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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-08-11 PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES AUGUST 11, 2014 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 S. Davey, F. Etherington, Y. Fernandes, J. Gazzola, D. Glenn-Graham, B. Ioannidis, Z. Janecki, P. Singh and K. Galloway-Sealock. Staff: J. Willmer, Chief Administrative Officer R. Regier, Executive Director, Economic Development L. Johnston, Director, Communications L. Tansley, Assistant City Solicitor A. Pinard, Director, Planning D. Ross, Manager, Development Review K. Anderl, Senior Planner G. Stevenson, Planner D. Livingstone, Committee Administrator 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.” CSD-14-070 - DRAFT PLAN OF SUBDIVISION - 30T-08202 1. - OFFICIAL PLAN AMENDMENT - OP14/03/A/KA - ZONE CHANGE APPLICATION - ZC08/10/A/JVW - 150 AMAND DRIVE, MATTAMY (WESTMOUNT) LIMITED The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-14-070, dated July 21, 2014 recommending approval of the Draft Plan of Subdivision, Official Plan Amendment and Zone Change Application from Mattamy (Westmount) Limited for 150 Amand Drive, and approval of the closure of the portion of Amand Drive deemed redundant, subject to the conditions outlined in the Report. Ms. K. Andrel presented the Report and responded to questions from the Committee. Mr. Brad Trussler, Mattamy (Westmount) Limited, was in attendance in support of the applications and expressed appreciation to staff. Mr. Trussler advised that Phases 1, 2, and 3 have been registered and that sanitary servicing has been completed. On motion by Councillor K. Galloway-Sealock - it was resolved: “That Official Plan Amendment Application OP14/03/A/KA for Mattamy (Westmount) Limited at 150 Amand Drive requesting a change to the Rosenberg Secondary Plan to reorient the school block on the parcel of land specified and illustrated as the “Area of Amendment” on Schedules A and B, be adopted, in the form shown in the Official Plan Amendment attached to Community Services Department report CSD-14-070 as Appendix ‘A’, and accordingly forwarded to the Region of Waterloo for approval; and, That the City of Kitchener, pursuant to Section 51 (31) of the Planning Act R.S.O. 1990, Chapter P 13 as amended, and delegation by-law 2002-64, grant draft approval to Plan of Subdivision Application 30T-08202 in the City of Kitchener, for Mattamy (Westmount) Limited, subject to the conditions attached to Report CSD-14-070 as Appendix ‘B’; and, That Zone Change Application ZC08/10/A/JVW for Mattamy (Westmount) Limited for the purpose of changing the zoning from Agricultural Zone (A-1) to Residential Four Zone (R-4), Residential Six Zone (R-6), Public Park Zone (P-1), Open Space Zone (P- 2), Hazard Land Zone (P-3) and Neighbourhood Institutional Zone (I-1) with site specific special provisions be approved in the form shown in the ‘Proposed By-law’ dated July 18, 2014 attached to Report CSD-14-070 as Appendix ‘C’; and further, PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES AUGUST 11, 2014 -43- CITY OF KITCHENER CSD-14-070 - DRAFT PLAN OF SUBDIVISION - 30T-08202 1. - OFFICIAL PLAN AMENDMENT - OP14/03/A/KA - ZONE CHANGE APPLICATION - ZC08/10/A/JVW - 150 AMAND DRIVE, MATTAMY (WESTMOUNT) LIMITED (CONT’D) That the closure of the redundant portion of Amand Drive be approved in principle, and that Legal Services be instructed to proceed with the preparation of a By-law and advertising in the local newspaper for the closing of the road. The road closure shall be subject to the following conditions: a. That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute all documentation, satisfactory to the City Solicitor, to close that portion of Amand Drive and convey a licence to the owners of 1905 Huron Road to cross over the lands to access the rear yard of their property: and, b. That the subdivider be responsible for all costs related to the road closure, including but not limited to City legal fees, registration, and advertising associated with the closure of the road, including preparation of the required reference plan; and further, c. That a road closing By-law be enacted by Council.” CSD-14-075 - OFFICIAL PLAN AMENDMENT - OP14/01/W/GS 2. - ZONE CHANGE APPLICATION - ZC14/03/W/GS - 100, 104, 108 WALTER STREET, VANGUARD DEVELOPMENTS CORPORATION The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-14-075, dated July 4, 2014 recommending approval of Official Plan Amendment Application OP/14/01/W/GS to permit a change in designation to Medium Density Multiple Residential with Special Policy 3 and Special Policy 19 to permit a multiple residential dwelling building, and to change the zoning from Residential Six (R-6) to Residential Eight (R-8) with Special Regulation Provision 655R, on the parcels of land specified and illustrated as ‘Area 1’ and ‘Area 2’ in the Report. Mr. Garett Stevenson presented the Report and responded to questions