HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSD-2021-164 - Kitchener Growth Management Strategy 2021 Annual Monitoring Report
REPORT TO: Community & Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: October 4, 2021
SUBMITTED BY: Rosa Bustamante, Director, Planning Development Services
519-741-2200 ext. 7319
PREPARED BY: Tim Seyler, Planner 519-741-2200 ext. 7860
Tim Donegani, Senior Planner 519-741-2200 ext. 7067
WARD(S) INVOLVED: ALL
DATE OF REPORT: September 23, 2021
REPORT NO.: DSD-2021-164
SUBJECT: Kitchener Growth Management Strategy 2021 Annual Monitoring
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT Report DSD-2021-164 Kitchener Growth Management Strategy 2021 Annual
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 2021 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 should occur in Kitchener. To ensure that growth contributes positively to
quality of life, the KGMS coordinates the provision of infrastructure and services with new
development. The 2009 KGMS goals and actions support the Provincial 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 achievement of intensification and
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
density targets. This is also a requirement of the Growth Plan and the Regional Official Plan.
Monitoring reports have been prepared annually since 2010.
The 2021 Monitoring Report (Appendix A) provides a summary and assessment of growth within
the Built-up Area (intensification areas) and Designated Greenfield Area of the city over the past
year (June 2020 to June 2021).
Highlights of the 2021 Monitoring Report Include:
Residential Development Rates in 2020
The number of new dwelling units created in 2020 (3,803) increased slightly from 2019
(3,627). This is the highest year for new units created through buildings permits in the last
30 years.
66% 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) is 212 residents and jobs per
hectare. Kitchener continues to be well on its way to achieving the Official Plan
minimum target of 225 residents and jobs per hectare by 2031.
Built Up Area and Designated Greenfield Area Development (June 2020 and June 2021)
The intensification level over the past year (new residential construction that occurs within
the Built-up Area) is 67%. This intensification level is second only to the 75%
intensification rate achieved in the last reporting period.
Although the total number units increased this year compared to last, there were fewer
units within the Built-up Area this year than last.
Over the next several years, it is expected that the intensification level will decrease as
d Area (i.e. newer subdivision areas) build
-year average intensification level is 56%, which exceeds Region of
. This continues to be an indication that the City is on track to
contribute towards, and in some years exceed, the Region-wide minimum intensification
target.
Building permits issued for new residential units between June 2020 and June 2021 within
the Designated Greenfield Area continue to provide a varied and balanced supply of
dwelling types.
The number of multiple dwelling building permits issued in the Built-Up Area far exceed
those that were issued within the Designated Greenfield Area. This is expected as higher
density developments are focused in intensification areas identified on the Urban
Structure.
The number of new duplex units has increased rapidly in recent years up to 370 during
this reporting period.
No permits were issues for Detached Additional Dwelling Units (also referred to as
backyard homes) in June-June reporting period - the first backyard home permits were
issued in August 2021. Staff will report on the number of new backyard homes next year.
Capacity for Growth
The City continues to have the potential to accommodate its current allocated population
and employment growth within its urban area.
Growth Management Program
program, including the strategy,
framework and dynamic tracking and monitoring system, will be updated in future years
l Plan
following the completion of their Official Plan Review (currently underway); and,
next Official Plan review which will follow. Progress towards
minimum density targets for Major Transit Station Areas (MTSAs) will be a key component
of a revised growth monitoring program.
This report includes interim density estimates for the MTSAs. Most are well bellow their
expected 60 residents and jobs per hectare minimum density target.
In conclusion, the 2021 Monitoring Report demonstrates that Kitchener continues to be well
positioned to accommodate growth, achieve identified targets, and meet Provincial and Regional
requirements.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
Delivery of Core Services
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no new or additional capital budget requests with this recommendation.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM
Council / Committee meeting. In addition, growth monitoring report information was shared with
the Waterloo Region Home Builders Kitchener Development Liaison Committee ahead of this
meeting.
PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES:
DSD-20-157 Kitchener Growth Management Strategy Annual Monitoring Reports 2020
DSD-19-206 Kitchener Growth Management Plan 2019-2021
DTS-09-011 Kitchener Growth Management Strategy
2010-2019 Annual Monitoring Reports and Biennial Plans available at
https://www.kitchener.ca/en/strategic-plans-and-projects/growth-management.aspx
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Justin Readman - General Manager, Development Services
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A Kitchener Growth Management Strategy (KGMS) Annual Monitoring Report
2021
Attachment A to DSD-2021-164
Kitchener Growth
Management Strategy
2021 Annual Monitoring Report
October 4, 2021
Executive Summary
In 2009, Kitchener approved its Growth Management Strategy (KGMS) in support of
the Cityexpected and planned to accommodate a
relatively significant amount of residential and employment growth by 2031. The City
is also mandated by the Province to achieve certain numerical targets and other
planning objectives.
Kitchener tracks and monitors 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 been completed and the
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 212 RJs/ha, surpassing the provincially mandated target of 200
RJs/ha by 2031, and approaching the higher Official Plan minimum target of
225 RJs/ha by 2031-year
average intensification level of 56% exceed the Regional intensification target (45%).
In 2020, building permits were issued for a total of 3,803 new residential units a
slight increase from 2019, and the highest year for new units in the last 30 years.
66% of new residential units developed were in the form of multiple dwellings.
framework and dynamic tracking and monitoring system, will be updated in future
years to reflect: recent changes to provincial legislation;
Official Plan following the completion of their Official Plan Review (currently
underway)
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 our quality of life. The goals and
actions outlined in the KGMS support A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden
Horseshoe (2020) 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). The monitoring report also provides
a summary of development applications that have been received and those that have been
approved in 2020.
This monitoring report captures a snapshot of all data (with the exception of Sections 2 and 3)
as of June 16, 2021 (the anniversary date of the 2006 Growth Plan).
2.Delegated Approval Authority Summary for 2020
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) approved through these applications in 2020.
Reporting on those approvals is a requirement of an agreement between the City of Kitchener
and the Region of Waterloo regarding delegated approval authority. Figure 1 includes the
number of applications received, approved and registered in 2020.
Figure 1: 2020 Development Applications Received, Approved and Registered
Combination of
Combination of Multiple Residential,
Application # of Singles, Semis or Cluster Townhouse
Type Applications Street Fronting Units, Commercial and
Townhouse Units Mixed Use
Developments
Received Applications
Subdivision 0 0 0
Condominium 8 14 555
Part Lot Control 6
Consents 49
Total 63 14 555
Approved Lots/Units
Subdivision 0 0 0
Condominium 8 14 555
Part Lot Control 6 184 0
Consents 49 66 20
Total 63 264 575
Registered Lots/Units
Subdivision 8 606 55
Condominium 20 0 564
Total 28 606 619
*
--
84
6
4986
6615695695651
Total
20
---
5520
/CT
555555564
20
to
Multiple
*
6
49
16
--
084
141466
6061
SST
-
708071
536632
Total
2,8181,333
registered from 20
9
--
1236
CT
746422632
201
2,818
Multiple/
7*
80
---
5835
587114122
SST
9
1366
680688389655136
Total
2,635
Dwelling
8
-
4
75
CT
729171594389641
201
Multiple/
66
13*
-
96
941414
509
SST
1,906
-
32
19*33*
284283603695532371
Total
Multiple, Cluster Townhouse
---
6
CT
222583675526
2017
Multiple/
19*33*
-
6
62202023
283371
SST
24
25*48*
142449633384673924145
Total
85
5**
/CT
124186232384615897
Subdivision, Condominium, Part Lot Control, and Consent Applications Received, Approved and Registered2016
Multiple
20
25*48*
20
-
-
6
1858276027
263401
SST
Figure 2: 201
Single, Semi, Street Townhouse Dwelling; Multiple/CT
.
bdivisions
Consents
20
Su
Condominiums
Part Lot Control
Figure 2 compares the number of subdivision, condominium, part lot control, and consent applications received, approved and 20 ReceivedDraft ApprovedRegisteredReceivedDraft ApprovedRegisteredReceived
ApprovedReceivedApprovedSST *Total number of applications received**Total number of multiple blocks approved
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 2019 2020 (2016-2020) (2011-2020) (2001-2020)
Single Detached* 342 605 477 483 635
Semi-Detached* 33 61 34 28 53
Duplex** 212 343 176 102 62
Townhouses 340 276 225 194 192
Multiple Dwellings*** 2,745 2,517 1,569 1,069 674
Total New Units 3,672 3,803 2,520 2,007 1,786
*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 2020, building permits were issued for a total of 3,803 new residential units. This is a slight
increase from 2019 and is the highest annual number of new units created through building
permits in the last 30 years. 66% of new residential units developed in 2020 were in the form of
multiple dwellings. In 2020, the rate of development for all dwelling types was above average.
