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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-10-21 PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 21, 2013 CITY OF KITCHENER The Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee met this date, commencing at 7:00 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, P. Singh and B. Ioannidis. Staff: J. Willmer, Chief Administrative Officer M. May, Deputy CAO, Community Services A. Pinard, Director, Planning H. Gross, Director, Asset Management L. Majcher, Manager, Strategy & Business Planning B. Sloan, Manager, Long Range Policy & Planning B. Korah, Manager, Development Engineering B. Bateman, Senior Planner G. Stevenson, Planner D. Livingstone, Committee Administrator INS-13-081 - CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR STRASBURG ROAD 1. SOUTH FROM NORTH OF STAUFFER DRIVE TO NEW DUNDEE - ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY REPORT The Committee considered Infrastructure Services Department report INS-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 thirty day review period. In addition, the Committee was in receipt this date of email correspondence from Mr. Harald Drewitz, dated October 18, 2013 requesting a deferral of this matter. Councillor K. Galloway-Sealock proposed a deferral of the matter to a special Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee meeting on October 28, 2013. Councillor B. Vrbanovic indicated that a deferral had been requested and invited any delegations in attendance to provide their availability for the dates of October 28, 2013 and November 18, 2013. Mr. Mark Dorfmann appeared on behalf of Mrs. M. Ruttowski, owner of 500 Stauffer Drive, and indicated that November 18, 2013 would be preferable due to a scheduling conflict on October 28, 2013. Mr. Paul Britton, MHBC Planning, was in attendance and indicated that he would be available to attend either date. On motion by Councillor K. Galloway-Sealock - it was resolved: “That consideration of the following recommendation, as outlined in Infrastructure be referred to the November 18, 2013 Services Department report INS-13-081, Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee meeting : ‘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 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 thirty (30) day review period as required by the Environmental Assessment (EA) Act .’” PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 21, 2013 -55- CITY OF KITCHENER CSD-13-091 - ZONING BY-LAW INTERIM UPDATE 2. The Committee considered Infrastructure Services Department report CSD-13-091, dated October 10, 2013 recommending approval of Official Plan Amendment OPA13/02/COK/GS and Zone Change Application ZC12/008/B/GS to complete the Interim Update of the review of the City’s Zoning By-law. In addition, the Committee was in receipt this date of correspondence from Pierre Chauvin, MHBC Planning, on behalf of Deerfield Homes dated October 18, 2013; Alex Sumner, Revel Development Corporation, dated October 18, 2013; and, Ben Eby, InTowninc. dated October 21, 2013. Councillor B. Ioannidis declared pecuniary interest as he owns property that could be affected by the changes within the Zoning By-law. Mr. G. Stevenson reviewed the Report, highlighting that the Interim Update is the second phase of the three-phase process to review the Zoning By-law. He stated that the interim changes to the By-law address current known issues and acknowledged that a comprehensive review of the Zoning By-law would take place within the next two years. Mr. Pierre Chauvin, MHBC Planning, appeared on behalf of Deerfield Homes. He stated that any issues he had regarding the Interim Update have been resolved and acknowledged the assistance of staff. Mr. Alex Sumner, Revel Development Corporation, appeared in opposition to the proposed amendments to the small unit parking requirements. He questioned the rationale, noting that it is not clarified in the Report and expressed concern that the proposed change to remove the application of the reduced parking ratio for small units will reduce the inventory of affordable rental homes in the City of Kitchener. He asked that the Committee defer a decision on implementing the change to the reduced parking ratio for small units, until such time as Planning staff has presented justification for the change. Several members expressed concern for the justification of the proposed small unit parking rate and Councillor D. Glenn-Graham suggested a referral of the related By-law provisions to allow time for exploration of the impact of the change. Councillor P. Singh expressed concern regarding the definition of Building Height within the proposed By-law, as the 10 percent variation may not be adequate to accommodate building elevations with walk-out basements. Mr. Stevenson stated that the proposed definition would provide consistent application, as the height would be measured from the point of the lowest finished grade to the highest finished grade, rather than the vertical distance between the highest finished grade and the uppermost point of the building. Councillor K. Galloway-Sealock left the meeting at this time. With regard to the proposed By-law provisions related to semi-detached dwellings and duplexed semis, members expressed concern that the proposed Residential Four (R-4) and Residential Five (R-5) regulations are too restrictive. Mr. A. Pinard responded that staff has undertaken a two-pronged approach to alleviate known issues with a subsequent comprehensive review of the Zoning By-law. On motion by Councillor P. Singh, the recommendation contained within Report CSD-13-091 be approved, save and except provisions related to building height, small unit parking rate and semi-detached dwellings, for which he requested additional information. Mr. A. Pinard