from the Committee. Mr. Greg Romanick, Stantec, gave a presentation in support of the applications advising that a medium density development of 31 units, with a stepped back design of 4 to 6 storeys is proposed. He indicated that Messrs. Paul Ballantyne and Tom Rakic, Vanguard Developments, were also in attendance to answer questions regarding the proposed development. The project considerations including parking, design, elevations, building height, and traffic were highlighted in Mr. Romanick’s presentation. With regard to parking, Mr. Romanick stated that as part of the submission a Transportation Demand Management Analysis was completed which proposes management measures such as: unbundling the cost of parking from the cost of renting (or purchasing) an apartment; advocacy for transit usage; possibly providing monthly transit passes on a limited time basis to new tenants; provision of secure, long term and short term bicycle spaces for use by residents; car share availability onsite; and, proximity to the Green Street Lot. In response to questions, Mr. Romanick acknowledged that parking in the area is a delicate issue but stated that as the light rail transit development progresses, the neighbourhood will be transit supported and parking demand will be reduced. He indicated that the development proposes 1 space per unit and indicated that Vanguard Developments is committed to managing the parking demand. With regard to tree preservation, Mr. Romanick indicated that the trees on the subject lands would not be retained due to the site design. Ms. Phyllis Kocher, area resident, appeared in opposition to the proposed development expressing concerns related to the number of units and the impact the density would have on the neighbourhood. Ms. Kocher indicated that fewer units would be desirable and stated that the lack of on-street parking along Walter Street is a concern as there would be overflow parking from the proposed building. PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES AUGUST 11, 2014 -44- CITY OF KITCHENER CSD-14-075 - OFFICIAL PLAN AMENDMENT - OP14/01/W/GS 2. - ZONE CHANGE APPLICATION - ZC14/03/W/GS - 100, 104, 108 WALTER STREET, VANGUARD DEVELOPMENTS CORPORATION (CONT’D) In response to questions Ms. Kocher stated that she has attended neighbourhood meetings and indicated the proposed design would be compatible with the neighbourhood. Ms. Gwen Wheeler, area resident, appeared in opposition to the official plan amendment and zone change applications indicating that the proposed development would not be compatible with the existing neighbourhood. She expressed further concern that the demolition of the existing two single detached dwellings and duplex is an example of urban renewal at the expense of older established areas. Ms. Wheeler stated that although she is not opposed to planning transit supportive neighbourhoods, the Walter Street neighbourhood should be protected as a stable neighbourhood to conform to the interim planning policies. In addition, she stated that the character of the neighbourhood would be compromised; and, noise, pollution, traffic would all be increased by the approval of the subject applications. In response to questions, Ms. Wheeler stated that her main concern with the proposal relates to the removal of the single family homes. She acknowledged that a transitional buffer of medium density development before meeting the higher density along King Street is desirable; however, she indicated that the proposed design does not accurately reflect the character of the neighbourbood. Mr. David Harmes, area resident, appeared in opposition to the subject applications expressing concerns regarding the building height and parking. He noted that on-street parking is not permitted on Walter Street and indicated that the 1 space per unit, which includes three proposed visitor spaces, is inadequate to serve the development. He expressed further concerns with the setback as the building is too close to the street and stated that the perspective from the park looking at the building would be of a 7 or 8 storey building. In addition, Mr. Harmes indicated that Walter Street has been identified as a main artery in the Cycling Master Plan and expressed concern that the increased traffic could negatively impact the effectiveness of the newly implemented bike sharrows noting that there is adequate width for a bike lane. Mr. Harmes responded to questions indicating that a development with fewer units would be desirable to match the current context of the neighbourhood. In response to questions, Mr. G. Stevenson advised that Urban Design Guidelines and Official Plan policies are in place to provide direction to the desired outcome of the development design. He elaborated that the appearance of the building will be addressed during the Site Plan Approval process. A motion by Councillor F. Etherington was brought forward to refer consideration of Report CSD-14-075 to