City Seeks Input On Draft of Official Plan, 2008-03-31

[posting]

City of Kingston

For Immediate Release
Mar. 31, 2008 09:30 a.m.

For further information contact:

Cherie Mills, Manager, Policy Planning, Planning and Development, 613-546-4291, ext. 3289;
The City of Kingston's media hotline at 613-546-4291, ext. 2300.

City Seeks Input On Draft Of Official Plan

Plan Will Guide City's Land Use And Growth Until 2026

The City's Planning Committee will host a number of public open houses and two special Planning Committee review sessions to receive feedback on the City's draft Official Plan. The Plan, setting out the use of land in Kingston until 2026, is intended to outline the City's vision for its future, including how it will:
support growth in certain areas of Kingston and restrict it in others as appropriate;
recognize that developments in distinctive areas of the city, like the downtown and the waterfront, need to be sensitive to existing uses and features; and
reflect current provincial statutes, policies and regulations.The draft Official Plan will be available for comment by the public online at cityofkingston.ca/officialplan/working starting Thursday until mid June.

Residents are also invited to offer their thoughts on the Plan at the following open houses:
Wednesday, April 9 at Memorial Hall, City Hall, 216 Ontario St. from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and again from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a presentation at 7 p.m.
Monday, April 21 at the Glenburnie Fire Hall, Station No. 8, 1485 Unity Road from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and again from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Monday, May 5 at Isabel Turner Library, 935 Gardiners Rd., from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Wednesday, May 7 at the Gore Road Fire Hall, Station No. 3, 211 Gore Rd., from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.In addition, two special Planning Committee sessions are planned to review the draft Official Plan on April 22 and April 29 at Rideaucrest Home (Lower Level Meeting Room) 175 Rideau St.. Both meetings start at 6:30 p.m. and are open to the public.

The City has been governed by three Official Plans - one covering each of the areas prior to amalgamation in 1998 (City of Kingston, Township of Kingston and Pittsburgh Township). These plans remain in effect until a new one is finalized, adopted by City Council and approved by the Provincial Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, which requires municipalities to have an Official Plan under the Ontario Planning Act.

The City has considered the issues and recommendations outlined in numerous significant background studies in preparing the current draft of the Official Plan such as:

the Urban Growth Strategy, the Transportation Master Plan, the Cycling and Pathways Study, the Downtown Action Plan, the Regional Commercial Study Update, the City Owned Industrial Land Development Strategy, the Central Cataraqui Region Natural Heritage Study, the Population and Housing Model, the Agricultural Study, the Waterfront Strategy, and the Downtown and Harbour Architectural Guidelines Study, and others.

Hard copies of the draft Plan will also available for review starting Thursday at the Kingston Frontenac Public Library (Central, Isabel Turner and Pittsburgh Branches), City Hall and 1211 John Counter Blvd.

Comments on the Plan will be accepted until Friday, June 13 to opzb_update@cityofkingston.ca, (613)549-4291, ext. 3193, or by mail to Planning, City of Kingston, 216 Ontario St., Kingston, ON., K7L 2Z3.

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[Lydia]

I find this very interesting. An Official Draft Plan for this city. Howmany people in the West end of this city have been asked to help with this plan??

Have the Community Associations in the West End, East End, North End, etc been contacted during this plan drafting? How many RESIDENTS from this city have actually been contacted to assist in drafting this plan?

I was informed that if it was NOT FOR ROBERT MATHESON, there wouldn't have been been a meeting set up for Isabel Turner's Library. So I ask, Which Councilors if any worked on this plan?

I believe that if the Planning Department really wants input on this plan then hard copies should be available for anyone who asks for them in order to be able to truly given an honest upfront analysis on the work that has been done and give improvements on what is being asked from this city.

The fact that my councilor had to fight to even get a meeting out the west end of this city, still shows me that this city is more divided then ever. It shows me that the planning department should not have been forced into this but that it should have been willing to have meeting ALL over this city so that more people would have the opportunity to have a say.

I am not complaining about the members who are on the committee level of this draft. I am complaining about the Department heads only.

Having said this I also am not complaining about city staffers either. They are the ones who have informed me about the opportunities to get a copy of this plan. If you only want to read this 200 and some page document that it is also available on the City's website in the cityofkingston/business/development/official plan/draft site

However, if you really want have your views known on this matter, request a copy, I know that there will be some hard copies available at the meetings that will take place At City Hall on April 9th, 7:00 meeting, Isabelle Turner's Library Meeting on May 5th 6 to 8 and 211 Gore Road at 6 to 8.

[Rob Matheson]

Just wanted to clarify Lydia, I did not have to fight tooth and nail to get staff to do a meeting in the west end at Isabel Turner Library. It actually only took my asking for one.

