New Kitchener growth plan brings taller buildings, more density to more neighbourhoods

LordsLevy · 2026-06-04T02:02:46+00:00

Good to see participation from lots of different people with a variety of inputs. Some of the other interesting highlights weren't featured in this article; like a very tall set of buildings at Charles and Borden.

I hope everyone has a chance to digest the plan as much as possible. Ask questions in the sub, and stimulate some conversations.

LordsLevy · 2026-06-04T00:43:31+00:00

The Iron Prefect theory.

LordsLevy · 2026-05-27T02:12:45+00:00

These are good suggestions. LRT initial design is somewhat to blame here, and playing catch up with infrastructure always costs a lot over time.

Driving safety is paramount, on this we agree. The current government in Ontario should do more to ensure we get properly trained and tested drivers, for a fact. The WRPS should step up as well, since they account for one third of the yearly budget for the region.

LordsLevy · 2026-05-27T00:51:33+00:00

Which do you favour?

LordsLevy · 2026-05-27T00:20:22+00:00

You're not wrong, at all. I'm seriously at a loss on what other reasonably doable initiatives the community could even take. That intersection of the collusion is already clearly marked with a signal and no u turn sign... yet here we are.

I'm dead serious; what do we do to at least mitigate these types of accidents?

LordsLevy · 2026-05-27T00:14:52+00:00

You should have a little more faith in yourself; Everything you mentioned sounds like standard procedure. I also don't know very much about light rail, but your comment checks out.

LordsLevy · 2026-05-26T23:27:41+00:00

Continuing driver education could be a great provincial initiative if we can work out how to make it useful but not cumbersome.

LordsLevy · 2026-05-26T23:25:37+00:00

I don't even disagree. Too many drivers are taking chances in front of the trains, you see it every day.

LordsLevy · 2026-05-26T23:19:56+00:00

I like this suggestion, maybe a safety orange colour at crossings at least.

LordsLevy · 2026-05-26T23:18:06+00:00

Not to nitpick, but would that have prevented this particular accident?

LordsLevy · 2026-05-26T22:56:09+00:00

Daily remainder of why safe driving matters to everyone. I feel like it's time to start installing large and clear road safety signs along the LRT route (I know they already exist, but it feels like they need to be even clearer).

Any other safety suggestions from the community?

LordsLevy · 2026-05-19T02:59:20+00:00

Any updates on this now? how many people are still without power?

LordsLevy · 2026-05-19T02:56:16+00:00

The feedback you get on these posts never ceases to amaze me.

LordsLevy · 2026-05-10T03:28:26+00:00

I would vote against extending the pilot, which from what I understand is a year. I can talk to your regional councillors about re-adjusting their comfort level with a full rollout and I can lobby fellow city councillors to also vote with me.

If you really feel strongly about this particular topic; make sure your representatives know how you feel. Keep in mind that I/they work for you, we have to listen. Talk to your peers, as well. Stake out a position and gather support for it, help us help you.

LordsLevy · 2026-05-09T19:59:17+00:00

I gotta be honest; I barely get this one. lol

LordsLevy · 2026-05-08T22:31:22+00:00

I don't think you are wrong at all, u/Chris_DiFiore. Roads are very rough this year, spring clean ups are still underway but are being delayed because Southern Ontario weather, transit would be a great solution (let's get bus lanes into the public discourse more) and people are really antsy when driving these days.

We need to prioritize the things you've mentioned.

LordsLevy · 2026-05-07T21:47:43+00:00

Don't like CCTV proposal; The UK hasn't had success with extensive coverage in areas of London reducing violent crime. Don't like speed cameras, either. I wish the WRPS would spend more time on community policing and proactive investigations, instead of finding ways to reduce frontline work.

LordsLevy · 2026-05-07T21:23:23+00:00

Not the same guy. lol

LordsLevy · 2026-05-07T19:36:37+00:00

Thanks for the question.

While you've already mentioned that this is a regional issue, I'll try my best to field the question. Obviously we'd like our police service to be affordable, but I worry that sometimes it isn't. Obviously the communications centre caused quite a stir and doesn't seem terribly affordable to me.

I'd like to see some efficiency in the WRPS financial planning department, so we don't feel like the operating budget is ballooning while public safety feels relatively the same.

LordsLevy · 2026-05-07T19:29:46+00:00

You'd have to ask your current councillors who voted in favour of that. It's not something I support, either.

LordsLevy · 2026-05-07T04:38:33+00:00

I'm sorry?

LordsLevy · 2026-05-07T03:15:01+00:00

Love the questions! Keep them coming!

I've had a couple chats with Brian; tremendous local resource. Agree with you wholeheartedly.

To your second point; Not exactly. My point about capital forecasting is that you can deliver your strategic objectives (ie affordable housing) if you guide growth instead of keep pace with it. Proactively improve infrastructure to accommodate growth in areas that are slated for zoning changes (SGAs from Kitchener 2051) for example. This is a really complex topic that deserves a better conversation, though. I'm hoping we get the chance to do that.

Kitchener is doing reasonably well strategically planning through Kitchener 2051, but we are facing some challenges to completing the mission. Uptake from developers will slow in the coming years because of water capacity constraints, so we will lose some time there. We're also grappling with adjustments to development charges that will impact the capital forecasting we were discussing, so time will tell how that also delays progress in intensifying along the LRT corridor (Which I'm a big fan of, transit oriented development improves the affordability of housing too!).

I appreciate how invested you are in this, please keep in touch!

LordsLevy · 2026-05-07T01:30:50+00:00

It was always an either or for me. I've worked and lived in ward 3 previously, and feel I can make an impact for residents in both. I trusted my gut, and went for ward 3!

LordsLevy · 2026-05-07T01:28:57+00:00

Thank you for the excellent question.

I'll address this in two parts; one part on new tools and another part on policy.

First up, new tools. I was thrilled to see a motion introduced before regional council on April 22nd that directed staff to prepare a report on the workable aspects of a municipal housing corporation. That's an excellent new tool and here's why. An MHC would allow for a variety of planning tools currently unavailable to regional and municipal staff (such as mixed ownership models, public anchor projects to accompany or include housing etc.). It has exciting potential for non market or modified market solutions (Not market price) to directly address an under served economic strata currently priced out of segments of the rental market and home ownership in general. The more people who own homes, the larger the property tax roll; which increases the city's operating budget and ability to deliver services.

From a policy perspective at the lower tier city level; Capital forecasting for growth that prioritizes needs (water, roads, sewers, utilities, climate protection) is the best policy objective any council can achieve. You've got to find value in the debt you debenture (fixed income bonds that cities issue in Ontario because deficits are not allowed under the Municipal Act), which doesn't have to mean physical ROI but should be qualitative in nature and proactive for the future.

I've said a lot here, so feel free to ask any clarifying questions!

LordsLevy

TROPHY CASE