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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-05-07COMMUNITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES COMMITTEE The Community and Infrastructure Services Committee met this date, commencing at 2:46 p. m. Present: Councillor K. Galloway -Chair Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors S. Davey, J. Gazzola, Y. Fernandes, B. loannidis, Z. Janecki, B. Vrbanovic, F. Etherington and D. Glenn-Graham. Staff: D. Chapman, Deputy CAO, Finance & Corporate Services J. Willmer, Deputy CAO, Community Services P. Houston, Deputy CAO, Infrastructure Services A. Pinard, Director of Planning S. Turner, Director of By-law Enforcement J. Witmer, Director of Operations K. Woodcock, Manager, Service Coordination & Improvement W. Sleeth, Landscape Architect C. Goodeve, Committee Administrator CSD-12-072 -DEMOLITION CONTROL APPLICATION DC12/09/I/MV - 19 INVERNESS DRIVE - KARA MCGLYNN The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-12-072, dated April 19, 2012 recommending approval of Demolition Control Application DC12/09/I/MV for the property municipally known as 19 Inverness Drive, subject to conditions. On motion by Councillor D. Glenn-Graham - itwas resolved: "That Demolition Control Application DC12/09/I/MV requesting permission to demolish one (1) single detached dwelling located at 19 Inverness Drive, owned by Dr. Kara McGlynn, be approved with the following condition: The Chief Building Official may authorize and issue a demolition permit under Section 33(6) of the Planning Act subject to the following condition: In the event that construction of the new dwelling unit is not substantially complete within two years from the day demolition of the existing residential property is commenced, the City Clerk may enter on the collector's roll, to be collected in like manner as municipal taxes, $20,000 for each dwelling unit contained in the residential properties in respect of which the demolition permit is issued and such sum shall, until the payment thereof, be a lien or charge upon the land in respect of which the permit to demolish the residential property is issued." CSD-12-073 -DEMOLITION CONTROL APPLICATION DC12/10/F/MV - 709 FREDERICK STREET - S. O'NEILL The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-12-073, dated April 19, 2012 recommending approval of Demolition Control Application DC12/10/F/MV for the property municipally known as 709 Frederick Street, subject to conditions. On motion by Councillor D. Glenn-Graham - itwas resolved: "That Demolition Control Application DC12/10/F/MV requesting permission to demolish one (1) single detached dwelling located at 709 Frederick St, owned by S. O'Neill, be approved with the following condition: The Chief Building Official may authorize and issue a demolition permit under Section 33(6) of the Planning Act subject to the following condition: COMMUNITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES COMMITTEE CSD-12-073 -DEMOLITION CONTROL APPLICATION DC12/10/F/MV - 709 FREDERICK STREET - S. O'NEILL (CONT'D) In the event that construction of the new dwelling unit is not substantially complete within two years from the day demolition of the existing residential property is commenced, the City Clerk may enter on the collector's roll, to be collected in like manner as municipal taxes, $20,000 for each dwelling unit contained in the residential properties in respect of which the demolition permit is issued and such sum shall, until the payment thereof, be a lien or charge upon the land in respect of which the permit to demolish the residential property is issued." CSD-12-077 -NOISE EXEMPTION -CALVARY CHURCH The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-12-077, dated April 30, 2012 recommending a noise exemption for the Calvary Memorial United Church's annual Strawberry Social. On motion by Councillor D. Glenn-Graham - itwas resolved: "That an exemption to Chapter 450 (Noise) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code be granted to the Calvary Memorial United Church on Saturday June 23, 2012, between the hours of 1 P.M. and 4 P.M., for their Annual Strawberry Social." CSD-12-078 -NOISE EXEMPTION -HOLY TRINITY CHURCH The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-12-078, dated April 30, 2012 recommending a noise exemption for an annual festival held at the Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church. On motion by Councillor D. Glenn-Graham - itwas resolved: "That an exemption to Chapter 450 (Noise) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code be granted to the Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church at 700 Fischer Hallman Road, for their annual festival on July 28 and 29, 2012 from 12:00 p. m. to 11:00 p. m." CSD-12-079 -NOISE EXEMPTION - MCLENNAN PARK The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-12-079, dated April 30, 2012 recommending approval of a noise exemption for an outdoor cinema event at McLennan Park. On motion by Councillor D. Glenn-Graham - itwas resolved: "That an exemption to Chapter 450 (Noise) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code be granted to the Chandler Mowat Neighbourhood Association, Country Hills Recreation Association and the Alpine Neighbourhood Association for an outdoor cinema event to be held at McLennan Park on Saturday June 2, 2012, between the hours of 8:00 PM and 11:00 PM." CSD-12-080 -NOISE EXEMPTION -DOWNTOWN SPECIAL EVENTS The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-12-080, dated April 30, 2012 recommending noise exemptions for a number of special events that will be held in Downtown Kitchener from May to December 2012. Councillor F. Etherington expressed concerns that during pervious Blues Festivals, sound technicians working for some headline acts disregarded local sound controls, which resulted in complaints from residents in the surrounding neighbourhood. Mr. Willmer advised that Special COMMUNITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES COMMITTEE MAY 7. 