Key decisions of Kitchener Council: Feb. 27, 2023
Key decisions of Council is 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.
Strategic focus for 2023-2026
During a special council meeting on Monday, council supported five areas to explore further for the City’s Strategic Plan 2023-2026.
The following five major areas were informed by extensive public engagement including the collaboration of the new Plan WITH Us Resident Panel and City staff:
Belonging and participation
Housing, land and mobility
Environment and climate action
Economic prosperity and opportunity
Good government
Staff also continue to work with Compass Kitchener, a citizen advisory group, inform the strategic plan, with a focus on casting a new 20-year vision for Kitchener and supporting actions for each of goal areas identified at today’s Council session.
Accessibility plan approved
Council approved a renewal of the City’s multi-year Accessibility Plan with an emphasis on how the corporation can go beyond what is outlined in the Accessibility for Ontarians with a Disabilities Act, AODA, 2005.
The purpose of the accessibility plan is to outline the city’s strategy to prevent and remove barriers and to meet the requirements under the provincial regulation. The Accessibility Plan was developed in consultation with the Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee and with the input of staff.
The plan challenges the City to ensure that accessibility is included as a core foundation while building on the work noted in the previous plan.
This plan supports A Caring Community, which is one of the five strategic goals outlined in the City’s Strategic Plan 2019-2022.
Council approves 78 infill homes on Fergus Avenue
Council approved a bylaw amendment and recommended an official plan amendment be forwarded to Waterloo Region for approval, to clear the way for 78 units at Fergus and Falesy avenues.
The proposed seven-storey building, and 89 mostly underground parking spaces, would replace two detached houses and a garage situated on deep lots. As part of the development, a portion of the lots will be dedicated to the City to expand Fergus Green Park.
Ontario Health funding supports City programs for seniors
Council approved a funding and service agreement with Ontario Health for the Senior Day and Connected at Home Program. The funding supports the city to deliver specialized programs and services that assist older adults to age in place and to maintain social connections. The Senior Day Program operates five days a week at the Downtown Community Centre and provides a full day of structured and inclusive programming for older adults living with a variety of physical and cognitive disabilities. The Connected at Home Program is a new program that was developed in response to the pandemic and supports certain segments of the older adult population, with a flexible and responsive model of service delivery.
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