This submission is in…

This submission is in support of the request of the City of Kitchener Council to maintain the modification to Waterloo Region Official Plan Amendment 6 which included the lands in the South West Kitchener Policy Area in the settlement area. The original modifications made by the Minister to include these lands in settlement area were supported by professional planning opinions reviewed by the Minister, and were entirely in conformity with the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe and the Provincial Land Needs Assessment Methodology which sets out the process to determine the need for land to accommodate new housing. The modification also supported Provincial priorities to deliver a sufficient supply of land responsive to market demand.

The requested modification was sought by the City of Kitchener. However, in adopting ROPA 6, the Region did not reflect the position of the local municipality.

It is appropriate and good planning for the Modification, which was properly made by the Minister following the statutory process and his obligations under sections 3 and 17 of the Planning Act, to be restored by way of amendment to Bill 150 - or if necessary through subsequent legislation amending Bill 150.