2012 - 42 - CITY OF KITCHENER 6. CSD-12-080 -NOISE EXEMPTION -DOWNTOWN SPECIAL EVENTS (CONT'D) Events staff have discussed these concerns with the Blues Festival organizers, who have agreed to work with the sound technicians. On motion by Councillor B. loannidis - itwas resolved: "That an exemption from Chapter 450 (Noise) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code be approved for the events listed on Schedule 'A' of Community Services Department report CSD-12-080." INS-12-028 -MULTI-USE PATHWAYS AND TRAILS MASTER PLAN The Committee considered Infrastructure Services Department report INS-12-028, dated April 20, 2012 recommending approval of the Multi-use Pathways and Trails Master Plan. Mr. W. Sleeth reviewed the report and introduced the Master Plan. Mr. Jay Cranstone, MMM Group presented the Multi-use Pathways and Trails Master Plan, advising that it builds upon past and current trail development efforts, and is intended as a blueprint for the development and operation of multi-use pathways in the short, medium and long term. He stated that local trails are not considered in detail in the Master Plan, given that planning and management of those trails are included as a part of individual parks plans or natural area management plans. He indicated that the focus of the Master Plan is on the main routes throughout the City, currently referred to as 'Community Trails', which are classified under the following two categories: • Primary (Type 1) -Hard surface (asphalt or concrete) with 4 season maintenance; and, • Secondary (Type 2) -Variable surface with 3 season maintenance. Mr. Cranstone advised that research was conducted of a number of municipalities across southern Ontario to identify their average level of investment in pathways /trails over the past five years. He stated that the findings indicate that investment through capital funds plus Development Charges varies from $2.12 to $10.49 per capita; with the average being $2.91 per capita. He noted that Kitchener currently budgets approximately $372,000. per year for pathways and trails, which equates to $1.56 per capita. He stated that the Master Plan recommends that the City spend an average of $3.19 per capita. To achieve this, the pathway and trails budget would need to increase to $700,000. annually for the first five year period of 2013-2017, with a further increase to $1.4M annually for the second five year period of 2018- 2022. He further advised that annual maintenance of mature off-road multi-use trails, particularly in open spaces, greenways and parks can cost from $2,000 to $10,000 per linear kilometre (km) depending on the level of service standard of a municipality. He suggested that annual operating budgets should also increase in concert with the number of additional multi- use pathways, to an estimated $4,000. per/km. He noted that the Master Plan contains 47 recommended actions, the implementation of which over the next 10-15 years would enable Kitchener to keep pace with the growing public demand for a high quality interconnected network of Community Trails. Questions were raised regarding the provision of trail signage, and Mr. Cranstone acknowledged that the City's GIS system could potentially be utilized to provide online trail maps, a link to which could be incorporated into the trail signage. Mr. Sleeth advised that improved signage and way-finding aids are outlined as short /medium term recommended actions within the Master Plan. Concerning the development of trail maps, Councillor K. Galloway suggested that the City could partner with the Region of Waterloo who currently produces a map of cycling trails. In response to questions regarding ongoing maintenance costs, Mr. Sleeth pointed out that along with plans to increase the size of the network to meet demand and the increase in the population, the City needs to consider the staffing requirements and material costs to maintain the network. He confirmed that assuming a cost of $4,000/km/year, a minimum of $420,000. would be required to maintain the existing 105 kms of Primary and Secondary pathways in the COMMUNITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES COMMITTEE MAY 7. 2012 - 43 - CITY OF I 7. INS-12-028 -MULTI-USE PATHWAYS AND TRAILS MASTER PLAN (CONT'D City. Mr. Cranstone advised that if the City's population were to remain static, then after the first five year period of investment, Kitchener's trail budget would be in the top percentile of those municipalities that were included in the survey. However, a number of municipalities indicated that they also intend to increase their trail investments in the coming years. Mr. Sleeth advised that none of the proposed funding increases have been accounted for in the City's Capital Forecast. He confirmed that implementation of the recommendations contained in the Multi-use Pathways and Trails Master Plan would be subject to Council's Budget deliberations process. Councillor B. Vrbanovic entered the meeting at this time. Councillor Y. Fernandes suggested that as a means of possibly reducing trail maintenance costs, the City could examine the possibility of enlisting local community groups to assist in maintaining sections of the City's trail network. Councillor Galloway expressed support for encouraging that type of community buy-in and asked staff to investigate the potential implementation of adopt-a-pathway and/or trail ambassador programs. Several members raised questions regarding the timing for the development of trails within new subdivisions. Mr. Sleeth advised that a comprehensive set of Official Plan policies related to multi-use pathways and trails have been proposed to be integrated into the updated Official Plan. He stated that ideally, areas pathways should be constructed prior to, or concurrently with the construction of other infrastructure and homes. He added that developers should be pro-active about notifying prospective buyers where pathways are to be located at the time they are selling lots. He confirmed that the Master Plan currently contains a recommendation proposing the construction of all Primary and Secondary Multi-use Pathways within an Approved Plan of Subdivision to take place generally at the same time as other engineering infrastructure such as roads and grading. He noted that this includes all grading and granular base courses for trails, with surfacing to be completed prior to