The rate of increase in new duplexes compared to historical averages is the most significant.
The development of this form of ground-oriented rental housing is important to achieve gentle
intensification and complete objectives.
New multiple dwelling construction in Downtown Kitchener
4. Intensification Level
the region-wide target of a
minimum of 45% of all new residential development to be located within the Built-up Area
(BUA). Map 1
(DGA) and
the Province in 2006). It also shows the location of new units created within these areas
between June 16, 2020 and June 15, 2021. The minimum intensification target is subject to
change through the ongoing Regional Official Plan review.
Map 1 Current Benchmarks Intesification Levels
The most recent measures of new residential units by type in the BUA and DGA are indicated in
Figure 4 below.
Figure 4: Intensification and Designated Greenfield Area Development Levels
(June 16/20- June 15/21)
Designated Greenfield
Area Built-Up Area
Dwelling Type (New Residential Units) (New Residential Units) Total
Single Detached 568 37 605
Semi-Detached 14 16 30
Duplex 135 235 370
Street Townhouses 190 82 272
Cluster Townhouses 0 0 0
Multiple Dwellings* 356 2,161 2,517
1,263 2,531 3,794
Total
Percent of Total 33% 67% 100%
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The intensification level over the past year (new residential construction that occurs within the
Built-up Area) was 67%. This level is second only to the 75% rate achieved in the previous
reporting period (2019-2020). This continues to indicate that the City is on track to contribute
towards, and in some years exceed, the minimum region-wide intensification target. 2020
figures include some projects within the UGC that were exempted from paying Development
Charges. This exemption accelerated development rates in UGC for a few years. However,
long-term averages are likely a better indication of ongoing trends. As we have seen in recent
years, when there is a substantial number of multiple dwelling units created in the Built Up Area,
in the
coming years, it is expected that the intensification rate may be lower in future years.
Current Greenfield Subdivision under construction
Figure 5 illustrates the historic intensification levels, as per the Provincial Built Boundary Line.
Figure 5: Intensification Level (2001 to present)
80
70
60
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%
50
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v
40
e
L
n
30
o
i
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a
20
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i
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i
s
10
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Year
, 2020, 2021
the BUA intensification level as the timing of 2-3 multiple dwelling developments can affect the
reported rate in a given year for a municipality the size of Kitchener. A multi-year average
provides a better understanding, for growth monitoring purposes, of whether the City is on track
to achieving the required intensification level. Figure 6 below illustrates the 5-year average
intensification levels from June 2006 to June 2021.
Figure 6: 5 Year Average Intensification Levels
Year 5 Year Average Intensification Level (%)
June 2006 - June 2011 41
June 2011 - June 2016 46
June 2016 - June 2021 56
The 5-year average Intensification Level (June 2016 June 2021) is now at 56% with the 10-
year average (2011-2021) slightly lower at 51%.
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
Non-
Land
Residential Residents
Intensification Area Area Units Residents Jobs
Floor + Jobs/ha
(Ha)
Space (m2)
Urban Growth Centre 107 4,689 7,521 841,264 15,233 212
Primary Node 115 1,512 2,723 106,587 3,500 69
Mixed Use Nodes 294 4,074 7,346 214,254 6,167 42
Mixed Use Corridors 123 2,373 4,468 197,921 6,668 103
Neighbourhood Mixed
46 163 413 10,693 1,826 52
Use Centres
Comprehensive
27 411 938 126,982 299 76
Development Areas
Subtotal of
712 13,222 23,409 1,497,971 33,693
Intensification Areas
Site Specific
Intensification 1,127 2,202 721,485 7,675 53
Opportunities
Grand Total 14,349 25,611 2,219,456 41,368
*Outside of the Urban Growth Centre, population estimates are based on City and MPAC land
use data and census persons per unit estimates. Jobs estimates are based on business
directory data or MPAC floor area and jobs per unit floor area assumptions.
