Community & Infrastructure Services Committee

Transcription

1 REPORT TO: DATE OF MEETING: September 12, 2016 Community & Infrastructure Services Committee SUBMITTED BY: Alain Pinard, Director of Planning, ext PREPARED BY: Natalie Goss, Senior Planner, ext WARD(S) INVOLVED: ALL DATE OF REPORT: August 19, 2016 REPORT NO.: SUBJECT: Kitchener Growth Management Strategy That Report Kitchener Growth Management Strategy 2016 Annual Monitoring Report be received for information, and; That Report be submitted to the Regional Municipality of Waterloo in fulfilment of Clause 22.1 of the Administrative Agreement between the City of Kitchener and the Region regarding delegated approval authority. BACKGROUND: The purpose of this report is to provide Committee and Council with the 2016 Kitchener Growth Management Strategy Annual Monitoring Report (Monitoring Report). The Monitoring Report is an action item of the 2009 Kitchener Growth Management Strategy (KGMS) which requires tracking of the general supply of land and the achievement of intensification and density targets on an annual basis. REPORT: The KGMS provides a long-term framework for planning where and how future residential and employment growth can be accommodated in Kitchener. To ensure that growth contributes positively to our quality of life, the KGMS coordinates the provision of infrastructure and services with new development. The KGMS goals and actions support the Province s Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (Growth Plan) and Regional Growth Management Strategy (RGMS). The KGMS introduced a number of goals, one of which was to develop and facilitate an ongoing growth management program to manage growth-related change in an effective and co-ordinated manner (Goal 6). One of the action items of this goal is to prepare an annual monitoring report to track the supply of development opportunities and the achievement of intensification and density targets. Monitoring reports have been prepared annually since *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call or TTY for assistance. 1-1

2 The 2016 Monitoring Report (see Appendix A) provides a summary and assessment of growth within the Built-up Areas (intensification areas) and Designated Greenfield Areas of the City over the past year (June 2015 to June 2016). Highlights of the 2016 Monitoring Report include: The estimated density of the Urban Growth Centre (UGC) increased from 169 residents and jobs per hectare (2015) to 180 residents and jobs per hectare (2016). Kitchener continues to be well on its way to achieving the new Official Plan target of 225 residents and jobs per hectare by 2031; The intensification level over the past year (new residential construction that occurs within the built-up area) is 44% and over the past 5-years is an average of 46%; 2015 saw a decrease in the number of new dwelling units created from This was expected as 2014 saw the second highest number of new dwelling units created in the last 30+ years. Despite this, the number of new units created in 2015 remains on par with the five, ten and twenty year averages; The City continues to have the potential to accommodate its current allocated population and employment growth within its urban area. ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN: Strategic Priority 3 Safe and Thriving Neighbourhoods Strategy Manage growth, curb urban sprawl, and foster more mixed-use development, ensuring new development is integrated with the diversity and character of the surrounding community. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: There are no new or additional capital budget requests with this recommendation. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: INFORM This report has been posted to the City s website with the agenda in advance of the council / committee meeting. In addition, this report was discussed with the Waterloo Region Homebuilders Liaison Committee in mid-august. The discussion continued to raise several considerations for how the data is potentially used along with commentary regarding the availability and timing of primarily greenfield development. CONCLUSION: The 2016 Monitoring Report demonstrates that Kitchener continues to be well positioned to accommodate growth and achieve identified targets. REVIEWED BY: Brandon Sloan, Manager, Long Range and Policy Planning ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Michael May, Deputy CAO (Community Services) Appendix A Kitchener Growth Management Strategy (KGMS) Annual Monitoring Report

