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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-03-07 PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 7, 2016 CITY OF KITCHENER The Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee met this date, commencing at 6:30 p.m. Present: Councillor P. Singh, Chair Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors S. Davey, Y. Fernandes, K. Galloway-Sealock, J. Gazzola, B. Ioannidis, S. Marsh and D. Schnider. Staff: J. Willmer, Chief Administrative Officer R. Regier, Executive Director, Economic Development J. Readman, Interim Executive Director, Infrastructure Services A. Pinard, Director, Planning D. Ross, Manager, Development Review A. Pinnell, Planner D. Livingstone, Committee Administrator CAO-16-008 - COMMUNITECH EXPANSION 1. The Committee considered Chief Administrator’s Office report CAO-16-008, dated February 19, 2016 recommending a 2016 grant approval of $300,000. to Communitech from the Economic Development Reserve Fund. Mr. R. Regier introduced the Report advising the 2016 allocation will allow for the immediate renovation of space necessary to allow the program to move forward with a more detailed proposal, regarding the remainder of the Communitech request, scheduled to come forward through the 2017 budget process. Members generally expressed support for the expansion of the Communitech Hub to occupy the second and third floors of The Tannery to increase programming for growth stage companies, with approval of the first year of funding in the amount of $300,000. from the Economic Development Reserve Fund. Mr. Regier explained the total amount of the expansion is approximately $15M over five years, including approximately $7.25M anticipated funding from the Federal and Provincial governments, $6M in private revenue, and a municipal commitment of $300,000. annually over five years. Members requested the Region of Waterloo be contacted to assist in the municipal request for funding for future years as the benefit of the expansion and the success of Communitech is Region wide. In response to questions, Mr. Regier agreed to provide the following, prior to the Council meeting on March 21, 2016: audited financial statements for Communitech and detailed operating budget information; information on possible representation on the Board of Directors; the City of Waterloo’s financial contribution to the expansion; the impact of reducing the annual commitment of municipal funding $100,000. from the requested 300,000.; and, the impact on the expansion if other funding sources, such as Provincial and Federal grants, do not come to fruition. CARRIED The following motion was then voted on and was on a recorded vote with with Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors B. Ioannidis, P. Singh, S. Davey, Y. Fernandes, D. Schnider, S. Marsh, and K. Galloway-Sealock voting in favour; and, Councillor J. Gazzola voting in opposition. Councillors Z. Janecki and F. Etherington were absent, and accordingly did not vote. On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis - it was resolved: “That a grant to Communitech, of $300,000. from the Economic Development Reserve, to fund interior leasehold improvements to an expanded Communitech space at 151 Charles, be approved; and further, That the remainder of Communitech’s request be considered as part of the 2017 budget process, subject to demonstration of other partnerships, progress on implementation, and receipt of audited financial statements, as outlined in Chief Administrator’s Office report CAO-16-008.” PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 7, 2016 -5- CITY OF KITCHENER CSD-16-012 - ZONE CHANGE APPLICATION – ZC15/10/W/AP 2. - 42 WEST ACRES CRESCENT, HURON CREEK HOLDINGS CORP. 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.” The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-16-012, dated February 17, 2016 recommending approval of Zone Change Application ZC15/010/W/AP (42 West Acres Crescent; 2297868 Ontario Inc.) for the purpose of changing the zoning to permit a stacked townhouse development on the lands located at 42 West Acres Crescent. In addition, the Committee was in receipt this date of correspondence from Ms. Susan Church, Ms. Lori Hergott and Mr. Kevin Warren, dated March 7, 2016, in opposition to the proposed development. Mr. A. Pinnell presented the Report. Mr. Pierre Chauvin, MHBC Planning, gave a presentation in support of the Zone Change Application and proposed development of 27 stacked townhouses. He reviewed the background, design elements, and the proposed site plan, advising there are 47 parking spaces, privacy fencing, setbacks from existing development and landscaped areas within the proposal. Ms. Jen Dol appeared in opposition to the proposed development. She expressed concern with the access off West Acres Crescent and stated there would be further issues with traffic, parking, noise and safety to the residents in the neighbourhood. She indicated a preferable access to the development would be from Highland Road West and noted that density is not compatible with the neighbourhood. She expressed further concern that trees were removed from the site after the public information centre when residents were informed the site would not be altered until after zone change approval. She requested the Committee to consider that the proposed development is not in the best interest of the neighbourhood. Mr. Dan Skeen appeared in opposition to the proposed development advising the proposal increases density by sixty percent over what currently exists in the neighbourhood and is not compatible. In addition, he expressed concern with traffic impact, stating access to Westheights Drive has been