After six years of development, staff are excited to announce the final draft of the new Kingston Zoning Bylaw is ready and will enter its final approval phase later this month.

This is a major milestone for the Department of Planning Services and the corporation as a whole. The new document modernizes and simplifies zoning rules across Kingston, resulting in a comprehensive, innovative policy document that is easier for residents, planners and developers to interpret. Once completed, it will also assist with reaching several key priorities, outlined in the 2019-22 Strategic Plan.

Last week, the final version of the bylaw was posted online, alongside supporting documents, appendices and the interactive zoning map.

The documents reflect extensive public engagement and incorporates the zoning framework developed through the Central Kingston Growth Strategy (CKGS), which outlines a policy and regulatory framework to guide intensification specifically in the central area of the city. An Official Plan amendment is also proposed to implement the Kingston Zoning Bylaw and the recommendations of the CKGS.

I’ve talked before about the significance of the project and how zoning impacts all residents and I encourage you to read my earlier blog posts about zoning and the power of parking, or listen to my interview on Tell Me More, the City’s podcast.

Next steps

Both projects will be presented at virtual meetings an open house on March 30 and subsequently Planning Committee on April 7.

Register for the open house on Zoom here.

Register to attend the planning committee meeting here, or watch it on the Kingston City Council YouTube channel.

If approved at Planning Committee, the document will be presented at a special meeting of Council on April 26.

Visit the City’s website to view the New Zoning Bylaw or learn more about the CKGS.

Residents can register online for the virtual open house from 6-8 p.m. on March 30 here.