3 Appendix A Kitchener Growth Management Strategy (KGMS) Annual Monitoring Report September 12, 2016 RE: 1-3

4 Executive Summary In 2009 Kitchener approved its Growth Management Strategy (KGMS) in support of the City s Strategic Plan. Kitchener is expected to accommodate a relatively significant amount of residential and employment growth over the next twenty years. We are also mandated by the Province to achieve certain numerical targets and other planning objectives. Kitchener is on the leading edge with respect to its ability to track and monitor specific growth data in a dynamic manner. A snapshot of the data is contained within this report. All of the goals and action items of the KGMS are completed or are within the Corporate Business Plan to be completed over the next few years. The results of the 2016 growth management data continue to be encouraging. The number of residents and jobs per hectare (RJs/ha) in the Urban Growth Centre (Downtown) is gradually increasing from approximately 169 RJs/ha in 2015 to approximately 180 RJs/ha in This is an excellent step towards achieving the provinciallymandated target of 200 RJs/ha by 2031, which was further established in the new Official Plan at a minimum target of 225 RJs/ha by The City s current intensification level of 44% and 5-year average intensification level of 46% within its Built-Up Area continues to be within reach of contributing to achieving the intended regional intensification target (45%). In 2015, building permits were issued for a total of 1,323 new residential units. Although a decrease from 2014 (which was the second highest year for new units created through buildings permits in the last 30 years), the number of new units created remains on par with the five, ten and twenty year averages. In contrast to 2014 where the majority of new units created were multiple dwellings; there was an expected shift in 2015 to single detached and townhouse dwellings which combined comprised 80% of new units. The City s growth management dynamic tracking and monitoring system will be updated in future years to reflect the new Official Plan and pending new Zoning Bylaw

5 1. Introduction In 2009, Kitchener approved its Growth Management Strategy (KGMS). The KGMS provides a framework for planning where and how future residential and employment growth can be accommodated in Kitchener while positively contributing to our quality of life. The goals and actions outlined in the KGMS support the provincial Places to Grow Growth Plan for the Greater Horseshoe (Growth Plan) and the Regional Growth Management Strategy (RGMS). The KGMS introduced an ongoing growth management program to manage growth-related change in an effective and coordinated manner (Goal 6). One of the action items of this goal is to prepare an Annual Growth Management Monitoring Report to track the supply of development opportunities and the achievement of intensification and density targets. Monitoring Reports have been prepared and presented to Council and the development industry annually since The Monitoring report provides an update on the progress of implementing the KGMS action items along with provincial and regional growth plans. The primary purpose of the Monitoring Report is to update data from the KGMS Background Study: Current Baseline Report (Parts 6-9) annually. It presents a summary of recent residential development rates and updates the potential capacity to accommodate growth both within the Built-up Area (intensification areas) and in the Designated Greenfield Area. The original data from the KGMS Background Study was as of June 16, 2008 (with some of the existing residential data at the time coming from the 2006 Census). The monitoring report also provides a summary of development applications that have been received and those that have been approved in This monitoring report captures a snapshot of all data (with the exception of Sections 2 and 3) as of June 16, 2016 (the anniversary date of the Growth Plan)

6 2. Delegated Approval Authority Summary for 2015 This section provides a summary of the number of plans of subdivision, plans of condominium, part-lot control applications, consent applications received and the number and type of dwelling units (herein after referred to as units) created through the approval of these applications in This is a requirement of an agreement between the City of Kitchener and the Region of Waterloo regarding delegated approval authority. Figure 1: 2015 Development Applications Received Application Type # of Applications File Number Location Combination of Singles, Semis or Street Fronting Townhouse Units Combination of Multiple Residential and Cluster Townhouse Units Subdivisions 1 30T Huron Rd CDM Willowrun Dr CDM Windale Cres CDM King St W CDM Adam St CDM Bryan Crt 0 56 Condominiums Commonwealth 30CDM St CDM Doon Village Rd CDM Howe Dr CDM Duke St W CDM Ottawa St S Part Lot Control 20 Consents 62 TOTAL The number of development applications (for new lot creation) received in 2015 (93) decreased from the number received in 2014 (136). While the number of condominium applications doubled, the number of consent applications decreased from 112 in 2014 to 62 in The number of consent applications received in 2014 was well above the average that the City typically receives

