitoring reports will be
updated to reflect the change.
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8. Places to Grow Implementation
In June 2014 Kitchener City Council adopted a new Official Plan. The new Official Plan
has been approved by the Region of Waterloo and is currently under appeal. 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 Provincial growth forecasts (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 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 of these forecasts within local Official Plans. At such
time as the Region of Waterloo considers a future amendment to their 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 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 by 2031. The present density is 169 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 40% of residential development be directed to the BUA by
2015. According to the recently approved ROP, the City must achieve a minimum of
45% of all new residential development within its BUA. 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. Given the high level of new
apartment units within the BUA over the past year, the most recent intensification level
was 49%.
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 target,
according to the new Region Official Plan, is 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.
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
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Kitchener Growth Management Strategy
2015 Annual Monitoring Report
CSD-15-061
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. Ultimately, the goal is to
help achieve a higher quality of life in a healthy and complete community.
In 2014 the Province released a set of 14 performance indicators to measure the
progress of the Growth Plan. These performance indicators include, among other things,
measuring Urban Growth Centre and Designated Greenfield Area densities. The
Province intends to report on these performance indicators every five years.
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. Many of the KGMS action items described in Section
10 below support the implementation of the RGMS as well. Additional initiatives that
support the RGMS include the new Five Best Bets for Air Quality program, the pending
update to the Kitchener Economic Development Strategy (KEDS) and the new Official
Plan.
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. A significant portion of the objectives, initiatives and
recommendations of the KGMS have been completed in previous years and the status
of remaining items is listed below.
Action Item Status
Goal 1 Enhance our valued natural and cultural heritage resources
3 Update Urban Design Will be part of the comprehensive update
Manual: "Green" scheduled for 2016-2017.
Goal 5 Strengthen communities
4 Prepare a Neighbourhood Project in the Corporate Business Plan and
Strategy underway.
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 (2013-2015+) was adopted by City Council in 2013. The next KGMP for
2015-2017+will be considered by Committee of Council in September 2015.
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