UGC data is provided by the Region based on census, building permit and workplace count
statistics.
The estimated density of the Urban Growth Centre (UGC) is 212 RJs/ha in 2021. These figures
have not been adjusted to account for changes in office and work from home trends brought on
by the COVID-19 pandemic. The extent to which pandemic-related changes will continue in the
long term is uncertain. Nevertheless, interest in residential development within the UGC has
remained robust during the pandemic period.
Capacity for New Growth
Figure 8 explores the estimated potential for accommodating new development within each of
the intensification areas based on the existing zoning only.
50% Scenario
The maximum amount of development permitted in the as-of-right zoning represents the C
total capacity to accommodate growth given current planning tools. It is anticipated that only
some parcels within intensification areas will be redeveloped within the short or medium term for
a variety of reasons. Some parcels well be developed at lower densities than the maximum
permitted by zoning. Still others will receive zoning by-law amendments to exceed these
maximums. In order to account for these factors, this report evaluates 50% of the maximum
permitted by zoning as a reasonable estimate or proxy of opportunities for growth.
Figure 8: Additional Capacity Measures for Current Intensification Areas
Non-
Residential
Floor Residents
Intensification Areas Area (Ha) Units Residents Space(m2) Jobs + Jobs/ha
Urban Growth Centre 107 1,914 3,416 237,209 9,646 122
Primary Node 115 444 906 7,894 789 17
Mixed Use Nodes 294 2,586 5,153 42,517 2,374 25
Mixed Use Corridors 123 4,690 8,829 305,489 9,237 114
Neighbourhood Mixed
46 13 25 2,162 23 1
Use Centres
Comprehensive
27 103 269 2,199 273 29
Development Areas
Subtotal of
712 9,750 18,598 597,470 22,324
Intensification Areas
Site Specific
Intensification 2,446 4,389 57,077 1580 33
Opportunities
Grand Total 12,196 22,987 654,547 23,922
*Some data reported utilizes MPAC data which has limitations (i.e. non-residential building floor
space).
Buildings and sites within the Urban
Intensification Areas are well positioned
with existing land use, density, design
approvals and amenities in place which
support future intensification capacity.
New development applications and
updates to the zoning in these areas as
a result of the Comprehensive Review
of the Zoning By-law (CRoZBy),
Planning Around Rapid Transit Stations
(PARTS), and neighbourhood specific
planning reviews will continue to refine
the planning framework and add to the capacity to accommodate growth in these areas.
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) for Current Intensification
Areas
Non-
Residential
Intensification Area Floor Residents
Areas (Ha) Units Residents Space(m2) Jobs + Jobs/ha
Urban Growth
Centre 107 6,603 10,937 1,078,473 24,879 334
Primary Node 115 1,956 3,629 114,481 4,289 86
Mixed Use Nodes 294 6,660 12,499 256,771 8,541 67
Mixed Use
Corridors 123 7,063 13,297 503,410 15,905 217
Neighbourhood
Mixed Use Centres 46 176 437 12,855 1,848 52
Comprehensive
Development
Areas 27 514 1,207 129,181 572 105
Subtotal of
Intensification
Areas 712 22,972 42,006 2,095,171 56,034
Site Specific
Intensification
Opportunities 3,573 6,591 787,500 9,419 86
Grand Total 26,545 48,597 2,882,671 65,453
Given the additional opportunities for redevelopment, based on existing zoning, there is capacity
and potential to achieve
An example of current downtown intensification
6. Estimated Land Supply
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.
6.1 Potential Built-up Area 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 Jobs
Space (m²)*
Urban Growth Centre
1,911 3,416 237,209 9,646
Primary Node
444 906 7,894 789
Mixed Use Nodes**
2,586 5,153 42,517 2,374
Mixed Use Corridors
4,690 8,829 305,489 9,237
Neighbourhood Mixed Use Centres
13 25 2,162 23
Comprehensive Development Areas
103 269 2,199 273
Subtotal of Intensification Areas 9,747 18,598 597,470 22,342
Site Specific Intensification Opportunities 2,446 4,389 57,077 1,580
Total Potential Supply of Current
12,193 22,987 654,547 23,922
Intensification Areas
Community Interiors 500 1,274 0 35
Registered (Vacant Land Inventory) 313 686 79,782 1,438
Draft Approved 109 295 0 0
In Circulation 0 0 0 0
Other Designated 0 0 0 0
Subtotal 1,005 2,443 215,688 3,263
Total Potential Supply (Current Zoning) 13,198 25,430 870,235 27,185
*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.
