HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil - 2016-05-16 SSPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES
MAY 16, 2016 CITY OF KITCHENER
A special meeting of City Council was held at 1:04 p.m. this date, chaired by Councillor D. Schnider
with all members present except Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillor J. Gazzola. Councillor B.
loannidis was in attendance for part of the meeting.
Notice of this meeting had been previously given to all members of Council by the City Clerk pursuant
to Chapter 25 (Council Procedure) of the Municipal Code.
1.a. RESIDENTIAL INTENSIFICATION IN ESTABLISHED NEIGHBOURHOODS STUDY (RIENS)
Council considered Community Services Department report CSD -16 -031 (J. Oosterveld), dated May
16, 2016, regarding issues and options for Residential Intensification in Established Neighbourhoods
(RIENS).
Ms. J. Oosterveld, Manager of Site Development and Customer Service, introduced the staff report
advising Council is requested to provide initial comments on the Issues and Options report which will
lead into the next phase of community engagement for RIENS.
Mr. N. MacDonald, Meridian Planning Consultants, presented an overview of the Issues and Options
report advising the feedback received this date will determine priorities for which neighbourhood
characteristics should be addressed as well as gather initial feedback on the options. He reviewed the
Report including the background, purpose of the study and study process. He then provided an
analysis of intensification in Kitchener, the zoning in the study area and current planning approval
process. He identified the challenges moving forward in land use compatibility and neighbourhood
character and reviewed the possible options going forward.
Council was asked to provide feedback on the following questions:
1. What do you see as the top priorities for ensuring compatibility (e.g. setbacks, location of
garage, landscaped area, building height, architectural style)?
Council expressed general support for the elements presented for consideration related to land
use compatibility which included:
• Relationship between massing and height;
• Location of established setbacks;
• Lot coverage;
• Placement of a building on a lot;
• Nature of building materials;
• Location of driveways and garages;
• Environmental considerations including location of trees; and,
With regard to the elements that define character within a neighbourhood, Council indicated
architectural style and building materials should have more importance in Heritage Conservation
Districts and should be more flexible in non - designated neighbourhoods. In addition, Council
indicated lot width and size, building size, location, and orientation were important to ensure
consistency with the built form and setting of an established neighbourhood.
2. The report outlined a `menu' of options (Table 26, page 72 of the Issues & Options Report) for
evaluating development applications. To varying degrees, these options either change rules or
add approval steps so that development applications are compatible with the neighbourhood. In
some cases, the additional steps will also add costs and time to obtain approvals. What are your
thoughts on the proposed options and the trade -offs?
Council provided input and comments on the `menu' options as presented. With regard to Options
1 -3 for zoning changes, Council expressed concern that public input would be constrained and
requested an assurance that citizens are engaged in the process since they are most familiar with
their neighbourhoods. It was also suggested that when making changes to the zoning rules, there
should be specific setback and height requirements and floor space ratio for additions. Council
expressed support for Option 5, Urban Design Manual expansion for standards for infill projects;
and Options 6 and 7, Changes to Existing Processes, specifically expanding site plan control in
the study area, as well as requiring improved double -sided signage for planning act applications
as well as signage for intensification projects. Council indicated strong support for Option 9,
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establishing new processes in the study area by developing a Streetscape Character Analysis
process that would ensure land use compatibility and character are defined and applied to
intensification projects. Council advised additional comments would be provided to staff via email.
Mr. MacDonald expressed appreciation for the input received this date and invited Council to attend
the next public workshop on June 14, 2016.
1.b. DIGITAL KITCHENER
Council considered Finance and Corporate Services Department report FCS -16 -084 (D. Murray),
dated May 16, 2016, regarding a Digital Kitchener Project Update.
Councillor B. loannidis entered the meeting at this time.
Mr. D. Murray, Director of Technology Innovation and Services, presented the Report. He reviewed
the background of the corporate project and provided an update on the Digital Kitchener Strategy,
including the key strategic themes which have emerged. He indicated members are requested to
provide input on the draft priority actions in order to finalize the Strategy and advised the next steps
include: organizing cross - functional teams to finalize the draft priority actions in May /June 2016;
finalizing the Strategy and developing a communications plan in July 2016; and, presenting
/launching the Strategy to Council in October 2016.
