HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-11-05PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES
NOVEMBER 5, 2012 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee met this date, commencing at 6:34 p.m.
Present: Councillor B. Vrbanovic - Chair
Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors K. Galloway, S. Davey, J. Gazzola, D. Glenn-Graham,
F. Etherington, Y. Fernandes, B. Ioannidis and P. Singh.
Staff: J. Willmer, Chief Administrative Officer
M. May, Deputy CAO, Community Services
J. Witmer, Interim Deputy CAO, Infrastructure Services
H. Gross, Director, Asset Management
A. Pinard, Director, Planning
S. Ross, Assistant City Solicitor
B. Korah, Manager, Development Engineering
D. Ross, Manager, Development Review
B. Sloan, Manager, Long Range and Policy Planning
B. Bateman, Senior Planner
C. Goodeve, Committee Administrator
CSD-12-125 - KITCHENER GROWTH MANAGEMENT STRATEGY
1.
- 2012 ANNUAL MONITORING REPORT
The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-12-125, dated
September 5, 2012, which provides an overview of the 2012 Kitchener Growth Management
Strategy (KGMS) Annual Monitoring report.
Mr. B. Sloan reviewed the 2012 KGMS Monitoring report, advising that it provides a snapshot
of the growth within the built-up and designated greenfield areas of the City from June 2011 to
June 2012. He stated that the Report gives a summary of observations and changes that have
occurred during this timeframe, as well as an analysis of how this information relates to Places
to Grow initiatives and the Regional Growth Management Strategy (RGMS). He noted that the
City’s Urban Growth Centre / Downtown is still performing well with approximately 150
people/jobs per hectare. He added that this ranks third in the Province, behind only the Cities
of Toronto and Hamilton. He indicated that in terms of construction, over 1,600 new units were
created in 2011, compared to approximately 700 units anticipated for 2012. He stated this
difference is partly due to the construction of several apartment buildings in 2011. He noted
that the 5 and 10-year average intensification levels show that the City is still on track to
achieve the required intensification level of 45%.
In response to questions, Mr. Sloan advised that the built area boundary has not changed
since it was established in 2006. He confirmed that it is estimated that Kitchener has the
capacity to accommodate approximately 24,000 more residents than the current population
allocation projection put forward by the Region of Waterloo. He added that the population and
employment allocations from the Region for Kitchener may be subject to change pending
future processes; such as, the ongoing Ontario Municipal Board hearing on the Regional
Official Plan. He noted that focus should be on the City’s capacity to manage growth-related
change in an effective and coordinated manner regardless of the population allocation set out
by the Region.
On motion by Councillor S. Davey -
it was resolved:
“That Community Services Department report CSD-12-125, Kitchener Growth
Management Strategy - 2012 Annual Monitoring Report be received for information; and
further,
That Report CSD-12-125 be submitted to the Regional Municipality of Waterloo in
fulfilment of Clause 22.1 of the Administrative Agreement between the City of Kitchener
and the Regional Municipality of Waterloo regarding delegated authority.”
The meeting then recessed at 6:52 p.m. and re-convened at 7:00 p.m., chaired by Councillor B.
Vrbanovic with all members present, except Councillor Z. Janecki.
PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES
NOVEMBER 5, 2012 - 77 - CITY OF KITCHENER
Councillor B. Vrbanovic then read aloud the following statement:
“This is a formal public meeting to consider applications under the Planning Act. If a person or
public body does not make oral or written submissions to the City of Kitchener before the
proposed applications are considered, the person or public body is not entitled to appeal the
decision to the Ontario Municipal Board and may not be added as a party to a hearing of an
appeal before the Ontario Municipal Board.”
CSD-12-142 - ZONE CHANGE APPLICATION ZC 11/004/0/BB
2.
- 1989 & 2009 OTTAWA STREET SOUTH, DEERFIELD HOMES LTD.
The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-12-142, dated
October 9, 2012 recommending approval of a zone change for 1989 and 2009 Ottawa Street
South to accommodate the redevelopment of the site with approximately 164 townhouse
dwelling units, along with an exemption to the City's Emergency Service Policy to extend the
length of the fire route access for the proposed townhouse development. Mr. B. Bateman
reviewed the staff report, advising that approval to demolish the two existing structures on the
site was granted in April 2012.
In response to questions, Mr. Bateman advised that through the site plan process, the Region
of Waterloo requested a traffic study to determine the impact that the proposed development
may have on Ottawa Street. He indicated that the requested study recommends the
installation of a left-hand turning lane to mitigate any traffic flow issues that may be caused by
the proposed development. He confirmed that Fire Prevention staff have agreed to support
the requested exemption, subject to the installation of direct detect monitoring system. He
suggested that language could be included in the future condominium agreement for the site,
providing for the continued maintenance of that system.
Mr. M. May advised that the installation of the direct detect system is anticipated to off-set the
increased travel time caused by extending the length of the fire route access.