7 Figure 2A: 2015 Development Applications Approved Kitchener Growth Management Strategy Application Type Combination of Singles, Semis or Street Fronting Townhouse Units Combination of Multiple Residential and Cluster Townhouse Units Subdivision Draft Approved Units* 2,315 1,190 Condominium Draft Approved Units** Subdivision Registered Units Condominium Registered Units** Part Lot Control 40 0 Consents 20 4*** Total 5,082 3,412 *All Subdivisions were draft approved by the Ontario Municipal Board **Includes condominium conversions ***Total number of multiple blocks created. Units not created through subdivision or consents Through lots and blocks created in draft approved plans of subdivision in 2015, there is an estimated total of 3,505 dwelling units. All of these subdivisions were approved through Ontario Municipal Board processes. This is significantly higher than 2014 (58 units). 554 dwelling units were draft approved in plans of condominium in 2015 which is again a significant increase from 2014 (12 dwelling units). Figure 2B: Subdivision Applications Received, Draft Approved and Registered Subdivision Application Status Singles/Semis/Street Fronting Townhouse Units Multiple Residential and Cluster Townhouse Units Singles/Semis/Street Fronting Townhouse Units Multiple Residential and Cluster Townhouse Units Singles/Semis/Street Fronting Townhouse Units Multiple Residential and Cluster Townhouse Units Singles/Semis/Street Fronting Townhouse Units Multiple Residential and Cluster Townhouse Units Singles/Semis/Street Fronting Townhouse Units Multiple Residential and Cluster Townhouse Units Subdivisions Received Subdivisions Draft Approved Subdivisions Registered N/A N/A ,315 1, Figure 2B shows the estimated number of new units as part of received, draft approved and registered plans of subdivision from 2011 to The five year average number of estimated subdivision units received is 304, draft approved is 1,390 and registered is

8 3. Residential Development Rates This section provides an overview of past development rates in the City through the examination of building permits for new residential units by dwelling type. Figure 3: Residential Development Rates New Residential Dwelling Units Created Through Building Permit* year Average ( ) 10-year Average ( ) 20-year Average ( ) Dwelling Type Single Detached* Semi-Detached* Duplex** Townhouses Multiple Dwellings*** 1, Total New Units 2,417 1,323 1,238 1,182 1,148 *Gross new units (conversion/additions included, demolitions not subtracted) **Includes additions that create new units ***Includes additions that create new units and stacked townhouses In 2015, building permits were issued for a total of 1,323 new residential units (units). This is a decrease of 1,094 units compared to saw the second highest number of new units created in the last 30+ years. The number of new units created through building permits in 2015 is more in line with the five, ten and twenty year averages. Single detached and townhouse dwellings accounted for the majority of new dwellings (80%). Building permits issued during the first six months of 2016 created 1,330 units. Compared to the same time in 2015, the numbers are significantly higher which is mainly due to an increase in the number of multiple dwellings

9 4. Intensification Level The Region of Waterloo s new Official Plan requires the achievement of a region-wide target of a minimum of 45% of all new residential development to be located within the Built-up Area (BUA). The map below illustrates the location of Kitchener s BUA, Designated Greenfield Area (DGA), built boundary line (the limits of the City s developed urban area as established by the Province in 2006) and shows the location of new units created within these areas between June 16, 2015 and June 15,

10 Achieving the minimum intensification level could be a challenge for some municipalities that still have a significant amount of Designated Greenfield Area (DGA) lands available and limited intensification opportunities. Kitchener however, is well positioned to achieve this target. The most recent measures of new residential units by type in the BUA and DGA are indicated in Figure 4 below. Figure 4: Designated Greenfield Area and Built-up Area Development Levels (June 16/15 - June 15/16) Dwelling Type Designated Greenfield Area (New Residential Units) Built-Up Area (New Residential Units) Total Single Detached Semi-Detached Semi-Detached Duplex Duplex Street Townhouses Cluster Townhouses Multiple Dwellings* Total Percent of Total 56% 44% 100% *Includes multiple dwellings within mixed use buildings As expected, there were more multiple dwellings in the BUA and more single detached and street townhouse dwellings in the DGA. Overall, the City continues to achieve a balance in new residential units between the DGA and BUA. The most recent intensification level of 44%, although slightly below the region wide 45% intensification level target, continues to be an indication that the City remains positioned to contribute towards, and in some years exceed the intensification target. As we have seen in recent years, when there is a substantial number of multiple dwelling units created the City s intensification level is higher. As the City s new greenfield areas are opening up (i.e. Rosenberg, Huron South and Doon South Phase 2), it is expected that moving forward over the next few years Kitchener may not achieve as high an intensification level