Mr. J. Watkins, Service Improvement Facilitator, provided an overview of the consultation process for
the project and the strategic framework for the Digital Kitchener Strategy, including: the Vision, `What
we need to be and why it is important' and the four pillars of Connected, Innovative, On Demand, and
Inclusive; and, themes and draft priority actions related to infrastructure, solutions, information and
digital inclusion.
Messrs. Murray and Watkins then led a guided discussion focusing on four questions:
1. What specific parts of the Digital Kitchener strategy resonate most with you?
Council generally felt the visions, themes and draft priority actions as presented resonated well
with them and indicated digital inclusion and on- demand reliable services are essential. Council
indicated customer service delivery through innovation is important and provides an opportunity to
promote City services through technology.
2. As you reflect on the Digital Kitchener "vision, themes and draft priority actions" what
specific actions do you think the City could be taking to support them?
Council agreed with exploring public /private partnerships to support the expansion of fibre optic
network, offering contiguous Wi -Fi service, and looking beyond traditional uses for infrastructure.
Specific actions that received support included working with Supply Services to examine
procurement options that provide strong solutions with reasonable cost; and, to promote and
educate the public about mobile apps such as PingStreet.
3. Enhanced Public Wi -Fi has consistently been a topic of high interest throughout the consultation.
While city -wide Wi -Fi availability has been cited as an ideal state, no sound business case has
emerged to support the required investment. The recommended approach at this time is to
continue to investigate installations of public Wi -Fi at strategic City -owned facilities and public
areas, and to look for strategic partnerships and sponsorships to further the reach of public Wi -Fi.
What are your thoughts on this proposed approach?
Council expressed support for the proposed approach recognizing that access to Wi -Fi is an
equalizer between all citizens, and accessible, affordable Wi -Fi is ideal; however, current
availability of Wi -Fi within city facilities, libraries and some public spaces could be expanded to
encourage the use of public spaces. Council asked staff to explore pilot programs to offer
hardware, such as tablets, to citizens that could be signed out from city facilities on a short term
basis. Ensuring the quality of Wi -Fi signals was indicated to be of importance.
4. The importance of digital inclusion will continue to grow as technology becomes more integrated in
everyday activities. The degree to which the City tackles digital inclusion can range from ensuring
all community members can access digital services to proactively increasing the digital
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MAY 16, 2015 -79- CITY OF KITCHENER
literacy level of the future generations of the community. What are your thoughts on what
"digital inclusion" should mean for Kitchener? What role do you think the City of
Kitchener should play in digital inclusion vs. other public entities?
Council indicated an awareness of a technical knowledge divide that can be improved through
education; however, digital literacy overall, was seen as a broader issue that should not be dealt
with exclusively by the City. Access to technology through Wi -Fi terminals in public spaces is
important and public /private partnerships should be encouraged to improve accessibility and
strengthen digital inclusion. It was noted that digital inclusion for Kitchener should include
streamlined access to information and data from the City which would benefit the public overall,
A question arose concerning whether a funding source had been identified through the Strategy for
fibre infrastructure and indicated an interest in examining the Economic Development Reserve Fund
as a potential source. Mr. D. Murray responded advising a funding source had not yet been explored
for initiatives arising from the Strategy.
A motion was then brought forward by Councillor Davey to consider the Economic Development
Reserve Fund for potential funding of actionable items arising from the Digital Kitchener Strategy.
Mr. D. Chapman, Deputy CAO — Finance and Corporate Services, requested the motion be amended
to explore the Economic Development Reserve Fund as a potential funding source for the actions
arising from the Strategy.
A recorded vote was requested.
Moved by Councillor S. Davey
Seconded by Councillor P. Singh
"That In developing actionable items within our Digital Kitchener Strategy, staff be directed to
consider the Economic Development Reserve as a funding source."
In Favour: Councillors S. Davey, D. Schnider, K.
Galloway - Sealock, P. Singh, B. loannidis, F.
Etherington, Y. Fernandes, and S. Marsh.
Contra: Councillors Y. Fernandes and Z. Janecki
Absent:
Gazzola.
2. IN- CAMERA MEETING AUTHORIZATION
Moved by Councillor K. Gal loway - Sealock
Seconded by Councillor Y. Fernandes
Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillor J.
Motion Carried.
"That an in- camera meeting of City Council be held immediately following this special meeting to
consider three litigation 1 potential litigations matters which are also subject to solicitor- client
privilege."
Carried.
On motion the meeting adjourned at 3:58 p.m.
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AYOR CLERK