Back to SearchKey decisions of Councilis a summary of major discussion items presented at Kitchener City Council meetings. It is circulated immediately following each meeting. Please refer to the minutes for an official record of the meeting.
Council approves rental replacement by-law
Council has approved a new rental replacement by-law, along with amendments to Kitchener’s Official Plan and Demolition Control By-law. This by-law aims to provide stability and compensation for tenants displaced by redevelopment, while ensuring a transparent and predictable rental permitting process. Landowners demolishing or converting six or more rental units must now offer alternative housing or compensation to tenants and provide replacement rental housing in new developments. Compensation options for tenants include: providing a temporary offsite rental unit, waiving rent for a year, or paying tenants out (equivalent of 10 months’ rent). Developers will be required to replace any rental unit demolished or converted as a result of their proposal and maintain those units at an affordable rent for a period of 10 years.
This initiative aligns with the city's strategic goals to foster connected neighborhoods, secure affordable housing, and promote sustainable and safe transportation. Read the full report online.
Council amends Official Plan and Zoning By-law to permit lodging houses city-wide
Council approved amendments to the City’s Official Plan and Zoning By-Law to permit lodging houses city-wide in all residential zones and has forwarded the decision to the Region of Waterloo for further approval. These amendments will complement a lodging house by-law when it returns to Council later this summer.
Council supports vision for the future of Bramm Yards
Council has approved the revised vision and development principles for the Bramm Yards Master Plan. The plan includes allocating up to $400,000 from the Environmental Remediation Reserve for pre-design reports necessary for the redevelopment of Bramm Yards at 55 Bramm Street and 130 Park Street. Additionally, staff will conduct a market assessment to determine the optimal timing for selling the property and identify potential development constraints to ensure a successful redevelopment process. Going forward, staff will collaborate with the University of Waterloo to ensure a shared vision related to the development plan for the Bramm Yards area (given the neighbouring Health Innovation Arena UW Health Sciences Campus).
Comprised of eight acres, the Bramm Yards is one of the most significant City-owned land holdings and is central to the city’s Innovation District. Redevelopment of the site aims to boost innovation employment and housing, support business growth in the Innovation District (Downtown Kitchener) and enhance municipal tax revenues. The initiative aligns with the city's strategic goals to cultivate a green city, build a connected city, and create an economically- thriving city. Read the full report online.
Council defers decision to allow alcohol consumption in city parks
Council voted to defer the 2024 pilot program allowing alcohol consumption in select parks due to concerns about capacity, public health and safety, and monitoring and enforcement capabilities. Instead, the city will continue collaborating with Waterloo Regional Police Services (WRPS) to explore the potential for a future pilot, while also monitoring the effects of the Province’s expanded alcohol sales on local communities. Staff will report back to Council when there is a more suitable opportunity to consider a pilot program.
City of Kitchener wins national service delivery excellence award
The City of Kitchener is proud to announce that it has won the Municipal Service Delivery Officials' Canada (MSDO) inaugural Excellence in Service Delivery Award for its groundbreaking City Hall Service Centre, which opened in January. The city hall service centre brings together service experts from every service area, service counter staff, the City’s 24-7 Corporate Contact Centre, and staff experts in service transformation, in one centralized main floor location. For more information, read the full release.
Council approves cycling and trails safety enhancements
As part of the City’s Cycling and Trails Master Plan implementation, Council has approved spot fixes aimed at enhancing cycling and trail safety, connectivity, and accessibility. This includes installing pedestrian crossovers (PXOs) at specific locations along the Laurentian Trail: Laurentian Drive, Williamsburg Road, Strasburg Road, and Lucerne Drive. To increase safety, stopping will be prohibited within 15 meters before and 10 meters after each crossing. Additionally, a raised crossing will be built at the Laurentian Trail and Lucerne Drive intersection, with corresponding amendments to the Uniform Traffic Bylaw.
Planned safety upgrades also include curb cuts for improved trail access, enhanced trail signage and markings, upgrades to trail crossings, installation of bike parking, trail counters, and wayfinding signs. The city has allocated $200,000 for 2024 spot fixes, with an additional $50,000 designated for wayfinding installations and further improvements in 2025. Read the full report online.
Council advances construction of 56 residential units
Council approved a zoning by-law amendment to permit the construction of 56 stacked townhouses units at 179 Jansen Avenue. The low-rise multiple dwelling proposal is an example of missing middle housing that bridges the gap between high density residential towers and single detached dwellings.
Council extends Lived Expertise Working Group pilot
Council has approved the extension of the Lived Expertise Working Group (LEWG) pilot to June 2026 to support the continued implementation of Kitchener’s Housing for All Strategy and to provide ongoing lived expertise on housing-related work, including the ongoing Official Plan review project. This decision follows the successful two-year pilot, during which the LEWG has significantly contributed to various housing-related initiatives, such as shaping a proposed rental replacement by-law, collaborating on the City’s renting information webpage, and providing input into Kitchener’s online eviction survey. The continued support and refinement of the LEWG will ensure the success of housing-related work in the city, aligning with Kitchener’s strategic goals of building a connected and economically thriving city with secure, affordable housing and sustainable transportation options.
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