Key Decisions of Kitchener Council: November 10, 2025

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.  

Council honours Karl Gallagher for being named 2025 Canadian Staff Person of the Year 

Karl Gallagher, Parking and Electronics Technician with the City’s Parking Enterprise, has been recognized by the Canadian Parking Association for his outstanding service and leadership. Over his four years with the City, Karl has consistently gone above and beyond to improve customer experiences and support his colleagues where possible. Karl’s national recognition highlights the crucial role of front-line staff in shaping public service excellence. 

Downtown Cycling Grid wins National Infrastructure Award 
Kitchener’s Downtown Cycling Grid project has earned the 2025 Active Transportation Achievement Award from the Transportation Association of Canada. This multi-year initiative added approximately 10 km of new and upgraded infrastructure, creating a safe, accessible network for cyclists of all ages and abilities.  

Rooted in the City’s award-winning Cycling and Trails Master Plan and shaped by input from over 5,700 residents, the grid has already seen more than 160,000 users in 2025. The award underscores Council’s ongoing commitment to building a safer, more connected city through active transportation and road safety initiatives. 

City of Kitchener and University of Waterloo to Partner on Gas Infrastructure Research  

Kitchener City Council has approved a research agreement with the University of Waterloo to develop a digital twin model that will help assess and plan for the future of the city’s gas infrastructure. The initiative will support Kitchener Utilities in evaluating system performance under various demand scenarios and addressing aging infrastructure. 
 

The partnership includes $200,000 in direct funding over four years, and an additional $300,000 in in-kind support. This collaboration strengthens core service delivery and reinforces Kitchener’s commitment to innovation and infrastructure resilience.  Read online. 

Council approves update to Community Engagement Policy 

City Council has approved an update to its Community Engagement Policy to strengthen how the City connects with residents. The revised approach will offer a clearer framework for public engagement and is based on extensive input from both community members and city staff.   

The update follows a multi-method engagement process designed to understand resident experiences, values, and expectations. It supports the City’s strategic goal of fostering a more caring and inclusive community, with no financial impact associated with the change.  Read online.   
 

Council endorses update on uptake of additional dwelling units 

Kitchener City Council has endorsed a staff report highlighting the positive impact of 2024 zoning changes that allow up to four residential units on lots zoned for single detached, semi-detached, or street townhouse homes. Since the new rules took effect, the City has seen a significant increase in triplexes and fourplexes.    

This approach is part of the City’s commitment to increasing housing supply and improving affordability. To support this growth, the City conducted a multi-method engagement process, which included a public survey that garnered 288 responses from homeowners, developers, and residents.    

The City also introduced new resources, such as the “Guide to Additional Dwelling Units,” to help the public navigate the permitting process. The report also outlines the next steps to improve public understanding of ADUs and promote tools such as the CMHC Housing Design Catalogue. Read online.