Questions were raised regarding the measures that could be enacted to ensure the future
integrity of the prescribed buffers between the proposed development and the surrounding
woodlot. Mr. Bateman advised that the proposed Open Space Two (P-2) zoning would define
the limits of the woodlot that flanks the property and requires the establishment of the buffers
along the southerly and westerly limits. He suggested that information packages could be
distributed and signage could be installed to educate residents. Mr. A. Pinard advised that the
proposed Open Space zoning is the best tool the City has to provide for the long-term integrity
of the buffers. He added that during the site planning process an effort could be made to steer
any active usage away from those features.
Mr. Pierre Chauvin, MHBC was in attendance in support of the staff recommendation. He
advised that fencing would be installed along the buffers to prohibit access to the woodlot. He
confirmed that the wedged shaped parcel located between 1989 Ottawa Street South and the
existing adjacent townhouse complex was conveyed to the City for a future park amenity as
part of the approvals process for the existing townhouse development. He added that as part
of the site plan process, consideration would be given to how that parcel could act as a
transition feature between the two sites. He noted that the parkland dedication for 1989 and
2009 Ottawa Street South has yet to be determined.
Councillor K. Galloway expressed concern that the City would accept the wedged shaped
parcel as parkland, given its location next to a major thoroughfare. Ms. D. Ross advised that
the wedged shaped parcel will serve as a shared amenity between the two sites. She stated
that the reasoning behind accepting it was to allow the development to be joined to the existing
hydro corridor; thereby providing connectivity to a future trail. She noted that a separate park
amenity would also be provided as part of the subject townhouse development, which is not
anticipated to be located next to Ottawa Street.
Councillor Y. Fernandes advised that she was not in support of the subject zone change
application, commenting that a minimal amount of greenspace has been provided given the
number of units proposed for the site.
On motion by Councillor K. Galloway -
it was resolved:
PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES
NOVEMBER 5, 2012 - 78 - CITY OF KITCHENER
CSD-12-142 - ZONE CHANGE APPLICATION ZC 11/004/0/BB
2.
- 1989 & 2009 OTTAWA STREET SOUTH, DEERFIELD HOMES LTD.
(CONT’D)
“That Zone Change Application ZC11/004/O/BB (Deerfield Homes, 1989 & 2009 Ottawa
Street South), to change the zoning from Agriculture Zone (A-1) to Residential Six (R-6)
and Open Space Two (P-2) in the form shown in the ‘Proposed By-law’ dated October
9, 2012 , attached to Community Services Department report CSD-12-142 as Appendix
‘A’, be approved; and further,
That an exemption be granted in accordance with Section 3.6 of the City’s Emergency
Services Policy I-1035, to allow for the maximum length of a fire route of 225 metres
instead of 150 metres.”
INS-12-059 - PROJECT STATUS UPDATE
3.
- CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (EA) FOR STRASBURG ROAD
FROM NORTH OF STAUFFER DRIVE TO NEW DUNDEE ROAD
The Committee considered Infrastructure Services Department report INS-12-059, dated
October 23, 2012 providing an update on the Class Environmental Assessment (EA) for the
extension of Strasburg Road from north of Stauffer Drive to New Dundee Road.
Mr. H. Gross reviewed the report, advising that it provides a summary of the comments
submitted since this matter was last considered on the May 7, 2012. He indicated that based
on the feedback received from the public, agencies and interested parties, it was concluded
that additional work and time is required to finalize the Environmental Study Report (ESR) for
the Strasburg Road extension.He added that accordingly, the Committee will not be asked to
endorse the ESR at the special Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee meeting being
held on November 27, 2012. He stated that at that meeting, staff intended to bring forward a
report requesting direction on the following:
additional scope of work for the project team and the consultant to assess the
comments received and complete the Class EA process for the South section;
possible opportunities for the Council involvement in the Class EA process;
additional public consultation requirements for the Class EA process;
additional consultant fees required to complete the Class EA process; and,
project timelines / schedules and next steps in the Class EA process.
Councillor Y. Fernandes expressed concerns that the City is moving forward too rapidly with
the north section of the Strasburg Road extension. She added that some residents have
indicated that it would not be possible to provide complete comments, without first reviewing
the preliminary habitat reports. Mr. Gross advised that the requested information relates to the
north section of the Strasburg Road extension from Rush Meadow Drive to north of Stauffer
Drive, which is currently undergoing detail design and is not subject to this EA process. He
stated that the requested report forms part of the materials to be provided to the Ontario
Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) by the end of November 2012. He noted it is anticipated
that the report would be released to the public following its submission to MNR. He pointed
out that the alignment options for the southern section of the Strasburg Road extension are not
hindered by the fixed alignment of the northern section.
At the request of Councillor Fernandes, Mr. Gross agreed to subdivide the comments
submitted by the development industry, from those received from the general public. He
further estimated that the EA might be filed with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE)
by May 2013.
ADJOURNMENT
4.
On motion, this meeting adjourned at 7:56 p.m.
C. Goodeve
Committee Administrator