HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-04-28 - Special
SPECIAL PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES
APRIL 28, 2014 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee met this date, commencing at 3:19 p.m.
Present: Councillor B. Vrbanovic - Chair
Councillors S. Davey, K. Galloway-Sealock, Y. Fernandes, J. Gazzola, D. Glenn-
Graham, B. Ioannidis, Z. Janecki, F. Etherington and P. Singh. Mayor C. Zehr was
absent for this meeting.
Staff: J. Willmer, Chief Administrative Officer
D. Chapman, Deputy CAO, Finance and Corporate Services
M. May, Deputy CAO, Community Services
P. Houston, Deputy CAO, Infrastructure Services
R. Hagey, Director, Financial Planning
L. Johnson
B. Robinson
B. Bennett
D. Livingstone, Committee Administrator
FCS-14-054 - DEVELOPMENT CHARGES BACKGROUND STUDY AND BY-LAW
1.
The Committee considered Finance and Corporate Services Department report FCS-14-054
dated April 14, 2014 recommending adoption of the Development Charges Background Study
prepared by Hemson Consulting, dated April 2014, and the associated By-law, attached to the
Report as Appendix ‘C’. In addition, the Committee was in receipt this date of correspondence
from Ms. Mary Ann Wasilka; the Economic Development Advisory Committee; Mr. Peter
Armbruster, WRHBA; Mr. John Jung, Canada’s Technology Triangle; and from Mr. Kevin
Fergin, Stantec.
Mr. R. Hagey introduced the Report, advising that the meeting this date is a statutory public
meeting to receive comments and feedback from the Public related to the Development
Charges Background Study and proposed By-law. He noted that the current By-law is in effect
until June 30, 2014.
Mr. Stefan Krzeczunowicz, Hemson Consulting, gave a presentation detailing the process and
technical basis for the maximum permitted development charge rates within the Development
Charges Background Study and highlighted the next steps for stake holder engagement and
passage of the new By-law.
Councillor Y. Fernandes referred to the Development Charges Update presented to the
Committee in March, noting that the scope of the projects within the capital forecast presented
this date had been reduced. She requested a list of the hard and soft services that had been
removed from the capital forecast. Ms. B. Robinson agreed to compile a list and provide the
information to the Committee at a future date.
Councillor B. Ioannidis requested that staff provide a list of Development Charge rates from
similar sized municipalities in Southern Ontario for comparative analysis. Councillor D. Glenn-
Graham further requested that the list contain information on the application of development
charges on industrial lands.
Mr. Peter Benniger, was in attendance on behalf of Pearl Valley Developments regarding the
priority sequencing for development of Hidden Valley and requested that the servicing for the
development be accelerated to 2018-2019.
Ms. Mary Ann Wasilka addressed the Committee in support of staff’s recommended approach
for establishing development charge rates.
Mr. Art Sinclair, Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, appeared in support of staff’s
recommendation within the Report, advising that retention of employers, particularly in the
manufacturing sector, is strengthened through incentives such as the provision of a
development charge exemption to for a building expansion up to 50% gross floor area as it
existed on January 1999.
Mr. John Jung, Canada’s Technology Triangle, addressed the Committee advising that the
expansion exemption for industrial floor space is a benefit when trying to attract industry to the
SPECIAL PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES
APRIL 28, 2014 -13- CITY OF KITCHENER
FCS-14-054 - DEVELOPMENT CHARGES BACKGROUND STUDY AND BY-LAW
1.
(CONT’D)
area for use of existing buildings. He referred to the correspondence circulated this date,
advising that efforts to attract German automotive suppliers in Ontario have been hampered by
the high cost of development charges which act as a disincentive, imposed by the City of
Kitchener and the Region of Waterloo.
Mr. Kevin Fergin, Stantec, appeared on behalf of the owners of two parcels of land within the
Rosenberg Secondary Plan; namely, Schlegel and Genstar/Cook. He referred to
correspondence circulated this date, requesting that the proposed timing of the Middle
Strasburg Creek Sanitary Trunk Sewer be accelerated to coincide with the Regional culvert
upgrade across Fischer-Hallman Road in 2016.
Mr. B. Sloan responded to questions, advising that the priority of the Middle Strasburg Creek
Sanitary Trunk Sewer within the Kitchener Growth Management Plan has not changed;
however, the project has been deferred capital financing.
Councillor S. Davey inquired about the impact of an exemption of industrial development
charges on greenfield development. Mr. B. Bennett advised that there is approximately 100
acres of greenfield available for development. Mr. Krzeczunowicz clarified that the total
revenue over the term of the By-law would be $1.2M; however, the direct would be lower as
some development would be exempt by way of the 50% gross floor space expansion.
Councillor Davey requested that staff examine a possible exemption to development charges
on industrial greenfield development as defined by City policies.
Councillor K. Galloway-Sealock expressed concern on the timeline for growth related projects
in the southwest area of the City and stated that the area has not experienced the benefit of
development charges. She requested that staff report back on opportunities to accelerate
growth related projects within the southwest area of the City. Mr. D. Chapman responded that
Council will be asked to consider advancement of projects within the 2015 Budget process and
elaborated that a report will come forward outlining the process for addressing the issue.
On motion by Councillor P. Singh, the recommendation within the Report FCS-14-054 was
brought forward for consideration.
Councillor P. Singh indicated that he supports the examination of an exemption for industrial
development charges; however, he would like the investigation to include a partial rather than
a complete exemption for greenfield development.
Councillor Galloway-Sealock requested that the second paragraph of the motion regarding the
capital forecasts prepared in conjunction with the Development Charges Background Study be
voted on separately.
The following motion was voted on Clause by Clause on recorded votes:
On motion by Councillor P. Singh -
it was resolved:
“Thatthe increase in the need for services attributable to anticipated development in the
City of Kitchener be met, subject to sufficient development charge revenues being
generated and other City affordability criteria being met;
That the Development Charge Background Study dated April 2014 and the capital
forecasts prepared in conjunction with the Study in accordance with Section 10 of the
Development Charges Act, 1997 be adopted;
That future excess capacity identified in the Development Charge Background Study,
dated April 2014, be paid for by development charges or other similar charges;
That where grant funding is provided for a growth related project, to the extent possible,
it be used to fund the non-growth portion of the project; and further,
SPECIAL PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES
APRIL 28, 2014 -14- CITY OF KITCHENER
FCS-14-054 - DEVELOPMENT CHARGES BACKGROUND STUDY AND BY-LAW
1.
(CONT’D)
That the proposed Development Charge By-law in the form attached to Finance and
Corporate Services report FCS-14-054 be approved.”
Carried on a recorded vote.
Clause 2 –
In Favour:
Councillors B. Ioannidis, B.
Vrbanovic, P. Singh S. Davey, F. Etherington,
J. Gazzola, D. Glenn-Graham, Z. Janecki and
Y. Fernandes.
Contra:
Councillor K. Galloway-Sealock.
Absent:
Mayor C. Zehr.
Carried Unanimously on
Balance of Motion –
a recorded vote by all members present.
Absent:
Mayor C. Zehr.
ADJOURNMENT
2.
On motion, this meeting adjourned at 6:17 p.m.
D. Livingstone
Committee Administrator