11 Figure 5 illustrates the historic intensification levels, as per the Provincial Built Boundary Line. Figure 5: Intensification Level (2001 to present) Intensification Level (%) Year The City expects to see spike (i.e. 2013) and dip (i.e. 2012) years with respect to the BUA intensification level as the timing of 2-3 multiple dwelling developments can impact the reported rate in a given year for a municipality the size of Kitchener. An average provides a better understanding, for monitoring purposes, of whether the City is on track to achieving the required intensification level. Figure 6 below illustrates the 5 year average intensification levels from June 2001 to June Figure 6: 5 Year Average Intensification Levels Year 5 Year Average Intensification Level (%) June June June June June June The 5-year average Intensification Level (June 2011 June 2016) is now at 46% with the 10- year average ( ) slightly lower at 43%

12 5. Intensification Areas Existing Measures and Additional Capacity for New Growth Existing Measures Figure 7 quantifies the existing number of dwelling units, residents, jobs and density measure (residents and jobs per hectare) for the currently identified Intensification Areas within the BUA. Figure 7: Existing Measures for Current Intensification Areas Intensification Area Land Area (Ha) Units Residents Non- Residential Floor Space (m2) Jobs Residents + Jobs/ha Urban Growth Centre* 107 2,652 4, ,577 14, Primary Node 115 1,792 3, ,087 3, Mixed Use Nodes 294 3,910 7, ,082 5, Mixed Use Corridors Neighbourhood Mixed Use Centres Comprehensive Development Areas Subtotal of Intensification Areas Site Specific Intensification Opportunities 123 1,749 3, ,807 6, ,695 1, , ,380 19,054 1,501,230 32,414 1,090 2, ,318 8, Grand Total 11,470 21,203 2,249,548 40,455 **UGC data is based on several data sources including the Economic Development downtown employment database The estimated density of the Urban Growth Centre (UGC) increased from 169 RJs/ha in 2015 to 180 RJs/ha in As redevelopment continues to occur in the City s intensification areas, the residential and employment densities continue to gradually rise as expected. This is observed for the Comprehensive Development Areas as one of the two locations, Victoria Commons, is now being occupied so the existing measures are increasing compared to

13 Capacity for New Growth Figure 8 explores the potential for accommodating new development within each of intensification areas based on the existing zoning only. Figure 8: Additional Capacity Measures for Current Intensification Areas 50% Scenario It is assumed that the intensification opportunities may have a capacity of, on average, up to 50% of their maximum zoned capacity during the planning horizon Non- Residential Floor Space(m2) Intensification Areas Area (Ha) Units Residents Jobs Urban Growth Centre 107 1,850 3, ,066 9, Primary Node , Mixed Use Nodes 294 4,262 8, ,811 8, Mixed Use Corridors 123 6,976 12, ,860 13, Neighbourhood Mixed Use Centres Comprehensive Development Areas Subtotal of Intensification Areas Residents + Jobs/ha , ,872 2, ,302 27,181 1,051,038 32,809 Site Specific Intensification Opportunities 2,630 4, ,514 4, Grand Total 16,932 31,867 1,284,552 37,433 Buildings and sites within the Urban Growth Centre and the City s other Intensification Areas are well positioned with existing land use, density, design approvals and amenities in place which can help the existing capacity to grow in these areas. New development applications and updates to the zoning in these areas as a result of the Comprehensive Review of the Zoning Bylaw (CRoZBy) and Planning Around Rapid Transit Stations (PARTS) will continue to refine the planning framework and add to the capacity to accommodate growth in these areas. These types of projects not only help achieve the provincial numerical target but, perhaps more importantly, they contribute positively to the social, environmental, economic and cultural wellbeing of the community

