Comments from the City of…

Comments from the City of Kitchener:

ANALYSIS

• 2051 forecasts were expected and seem generally reasonable. City of Kitchener Planning Staff have no significant concerns.

• Proposed changes are primarily technical in nature, and affect the Region of Waterloo and their Official Plan review.

• Changes may delay the Region of Waterloo Official Plan Review.

• Changes to the planning horizon and forecast minimums have the potential to increase urban sprawl. The province should carefully consider the potential negative implications of sprawl including degradation of natural heritage systems, loss of farm land, less walkable and incomplete communities, and the negative financial implications of overextending infrastructure. These negative implications have begun to be controlled over the last 10-15 years, in part through 20-year maximum planning horizons and coordinated Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH) forecasts. Nevertheless, planning staff are confident that continued robust Regional and Local growth management policies and programs can keep sprawl in check.

• The City of Kitchener requested that Heavy Industrial Employment lands near Wabanaki Drive/Manitou Drive be identified as Provincially Significant Employment Zones. Policy changes that would ease conversion of lands near the Fairway ION station (transit station area) to non-employment uses are potentially concerning. Transit access to a variety of jobs, including manufacturing is important.

• Changes to the planning horizon and the LNA methodology directly affect the Region of Waterloo and their ongoing Region Official Plan Update; commentary should be led by them.