-up Area land supply includes a
potential capacity of approximately 13,198 dwelling units and under 900 thousand square
metres of non-residential floor space.
6.2 Potential Designated Greenfield Area Supply
The potential Designated Greenfield Area (DGA) land supply includes all lands outside the Built
Boundary Line that are desig
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
2
Greenfield Location Units Residents Space (m) Jobs
240 430 57,100 1,180
Intensification Areas*
Site Specific Intensification Opportunities 0 0 8,988 164
Other Designated Lands** 5,780 13,180 112,954 6,016
Registered (Vacant Land Inventory) 2,486 6,236 21,104 518
Draft Approved 6,015 13,456 24,300 168
In Circulation 4,695 11,824 24,300 168
Total*** 19,216 45,126 248,746 8,214
*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 (i.e Dundee North). Once the land use designations are considered, the
DGA supply estimates will be updated.
Figure 11 illu
includes a potential capacity of approximately 19,000 residential units and 250,000 square
metres of non-residential floor space.
6.3 Estimated Total Supply
When combined, the potential land supply of both the BUA and DGA provides a total estimate
for residential and employment land in Kitchener.
Figure 12: Estimated Total Supply: Built-up Area and Designated Greenfield Area
Non-Res. Space
Location Units Residents Jobs
(m²)
Built-up Area (BUA) 13,198 25,430 870,235 27,185
Designated Greenfield
19,216 45,126 248,746 8,214
Area (DGA)
Total 32,414 70,556 1,118,981 35,399
The estimated supply of dwelling units has decreased in the BUA and DGA from June 2020.
The total supply of dwelling units and jobs is expected to eventually decrease as development
The timing of development from
the estimated supply of units is influenced by many factors including infrastructure timing, land
owner priorities and market forces.
As previously discussed throughout this report, the estimated land supply for Kitchener is based
1994 Official Plan and zoning at the
time of the preparation of the KGMS in 2009. It does not include any additional lands added in
does it include the intens
Official Plan. Once urban land use designations are assigned to the additional DGA lands, the
DGA supply estimates will be updated. In addition, once updates to zoning in the intensification
areas have been completed and are in effect through the Comprehensive Review of the Zoning
By-law (CRoZBy), Planning Around Rapid Transit Stations (PARTS) project, and neighbourhood
specific planning reviews, the supply numbers for the BUA will also be updated.
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
Population Employment
Existing 268,404* 104,775*
Capacity 70,556 35,399
Total 338,960 140,174
2031 Growth Allocation 319,500 132,500
Difference 19,460 7,674
*Unofficial interim population estimate as of mid-year 2021, Region
2020 mid-year population estimated by the Region is now 268,000 approximately
6,000 more people than reported mid-year 2020. Figure 13 estimates 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 2031 population and employment allocation from the Region.
Maintaining capacity beyond these forecasts is important to meet the housing and employment
needs of our growing community because not all sites within intensification area will be
redeveloped within the 2031 planning horizon.
8. A Place to Grow Implementation
On May 16, 2019 a new Growth Plan (A Place to Grow) came into effect which, among other
things, provides for revised intensification levels and density targets. A Place to Grow was
amended in 2020. The new targets will come into effect upon completion of the Regional Official
Plan review, currently underway. It is expected that the growth management strategy and
framework as well as the annual monitoring report may be revised following the Region Official
.
Growth Forecasts
In response to previous 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 7.0 of this report, 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
the allocations of these forecasts within local Official Plans. At such time as the Region of
Waterloo amends 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 2006 Growth Plan required that the Downtown Kitchener Urban Growth Centre be planned
to achieve a minimum density of 200 RJs/ha by 2031. T this target at
225 RJs/ha by 2031. The present density is 212 RJs/ha. The UGC has now exceeded the
provincial minimum target and, with additional intensification projects currently happening or
proposed in the UGC, the City is well positioned to meet and likely exceed the Official Plan
minimum density target before 2031. To
UGCs outside of the City of Toronto have achieved their 2031 Provincial minimum density
targets. Higher density targets and a revised timeframe may be established by the Region
through the Regional Official Plan Review.