I was a tad disapointed that it had to be asked for, and wasn't automotically done. However staff were excellent at running with the ball once I put it out there. I hope going forward it will become automatic, though rest assured I will continue to ask, if not.

Shirley Bailey from our Planning Staff also took the time to spend with our Loyalist-Cataraqui Commuity Association yesterday, which I know was very much appreciated. This meeting was thanks to Lydia asking for it.

Great job Lydia. It was a great meeting and lots of good questions were asked about our City's new draft Official Plan. Residents can access the plan on the City website, and provide comments until June 15th.

[Lydia]

Robert, Tool and Nail is what most people think ASKING for it is when we approach anyone in the City of Kingston. As you and I can honestly inform everyone that ASKING is all that is needed.

People JUST LOVE to give our staffers a hard time. (Okay, I do but that is another story). However, if they only knew how truly great our city staffers truly are then maybe THE CITIZENS and STAFFERS can learn to CO-OPERATE with each other. I have truly been blessed by dealing with many of our city staffers and I want that to always be true.

Shirley Bailey is a PRIME example of someone who isn't AFRAID to tell it as it truly is. She doesn't pretend to know ALL the answers but she is MORE than willing to CONFRONT THE ISSUES and BETTER still actually get the REAL answers to our questions.

I have to give Cheryl Mills and acknowledgement on this as well. I did give Cheryl an attitude at the first meeting on the draft just to see the kind of response I would get from the planning department.

I thought that Shirley informing us that the City Draft also confirms to EVERYTHING THE OFFICIAL ONTARIO Plan deals with.

These people have blown me out of the water with they respectful way of dealing with me and the cooperation that they have given me. I am an ordinary CITIZEN only and got excellent treatment and respect.

So thanks Robert for placing your reply on here now our Staffers know that they ARE appreciated by the Public and our Councillor.

Now let's get helpful by letting this department REALLY know our concerns if any. I know that this department will take it seriously and dealing with them.

I thought it was great knowing that our official plan deals with everything that the Official Ontario Plan deals with as well.

[Lydia]

http://www.cityofkingston.ca/residents/development/officialplan/consultation.asp


I am submitting this comment to the above website as well.



SECTION 1 – OVERVIEW.......................................... .................................................. ....


Schedule 1
In preparation for this Official Plan, the City has undertaken a number of individual background studies including:
• Focus Kingston, 2000
• Population and Growth Trends Model
• Downtown Action Plan, 2003
• Cycling and Pathways Study, 2003
• Kingston Transportation Master Plan, 2004
• City Owned Industrial Land Development Strategy, 2005
• Natural Heritage Strategy, 2006
• Regional Commercial Study Update, 2006
• Waterfront Strategy (Background Report), 2006
• Agricultural Study, 2006
• Kingston Model for Affordable Housing Development, 2004
• Urban Growth Strategy (ongoing)

I understand the above studies have been done. In the future I would suggest that the city utilize the public at large to assist in further studies that this city does. Before 2000 there was another study where over 1000 members of the public showed interest in helping the city. That study actually created the blueprint for the Focus groups. It should not take 8 years for studies to be done when people are willing to help. Instead of voting for people to join a committee. Try opening it up fully to anyone who wishes to participate. Like Dr. Phil says “No matter how you make a pancake it always has 2 sides.” People who are pro or people who are con a particular project or study should be allowed to work together. By voting for who joins a committee, it feels like only the pro-camp will influence decisions.

You will never please ALL the people however, all the people at least have a change to express their needs. Many of the departments in the City actually do this extremely well and others need to improve.

By allowing people to at least express their views you are actually showing people that you are open to suggestions.

[Lydia]

Section 2. STRATEGIC POLICY DIRECTION

Policies:
2.1.1. Innovative energy alternatives, recycling of products, green industry and building practices will be supported, including:
a. sources of renewable energy;
b. energy efficient technology;
c. innovative techniques to reduce urban summer heat;
d. means of reducing greenhouse gas;
e. means of reducing stormwater flows and/or water usage;
f. means of reducing automobile trips and promoting eco-friendly forms of transportation; and
g. practices that conserve or re-cycle materials, energy, or other resources.

The Above issues can easily be done if this city truly meant it when it says recycle, reduce, recycle. You have identified the goals but you have not identified the “HOW”and “WHAT” you plan on doing the above. There is a movement happening where people want to buy component parts of electrionic items, i.e. Cell Phones, Laptop Computers, etc. Now why doesn’t the city provide a pick for these items to be done and brought to a location where these components can actually be collected by companies and refurnished? This city could easily make money and cut down our taxes if it really tried to do this.

In Option F. You could accomplish this if there was an actual pick done where yard waste could be collected. On any given day there are many cars going to Lappan Lane to get rid of yard waste. This city is upset with Idling Cars, Maybe Cars would not be ideling up there if ONE Pick could be done by the city vehicles just for yard waste each week on a chosen day.


