M. Rodrigues, Senior Planner with the City, introduced the project to update the City’s Official Plan, called Kitchener 2051. As Kitchener grows to become a city of up to 450,000 people, a new plan is needed, to guide growth over the next 25 years. Community input will help to shape priorities in the plan. It will build on the city’s four pillars in its strategic plan: A thriving city, a caring city, a connected city, a green city. Four major studies are also being completed: Climate and energy study, population and employment forecasts, non-residential land use study, growth scenarios study. The OP will reinforce other strategies, like a new Transportation Master Plan, Complete Streets, Vision Zero and Cycling and Trails Master Plan. There will be a block party on October 5 for the public launch of engagement, which includes online engagement, pop-ups, youth engagement and a speaker series.
J. Brosheck appreciated staff’s acknowledgement of trade-offs that will be necessary in the plan. It can lead to better support when people realize the balancing act between priorities.
P. Singh noted that community feedback on trade-offs can influence how to grow in existing neighbourhoods or growing into new neighbourhoods that require new infrastructure.
V. Hand noted that new growth can cost the city a lot in the long term if it is car centric infrastructure.
M. Rodrigues noted that neighbourhoods are always evolving. Some are undercapacity for residential occupancy while others are over capacity.
L. Dramnitzki asked if the scenarios will include how much it will cost the city, because many people don’t have an understanding on what things cost, such as road widenings. M. Rodrigues said that all growth scenarios will be costed out and presented to Council.
P. Singh sees an opportunity for trail developments to have a stronger influence on growth. Road capacity (for all forms of transportation) is taken into consideration but not the trail’s ability to move people to places.