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PROPERTY OWNERS AND INTERESTED PARTIES ARE INVITED

TO ATTEND A PUBLIC MEETING TO DISCUSS

A PROPOSED CITY-INITIATED ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT

UNDER SECTION 34 OF THE PLANNING ACT

Additional Dwelling Units 

The City of Kitchener is proposing new uses and regulations in Zoning By-law 85-1 to fully align with changes to the Provincial Planning Act (Bill 108, More Homes, More Choice Act) which requires municipalities to allow additional residential units on lots containing single detached, semi-detached, and street townhouse dwellings. The new uses allowed would be:

  1. Additional Dwelling Unit (Detached) on a lot in the R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-6, and R-7 zone that contains a single detached, semi-detached, or street townhouse dwelling. Additional Dwelling Units (Detached) are commonly referred to as coach houses, backyard homes, laneway suites or tiny houses. Most low-rise residential properties in Kitchener are zoned R-1 through R-7.
  2. Semi-Detached Duplex Dwelling in the R-4 and R-5 zone.

New regulations for Additional Dwelling Units (Detached) include:

  • Definition of Additional Dwelling Unit (Detached)
  • Minimum lot area and width
  • Maximum lot coverage
  • Maximum number of units on a lot
  • Maximum size of unit
  • Setbacks
  • Building height
  • Location on a lot
  • Requiring a walkway to a street
  • Requiring units to be municipally serviced
  • Parking requirements

New regulations for all Semi-Detached Duplex Dwellings include:

  • Maximum number of street-facing pedestrian entrances
  • Setbacks of new buildings must be generally in line with adjacent buildings on the same street

In keeping with physical distancing measures recommended by Public Health due to COVID-19, an electronic public meeting will be held by the Planning & Strategic Initiatives Committee, a Committee of Council which deals with planning matters, on:

Monday, April 19, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.

(live-stream video available at kitchener.ca/watchnow) 

If you wish to make written and/or verbal comments either in support of, or in opposition to, the above noted proposal you may register as a delegation at kitchener.ca/delegations or by contacting Legislated Services at 519-741-2200 ext. 2203 by no later than 4:00 p.m. on April 19, 2020.  A confirmation email and instructions for participating in the meeting electronically with be provided once your registration is received.

If a person or public body would otherwise have an ability to appeal the decision of the City of Kitchener to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal, but the person or public body does not make oral submissions at a public meeting or make written submissions to the City of Kitchener prior to approval/refusal of this proposal, the person or public body is not entitled to appeal the decision.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION is available by contacting the staff person noted below or by viewing the report contained in the meeting agenda (posted 10 days before the meeting at www.kitchener.ca - click on the date in the Calendar of Events and select the appropriate committee).

Richard Kelly-Ruetz, Project Manager - 519-741-2200 x7110 (TTY: 1-866-969-9994); richard.kelly-ruetz@kitchener.ca

Tim Donegani, Senior Planner - 519-741-2200 x7067 (TTY: 1-866-969-9994); tim.donegani@kitchener.ca