narrowed to accommodate cycling lanes which will be further impacted by the additional traffic from the development. Ms. Brenda Campbell addressed the Committee in opposition to the proposed development and requested clarification on the setbacks and grading as well as the landscape buffer and fencing that would be installed along the perimeter of the development. Mr. A. Pinnell provided clarification on the required setbacks for the zone, indicating the proposed setbacks are larger than the minimum. He noted the fencing requirements are a 1.8m board fence around the parking area and will be addressed through the Site Plan process. He acknowledged the challenging grade from Highland Road and noted the daylight triangle is part of a land exchange between the Developer and the Region of Waterloo. In response to questions, Ms. Campbell stated her preference would be for a full privacy fence along the west side of the development and an assurance that no additional trees would be removed. Mr. Pinnell stated zoning does not require a full fence but indicated the Developer’s acknowledgement of her request. Ms. Sharon Harding addressed the Committee in opposition to the development as it is incompatible due to the size and density of the buildings. In addition, she expressed concern for the safety of children due to increased traffic as they walk to school along West Acres Crescent. Ms. Dianne Levasseur appeared in opposition to the proposed development. She expressed concern regarding increased traffic and safety, as well as noise and traffic from construction vehicles. She stated the neighbourhood has always been quiet, consisting of PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 7, 2016 -6- CITY OF KITCHENER CSD-16-012 - ZONE CHANGE APPLICATION – ZC15/10/W/AP 1. - 42 WEST ACRES CRESCENT, HURON CREEK HOLDINGS CORP. (CON’T) bungalows and back-split type homes and expressed concern the three-storey building would look down into neighbouring properties. She indicated that a 1.8m fence is inadequate to ensure noise buffer or privacy. Mr. Rob Detzler addressed the Committee expressing concern with building height. He noted the grade is high and the building will shadow homes in the area. In response to questions from Councillor B. Ioannidis, Mr. Pinnell indicated a traffic impact study was not warranted as the proposed development does not generate significant traffic volumes. He explained access to the development was examined in great detail and advised the Region of Waterloo had a number of concerns and ultimately did not support access from Highland Road. In addition, he advised the City’s Fire Services Department expressed concern with the development access from Highland Road. Councillor Ioannidis indicated support for bringing the matter of access to the consideration of Regional Council, as Highland Road is a Regional Road. Mayor B. Vrbanovic suggested prior to the matter being brought forward for consideration by Regional Council, internal concerns related to Emergency Services could be addressed. Mr. A. Pinard agreed Planning Staff would review the matter with Fire Services and attain additional information prior to the Council meeting on March 21, 2016. In response to further questions from the Committee regarding reducing the number of units to address neighbourhood concerns regarding density, Mr. Pinnell advised the number of units was reduced from 40 to 27 from the initial proposal and is considered low density. Mr. Chauvin further addressed density stating he will review the number of units with the developer prior to the Council meeting on March 21, 2016. Mr. Chauvin responded to questions regarding access from Highland Road West to the site. He advised access to the development from Highland Road West was extensively examined and a number of concerns exist, including: grade considerations related to stormwater management, internal drainage, and accessibility. On motion, Councillor B. Ioannidis proposed a referral of the recommendation within Report CSD-16-012 to the Council meeting of March 21, 2016 pending additional information. CARRIED The following motion was then voted on and was on a recorded vote with Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors B. Ioannidis, P. Singh, S. Davey, J. Gazzola, D. Schnider, S. Marsh, and K. Galloway-Sealock voting in favour; and, Councillor Y. Fernandes voting in opposition. Councillors Z. Janecki and F. Etherington were absent this date; and, accordingly did not vote. On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis - it was resolved: “That consideration of the following recommendation, as outlined in Community Services Department report CSD-16-012, be referred to the March 21, 2016 Council meeting pending additional information regarding a possible entrance to the proposed development from Highland Road: “That Zone Change Application ZC15/010/W/AP (42 West Acres Crescent; 2297868 Ontario Inc.) for the purpose of changing the zoning from Residential Four Zone (R-4) to Residential Six Zone (R-6) with Special Regulation Provision 676R, and Special Use Provision 455U, and Property Detail Schedule No. 40, on the lands specified on the attached Map No. 1 and Map No. 2, in the form shown in the ‘Proposed By-law’ dated February 8, 2016, attached to Community Services Department report CSD-16-012 as Appendix A, be approved; and further, That the Urban Design Brief for 42 West Acres Crescent, dated January 2016, attached to Report CSD-16-012 as Appendix C, be adopted and provide the basis for future site development.”” PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 7, 2016 -7- CITY OF KITCHENER ADJOURNMENT 2. On motion, this meeting adjourned at 8:26 p.m. D. Livingstone Committee Administrator