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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-11-18 PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 18, 2013 CITY OF KITCHENER The Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee met this date, commencing at 6:53 p.m. Present: Councillor B. Vrbanovic - Chair Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors K. Galloway-Sealock, S. Davey, J. Gazzola, D. Glenn- Graham, F. Etherington, Z. Janecki, Y. Fernandes and B. Ioannidis. Staff: J. Willmer, Chief Administrative Officer P. Houston, Deputy CAO, Infrastructure Services R. Hagey, Director, Financial Planning A. Pinard, Director, Planning H. Gross, Director, Asset Management S. Ross, Assistant City Solicitor B. Korah, Manager, Development Engineering D. Livingstone, Committee Administrator INS-13-102 - DOON SOUTH SEWAGE FACILITY CREDIT REFUND AGREEMENT 1. -AND- INS-13-103 - BLAIR CREEK DRIVE BRIDGE CREDIT REFUND AGREEMENT The Committee considered Infrastructure Services Department report INS-13-102, dated November 6, 2013 recommending authorization for the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a development charges credit/refund agreement with Monarch Corporation, for the construction of a new sanitary sewage pumping station and forcemain for the Doon South area. In addition, the Committee was in receipt this date of a letter dated September 24, 2013 from Mr. D. Cuomo, Waterloo District School Board in support of the construction of the Doon South sewage facility. The Committee also considered Infrastructure Services Department report INS-13-103, dated November 6, 2013 recommending authorization for the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a development charges credit/refund agreement with Activa Holdings Inc., regarding the costs and fees associated with the construction of the Blair Creek Drive Bridge project. Councillor B. Vrbanovic indicated that in the interest of time, the Doon South Credit Refund Agreement and the Blair Creek Drive Bridge Credit Refund Agreement would be dealt with concurrently. Mr. Shawn Callon, Waterloo Region District School Board addressed the Committee in support of the Doon South Credit Refund Agreement and the Blair Creek Drive Bridge Credit Refund Agreement. He stated that the growth in the Doon area, north and south, exceeds the capacity of existing schools, resulting in the need for an additional elementary school to accommodate approximately 300 students. He indicated that the Waterloo Region District School Board has received funding from the Ministry of Education for construction of a new school but cannot proceed without the approval of the Doon South Credit Refund Agreement and the Blair Creek Drive Credit Refund Agreement. Mr. Glenn Scheels, GSP Group, attended on behalf of Monarch Corporation, in support of the approval of the Credit Refund Agreements for the Doon South sewage facility and Blair Creek Drive Bridge. He stated that Monarch Corporation has agreed to cover capital project costs as well as related operating and maintenance costs until 2019, as detailed in Reports INS-13-102 and INS-13-103. Mr. Paul Britton, MHBC Planning, addressed the Committee on behalf of Activa Holdings in support of the Credit Refund Agreements for the Doon South sewage facility and Blair Creek Drive Bridge. He stated that both projects are interrelated and the school board development is reliant on the infrastructure for construction of the school. He noted that in both Agreements the developer advances the funds and underwrites the risk, with no risk to the City, as refund payments would be delayed if development charge revenue is not attained. He expressed support of the Agreements to facilitate the school board development. In response to questions, Mr. R. Hagey indicated that there would be no negative impact to the City or the Development Charges Reserve by the approval of the Credit Refund Agreements PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 18, 2013 -59- CITY OF KITCHENER INS-13-102 - DOON SOUTH SEWAGE FACILITY CREDIT REFUND AGREEMENT 1. -AND- INS-13-103 - BLAIR CREEK DRIVE BRIDGE CREDIT REFUND AGREEMENT (CONT’D) for the Doon South sewage facility and Blair Creek Drive Bridge. He explained that as per Council Policy I-537 (Development Charges Credit/Refund Policy), the developers would pay all of the costs and receive credits as development charge targets are met. On motion by Councillor K. Galloway-Sealock the recommendations contained within Reports INS-13-102 and INS-13-103 were brought forward for consideration. A motion was brought forward by Councillor Y. Fernandes to defer consideration of Reports INS-13-102 and INS-13-103 to April 2014 to accede consideration to other pressing municipal matters. Lost Councillor Fernandes’ motion was then voted on and on a recorded vote with Councillor Y. Fernandes voting in favour; and, Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors D. Glenn-Graham, B. Ioannidis, F. Etherington, B. Vrbanovic, Z. Janecki, K. Galloway-Sealock, S. Davey and J. Gazzola voting in opposition. Councillor P. Singh was absent this date; and accordingly, did not vote. Carried The following motions were then voted on and on a recorded vote with Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors D. Glenn-Graham, B. Ioannidis, F. Etherington, B. Vrbanovic, Z. Janecki, K. Galloway-Sealock, S. Davey and J. Gazzola voting in favour; and Councillor Y. Fernandes voting in opposition. Councillor P. Singh was absent this date; and accordingly, did not vote. On motion by Councillor K. Galloway-Sealock - it was resolved: “That Council authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute a development charges credit/refund agreement with Monarch Corporation in respect of Monarch Corporation’s payment of the costs of the Engineering fees and the construction of Doon South Sewage Facility project, to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor.” On motion by Councillor K. Galloway-Sealock - it was resolved: “That Council authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute a development charges credit/refund agreement with Activa Holdings Inc. in respect of Activa Holdings Inc.’s payment of the costs of the Engineering fees and the construction of Blair Creek Drive Bridge