The Corporation of the City of Kitchener - Approval to amend a municipality’s official plan

On January 28, 2025, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing received for a decision the City of Kitchener's Official Plan Amendment 45 (OPA 45), which was adopted by City Council on March 18, 2024, by By- law 2024-057.

The More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 (Bill 23) made changes that removed statutory powers under the Planning Act from seven upper-tier municipalities identified in the legislation. The effective date for the Region of Waterloo was January 1, 2025. As such, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing is now the approval authority for official plans and official plan amendments for lower-tier municipalities in the Region of Waterloo.

The Ministry will review the matter for consistency with applicable provincial land use policies and will consider all feedback received before recommendations are provided to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing for a decision in accordance with Sections 17 and 21 of the Planning Act.

The purpose of OPA 45, initiated by an incorporated numbered company is to amend the Site-Specific Policy 15.D.12.40 to increase the maximum permitted height to 24 storeys for the subject lands designated ‘Mixed Use’ at the southwesterly corner of Huron Road and Strasburg Road. The subject lands are municipally known as 490 Huron Road.

The effect of this amendment will permit a mixed-use development consisting of four (4) multiple dwelling buildings ranging in height from 12-24 storeys and future commercial buildings.