Tim Donegani stated Council previously considered this matter on May 30th and June 8th, 2022 and deferred consideration to this date in anticipation of additional information to be provided by the Region of Waterloo. T. Donegani advised that information has not yet been released, noting it is anticipated to be available on June 15, 2022. T. Donegani stated staff feel It would be valuable for Council to pass a motion today to provide clarity to the Region regarding Kitchener's priorities so that the priorities can be considered in forming a regional staff-recommended growth approach. Staff are intending to report back on this matter on June 20th with information on a Regional-staff recommended growth approach and to provide council an opportunity to endorse a growth option.
T. Donegani further advised, although it has not been unanimous, staff heard from some that if there are to be community area expansions anywhere in the Region, it should be directed towards cities. Infrastructure implications of growth in the Southwest Kitchener Policy Area (SKPA) lands should be well understood before committing to growth in that policy area. T. Donegani commented that in 2019 the City of Kitchener had the largest land supply of vacant Development Growth Area (DGA) lands within the Region. In general terms, lands within the urban boundary are slated for urban development to accommodate growth within the planning horizon. The Regional Official Plan (ROP) review may identify additional lands for growth through an urban boundary expansion. Only lands within the countryside line are candidates for urban expansion. T. Donegani further addressed SKPA through the last ROP, noting there was no countryside line identified within that area, .rather it set out two groundwater related tests to determine if lands can be within the countryside line. Staff reported that three major landowners have received written confirmation that they have passed the two tests, and that their land will be inside the countryside line, while others are under review. Finally, T. Donegani indicated the inclusion of land within the countryside line is a prerequisite to being considered as a candidate for urban boundary expansion alongside all other lands within the countryside line.
J. Readman, N. Goss and R. Bustamante were also in attendance to respond to questions from Council.
Councillor S. Davey brought forward a motion, which was seconded by Councillor B. Ioannidis that the following comments be considered part of council's direction:
- Whereas Kitchener acknowledges we are in a housing affordability crisis,
- Whereas Canada has the lowest housing supply per capita among the G7,
- Whereas Ontario has the lowest housing supply per capita among all provinces,
- Whereas, not accounting for any future growth, Ontario requires approximately 650,000 more homes to meet the Canadian average per capita, and approximately 1.2 million more homes to meet the average among the G7,
- Whereas the academic majority believes the primary cause of the current housing-affordability crisis is due to lack of supply, including Crown Corporation CMHC who recently stated “The biggest issue affecting housing affordability in Canada is that supply simply isn’t keeping pace with demand,
- Therefore be it resolved that Kitchener urges the Region to research the broader supply issue and explore options outside of those proposed; notably to increase absolute growth targets to adjust for the current housing supply debt/deficits, to date,
- Therefore be it further resolved that the Region be requested to work with City staff to ensure Kitchener's fair share of growth with respect to infill and intensification, but also in determining where greenfield expansion is appropriate via efficiencies of existing or planned near-term servicing,
- Therefore be it finally resolved that any required greenfield growth be confined to within the country-side line / on lands not designated Protected Countryside.
Councillor S. Marsh brought forward an amendment to Councillor Davey's motion which was seconded by Councillor D. Chapman, as follows:
Whereas we have a serious shortage of affordable housing in Kitchener, but not a developable land shortage, and whereas adding more developable land to the community growth area will not address our housing shortage, and would be very challenging to reverse;
Therefore be it resolved that Kitchener urges the Region of Waterloo to:
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- Allow for zoning of a mix of housing types throughout all growth areas using the Region’s Draft Range and Mix of Housing Policies;
- Continue researching the broader issues affecting affordable housing supply and implement best practice policies to advance our shared goal of making housing more affordable for all residents;
- Work with City staff to ensure higher intensification targets and to hold off on any greenfield expansion until further Official Plan reviews to ensure an evidence-based rationale;
- Provide for no Community Area expansions and no farmland loss in the City of Kitchener due to the considerable amount of development lands already in process and the potential for intensification policies to meet foreseeable future needs until at least 2051;
- Provide for complete, sustainable and walkable communities, supported by LRT and other forms of public transit and be consistent with our climate change commitments;
- Confine any required future greenfield expansion to within the established country-side line.
Mayor Vrbanovic stated Clauses 3, 4 and 6 of Councillor Marsh's amendment were contrary to the motion brought forward by Councillor Davey, and not permitted.
Councillor S. Gazzola requested each clause be voted on separately by recorded vote.
Councillor P. Singh brought forward an amendment to Clause 7 of Councillor Davey's motion, which was seconded by Councillor S. Marsh, to include: That City of Kitchener council supports consideration of higher intensification targets and that target be at least minimum of 60%.
Members discussed Clause 5 of the motion brought forward by Councillor S. Davey and whether it would address the overall wish of Council.
Councillor S. Davey, with the support of Councillor B. Ioannidis agreed to replace Clause 5, with the following: WHEREAS Crown Corporation CMHC recently stated “The biggest issue affecting housing affordability in Canada is that supply simply isn’t keeping pace with demand;
Questions were raised regarding the proposed Whereas Clauses within Councillor S. Davey's motion, and in response D. Saunderson, Manager, Legislated Services/Deputy Clerk advised Whereas Clauses are generally brought forward by members of Council to support a direction in absence of a staff report, noting if it was Council's will this date, the proposed resolution could include the proposed clauses as a means of providing further clarification to the Region of Waterloo to help inform the basis of Council's comments on the Regional Official Plan.
Councillor S. Davey's Whereas Clauses 1 to 5 were then voted on and Carried on a recorded vote with Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors S. Davey, D. Schnider, C. Michaud, K. Galloway-Sealock, P. Singh, B. Ioannidis, M. Johnston voting in favour; and, Councillors J. Gazzola, D. Chapman and S. Marsh voting in opposition.
Councillors S. Davey's Clause 6 was then voted on and was Carried on a recorded vote with Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors S. Davey, D. Schnider, J. Gazzola, C. Michaud, K. Galloway-Sealock, P. Singh, B. Ioannidis, M. Johnston voting in favour; and, Councillors D. Chapman and S. Marsh voting in opposition.
Councillor P. Singh's amendment to Councillor Davey's clause 7 was then voted on and Carried, unanimously on a recorded vote.
Councillor S. Davey's Clause 7, as amended by Councillor P. Singh, was then voted on and was Carried on a recorded vote with Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors S. Davey, D. Schnider, C. Michaud, K. Galloway-Sealock, P. Singh, B. Ioannidis, M. Johnston voting in favour; and, Councillors J. Gazzola, D. Chapman and S. Marsh voting in opposition.
Councillor S. Davey's Clause 8 was then voted on and was Carried on a recorded vote with Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors S. Davey, D. Schnider, J. Gazzola, C. Michaud, K. Galloway-Sealock, P. Singh, B. Ioannidis, M. Johnston voting in favour; and, Councillors D. Chapman and S. Marsh voting in opposition.
Councillor S. Marsh's Clause 1 was then voted on and Carried unanimously on a recorded vote.
Councillor S. Marsh's Clause 2 was then voted on and Carried unanimously on a recorded vote.
Councillor S. Marsh's Clause 5 was then voted on and Carried unanimously on a recorded vote.