14 Figure 9 provides an account of the total number of dwelling units, residents, non-residential floor space and jobs that could result at build-out of the Intensification Areas. Figure 9: Total Measures (Existing + Additional Capacity) for Current Intensification Areas Non- Residential Floor Space(m2) Intensification Areas Area (Ha) Units Residents Jobs Urban Growth Centre 107 4,502 8,068 1,066,643 23, Primary Node 115 2,096 3, , Mixed Use Nodes 294 8,172 15, ,893 14, Mixed Use Corridors 123 8,725 16, ,667 19, Residents + Jobs/ha Neighbourhood Mixed Use Centres ,795 2, Comprehensive Development Areas , , Subtotal of Intensification Areas ,682 46,235 2,552,268 65,223 Site Specific Intensification Opportunities 3,720 6, ,832 12, Grand Total 28,402 53,070 3,534,100 77,888 Given the additional opportunities for redevelopment, based on existing zoning, there is capacity and potential to achieve higher densities within Kitchener s Intensification Areas

15 6. Estimated Land Supply The estimated land supply for Kitchener is a total of the potential capacity within the BUA and the DGA. As development moves from raw land through the development approvals stage and eventually to construction, the land supply estimates become more accurate. 6.1 Potential Built-up Area Supply The Built-up Area land supply includes lands within the Built Boundary Line that are within intensification areas, are site specific intensification opportunities, include a minor intensification factor within existing communities (community interiors) and the potential supply from registered, draft approved and in-circulation subdivisions. Figure 10: Estimated Built-up Area Supply (capacity of land inside the Built Boundary) Non-Res. Intensification Area Units Residents Space Jobs (m²)* Urban Growth Centre 1,850 3, ,066 9,288 Primary Node ,168 Mixed Use Nodes** 4,262 8, ,811 8,579 Mixed Use Corridors 6,976 12, ,860 13,266 Neighbourhood Mixed Use Centres , Comprehensive Development Areas 843 1,872 2, Subtotal of Intensification Areas 14,302 27,181 1,051,038 32,809 Site Specific Intensification Opportunities 2,630 4, ,514 4,624 Total Potential Supply of Current Intensification Areas 16,932 31,867 1,284,552 37,433 Community Interiors 750 1, Registered (Vacant Land Inventory) 878 1, ,102 3,207 Draft Approved In Circulation Other Designated Subtotal 1,759 4, ,102 3,258 Total Potential Supply (Current Zoning) 18,691 36,121 1,507,653 40,691 *Some data reported utilizes MPAC data which has limitations (i.e. non-residential building floor space). **Does not include Lackner/Fairway Mixed Use Node which is in the Designated Greenfield Area. Figure 10 illustrates that the City s current estimated Built-up Area land supply includes a potential capacity of approximately 18,700 dwelling units and 1.5 million square metres of nonresidential floor space. 6.2 Potential Designated Greenfield Area Supply The potential Designated Greenfield Area (DGA) land supply includes all lands outside the Built Boundary Line that are designated for development in the City s Official Plan. The estimates will become more refined as land parcels within this area move through the development approval process. The dwelling unit numbers are primarily based on maximums for blocks of land that have a range of units

