The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD-2023-160, dated April 13, 2023, regarding the Enabling Missing Middle and Affordable Housing Feasibility Study.
T. Donegani, Senior Planner, provided a brief introduction to the Enabling Missing Middle and Affordable Housing Feasibility Study. G. Stevenson, Interim Director of Planning, N. Goss, Manager of Policy and Research, R. Hagey, Director of Financial Planning and Reporting were also in attendance to respond to questions from the Committee.
C. White and M. Paziuk, Parcel Economics addressed the Committee regarding the Study, noting their presentation will include an outline of the challenges involved, the opportunities, and potential solutions.
C. White outlined the challenges the City of Kitchener experiences regarding the delivery of missing middle and affordable housing, noting the City is faced with a housing supply crisis and housing affordability issues. C. White stated the study analyzes methods to improve housing affordability, provide more diversity in housing types constructed, and to increase overall housing supply.
M. Paziuk noted the opportunities arising from the study, including enabling the development of more missing middle and affordable housing types.
C. White discussed potential solutions, and noted the four recommendations arising from the study, including a reduction of parking requirements, an increase in height and density permissions, providing financial incentives and process improvements.
In response to questions from the Committee, C. White stated price dynamics, consumer preference and lifestyle-based decision-making plays a key role in housing sizes and price points required by consumers.
In response to concerns from the Committee regarding whether the City's public transportation can compensate for the recommended parking reduction, C. White noted the study recognizes the City requires varying types of housing and price points. C. White also stated it may take time for the appropriate infrastructure to be put into place to compliment the parking reduction.
In response to further questions, T. Donegani informed the Committee, Staff will provide additional information regarding the financial incentives within the coming months, as a deeper understanding of Bill 23 is gained. T. Donegani stated thus far, the incentives have been provided through the development charges rebate program to non-profits. T. Donegani noted there is a restriction in the Municipal Act to providing these types of incentives to for-profit developers, except in limited circumstances, such as the Community Improvement Plan and the Capital Facilities Agreements and By-law.
Mayor B. Vrbanovic and C. Michaud left the meeting at this time.
In response to questions from the Committee, G. Stevenson stated there are immediate opportunities to set the stage for the recommended changes outlined in the report, through pending updates to Official Plans and Zoning in Major Transit Station Areas (MTSAs).
T. Donegani noted in response to further questions, that the study utilizes the existing definition of affordable which is aligned under the currently enforced Provincial Policy Statement (PPS), the Regional Official Plan and City Official Plan. T. Donegani also noted the recommendations in the study create opportunities for new small developers to become more active in the City's development.
Mayor B. Vrbanovic returned to the meeting at this time.