Working Towards A New Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw
QUESTIONS:
Why is the Zoning Bylaw being updated?
What will be the result of the Zoning Bylaw project?
How many properties will be affect by the Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw Project?
Who will undertake the Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw Project?
ANSWERS:
Why is the Zoning Bylaw being updated?
A: The Zoning Bylaw Review project will amalgamate and update the ten existing zoning bylaws that are currently in effect in various parts of the City. Also, the Zoning Bylaw update will implement the policies of the new Official Plan, implement Provincial Legislation, the Provincial Policy Statement and a number of background studies recently completed by the City.
There are five principal Zoning Bylaws currently in effect as well as the remnants of another 5 older zoning bylaws. All of these bylaws were inherited by the new City of Kingston after amalgamation in 1998. The five principal zoning bylaws include the following:
- Zoning Bylaw No. 8499 of the former City of Kingston (approved in 1975);
- Zoning Bylaw No. 96-259, Downtown and Harbour Zoning Bylaw of the former City of Kingston (approved in 1996);
- Zoning Bylaw No. 76-26, of the former Kingston Township (approved in 1976);
- Zoning Bylaw No. 97-102, Cataraqui North Zoning Bylaw of the former Kingston Township (approved in 1997); and
- Zoning Bylaw No. 32-74, of the former Pittsburgh Township (approved in 1974).
Each Bylaw reflects specific jurisdictional contexts and contains differing definitions, regulations and zone classifications. Since amalgamation, a number of administrative amendments have been undertaken by the City for the purpose of harmonizing a number of definitions and regulations in each of the Bylaws. The five principal zoning bylaws have approximately 1,000 pages of text, almost 100 zone categories and 45 primary maps. In addition there have been a total of approximately 1,000 amendments with a number of them being site specific amendments that reflect specific development proposals. The five principal Zoning Bylaws can be found on the City's website.
What will be the result of the Zoning Bylaw project?
A: The anticipated product of the project will be one or more zoning bylaw documents for the entire City that with text and mapping schedules will implement the City's new Official Plan. It is intended that this new document(s) will be user friendly, clear, easily understood and simple to use.
How many properties will be affected by the Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw Review Project?
A: As of May 1, 2010, there are just under 39,000 properties in the City of which approximately 33,400 properties are located in the urban area and about 4,500 in the rural area. Each property will be considered in the Zoning Bylaw Review Project.
A: The City is committed to public participation and openness in conducting studies. Therefore public consultation is considered a critical component of this project. The City plans to have extensive public consultation on the Zoning Bylaw update This will be a multi-year project and as the document is developed, there will be many opportunities for the public to comment. In the meantime, if you have any questions or comments you can contact the City:
- In Person: 1211 John Counter Boulevard
-
By Mail:
Planning and Development Department
City of Kingston
216 Ontario St., Kingston ON K7L 2Z3
- By E-mail: opzb_update@cityofkingston.ca
- By Phone: 613-546-4291, ext. 3180
Who will undertake the Zoning Bylaw Review Project?
A: City Council will be represented by its Planning Committee who will be responsible for overseeing the Zoning Bylaw project and preparing recommendations to be forwarded to City Council regarding any matters requiring a decision. The Planning Committee will be responsible for hosting the public meetings for the project.
The Planning and Development Department will be the City's lead on this project with the assistance of many other City Departments.
In the Fall of 2010, the City will be commencing a process to select a multidisciplinary consulting team to undertake the Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw Review Project. A multidisciplinary team with expertise in Planning, cartography and GIS, heritage matters, and public consultation and facilitation will be required to carry out the development of this important planning document.