the September 15, 2014 Council meeting to allow time for the owner and agent to consult with Planning Staff, the Ward 9 Councillor, and interested residents on the following items: building height; the number of units; parking; step back of storeys; set back from street; façade; and, neighbourhood compatibility. On motion by Councillor F. Etherington - it was resolved: “That consideration of the recommendation contained in Community Services be referred Department report CSD-14-075 pertaining to 100, 104, 108 Walter Street, to the September 15, 2014 Council meeting , to allow time for the Owner and their Agents to consult with the Ward 9 Councillor, Planning staff, and interested residents on the development proposal with consideration to be given to residents’ concerns regarding compatibility, including the height of size of the proposed building; the total number of dwelling units; the façade and building materials, off-street parking; building stepbacks, and front yard setback from Walter street: PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES AUGUST 11, 2014 -45- CITY OF KITCHENER CSD-14-075 - OFFICIAL PLAN AMENDMENT - OP14/01/W/GS 2. - ZONE CHANGE APPLICATION - ZC14/03/W/GS - 100, 104, 108 WALTER STREET, VANGUARD DEVELOPMENTS CORPORATION (CONT’D) “That Official Plan Amendment Application OPA14/01/W/GS for Vanguard Developments Corporation requesting a change in designation from Low Rise Multiple Residential with Special Policy 3 to Medium Density Multiple Residential with Special Policy 3 and Special Policy 19 to permit a multiple residential dwelling building on the parcels of land specified and illustrated as the ‘Area 1’ and ‘Area 2’ on Schedule ‘A’, be adopted, in the form shown in the Official Plan Amendment attached to Report CSD 14-075 as Appendix ‘A’, and accordingly forwarded to the Region of Waterloo for approval; and further, That Zone Change Application ZC14/03/W/GS for Vanguard Developments Corporation requesting a change from Residential Six (R-6) to Residential Eight (R-8) with Special Regulation Provision 655R on the parcels of land specified and illustrated as the ‘Subject Area’ on Map No. 1, be approved in the form shown in the ‘Proposed By-law’ dated July 8, 2014, attached to Report CSD 14-075 as Appendix ‘B’.” CAO-14-037 - WATERLOO REGION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IMPLEMENTATION 3. UPDATE The Committee considered Chief Administrator’s Office report CAO-14-037, dated July 25, 2014 recommending the approval in principle of the Waterloo Region Economic Development Strategy and the creation of the Waterloo Region Economic Development Corporation with an operational target date of January 2016. Mr. J. Willmer presented the Report advising that Council was provided information on the proposal at the joint meeting of Regional and Area Municipal Councillors on June 19, 2014. He gave an update on the status of the Waterloo Region Economic Development Strategy (WREDS), the proposed establishment of a new Waterloo Region Economic Development Corporation (WREDC) that will focus on the delivery of region-wide economic development activities. He advised that the Cities of Waterloo and Cambridge have endorsed in principle approval of WREDS with the final detailed plan to be brought to Council for future consideration and elaborated that each of these initiatives are being coordinated jointly by the Region of Waterloo, the Cities of Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo, the Townships of North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot and Woolwich and Canada’s Technology Triangle Inc. He stated that the WREDC would operate at arms-length and governed by a Board of Directors, would be responsible for various economic development efforts. Mr. Willmer added that funding considerations would be presented for consideration as part of the 2015 Budget deliberations. carried unanimously. The following motion was voted on and was on a recorded vote On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis - it was resolved: “That the Waterloo Region Economic Development Strategy, as appended to Chief Administrator’s Office Report CAO-14-037, be approved in principle with a final document and detailed implementation plan to be developed for future consideration; and, That the creation of the Waterloo Region Economic Development Corporation, as described in Report CAO-14-037, be approved in principle subject to approval of a future implementation and transition process; and further, That staff be directed to continue to work with local and regional municipal partners to develop associated implementation and transition plans with a target date of January 2016 for the Waterloo Region Economic Development Corporation to be fully operational.” PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES AUGUST 11, 2014 -46- CITY OF KITCHENER ADJOURNMENT 4. On motion, this meeting adjourned at 9:27 p.m. D. Livingstone Committee Administrator