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Home My WebLink About2015-08-10 PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES AUGUST 10, 2015 CITY OF KITCHENER The Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee met this date, commencing at 6:00 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 and S. Marsh. Staff: J. Willmer, Chief Administrative Officer D. Chapman, Deputy CAO, Finance and Corporate Services D. Tyagi, Deputy CAO, Infrastructure Services A. Pinard, Acting Deputy CAO, Community Services R. Regier, Executive Director, Economic Development L. Majcher, Manager, Strategy & Business Planning D. Ross, Manager, Development Review A. Pinnell, Planner A. Pires, Planner D. Livingstone, Committee Administrator CAO-15-015 - RECOMMENDED 2015-2018 STRATEGIC PLAN 1. The Committee considered Chief Administrator’s Office report CAO-15-015, dated July 29, 2015 recommending the approval of the recommended strategic priorities and strategies as outlined in the Appendix of the report; and, that staff be directed to prepare a budget and a business plan identifying the means by which to execute the approved strategies. Mr. J. Willmer provided opening remarks, advising that the Strategic Plan sets the tone for the term of council with the content based on long term strategies arising from a lengthy process of consultation and engagement. He stated that the process included the Environics survey; the ‘Your Kitchener, Your Say’ community engagement initiative which helped to refine the themes; as well as the Compass Kitchener presentation of community priorities which informed election campaigns and debates. He indicated that there are three new aspects emphasized in the strategic plan, including: neighbourhoods, economy and accountability. He then acknowledged Compass Kitchener and their significant role in developing the strategic plan as they represent the community voice as an advisory committee. He indicated that subject to approval of the strategic priorities and strategies contained within this Report, staff will bring forward an implementation plan for consideration at the Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee meeting of August 31, 2014. Mr. Chris Hyde, Compass Kitchener, addressed the Committee providing an overview of the involvement that the advisory committee has had during each stage of the development of the plan. He described the opportunities for Compass Kitchener to participate in the strategic planning process and reviewed the feedback received from the committee. He indicated that as a next step, Compass Kitchener’s work plan will be brought forward to Council and that the committee is looking forward to using the plan in the next report card cycle as the outcomes within the plan are tangible and can be measured against. Ms. L. Majcher presented the Report advising that members are asked to provide feedback and approval of the the strategic priorities and strategies within the Report. She reviewed the recommended strategic priorities and strategies for 2015-2018: 1. Open Government; 2. Strong and Resilient Economy; 3. Safe and Thriving Neighbourhoods; 4. Sustainable Environment and Infrastructure; and, 5. Effective and Efficient City Services. Ms. Majcher noted that a strategic session for scheduled for August 31, 2015 will include a discussion on the development of specific actions related to the strategic priorities. Members expressed general approval of the work undertaken by Compass Kitchener and staff, in determining the strategic priorities and strategies outlined within the Report. In addition, the following changes were suggested. PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES AUGUST 10, 2015 -25- CITY OF KITCHENER CAO-15-015 - RECOMMENDED 2015-2018 STRATEGIC PLAN (CONT’D) 1. Councillor K. Galloway-Sealock inquired if the concept of partnerships could be emphasized throughout the plan and specifically within the priorities. She also suggested that strategy 3.3 be modified to change the word ‘Grain’ in context of the surrounding community, and indicated that the term ‘Heart of the City’ in strategy 2.5 could be removed as the downtown does not require this reference. Councillor S. Marsh referred to strategy 5.1 and indicated that managing city emergencies and business disruptions could be moved further down in the priority list rather than first. She further suggested that strategies 1.4 and 1.5 could be moved to strategic priority 5, as they refer to access to city information and services and quality customer service within the organization. In addition, Councillor Marsh made a suggestion regarding partnerships referred to by Councillor Galloway-Sealock, stating that the preamble for strategy 2 could be revised to include ‘We will work with community partners to have a dynamic prosperous city… ’. With regard to the priority level of strategy 5.1, Mr. Willmer explained that a new level of service is being prioritized and indicated that strategies 5.2 through 5.5 are representative of a continued level of service. In consideration of this explanation, Councillor Marsh agreed to withdraw her request from the recommended changes. Councillor S. Davey indicated