All topics Housing Getting Around Climate Food Growth & Planning Budget & Taxes

Derrick Rabethge

City/Township Council · Kitchener Ward 2

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All topics Housing Getting Around Climate Food Growth & Planning Budget & Taxes

Growth & Planning

How should councils weigh the long-term cost of maintaining existing infrastructure when making decisions about outward growth and expansion?ranked from highest to lowest importance
  1. Proceed with outward growth to address housing supply
  2. Use development phasing tied to infrastructure capacity
  3. Prioritize infill and intensification where infrastructure
  4. Require detailed cost and risk analysis before approving
  5. Limit outward growth unless full lifecycle infrastructure
How should councils balance provincial and regional mandates for increased housing density with neighbourhood opposition and local infrastructure constraints?select up to 3 per part
A. Planning & zoning tools
  • Focus incremental density near transit, schools, and commercial areas
  • Require area-specific planning studies before permitting additional density
  • Maintain existing zoning; manage density primarily through new growth areas
B. Managing neighbourhood opposition
  • Defer to neighbourhood opposition and reduce or stop contested density
  • Phase or adjust density in response to neighbourhood concerns about design or servicing capacity
  • Require demonstrated city-wide benefits to justify local impacts
C. Infrastructure & servicing
  • Pair density approvals with targeted infrastructure upgrades
  • Use development charges or conditions to fund needed upgrades

Describe one concrete zoning, planning, or development decision you would support (or oppose) that reflects how you would balance these priorities.candidate's own words

I think that we need more housing and 4 story or less high rise construction is fine in local neighborhoods. I don't think in many of Kitchener neighborhoods we should have large high-rises. A few downtown in alright but I think a lot of residents enjoy a lower skyline. Consulting and discussion with local neighborhoods is important. An example there was a planned expansion on the field Infront of Chicopee Hill School there was going to be a large residential building put in there with commercial outlets on the bottom level. I think something like that in that area would be a mistake and the city has to do a better job of not just planning the city but consulting the residents.

What can the municipality/region do, if anything, about land which sits vacant for years because it is being used as an investment (land banking)?candidate's own words

The city could put a Tax on prime development land to incentivize owners to develop and or sell the land to someone who is willing to develop it. I would be open to that but would need to look into the impact of the policy further.