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Home My WebLink About2015-03-30 PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 30, 2015 CITY OF KITCHENER The Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee met this date, commencing at 4:30 p.m. Present: Councillor P. Singh, Chair Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors S. Davey, F. Etherington, Y. Fernandes, K. Galloway-Sealock, J. Gazzola, B. Ioannidis, Z. Janecki, S. Marsh and D. Schnider. Staff: J. Willmer, Chief Administrative Officer M. May, Deputy CAO, Community Services D. Tyagi, Deputy CAO, Infrastructure Services A. Pinard, Director, Planning L. Tansley, Assistant City Solicitor B. Sloan, Manager, Long Range and Policy Planning J. Oosterveld, Manager, Site Development and Customer Service D. Ross, Manager, Development Review N. Goss, Senior Planner G. Stevenson, Senior Planner S. Coutu, Policy Planner D. Lafferty, Planner D. Livingstone, Committee Administrator CSD-15-012 - COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE ZONING BY-LAW (CROZBY) 1. - ZONING BY-LAW 2015-001: COMPONENT A - FIRST DRAFT The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-15-012, dated March 11, 2015 recommending consultation on Zoning By-law 2015-001: Component A - First Draft in accordance with the Planning Act. Ms. N. Goss presented the Report. Councillor J. Gazzola entered at this time. Ms. Daphne Nicholls addressed the Committee regarding the issues of water and air quality in Zoning By-law 2015-001: Component A - Frist Draft. Ms. Nicholls indicated that existing zoning regulations and city policies do not adequately reflect current scientific evidence related to water quality and air quality. She explained that new by-laws should prevent the development of drive-thrus and phase out existing ones, which would protect air quality. Ms. Nicholls responded to questions from the Committee advising that she has spoken with staff regarding her concerns, but noted that there were no specific by-laws related to air and water quality with in the proposed Report. In response to questions from the Committee, Ms. Goss indicated that this is the first draft of the Zoning By-law and the public and stakeholder consultation component will inform the review going forward. She noted that Council will be invited to provide specific comments during one-on-one consultation sessions. Mr. B. Sloan responded to questions regarding the air quality, water quality, and drive-thru concerns expressed by Ms. Nicholls. He advised that drive-thrus will be revisited during an appropriate review and noted that commercial lands will be examined in Component C of the Comprehensive Zoning By-law Review. He stated that water and air quality continue to be addressed in the following ways: the new Official Plan; themes within the Zoning By-law; the Strategic Plan for the Environment; actions of the Environmental Committee; and, through support of the Community Climate Action Plan. On motion by Councillor K. Galloway-Sealock - it was resolved: “That staff consult on Zoning By-law 2015-001: Component A – First Draft, in accordance with the requirements of the Planning Act, and as outlined in Community Services Department report CSD-15-012.” PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 30, 2015 -8- CITY OF KITCHENER CSD-15-018 - COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE URBAN DESIGN MANUAL - WORK 2. PROGRAM The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-15-018, dated March 19, 2015 recommending approval of the review process for the Urban Design Manual. Ms. D. Lafferty presented the Report advising that the Urban Design Manual was last updated in 2010, and includes guidelines for community and neighbourhood design, design briefs and specific site standards for development. She explained that a comprehensive review would achieve consistency with other City policies including the new Official Plan, Zoning By-law and PARTS and would convey the City’s expectations to the development industry. She outlined the general recommended process for the comprehensive review of the Urban Design Manual is expected to begin in Fall 2016. Councillor Z. Janecki left the meeting at this time. In response to questions from the Committee regarding the timing of the project, Mr. Sloan advised that the entire planning framework for the City of Kitchener is being updated and that the goal would be to have the urban design guidelines completed near or at the time of completion of associated regulations. On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis - it was resolved: “That staff conduct a review of the City’s Urban Design Manual generally in accordance with the process outlined in Community Services Department report CSD-15-018.” Councillor Z. Janecki returned to the meeting at this time. CSD-15-025 - RESIDENTIAL INTENSIFICATION IN ESTABLISHED NEIGHBOURHOODS 3. STUDY - (CORPORATE PROJECT: RESIDENTIAL INFILL GUIDELINES) The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-15-025, dated March 19, 2015 recommending that staff proceed with the general project outline for the preparation of actions to address residential intensification in established neighbourhoods, as