project, to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor.” CSD-13-081 - CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR STRASBURG ROAD 3. SOUTH FROM NORTH OF STAUFFER DRIVE TO NEW DUNDEE – ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY REPORT The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-13-081, dated October 15, 2013 recommending the Environmental Study Report prepared by SNC Lavalin Inc., dated October 2013 for Strasburg Road South from north of Stauffer Drive to New Dundee Road, be received and filed with the Ministry of the Environment for the public review period. Messrs. B. Korah and Ian UpJohn, SNC Lavalin Inc., presented Report CSD-13-081 and highlighted the Environmental Assessment process which led to the New Technically Preferred Alignment (Refined – Alignment W1). Mr. Mark Dorfmann addressed the Committee on behalf of the owner of 500 Stauffer Drive, in support of the refined alignment of Strasburg Road South from north of Stauffer Drive to New Dundee Road and the mandatory public review period. He indicated that the owner is in support of staff’s recommendation to leave the existing access to her residence open until further studies are completed and appreciates that the City is undertaking an integrated PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 18, 2013 -60- CITY OF KITCHENER CSD-13-081 - CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR STRASBURG ROAD 3. SOUTH FROM NORTH OF STAUFFER DRIVE TO NEW DUNDEE – ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY REPORT (CONT’D) planning approach for the future alignment of Robert Ferrie Drive. He expressed the owner’s continued interest in the implementation of the Strasburg Road solution and her appreciation for being actively engaged in the environmental assessment process for Robert Ferrie Drive. Mr. Paul Britton, MHBC Planning, was in attendance on behalf of Stonefield Properties, Activa Holdings and Hallman Construction Ltd. and confirmed support for the recommended refined Technically Preferred Alignment of Strasburg Road south of New Dundee Road. He stated that his client anticipates collaborating with staff to determine alternative access arrangements for that property, to assist with the timed closing of Riddell Drive. Mr. Jeremy Grub addressed the Committee advising that he is a new resident with property located in the northern section of Strasburg Road. He expressed concern that there would be significant commercial traffic on the section of Strasburg Road South from north of Stauffer Drive to New Dundee Road. He encouraged the Committee to direct commercial traffic to Fisher Hallman Road or Homer Watson Road to by-pass the environmentally sensitive area. Mr. Karl Cober addressed the Committee regarding the refined Technically Preferred Alignment and stated that it appeared that cost saving initiatives had not been incorporated into the proposal. He questioned the rationale for four-lanes of road for the 2.6 km length of Strasburg Road South from north of Stauffer Drive to New Dundee Road. He stated that bus traffic may require the four-lanes which is not congruent with the development of the light rapid transit (LRT). He encouraged a close examination of cost and a potential reduction of the road to two-lanes. Ms. Claire Griffioen appeared in opposition to the refined Technically Preferred Alignment stating that it appears that there is a substantial difference in the previous study area, as presented in June, and the study area presented this date. She indicated that the study area appears to be encompassing a portion of the northern section of Strasburg Road and questioned whether an Environmental Assessment had been completed recently on this area and if it had been made available for public review. She also noted that a species-at-risk had been seen within the study area and questioned if comments had been received from the Ministry of Natural Resources. Mr. Korah responded to Ms. Griffioen’s concerns stating that all studies from April 2010 to present have been made available on the City’s website. Mr. Upjohn explained that the study area has been extended by 500m north to allow for a variety of alignment alternatives in consideration of 500 Stauffer Drive. With regard to the species at risk, Mr. Upjohn indicated that the ESR commits to further discussions with the Ministry of Natural Resources and does not materially affect the decision to file the ESR with the Ministry of the Environment for the mandatory review period. On motion, Councillor Y. Fernandes brought forward the recommendation contained in Report CSD-13-081 for consideration with an extension of the thirty-day mandatory review period to forty-five days in light of the holiday season to ensure staff is available to answer questions. Mayor C. Zehr then brought forward an amendment to Councillor Fernandes’ motion, which was accepted as friendly, to modify the wording in the first clause to “receive and endorse” the ESR. Carried The following motion was then voted on and on a recorded vote with Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors D. Glenn-Graham, B. Ioannidis, F. Etherington, B. Vrbanovic, Z. Janecki, K. Galloway-Sealock, S. Davey and J. Gazzola voting in favour; and, Councillor Y. Fernandes voting in opposition. Councillor P. Singh was absent this date; and accordingly, did not vote. On motion by Councillor Y. Fernandes- it was resolved: PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 18, 2013 -61- CITY OF KITCHENER CSD-13-081 - CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR STRASBURG ROAD 3. SOUTH FROM NORTH OF STAUFFER DRIVE TO NEW DUNDEE – ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY REPORT (CONT’D) “That the Strasburg Road Extension from North of Stauffer Drive to New Dundee Road Environmental Study Report (ESR) prepared by SNC Lavalin Inc., dated October, 2013, be received and endorsed; and further, That the Strasburg Road Extension from North of Stauffer Drive to New Dundee Road Environmental Study Report (ESR) be filed with the Ministry of the Environment for the mandatory forty-five (45) day review period as required by the Environmental Assessment (EA) Act .” ADJOURNMENT 4. On motion, this meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m. D. Livingstone Committee Administrator