Malone Given Parsons Ltd. (…

Malone Given Parsons Ltd. (“MGP”) and IBI Group are the planning and land economic consultants for Schlegel Urban Developments Corp. (“Schlegel”), who own multiple properties in southwest Kitchener. This letter is in relation to what are commonly referred to as the “BSF2 Lands”, which are municipally known as 236 Gehl Place.

For the reasons noted in this letter, it is our opinion that the Region of Waterloo should have included an LNA scenario similar to that provided in Appendix 3, providing medium density housing as the primary housing form for growth from 2022-2051.

In this regard, it is our opinion that 944 hectares of additional Community Area lands beyond the existing supply are needed to accommodate future residential development in Waterloo Region.

The BSF2 Lands should be included to provide the City of Kitchener and the Region with land required to meet the 2051 land needs. These lands stand out in the Region as among the best opportunities to provide new community growth in a compact and complete community that compliments and logically and efficiently extends the settlement pattern in the Region.

The BSF2 lands are able to contribute approximately 1,200 new homes toward meeting the Province‘s target of building 35,000 new homes in Kitchener by 2031.

The lands are urban adjacent and have existing municipal services stubbed into the property allowing them to develop in an efficient manner and within a very short timeline. The lands are positioned to be developed as a complete community and will provide vital multi-modal connectivity and linkages to adjacent built and to be built approved neighbourhoods.

Furthermore, the BSF2 lands are proposed to accommodate a mix of housing types, which will respond to market demand, and with high caliber, sustainable and green building standards.
Extensive technical studies have been completed by technical experts on behalf of Schlegel, which provide assurance that the lands can be developed in a sustainable manner protecting water resources for future generations.

The BSF2 Lands are not ”Protected Countryside” lands in the ROP, and the inclusion of these lands in the Region’s Urban Area would meet the applicable expansion evaluation criteria. Further, as residential development of the BSF2 Lands could commence within a few years given the availability of existing infrastructure, these lands are well suited to assist Kitchener in meeting the Provincial target of building 35,000 new homes by 2031 as well as the Region’s requirement to accommodate growth to 2051.

We request that the Minister expand the settlement area boundary to include the BSF2 Lands (PIN 227280027) and adjoining Mattamy Lands and designate these for community uses. As illustrated in the figures in the letter and in Appendix 4, this entails a change to Map 1 to designate the property as Urban Area and Map 2 to designate the property as Designated Greenfield Area with a corresponding adjustment to the Countryside line.

If you have any questions or wish to discuss this letter, please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned at any time.

Yours very truly,
Malone Given Parsons Ltd.
Matthew Cory, MCIP, RPP, PLE, PMP
Principal, Planner, Land Economist, Project Manager