registration of the subdivision. In response to questions regarding the possibility of stipulating a requirement and timing for trail development within subdivision agreements, Mr. D. Chapman advised that trail development is currently provided for in the City's Development Charges (DC) Background Study. He stated that this means while a developer is not required to construct the trail, costs for trail construction is recovered through the collection of DCs. However, the amount recovered through this process is relatively low and accounts for only a small portion of the City's parks and trail development expenses. He stated that if the City were to implement an approach where the developer was required to pursue trail construction, then the City would not be permitted to recoup those costs through DCs. He added that consequently, the City would no longer have that funding to help support the existing trail development backlog; thereby, only providing a benefit for new development. He commented that the City should most likely hold off on undertaking such changes until the DC By-law and Background Study is scheduled to be reviewed in 2014. He added that the calculation of the DCs collected for trails is based on historic service levels, which means the funding is constrained to past investment. He noted that if trail development were to be made a condition of approval for subdivision agreements that constraint would no longer apply. Mr. J. Willmer further advised that under the current scenario while sub-dividers are required to pay their share of community trails through DCs, the City could also obligate them to construct trails through a credit for service agreement. He added that as it is the City's obligation to construct trails, the developer would be compensated through DCs for undertaking that work early in the subdivision development process. He commented that when the DC By-law and Background Study comes forward for review, it will be important to keep in mind that the number of new trails in new subdivisions accounts for a very small percentage of the City's overall trail network. He suggested that it might be to the City's advantage to continue to include trails within the DC Background Study, as this allows the City the opportunity to collect those fees as part of every building permit that is issued. Accordingly, a careful analysis of this issue will be needed when the next DC By-law is being prepared. The following motion was Carried Unanimously on a recorded vote by all members present COMMUNITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES COMMITTEE INS-12-028 -MULTI-USE PATHWAYS AND TRAILS MASTER PLAN (CONT'D) On motion by Councillor B. loannidis - itwas resolved: "That the Multi-use Pathways and Trails Master Plan (March 2012), as prepared by MMM Group, be approved: and, That the implementation of the Multi-use Pathways and Trails Master Plan recommendations be referred for consideration to the 2013 Capital and Operating budget processes; and, That staff be directed to provide an annual update on the implementation of the Multi- use Pathways and Trails Master Plan starting in 2014; and further, That staff be directed to report back on the potential implementation of adopt-a-pathway and/or trail ambassador programs." CSD-12-058 -CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP OF RECREATION AND LEISURE FACILITIES The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-12-058, dated April 10, 2012 recommending the development of a Corporate Sponsorship Strategy. Mr. J. Willmer reviewed the report, advising that Step 1 of this proposal is a pilot project in which sponsorship opportunities would be considered through the purchasing process as a competitive bid for the Woodside Park synthetic fields. He added that the data and experience gathered through the pilot project would be applied toward Steps 2 and 3, being strategy development and implementation. In response to questions, Ms. K. Woodcock advised that this project is still in the preliminary stages, where staff are investigating the various means by which a Corporate Sponsorship Strategy could be implemented. Mr. Willmer responded further that staff are aware of the emerging concerns being expressed by some residents who live in the vicinity of Woodside Park and the diminished level of support for those sports fields. He confirmed that while a majority of work on the Corporate Sponsorship Strategy would be conducted by City staff, it would be necessary to bring in outside expertise to conduct a feasibility study as well as lead the community engagement component of the policy development. Councillor J. Gazzola expressed concerns with Clause 2 of the staff recommendation, which would give direction to staff to proceed with the development of the Strategy. He suggested that it might be premature to give that direction prior to the completion of the pilot project. Several members commented that while they support the general tenets behind the development of a Corporate Sponsorship Strategy; public consultation is needed to gage the parameters for what would be considered appropriate sponsorship for the City's wide range of recreation and leisure facilities. The following motion was voted on clause by clause, with Clause 1 being Carried Unanimously by all members present; and Clause 2 being Carried on a recorded vote with Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors S. Davey, K. Galloway, F. Etherington, B. Vrbanovic and B. loannidis voting in favour; and, Councillors Y. Fernandes, Z. Janecki, D. Glenn-Graham and J. Gazzola voting in opposition. Councillor P. Singh was absent from this meeting. On motion by Councillor S. Davey - itwas resolved: "That staff be directed to proceed with a sponsorship pilot project at Woodside Park (Step 1, Pilot Project) as outlined in Community Services Department report CSD-12- 058; and further, That staff be directed to proceed with the development of a corporate sponsorship strategy (Step 2, Strategy Development), as outlined in Report CSD-12-058." COMMUNITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES COMMITTEE ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:28 p. m. C. Goodeve Committee Administrator