Ontario Land Tribunal issues decision on proposed Tannery development

Following a hearing process that concluded in early 2024, the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) has issued a decision on the proposed Tannery development.  

The decision approves the development in its entirety, through amendments to both the Official Plan and the Zoning By-Law. The amendments will be reflected in the first draft of the new Official Plan, which will be released to the public in mid-August.  

"This development marks a major step forward for Kingston, bringing much needed housing to the urban core, and remediating the largest brownfield property in the city,” says Mayor Bryan Paterson. “I’m excited to see how this project will contribute to the renewal and revitalization of Kingston’s Inner Harbour."   

The proposal includes a four-phased, mid-rise, mixed-use commercial and residential development with approximately 1500-1670 homes, a minimum of 3600 square metres of commercial space and new park space along the waterfront on the Cataraqui River. 

A significant number of steps in the planning process are yet to come: 

• Restarting the draft plan of subdivision as the process was put on hold pending the outcome of the hearing. This will include resubmitting technical documents detailing conditions such as road and infrastructure designs, and habitat and shoreline protection. Following the completion of the technical review, a report will be brought forward to the Planning Committee and Council with a recommendation by City staff for consideration.
• Brownfield Community Improvement Plan (CIP). In Oct. 2020, Council approved the creation of a special project area for the Tannery lands that enabled increased financial benefits and extended timelines to help facilitate the remediation of the land. Records of Site Condition (RSC) will be needed to allow the proposed change in land use from formerly industrial to residential and parkland.
• Applications for site plan control approval will be needed for each phase of the development, along with a landscape plan to replant and re-naturalize the shoreline in consultation with Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority, Parks Canada and Transport Canada.