HomeMy WebLinkAboutPSI Minutes - 2020-09-28
PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 28, 2020 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee held an electronic meeting this date, commencing
electronically at 4:35 p.m. with all members present.
Present: Councillor S. Marsh - Chair
Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors D. Chapman, K. Galloway-Sealock, J. Gazzola, B.
Ioannidis, M. Johnston, C. Michaud, D. Schnider, S. Davey and P. Singh.
Staff: D. Chapman, Chief Administrative Officer
J. Readman, General Manager, Development Services
D. McGoldrick, General Manager, Infrastructure Services
J. Oosterveld, Manager, Site Development and Customer Service
T. Donegani, Senior Planner
K. Anderl, Senior Planner
D. Saunderson, Committee Administrator
S. Goldrup, Committee Administrator
1. DSD-20-151 - DOWNTOWN DISTICT ENERGY PRE-FEASIBILITY STUDY AND BUSINESS
CASE
The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD-20-151, dated
September 16, 2020, recommending staff be directed to develop a business case for a
downtown district energy system; and, submit a Green Municipal Fund Feasibility Study grant
application to help fund the business case development.
T. Donegani, Senior Planner, presented to Committee regarding district energy and spoke to the
environmental and business benefits.
In response to questions from the Committee, staff spoke to previous similar initiatives and the
benefits of engagement with potential partners and the possibilities for expediting the project.
Staff further answered questions regarding existing private geothermal systems, the potential
impact for future developments, the project's cost and potential funding, the importance of
environmental sustainability and concerns about natural gas, and facility operating costs.
On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis -
it was resolved:
That staff be directed to develop a business case for a downtown district energy system
as outlined in Development Services Department report DSD-20-151; and further,
That staff be directed to submit a Green Municipal Fund Feasibility Study grant application
to help fund the downtown district energy business case development.
2. DSD-20-150 - INCLUSIONARY ZONING FOR AFFORDABALE HOUSING
The Committee considered Development Service Department report DSD-20-150, dated
September 14, 2020, recommending that the background and fiscal impact analysis report
regarding inclusionary zoning and affordable housing be received.
T. Donegani, Senior Planner, presented to Committee regarding inclusionary zoning, how it was
identified as a needed tool by the affordable housing strategy, the key principles of an
inclusionary zoning program, the viability of inclusionary zoning, as well as engagement with the
community and stakeholders.
Councillor S. Marsh noted a written submission had been received from Hal Jaeger in support.
Aleksandra Petrovic, Social Development Centre Waterloo Region, and Melissa Bowman spoke
to the need for affordable housing, support for inclusionary zoning, and further considerations to
increase affordable housing with the city.
In response to Council's questions, staff spoke to city-wide implementation versus the transit-
node model, parking requirements for affordable housing, the potential tools and strategies to
address affordable housing needs, the current legislation and the recommended framework, and
interest in comparison to thefuture framework.
PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 28, 2020 -10- CITY OF KITCHENER
2. DSD-20-150 - INCLUSIONARY ZONING FOR AFFORDABALE HOUSING
On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis -
it was resolved:
That Development Services Department report DSD-20-150, Inclusionary Zoning for
Affordable Housing: Background and Fiscal Impact Analysis, be received.
The Committee recessed at 6:35 p.m. and reconvened at 7:00 p.m., Chaired by Councillor S. Marsh
with all members present, except for Councillor P. Singh.
Councillor S. Marsh advised that the meeting was a formal public meeting to consider applications
under the Planning Act. If a person or public body that would otherwise have an ability to appeal a
decision of the City of Kitchener to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal, but the person or public body
did not make oral submissions at the public meeting or make written submissions to the City of
Kitchener before the By-law is passed, the person or public body is not entitled to appeal the decision.
3. DSD-20-106 - ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT - ZBA19/013/S/KA
- 290 SHELDON AVENUE NORTH
- THRESHOLDS HOMES AND SUPPORTS INC.
The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD-20-106, dated
August 26, 2020, recommending approval of Zoning By-law Amendment Application
ZBA19/013/S/KA for Thresholds Homes and Supports Inc.; recommending that applications for
minor variances be permitted; and, that an exemption to Council Policy MUN-PLA-1035
Emergency Access Policy, be granted.
K. Anderl, Senior Planner, presented to the Committee regarding the proposed Zoning By-law
amendment, the necessary exemptions from the Emergency Access Policy, public consultation
and comments.
Councillor S. Marsh noted that written submissions were received from Stella Elliot, Steve Elliot,
and Jane Wilson in opposition.
Allan Wong, Thresholds Homes and Supports, Glenn Scheels, GSP Group, Suzanne Swanton,
Tim Welch Consulting Inc., and Garth Brown spoke in support of the application and the work of
Thresholds Homes and Supports.
The Committee discussed the comments received from the community, the work of Thresholds
Homes and Supports, the selection process for residents, and the need for affordable housing.
On motion by Councillor D. Chapman
it was resolved:
That Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA19/013/S/KA for Thresholds Homes
-
Development Services Department report DSD-20-106 as Appendix A;
and,
That in accordance with Planning Act Section 45 (1.3 & 1.4) that applications for minor
variances shall be permitted for lands subject to Zoning By-law Amendment Application
ZBA19/013/S/KA; and further,
That the City of Kitchener grant an exemption to Council Policy MUN-PLA-1035,
on the lands municipally addressed as 290 Sheldon Avenue North, to allow development
on a cul-de-sac having a length greater than 150 metres provided that:
a) buildings are sprinklered; and
b) Direct-to-Fire Alarm Monitoring be installed.
PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 28, 2020 -11- CITY OF KITCHENER
4. ADJOURNMENT
On motion, this meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
S. Goldrup
Committee Administrator