Planning - Main

Planning
Within Planning there are a number of specialized sections that work together to support daily operations including:

New Official Plan

What's in the News for Planning

New Tree Conservation by-law
The City of Kitchener Tree Conservation By-law was approved at a special meeting on council on Monday, March 8, 2010 in order to control the removal of trees, to provide for the protection of trees, and to promote good forestry practices and good arboricultural practices that sustain healthy woodlands and the urban forest. (read more)

Triplex Study Report

At its meeting on June 9, 2008, Council received the Triplex Study Report prepared by Planning Staff in response to the Interim Control By-law that was passed prohibiting triplexes in the Central Neighbourhoods. Council adopted the recommendations in the Triplex Study Report to retain the triplex as a permitted use subject to new official plan policies and requirements in the zoning by-law and also passed the following resolution;

“That staff prepare a zoning by-law amendment to downzone all properties in the Mount Hope-Huron Park and K-W Hospital Planning Communities that are currently zoned R-5 but do not meet the lot width and lot area requirements for triplex use, to be presented at the Development and Technical Services Committee meeting of October 20, 2008.”

A planning staff report and proposed zoning by-law will be presented for consideration by the Development and Technical Services Committee on October 20, 2008.
- DTS-08-159
River Ridge Proposed Plan of Subdivision »
he new Emergency Service Policy replaces the existing Emergency Access and Multiple Unit Identification Policy and incorporates new requirements for water supply and fire access routes. It is divided into four sections: Water Supply, Fire Routes, Emergency Access and Multiple Unit Identification. Some or all requirements contained in the policy may apply to small buildings, large buildings, residential subdivisions and commercial/industrial developments and are intended to be applied by planning consultants and design professionals alike. Designers should incorporate applicable requirements into their designs at the earliest possible stages thereby providing a higher level of service to their customers.
The City of Kitchener fence by-law has been under discussion by council throughout 2007. Further discussion is scheduled for the Monday, December 10 council meeting. More information
Now Available online: Community Plans
Doon South Phase 2 – Community Plan Update
The Doon South Community Plan was approved by City Council in 1997. The Phase I lands are now either developed or are the subject of applications for proposed development. The Phase II lands were originally planned to be developed as "Limited Service Residential" (or Estate Residential) on individual septic systems rather than City sanitary sewers, as they could not be serviced by the City's gravity sewer system. It is now proposed that the Phase II lands be developed with City sewers by means of pumping stations and force mains. more »
Design Brief for Suburban Development
ew Growth Management Strategy
The City of Kitchener has a long and strong history of planning for growth in a way that contributes positively to our overall quality of life. Since the mid-1960s at least, we have embraced growth management as an important element of our planning principles.
In 2007, through collaboration with the public, we will be developing the City’s first comprehensive Growth Management Strategy – a succinct plan that outlines our future growth expectations for Kitchener and how we will accommodate that growth. more »
Now Available online
- Official/Municipal Plan
- Zoning By-Law
Civic Centre Neighbourhood Heritage Conservation District Study & Plan
Downtown Urban Design - Help Design Downtown Kitchener!
Mike Wagner Heritage Awards
Urban Design Awards
Reurbanization of 90 Woodside Avenue
Mixed Use Corridors
Built Form Review: Kitchener's 'Draft' Urban Growth Plan
Cedar Hill Land Use and Social Environment Study

As part of its long range and policy planning functions, the Division is responsible for ensuring that City of Kitchener planning policies conform with the Regional official plan, and have regard to Provincial Policy Statements. The Planning Division also coordinates the City’s participation in the development of new Regional and Provincial planning policies, including growth policies. These are significant in their influence on community planning and growth management here in Kitchener.

More information on the Regional Growth Management Strategy is available on the Region of Waterloo’s website.

The Provincial Government has released discussion papers on planning reform and other related matters, which are available online at www.planningreform.ontario.ca. The Province has also released "Places to Grow: A Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe”, a result of the Central Ontario Smart Growth Panel. This discussion paper proposes a long term vision for growth management in this area, and targets Kitchener-Waterloo as a "Priority Urban Centre." For more information, visit the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal’s web site at www.pir.gov.on.ca.

The following link may be useful for answering questions related to land-use planning in the Province of Ontario.