outlined in Appendix ‘A’ to the Report. Mr. B. Sloan presented the Report advising that the Council approved Business Plan for the Planning Division includes Residential Infill Guidelines as a corporate project. He stated that Planning is seeking Council input in developing the Terms of Reference for the project in order to determine the scope of work and ensure the final deliverable is as expected. He reviewed several questions outlined in the Report including: confirmation of the geographic extent; type of dwelling units to investigate; design issues such as height, setbacks/stepbacks, parking and compatibility issues. He stated that it is the intent of staff to bring these matters to the April Strategic Session to help frame the Terms of Reference of the Study and explained that the recommendations will also be implemented in the PARTS, CRoZBY, and Urban Design Manual Review projects in 2016. Mr. Sloan outlined the timeline associated with the project indicating that the study will be brought for Council consideration in Spring of 2016 and is intended to establish the City’s expectations for residential infill going forward. In response to questions from the Committee, Mr. Sloan indicated that levels of engagement with other municipalities; methods and scope of advertising of public meetings; and, specifics in compatibility would all be addressed during the Strategic Session on April 27, 2015. On motion by Mayor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: “That staff proceed with the general project outline for the preparation of actions to further address residential intensification in established neighbourhoods, as outlined in Appendix ‘A’ to Community Services Department report CSD-15-025.” Councillor K. Galloway-Sealock left the meeting at this time. PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 30, 2015 -9- CITY OF KITCHENER CSD-15-025 - RESIDENTIAL INTENSIFICATION IN ESTABLISHED NEIGHBOURHOODS 3. STUDY - (CORPORATE PROJECT: RESIDENTIAL INFILL GUIDELINES) (CONT’D) The Committee recessed at 5:54 p.m. and reconvened at 7:00 p.m. with all members present except Councillor K. Galloway-Sealock. Councillor P. Singh 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-15-020 - ZONE CHANGE APPLICATION – ZC14/09/O/GS 4. - 402 & 404 OTTAWA STREET SOUTH - SAINT MAURICE COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH & COPTIC ORTHODOX PATRIARCHATE SAINT MAURICE The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-15-020, dated February 18, 2015 recommending approval of Zone Change Application ZC14/09/O/GS on the lands municipally addressed as 402 and 404 Ottawa Street South from Residential Six (R-6) to Neighbourhood Institutional (I01) with Special Regulation Provision 667R. Mr. G. Stevenson presented the Report. Ms. Amy Kovacs and Mr. Eric Freeman, Schiedel Construction and Ms. Dina Dawoud, Representative of the Coptic Orthodox Church, were in attendance in support of the Zone Change Application. Ms. Kovacs expressed support of the application advising that the Zone Change would facilitate an expansion to the Church. In response to questions from the Committee, Ms. Kovacs confirmed that they will have the required parking regulations for the expansion which will include a cafeteria, gymnasium, and classroom. Ms. Dawoud indicated that the new facilities would be used by members of the congregation and would not be for use by the general public. Mr. Stevenson responded to questions from the Committee regarding public consultation, advising that four comments were received in response to the circulation for the Zone Change Application. He stated that a Public Information Centre was not held as he followed up with each individual personally and addressed their concerns. In response to questions regarding the current condition of the subject properties, Mr. Stevenson advised that both buildings are vacant. He stated that Building Inspectors have reviewed the site as part of the demolition application and has confirmed they are vacant and not habitable. Councillor S. Davey requested that the Financial Implications sections of Community Services Department Planning Division staff reports include an indication of expected losses in property taxes when assessment is impacted by demolition. At the request of Councillor Z. Janecki, Mr. Stevenson agreed to email a copy of the letter sent to property owners within the 120m circulation area of the subject land. On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis - it was resolved: “That Zone Change application ZC14/09/O/GS (Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate Saint Maurice Coptic Orthodox Church) for the purpose of changing the zoning of the subject properties from Residential Six (R-6) to Neighbourhood Institutional (I-1) with Special Regulation Provision 667R be approved in the form shown in the “Proposed By-law” dated February 18, 2015, attached to Community Services Department report CSD-15- 020 as Appendix ‘A’.” PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 30, 2015 -10- CITY OF KITCHENER ADJOURNMENT 4. On motion, this meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m. D. Livingstone Committee Administrator