Ottawa Construction News staff writer
The Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) has approved the proposed Tannery development in Kingston, following a hearing process that concluded earlier this year.
The tribunal’s 78-page decision, dated July 25, approves amendments to both Kingston’s Official Plan and Zoning By-Law to allow the development to proceed in full. The City of Kingston confirmed the decision in a statement last week and amendments will be reflected in the first draft of the new Official Plan, expected to be released 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,” said Mayor Bryan Paterson. “I’m excited to see how this project will contribute to the renewal and revitalization of Kingston’s Inner Harbour.”
OLT vice-chair Steven Cooke wrote that the tribunal “accepts and adopts the majority of the contested evidence” and expert testimony submitted by the developer.
“The Tribunal is persuaded by the evidence that the proposal promotes efficient development of land, accommodates a range of appropriate mixed uses, intensifies uses within the settlement area, and contributes to the range of housing options,” Cooke wrote, noting that it also supports the city’s goal of brownfield remediation.
While the tribunal acknowledged public objections to the project, it was “not persuaded that the concerns… are either sustainable given the evidence offered… or otherwise bear relevance to the land use planning merits of the proposal.”
However, the OLT denied the developer’s request to cap a section of a wetland area.
The approved plan includes a four-phase, mid-rise mixed-use development, featuring approximately 1,500 to 1,670 residential units, at least 3,600 sq. m. of commercial space, and new parkland along the Cataraqui River waterfront.
Several planning steps remain before construction can begin. The draft plan of subdivision, which was paused during the hearing process, must now be restarted. Updated technical documents will be submitted to address road and infrastructure design, shoreline and habitat protection, and other site-specific conditions. Once reviewed, city staff will bring a report to the Planning Committee and City Council with a recommendation.
The project is also part of Kingston’s Brownfield Community Improvement Plan (CIP). In October 2020, city council approved a special project area for the Tannery lands, allowing for enhanced financial incentives and extended remediation timelines.
Before the land use can shift from industrial to residential and parkland, Records of Site Condition (RSC) must be submitted to the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks.
Each phase of the project will also require separate applications for site plan control approval, along with a landscape plan to replant and naturalize the shoreline. This work will be carried out in consultation with the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority, Parks Canada and Transport Canada.