16 Similar to Figure 10, the DGA land supply includes intensification areas, site specific intensification opportunities, lands which have been designated in the Official Plan but do not currently have development applications (e.g. portions of the Rosenberg Community) and the potential supply from registered, draft approved and in-circulation subdivisions. Figure 11: Estimated Designated Greenfield Area Supply (land outside the Built Boundary) Greenfield Location Units Residents Non-Res. Floor Space (m 2 ) Jobs Intensification Areas* ,100 1,180 Site Specific Intensification Opportunities , Other Designated Lands** 8,959 21, ,154 6,477 Registered (Vacant Land Inventory) 1,885 5,165 85,570 1,402 Draft Approved 7,379 18,108 77, In Circulation 2,239 5,712 52, Total*** 20,702 51, ,587 10,364 *Includes Lackner/Fairway Mixed Use Node (outside Built Boundary Line) ** Using 55 residents+jobs/hectare assumption. Lands are net Provincial constraints only. No Hidden Valley Community included. Includes Rosenberg lands without a development application, based on densities in the Rosenberg Secondary Plan. ***Does not include any additional lands added in the Region Official Plan to the City Urban Area. Once the lands have been incorporated into the City's Official Plan, and once urban land use designations are assigned, the DGA supply estimates will be updated. Figure 11 illustrates that the City s current estimated Designated Greenfield Area land supply includes a potential capacity of approximately 20,700 residential units and 438,000 square metres of non-residential floor space

17 6.3 Estimated Total Supply The potential land supply of both the BUA and DGA can be combined to provide a total estimate for residential and employment land in Kitchener. Figure 12: Estimated Total Supply: Intensification and Designated Greenfield Area Non-Res. Location Units Residents Jobs Space (m²) Built-up Area (BUA) 18,691 36,121 1,507,653 40,691 Designated Greenfield Area (DGA) 20,702 51, ,587 10,364 Total 39,393 87,261 1,945,241 51,055 The estimated supply of dwelling units has decreased in the BUA and DGA from June The total supply of dwelling units and jobs is expected to eventually decrease as development continues to occur and the city moves towards a mature state. The timing of development from the estimated supply of units is influenced by many factors including infrastructure timing, land owner priorities and market forces. As previously discussed throughout this report, the estimated land supply for Kitchener is based on existing lands within the City s urban area as per the 1994 Official Plan and zoning at the time of the preparation of the KGMS in It does not include any additional lands added in the Region s Official Plan to the City s urban area (within the DGA) nor does it include the intensification areas within the built up area as outlined in the City s new Official Plan. Once the additional DGA lands have been incorporated into the City s Official Plan and once urban land use designations are assigned, the DGA supply estimates will be updated. In addition, once updates to zoning in the intensification areas have been completed through the Comprehensive Review of the Zoning By-law (CRoZBy) and Planning Around Rapid Transit Stations (PARTS), the supply numbers for the BUA will also be updated. 7. Current Capacity for Growth This section compares the current population and employment capacity with the population and employment allocations provided by the Region of Waterloo. Figure 13: Population and Employment Allocations vs. Estimated Capacity Population Employment Existing 244,200* 87,804** Capacity 87,261 51,055 Total 331, ,859 ***2029 Growth Allocation 313, ,000 Difference 18,461 8,859 *Unofficial interim population estimate as of mid-year 2016, Region ** Based on the 2011 Census household survey which was conducted in a different format. Also includes the incremental increase in UGC (downtown) jobs since 2011 ***Once the 2031 Population Allocation has been incorporated into the City's Official Plan it will be reported in future monitoring reports