Intensification
The 2006 Growth Plan required that 40% of residential development be directed to the BUA by
2015. The target within the Regional Official Plan is a minimum of 45% of all new residential
development to be located within the BUA. The 2020 Growth Plan has a higher intensification
level target and determining how to implement the target in our region is being considered as
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 was 67% while the
five-year average intensification level is now at 56%. 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
The Growth Plan mandates that future development within the Designated Greenfield Area
should achieve specific, transit-supportive density targets. Based on the 2006 Growth Plan, to
per hectare for the entire Designated Greenfield Area shown in the Regional Official Plan,
is 55 residents and jobs per hectare in greenfield areas (residential
subdivisions) This same target applies to other urban areas within the Region. Kitchener is well
positioned to meet this target. There are several plans of subdivision that are in areas served, or
will be served, by transit that meet or exceed 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-
continue to revitalize the Urban Growth Centre, clean up brownfield sites and achieve mixed
use developments that are pedestrian-oriented are significant. Planning for a full range and
mixing mix of housing to meet the needs of households in all stages of their lives is also critical.
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 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 of the objectives, initiatives and recommendations of the KGMS have
now been completed in the past 11 years, with the most recent achieved in the delivery of the
new urban design manual in September 2019.
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+ is expected to be
delivered in early 2022.
11. Future of Growth Management Program
This is the 12th edition of the annual growth monitoring report, and it has remained largely
unchanged since the first version.. This report tracks development and capacity in Intensification
Areas and Designated Greenfield Areas Established in the 1994 Official Plan. This report does
not include statistics for the Major Transit Station Areas (MTSAs) and many other intensification
areas that were fficial Plan.
I
and dynamic tracking and monitoring system, will be updated in future years to reflect: recent
changes to provincial legislation; updates to the
of their Official Plan Revi
review which will follow.
Major Transition Station Areas (MTSAs) are key intensification areas that are identified in the
through contemporary planning efforts. Many of the MTSA
geographies partially overlap with the intensification areas that are included in the Kitchener
Growth Monitoring framework. Given the importance of MTSAs, this report provides some initial
findings regarding the existing densities in Major Transit Station Areas around the existing and
planned ION Light Rail network.
As background to the Regional Official Plan review, the Region prepared an Intensification
Strategy Technical Brief (2021) to understand the current density and opportunities within
MTSAs. Their methodology is not comparable to the one used in the Kitchener Growth
Management Framework.
2019 estimates of residents, jobs and density are shown in
Figure 14 and are based on draft MTSA boundaries that have yet to be finalized
Official Plan. Figure 14 indicates that Victoria Park + Kitchener City Hall already exceeds the
Growth Plan minimum density target of 160 residents and jobs per hectare. The existing
density of most other MTSAs is well under this target. in
Downtown and in Central Neighborhoods must, among other things, ensure the City is planning
to meet or exceed these minimum density targets. The City may set a higher minimum
intensification target for some MTSAs (as the City has done for the UGC density target).
Figure 14: Existing Measures and Draft Targets for Major Transit Station Areas
Draft Min
Existing Density
Residents Target
Intensification Existing Existing Existing + Jobs/ha Residents
Areas Area (ha) People (2019) Jobs (2019) (2019) + Jobs/ha
Grand River 160
87 2,743 4, 015 78
Hospital
Central Station 160
Innovation 95 2,912 4,073 74
District
Victoria Park+ 160
Kitchener City 56 3,664 6,320 178
Hall
Fredrick + Queen 160
59 2,781 5,699 145
Kitchener Market 160
61 2,681 1,081 61
Borden 160
54 1,008 1,381 44
Mill 160
105 2,442 1,141 34
Block Line 80
116 2,898 2,094 43
Fairway 160
107 6,276 3,408 91
Sportsworld 160
100 550 3,358 39
*This methodology to calculate existing and R+J/ha is not comparable to that used in
the Kitchener Growth Management Framework.