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Land-Use Planning

Official Plan Review

Why is the Official Plan being reviewed?

The city's current Official Plan was adopted in 1994. There has been considerable growth and changes in the planning landscape in the past 17 years that requires the city to review and update the Official Plan.

The Official Plan needs to be brought into conformity with provincial and regional legislation that has been introduced or revised in recent years. Provincial legislation includes the Provincial Policy Statement and the Places to Grow Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Regional legislation consists on the new Regional Official Plan (ROP) which was adopted by regional council on June 16, 2009.

Through Kitchener city council's approval of the Kitchener Growth Management Strategy (KGMS) in 2009, a major component of reviewing the provincial and regional direction at the local level is now complete. The KGMS provides recommendations for preparing the necessary studies to comply with Places to Grow and for formulating the new Official Plan.

How does the Official Plan affect me?

The new Official Plan will help guide present and future development at a neighbourhood to a city-wide level. Official Plans include general land use designations and regulations that shape where certain types of development can and cannot occur. Accordingly, property owners are affected by this document whenever there are modifications or new development proposed on their property.

Public process

A presentation was given to council on March 7th, 2011 providing an overview of the Official Plan process, please click here to view the presentation.

First draft of New Official Plan now available

The first draft of the new Official Plan was released on June 20, 2011. To view the first draft and read more information, please click here.

Input on the first draft of the new Official Plan was received by the city's planning and strategic initiatives committee on November 7, 2011. To view a copy of the staff report, please click here.

When will the new Official Plan come into effect?

Staff will give consideration to the input received and prepare a second draft of the new Official Plan in 2012. Staff will prepare a report for council that will recommend a course of action regarding adoption by council that will depend in part on how the regional Official Plan appeals are progressing through the Ontario Municipal Board.

The new Official Plan will repeal and replace the city's existing Official Plan, as amended. Until the new Official Plan is approved, the existing Official Plan is in place.

Stay informed

Staff will be preparing a series of e-newsletters and update notices that will be your guide for the preparation of the new Official Plan process. These e-newsletters and notices will provide regular updates as we move ahead.

Issue # 1 - Winter 2011

Issue # 2 - Spring/Summer 2011

Notice #3 - September 2011

Notice #4 - November 2011

Notice #5 - February 2012

Supporting projects

Although Kitchener completed several major policy directions that could influence the Official Plan, such as the Plan for a Healthy Kitchener and the Strategic Plan for the Environment update, there were still many other master plans and supporting studies required to be undertaken. Many of the supporting studies included extensive public engagement.

To learn more about the description, status and any meetings or reports on the supporting studies, please click here.

Contact

For more information on the Official Plan review, please contact us at 519-741-2426.

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