Ontario Construction News staff writer
A virtual open house that was previously postponed took place on Monday, allowing residents to check out updates and share their thoughts on how Kingston plans to grow over the next 25 years.
The focus was on the second draft of the new Official Plan. The project team addressed questions about how community input has been integrated into this updated document. The changes reflect suggestions from residents as well as technical reviews. This draft continues to develop the policy framework that will guide growth and development in the community until 2051, covering areas like housing, infrastructure, mobility, climate resilience, and protecting natural spaces.
Updated maps and a feedback and response Summary showing how comments on the First Draft were taken into account are available for review. Additional supporting materials have also been made accessible online, including a tracked changes version of the Official Plan that highlights revisions between the First and Second Drafts along with extra background information related to the project.
“This is a working draft, and community feedback is a critical part of strengthening it,” said Laura Flaherty, Project Manager, Planning Services. “We appreciate the time residents spent reviewing the First Draft and we look forward to hearing where we still need to refine policies as we start working on a third draft.”
Kingston is expected to increase its population to around 220,000 people by 2051 based on projections from 2023 that were confirmed in early 2026.
Studies conducted by Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. indicate that there isn’t enough land within the current urban boundary to support anticipated population and job growth.
This means that the second draft proposes an expanded urban boundary in line with these land needs assessments as part of long-term planning to ensure there’s enough space for projected growth up until 2051, following Provincial policy requirements.
Recognizing that decisions about urban boundaries are significant, residents will have valuable opinions about where growth should take place and how it should be phased. Draft policies related to urban boundary expansion applications are included in this revised draft. These policies give council guidance on when it’s sensible to invest in infrastructure for expanding areas while also providing opportunities for community input regarding both geography and decision-making rules.
The draft Natural Heritage Study outlines how natural features should be identified, mapped, protected, and enhanced over time. However, options from this draft NHS haven’t yet been considered alongside broader growth priorities outlined in the Official Plan.
The OP lays out long-term land-use policies guiding development choices concerning housing, infrastructure, transportation, employment areas, and community services. Officials state that this updated plan aims to create “a livable, equitable and economically sustainable city” as Kingston continues its growth journey.
Alongside this rescheduled open house event, public comments on the second draft can now be submitted until May 3rd; an extension from April 21st deadline.
For more details-including background documents and tools for submitting comments-visit the city’s public engagement site at Get Involved. Cityof Kingston. ca.
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