2.2 MANAGING GROWTH
The City is projected to grow to 146,682 people by 2026 based on the medium growth scenario forecast in 2006. The City’s goal is to strengthen its economy through robust job creation that is beyond that of the medium growth forecast. Therefore, this Plan provides for a (high projection) target level of 1,000 net new jobs per year in the City.

This section does not indicate which salary level these jobs are going to be. It does not indicate which industries are going to be effected. This might be achieved if the red tape that the city is known to have can be cut so that businesses are welcomed. Are these jobs self-employment jobs?
Which industries are being targeted to come into this city to achieve these 1000 new jobs?

Affordable Housing
2.2.12. The City supports options to increase affordable housing in the City, primarily within the urban area.

I know that there is only one area in this city that has a Trailer Home environment. Maybe you should consider allow areas within the city to allow for More Trailer Home environments. I realize that people tend to be upset with this idea. However it if is done PROPERLY, Trailer Homes can be excellent environments for people who find it difficult to maintain hugh houses. Also trailers could actually help poor people to have a roof over their heads and Help keep more people living on the streets. Also Section Homes (built in sections) could be established in Kingston if the trailer option creates problems for the city. Many homes in the maritimes are section homes.

2.4 PHASING OF MUNICIPAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORTATION

Strategic Direction to Promote Alternative Modes of Travel
2.4.11. In order to foster sustainability within the city and reduce reliance on the automobile, the Strategic Direction of the Kingston Transportation Master Plan, “A New Direction”, promotes satisfying travel demand by making efficient use of the existing infrastructure and by providing the facilities and services to encourage walking, cycling and transit as priority modes before providing new road infrastructure.

The above option sounds great. However, there is one problem that I can see happening that will stop this option from happening. If you want people to be encouraged to walking, cycling etc. REMOVE SNOW FROM SIDEWALKS and make a BYLAW informing people to be accountable for shoveling snow from the sidewalks in front of their homes.and businesses. The city should be ACCOUNTABLE for shoveling snow on city property and that path ways into parks are plowed. Only then will you really accomplish getting people to walk and cycle in the winter time.


Transit Priority 2.4.12. The use of transit will be supported and encouraged, through the development of mixed use Corridors, more intense mixed use Centres, and increasing densities within newer areas or redevelopment of underutilized sites.

You need to shovel snow at bus stops OR Malcolm Morris should ensure that seniors are given SIGNS that show the bus drivers they need to stop infront of their homes for pickup. It was spoken about and I have yet to see even ONE person using that type of sign.

2.5 CITY STRUCTURE

Policies:

Business Districts 2.5.7.
b. an upgraded visual appearance is maintained along major roads and the interface with any Centre, Corridor or Housing district;

The only way you will upgrade visual appearances along major roads and interface with any Centrre, Corridor or Housing district will be if you ELIMINATE THE PESTICIDE BAN and Water Bans. The city looks dirty and unkept when the lawns are not watered due to people giving up due to time restrains placed by the city. Also Weeds DO NOT make this place a great place to see. Also when dandelions are allowed to BLOOM and the air is full of the seedings that are released that almost chokes people, it does not improve VISUAL appearance of this city.

2.8 PROTECTION OF RESOURCES
Policies:

Water Quality & Quantity
2.8.3. In order to maintain the quality and quantity of water, the City will restrict development and site alteration near sensitive surface or ground water features, including municipal wells and areas of medium to very high groundwater sensitivity.

This city has been sited many times for polluting the water in Lake Ontario. It isn’t that we were not warned previously. It is high time that this city completes all their projects to ensure that the water is safe from run-offs. I have to admit a lot has been done and is continuing to be done. However, more needs to be done and immediately.

2.9 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
.
Economic Development Strategy
Policies:
Tourism 2.9.2.
h. development and promotion of additional attractions and events, particularly those which will support winter activities and economic re-use of heritage resources; and

i.support for local tourist organizations.

Tourism is extremely important to this city and its residents. However, this city, the provincial government have not done anything to ensure the above objectives. What was done was done poorly.

The reason I say this is because when a tourist using a GPS system wants to find an address of a park, that they might want to go to the information is RARELY FOUND. Even when a person calls city hall to get the information the people working there have a hard time giving that information out even thought the person working is truly trying their best to help that tourist.

If a tourist wants to find an attraction and asks for directions, Our representatives have difficulty pin-pointing the exact address and the tourist needs to wait to get the information.

When the tourist has the address, it is like looking for a needle in a hay stack because that tourist does not know where to park without worrying about time restrains.

Take a look at the city’s brochures listing many of the wonderful events and buildings. It is time for this city to make the markings on their buildings and address NUMBERS clearer.

This city has a lot to offer. Put the address information in the brochures and clearly mark the locations so that there is NO guessing where something is.