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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-09-12 PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 12, 2016 CITY OF KITCHENER The Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee met this date, commencing at 7: 00 p.m. Present: Councillor P. Singh, Chair Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors S. Davey, Y. Fernandes, K. Galloway-Sealock, S. Marsh, D. Schnider and Z. Janecki. Staff: J. Willmer, Chief Administrative Officer M. May, Deputy CAO, Community Services D. Chapman, Deputy CAO, Finance and Corporate Services J. Readman, Interim Executive Director, Infrastructure Services C. Fletcher, Interim Executive Director, Infrastructure Services L. Tansley, Assistant City Solicitor A. Pinard, Director of Planning D. Ross, Manager, Development Review G. Stevenson, Senior Planner D. Livingstone, Committee Administrator The Chair 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-16-060 - ZONE CHANGE APPLICATION - ZC13/10/Q/GS 1. - 393-411 QUEEN STREET SOUTH & 168, 170-172, 176-180 BENTON STREET - POLOCORP INC. & BARRA ON QUEEN INC. The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-16-060, dated August 10, 2016 recommending approval of Zone Change Application ZC13/10/Q/GS for Polocorp Inc. and Barra on Queen Inc. for the purpose of changing the zoning of the subject properties from Existing Use (E-1), Low Intensity Mixed Use Corridor (MU-1), and Commercial Residential Two (CR-2) to Low Intensity Mixed Use Corridor (MU-1) and Commercial Residential Two (CR-2) with site specific special provisions. Mr. G. Stevenson presented the Report. In addition, the Committee was in receipt this date of correspondence dated September 12, 2016 from Mr. Peter Lizak in opposition to the Application. Mr. M. Puopolo, Polocorp Inc., gave a presentation in support of the Zone Change Application to permit the proposed development of a seven storey multiple residential building facing Queen Street South and street fronting townhouse and semi-detached dwellings along Benton Street. He reviewed the evolution of the proposal for the Barra Castle lands and indicated the comments from the neighbourhood residents have been incorporated to include greenspace along the front; window dormers; garages in the rear of the townhouse and semi-detached th units; front porches; and removal of the 8 unit along the Mitchell Street pathway. Ms. Jane Pellar addressed the Committee on behalf of Schneider Creek Neighbourhood Group in support of the Application. h contains values and visions for the neighbourhood, noting the importance for development projects to respect the existing character while enhancing the streetscape. She noted the residents have reviewed the proposal and request a restriction be applied to prohibit parking between the Benton Street townhomes and semi-detached homes, which have rear garages and parking, and the Benton streetline. She explained the restriction would preserve the Benton Street façade. In addition, Ms. Pellar commended the community engagement and collaboration between the residents, developers and staff, noting the process assisted in the development evolving into an acceptable addition to the Schneider Creek neighbourhood. Mr. Michael Lizak, area resident, addressed the Committee in opposition to the proposal stating he owns property adjacent to the proposed development which would be negatively PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 12, 2016 -24- CITY OF KITCHENER CSD-16-060 - ZONE CHANGE APPLICATION - ZC13/10/Q/GS 1. - 393-411 QUEEN STREET SOUTH & 168, 170-172, 176-180 BENTON STREET - POLOCORP INC. & BARRA ON QUEEN INC. impacted by the height of the buildings. He requested the proposal be modified to include restricted height and increased setbacks to reduce the impact to residents on Mitchell Street. In addition, he expressed concern regarding the emissions, run-off, as well as potential issues related to safety due to the short-term parking off the Queen Street entrance directly abutting the rear yards of Mitchell Street residences. Ms. Cindy Ward, Schneider Creek Neighbourhood Group, addressed the Committee in support of the zone change and proposed development of the Barra Castle lands. She referred to information distributed this date stating a sense of community is directly related to the built environment. She encouraged development in the City to continue to include porches and trees to support a positive sense of community and reduced crime in neighbourhoods. In response to questions from the Committee, Mr. Stevenson stated the site plan process will ensure matters such as signage, visual barriers and fencing between existing residences and the parking lot will be addressed as well as drainage regulations that will manage potential runoff from the parking lots. At the suggestion of Councillor S. Marsh, staff indicated the draft by-law could be amended to accommodate the request of the delegation to limit parking in front the units on Benton Street that have parking garages in the rear of their property. On motion by Councillor Z. Janecki, the recommendation within Report CSD-16-060 was brought forward for consideration with an additional clause to further regulate driveway connections to Benton Street and off-street parking spaces between the semi-detached and street-fronting townhouse dwelling units and the Benton Street streetline. Carried Unanimously. The following motion was then voted on by recorded vote and On motion by Councillor Z. Janecki - it was resolved: That Zone Change Application ZC13/10/Q/GS for Polocorp Inc. and Barra on Queen Inc. for the purpose of changing the zoning of the subject properties from Existing Use (E-1), Low Intensity Mixed Use Corridor (MU-1), and Commercial Residential Two (CR- 2) to Low Intensity Mixed Use Corridor (MU-1) and Commercial Residential Two (CR-2) with site specific special provisions be approved generally in the form shown in the -Community Services Department report CSD-16-and further; That Planning - dated August 10, 2016, attached to Report CSD-16- language which further regulates driveway connections to Benton Street and off-street parking spaces between the semi-detached and street-fronting townhouse dwelling units and the Benton Street streetline. 2. ADJOURNMENT On motion, this meeting adjourned at approximately 7:54 p.m. D. Livingstone Committee Administrator