Residential Intensification of Established Neighbourhoods Study (RIENS)
Residential Intensification in Existing Neighbourhoods Study applies to Mt. Hope/Breithaupt, and, of course, Midtown. If you are free it might be worthwhile for you to attend this public meeting to learn more about the implementation of RIENS. It was originally passed by Council in February 2017. This Plan addresses the guidelines for intensification – adding additions to current homes and building new homes on vacant lots.
The City of Kitchener is proposing new regulations to Zoning By-law 85-1 in response to the Residential Intensification of Established Neighbourhoods Study (RIENS) that was approved by Council in 2017.
The proposed Zoning By-law amendment is available here. The accompanying staff report will be available approximately 10 days before the Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee meeting at https://calendar.kitchener.ca/council – click on the meeting date in the calendar, scroll down and select the meeting.
Here is a Record article about the proposed changes: Kitchener aims to tighten controls on downtown infill development
The proposed Zoning By-law amendment includes changes to Sections 3(Interpretation, Classification and Limits of Zones), 5 (General Regulations), and Sections 36-41 (Residential (R) Zones) in order to implement a new front yard setback and garage setback regulations for new residential buildings and additions to existing residential buildings for lands located within the RIENS area. Three additional zoning regulations were recommended as part of the RIENS (i.e. lower building height in areas where the building typology is predominately one storey; garage typology (attached, detached, no garage); and review of specific properties where the zoning currently permits multiple dwellings) This amendment does not include regulations pertaining to these topics as additional analysis is required that will be completed through CRoZBy or neighbourhood specific planning reviews.
The public meeting will be held by the Planning & Strategic Initiatives Committee, a Committee of Council which deals with planning matters, on:
MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2018 at 7:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 2nd FLOOR, CITY HALL
200 KING STREET WEST, KITCHENER
To speak at the public meeting please register in advance at www.kitchener.ca/delegations or by calling the City Clerk’s Office at 741-2200, ext. 7275.
FROM STAFF COMMUNICATION:
In a staff report considered by Council in May 2018 on the City’s Comprehensive Review of the Zoning By-law (CRoZBy), staff indicated that they would bring forward an amendment to the City’s existing Zoning By-law to implement specific zoning related recommendations from the RIEN.S At this time staff anticipates that it may take two or more years of additional work through CRoZBy or other processes to implement draft new residential zones across the approximately 50,000 residential properties within Kitchener. Additionally, there continues to be development proposals in the central neighbourhoods and it would be beneficial to have the new regulations in place sooner rather than later.
Any person may attend the public meeting and make written and/or verbal representation either in support of, or in opposition to, the above noted proposals. If a person or public body would otherwise have an ability to appeal the decision of the City of Kitchener to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal, but the person or public body does not make oral submissions at a public meeting or make written submissions to the City of Kitchener prior to approval/refusal of these proposals, the person or public body is not entitled to appeal the decision.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION is available by contacting the staff person noted below, viewing the staff report contained in the agenda (available approximately 10 days before the meeting – https://calendar.kitchener.ca/council – click on the meeting date in the calendar, scroll down & select meeting), or in person at the Planning Division, 6th Floor, City Hall, 200 King Street West, Kitchener between 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Monday to Friday).
Brian Bateman, Senior Planner – 519-741-2200 x7869 (TTY: 1-866-969-9994); brian.bateman@kitchener.ca
Natalie Goss, Senior Planner – 519-741-2200 x7067 TTY: 1-866-969-9994); natalie.goss@kitchener.ca
Your Midtown KW Neighbourhood 