that starter industries and start-ups should be included in strategy 2, and emphasized the important role of start-ups to the economic development initiatives within the city and region. Mayor B. Vrbanovic requested that reference to the downtown as ‘heart of the City’ remains in strategy 2.5, as it would be detrimental to soften the language in order to support continued development of the downtown. He noted that the term ‘heart of the city’ is universally used around the world in reference to a downtown core. With this explanation, Councillor Galloway- Sealock agreed to remove her request to remove the term from the suggested changes to the strategic priorities and strategies. Mayor B. Vrbanovic brought forward the motion within Report CAO-15-015, with the proposed amendments to the strategies suggested by the members, including: consideration be given to include reference to partnerships, possibly in strategy 5.2; replace the word ‘grain’ in strategy 3.3 with one more commonly understood; defer consideration of strategy 1.4 and 1.5 to the August 31, 2015 Council meeting to allow time for staff to consider if they would be more appropriately listed under strategic priority 5; revise wording in strategic priority 2 to include “we will work with community partners….”’ and, include reference to start-ups in strategic priority 2. Carried Unanimously on a recorded vote The following motion was then voted on and was by all members present. Councillor D. Schneider was absent this date, and accordingly did not vote. On motion by Mayor B.Vrbanovic - it was resolved: “That the recommended strategic priorities and strategies for 2015-2018 as outlined in the Appendix to Chief Administrator’s Office report CAO-15-015 be approved, subject to the following: consideration be given to include reference to partnerships, possibly in strategy 5.2; replace the word ‘grain’ in strategy 3.3 with one that is more commonly understood; revise wording in strategic priority 2 to include reference to working in partnership with others to achieve our economic goals; include reference to start-ups in strategic priority 2; and, PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES AUGUST 10, 2015 -26- CITY OF KITCHENER CAO-15-015 - RECOMMENDED 2015-2018 STRATEGIC PLAN (CONT’D) 1. be referred to the August 24, 2015 Council meeting That strategies 1.4 and 1.5 to allow time for staff to consider if they would be more appropriately listed under strategic priority 5, Effective and Efficient City Services; and further, That staff be directed to prepare a budget and a four-year business plan that identifies specific actions and the allocation of resources to effectively execute the approved strategies. ” 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-15-026 - ZONE CHANGE APPLICATION - ZC08/18/M/AP 2. - 20, 24, 32 AND 34 MILL STREET - REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF WATERLOO The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-15-026, dated July 10, 2015 recommending approval of Zone Change Application ZC08/18/M/AP on lands municipally addressed as 20, 24, 32, and 34 Mill Street from Hazard Land (P-3) to Existing Use Zone (E-1) with site specific provisions. Mr. A. Pinnell presented the Report and responded to questions from the Committee. On motion by Councillor F. Etherington- it was resolved: “That Zone Change Application ZC08/18/M/AP (20, 24, 32, and 34 Mill Street; Regional Municipality of Waterloo) for the purpose of changing the zoning from Hazard Land (P- 3) to Existing Use Zone (E-1) with site specific provisions on the land specified on the attached Map No. 1, in the form shown in the “Proposed By-law” dated July 7, 2015 attached to Community Services Department report CSD-15-026 as Appendix ‘A’, be approved.” CSD-15-064 - ZONE CHANGE APPLICATION - ZC15/011/H/ATP 3. - 215 HIGHLAND ROAD WEST The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-15-064, dated July 7, 2015 recommending approval of Zone Change Application ZC15/011/H/ATP on the land municipally addressed as 215 Highland Road West from Convenience Commercial Zone (C-1) and Convenience Commercial Zone (C-1) with Special Regulation Provision 40R and Special Use Provision 30U to Neighbourhood Shopping Centre Zone (C-2) with Special Use Provision 449U. Ms. A. Pires presented the Report. Mr. Scott Patterson, Labreche Patterson & Associates, was in attendance in support of the application. On motion by Councillor F. Etherington - it was resolved: “That Zone Change application ZC15/011/H/ATP (Sharon Mann) for the purpose of changing the zoning of the subject property from Convenience Commercial Zone (C-1) and Convenience Commercial Zone (C-1) with Special Regulation Provision 40R and Special Use Provision 30U to Neighbourhood Shopping Centre Zone (C-2) with Special Use Provision 449U be approved in the form shown in the “Proposed By-law” dated July 6, 2015, attached to Community Services Department report CSD-15-064 as Appendix ‘A’.” PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES AUGUST 10, 2015 -27- CITY OF KITCHENER ADJOURNMENT 4. On motion, this meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. D. Livingstone Committee Administrator