HomeMy WebLinkAboutPSI Minutes - 2017-08-21
PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES
AUGUST 21, 2017 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee met this date, commencing at 3:00 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, S. Marsh and D. Schnider.
Staff: J. Willmer, Chief Administrative Officer
M. May, Deputy CAO, Community Services
D. Chapman, Deputy CAO, Finance & Corporate Services
C. Bluhm, Executive Director, Economic Development
J. Readman, Interim Executive Director, Infrastructure Services
C. Fletcher, Interim Executive Director, Infrastructure Services
B. Sloan, Manager, Long Range & Policy Planning
C. Bacon, Landscape Architect
J. Bunn, Committee Administrator
1.CSD-17-070 - QUEEN STREET PLACEMAKING PLAN
The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-17-070, dated
August 10, 2017 recommending that the Queen Street Placemaking Plan be endorsed and
added to the City’s Urban Design Manual; that unfunded Operating costs in support of the Plan
be referred to the 2018 budget process; and, that the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to
execute a new agreement and any future amendments to continue to provide the City a license
to occupy, maintain, and allow public access to Vogelsang Green and Cenotaph Green. The
Committee was also in receipt this date of three letters in support of the Queen Street
Placemaking Plan.
Mr. B. Sloan, Mr. C. Bluhm and Ms. C. Bacon gave a presentation outlining the Placemaking
Plan for improvements to Queen Street and Associated City-Owned Spaces (Charles to Duke),
parts of Goudies Lane, and Vogelsang Green. The presentation outlined a progressive
transformation of Queen Street, its lanes and Vogelsang Green, which fully embraces the
principles of “placemaking”.
Mr. Gennaro DiSanto, OHM Queen Inc. and owner of 1 Queen Street North, addressed the
Committee in support of the recommendation contained in Report CSD-17-070. Mr. DiSanto
outlined four key points that highlight support of the report, outlined in a letter submitted to the
Committee.
In response to questions, Mr. Sloan, explained the funding model for the Queen Street
Placemaking Plan, noting all four aspects of the plan should be implemented together in order
to maximize cost efficiencies, and limit construction within the downtown. Furthermore, he
outlined there is an unfunded amount of up to $460,000. if all four aspects of the plan were
completed at once, which will be brought forward during budget considerations.
In response to questions, Mr. Bluhm explained future funding sources may become available
from the federal or provincial governments for infrastructure projects of this nature. He noted
the City has engaged in discussions with the Downtown Kitchener BIA to seek a possible
funding partnership; however those discussions are planned to continue into the fall 2017.
Mr. Sloan explained the conceptual design was created after a comprehensive two-phased
survey, which first sought public comment on how the space was used and travelled, and input
on future development. He noted the data received from the initial survey helped the consultant
develop two conceptual designs for Queen Street which formed part of the second survey.
Councillor P. Singh left the meeting at this time.
Councillor K. Galloway-Sealock assumed the chair.
Mr. Sloan and Ms. Bacon indicated the nature of the proposed construction will require mature
trees to be removed. It was noted that medium stature trees would be used to create a green
space on Vogelsang Green, and support a natural canopy in the Downtown.
PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES
AUGUST 21, 2017 -32- CITY OF KITCHENER
1.CSD-17-070 - QUEEN STREET PLACEMAKING PLAN (CONT’D)
Councillor P. Singh entered the meeting at this time and assumed the chair.
Councillor Y. Fernandes requested that clause one and two of the staff recommendation be
voted on together, and clause three be voted on separately, and requested recorded votes on
this matter.
Clause one and two was then voted on and was Carried on a recorded vote, with Mayor B.
Vrbanovic and Councillors S. Marsh, D. Schnider, K. Galloway-Sealock, S. Davey, B.
Ioannidis, F. Etherington and P. Singh voting in favour; and Councillors J. Gazzola, Z. Janecki
and Y. Fernandes voting in opposition.
The balance of the motion was voted on and was Carried Unanimously on a recorded vote.
On motion by Councillor S. Marsh -
it was resolved:
“That the Queen Street Placemaking Plan be endorsed and added to the City’s Urban
Design Manual; and,
That any unfunded operating and capital costs in support of the Queen Street
Placemaking Plan be referred to the 2018 budget process; and further,
That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute a new agreement and any future
amendments, prepared to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor, with the owner of 15
Duke Street to continue to provide the City a license to occupy, maintain, and allow
public access to Vogelsang Green and Cenotaph Green, as outlined in Community
Services Department report CSD-17-070.”
2.ADJOURNMENT
On motion, this meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
J. Bunn
Committee Administrator