18 Kitchener s 2016 mid-year population estimated by the Region is now 244,200; approximately 5,800 more people than reported mid-year Figure 13 shows that the City has an existing supply/capacity of developable land within the BUA and DGA that can accommodate more residents and jobs than the 2029 population and employment allocation from the Region. The allocations to 2031 were recently identified and considered through the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) process for the Region s Official Plan. The Region is currently in the process of drafting a decision regarding several deferred policies of the City s new Official Plan. Part of this decision will be to incorporate the 2031 population and employment allocations for Kitchener. Following the Region s decision on these matters, subsequent monitoring reports will be updated to reflect the change. 8. Places to Grow Implementation In June 2014 Kitchener City Council adopted a new Official Plan. The new Official Plan has been approved by the Region of Waterloo and is currently under appeal. The new Official Plan includes policies that implement the Growth Plan. The KGMS annual monitoring report will continue to monitor new development and track Kitchener s achievements of the Growth Plan targets. In 2016 the Province released a draft new Growth Plan which, among other things, provides for new intensification level, and designated greenfield area targets. Until such time as the new Growth Plan is in effect, the City s annual monitoring report will continue to track Kitchener s achievements towards the 2006 Growth Plan. Growth Forecasts In response to the Provincial growth forecasts (and Regional allocation thereof), the City developed background information in support of the KGMS that analyzes the growth capacity of various areas of the City. As indicated in Section 7.0, Kitchener still has the capacity to accommodate the allocated growth into appropriate areas. The Province continues to update long-term growth forecast scenarios for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. These forecasts are required to be included within the Region s Official Plan and the allocations of these forecasts within local Official Plans. At such time as the Region of Waterloo considers a future amendment to their Plan to identify any different/further allocation of the forecasts for Kitchener, an update to the growth management assessment and the Kitchener Official Plan may be required. Urban Growth Centre The Growth Plan requires that our Urban Growth Centre be planned to achieve a minimum of 200 RJs/ha by The City s new Official Plan sets this target at 225 RJs/ha by The present density is 180 RJs/ha. With additional intensification projects currently happening or proposed in the UGC, an opportunity exists to exceed these targets. Intensification The Growth Plan requires that 40% of residential development be directed to the BUA by According to the recently approved ROP, the target within the Region is a minimum of 45% of all new residential development to be located within the BUA (it is to be determined if each municipality will have the same or different targets in order to achieve the overall region-wide target). To monitor new development, the City has a dynamic system that tracks building permit issuance for new residential units inside and outside the Built Boundary Line. The most recent intensification level over a one year period was 44%. Designated Greenfield Area Densities The Growth Plan mandates that future development within the Designated Greenfield Area should achieve specific, transit-supportive density targets. Kitchener s target, according to the

19 new Region Official Plan, is 55 residents and jobs per hectare in residential subdivisions. Kitchener is well positioned to meet this target. There are several plans of subdivision that are in areas served, or to be served, by transit that meet or exceed the overall target. The Kitchener Growth Management Plan (KGMP) provides a tool for identifying and tracking the Designated Greenfield Area density. Planning Principles Planning a city is not just about achieving certain numerical targets. The majority of the Growth Plan includes policy direction to achieve healthy and complete communities. Kitchener has long been a leader in promoting walkable, transit-supportive development. Kitchener s efforts to continue to revitalize the Urban Growth Centre, clean up brownfield sites and achieve mixed use developments that are pedestrian-oriented are significant. We are further striving to enhance the linkages between land use planning and other community considerations such as transportation options, community infrastructure, social dynamics, economics and environmental conservation. Ultimately, the goal is to help achieve a higher quality of life in a healthy and complete community. 9. Regional Growth Management Strategy Implementation The goals outlined in the Regional Growth Management Strategy (RGMS), are largely reflected in the goals of the KGMS. Many of the KGMS action items described in Section 10 below support the implementation of the RGMS as well. Additional initiatives that support the RGMS include the new Five Best Bets for Air Quality program, the City s new Economic Development Strategy Make It Kitchener and, the new Official Plan. 10. Kitchener Growth Management Strategy Implementation The KGMS encompasses six goals that facilitate managing growth and development within the City of Kitchener. These goals support the RGMS and have been adapted to the City of Kitchener context. A significant portion of the objectives, initiatives and recommendations of the KGMS have been completed in previous years and the status of remaining items is listed below. Action Item Status Goal 1 Enhance our valued natural and cultural heritage resources 3 Update Urban Design Manual: Green Goal 5 Strengthen communities 4 Prepare a Neighbourhood Strategy Will be part of the comprehensive update scheduled in the work plan to start in Community engagement well underway and this priority project is making significant progress. 11. Kitchener Growth Management Plan The Kitchener Growth Management Plan (KGMP) is an evolution of the former Staging of Development program and is used as a tool to assist with the implementation of the KGMS. The KGMP establishes priority levels for development and infrastructure projects for each growth area within the City. It includes the prioritization and allocation of resources towards completing initiatives that are required to move lands from the draft approval stage to registration, construction and developing complete communities. The current KGMP ( ) was adopted by City Council in The next KGMP for will be considered by Committee of Council in Fall