responded that the Interim Update was brought to Committee following Council’s direction at the August 26, 2013 Council meeting to further implement the directions for residential intensification policies and regulations, and noted that the Comprehensive Review of the Zoning By-law would commence in early 2014. A motion was brought forward by Mayor C. Zehr suggesting that the recommendation be amended to refer the three items to the Committee meeting of October 28, 2013. Councillor P. Singh advised that he would not be in attendance on October 28, 2013, and would not accept the motion as friendly. A motion was then brought forward by Councillor S. PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 21, 2013 -56- CITY OF KITCHENER CSD-13-091 - ZONING BY-LAW INTERIM UPDATE (CONT’D) 2. Davey, which was accepted as friendly, to refer the clauses within the proposed by-law relating to building height, small unit parking rate and semi-detached dwellings to the Council meeting of November 25, 2013. On motion by Councillor P. Singh - it was resolved: “That City-initiated Official Plan Amendment OPA13/02/COK/GS to amend specific policies in Part 3 and 4 and to amend Map 4 and Map 12, be adopted, in the form shown in the proposed Official Plan Amendment attached to Community Services Department report CSD-13-091 as Appendix “A”, and accordingly forwarded to the Region of Waterloo for approval; and further, That City-initiated Zone Change Application ZC12/008/B/GS (Phase 2: Interim Update) to amend general as well as site specific provisions, be approved in the form shown in the ‘Proposed By-law’ dated October 7, 2013, attached to Report CSD 13-091 as Appendix ‘B’, save and except the following clauses of which are referred to the November 25, 2013 Council meeting : Clause 14, referencing Building Height; Clauses 19, 20, 21, 22, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, and 54, referencing Semi- Detached Dwellings; and, Clause 28 referencing Small Unit Parking Rate.” CSD-13-085 - ZONE CHANGE APPLICATION ZC13/06/C/BB 3. - 430 CONNAUGHT STREET, GILLANI/THEMISTOCLEUS Councillor B. Vrbanovic 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 may not be 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.” The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-13-085, dated September 24, 2013 recommending the approval of Zone Change Application ZC13/06/C/BB, to change the zoning of 430 Connaught Street from Residential Four (R-4) to Residential Six (R-6) to permit the development of a 14-unit multiple dwelling. Councillor P. Singh declared pecuniary interest as his spouse owns an adjacent property. Mr. B. Bateman presented the Report, highlighting that a single detached dwelling is currently located on the subject property. He stated that the zone change would permit a medium density multiple dwelling with a Special Regulation Provision to establish the massing, footprint, and parking requirements for the building. Ms. Kate Wills, IBI Group, gave a presentation in explanation of the application detailing the design and applicable transition in the neighbourhood which supports development. Mr. Bruce Shoal, Resident, appeared in support of the application but expressed concern that a large willow tree located on the subject property would have to be removed during the construction process. Mr. Bateman explained that although the tree would likely have to be removed due to its location in the centre of the property, a row of conifers would remain. On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis - it was resolved: PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 21, 2013 -57- CITY OF KITCHENER CSD-13-085 - ZONE CHANGE APPLICATION ZC13/06/C/BB 3. - 430 CONNAUGHT STREET, GILLANI/THEMISTOCLEUS (CONT’D) “That Zone Change Application ZC13/06/C/BB (I. Gillani/ C. Themistocleous – 430 Connaught Street), to change the zoning from Residential Four (R-4) to Residential Six (R-6) with Special Regulation Provision (644R) in the form shown in the “Proposed By- law” dated September 18, 2013, attached, as Appendix A, be approved.” CAO-13-027 - COMPONENTS OF THE 2015-2018 STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS 4. The Committee received Chief Administrator’s Office report CAO-13-027, dated October 15, 2013 regarding the various components of the 2015-2018 Strategic Planning Process. Ms. L. Majcher reviewed the Report. Mr. Darren Karasuik, Environics, gave a presentation outlining the approach to the strategic planning process. He stated that a telephone survey would be conducted of 100 residents from each of the ten wards, including 100 cellphone numbers to be chosen at random. He indicated the survey would be 15 minutes in length and proportionately targeted toward representation from all social groups. Councillor D. Glenn-Graham provided a number of broad topics for consideration while developing the questions for the survey, including: neighbourhoods and the concept of complete communities; active transportation; community centre models; downtown safety and security; growth management – brownfields and infill development; sponsorship and funding of amenities; and, methods of engaging the public. Councillor B. Vrbanovic suggested asking questions with an economic development focus, such as the public perspective on the technology sector versus manufacturing sector. Councillor J. Gazzola suggested, and it was agreed, that the questions would be circulated to Council for information prior to the commencement of the survey. On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis - it was resolved: “ That Chief Administrator’s Office report CA0-13-027 regarding components of the 2015 – 2018 Strategic Planning Process be received for information.” ADJOURNMENT 5. On motion, this meeting adjourned at 10:01 p.m. D. Livingstone Committee Administrator