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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlng & Econ Dev - 1992-07-13 SPED\1992-07-13-SPE PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES JULY 13, 1992 The Planning and Economic Development Committee met this date commencing at 4:35 p.m. under the Chairmanship of Alderman J. Ziegler, with the following members present: Mayor D.V. Cardillo, Aldermen C. Weylie, J. Smola, M. Wagner, M. Yantzi, T. Galloway, G. Leadston, C. Zehr and B. Stortz. Others Present: Messrs. S. Klapman, T. B. Stanley, D. Mansell, W. Beck, J. Cicuttin, G. Sosnoski, Ms. B. Newell, and Ms. J. Given. The meeting was called to consider the Vision Statements of the Region of Waterloo and the City of Kitchener with respect to the Official Plan Review. Committee members were in receipt of Planning and Development Report PD 61/92 dated June 12, 1992 and the Regional document entitled "Towards 2021: Shapin,q Our Re,qional Vision Toqether - A Discussion Paper". 1. RESPONSE TO REGIONAL DISCUSSION PAPER -"TOWARDS 2021: SHAPING OUR REGIONAL VISION TOGETHER" Mr. Stanley provided a chronology of earlier meetings held with respect to the Region and City of Kitchener Official Plan Reviews. He advised that proceedings from a workshop held in late June and involving City staff would be circulated to Council in one week's time. He also noted that a response to the Regional Vision documents by mid-September is acceptable. Mr. Stanley advised the staff are requesting the reactions of Council to several key elements in the Vision document. Based on this input a statement will be prepared for consideration by Council at the September 21, 1992 meeting. Using overhead transparencies Mr. Stanley explained the key elements of the three scenarios put forward by the Region and referred to as Visions A, B and C. Alderman B. Stortz entered the meeting at this time. A brief discussion took place concerning the distinction between the agricultural and recreational buffer zones and Alderman Galloway inquired as to the use of the proposed agricultural zone. Ms. Newell replied that the buffer was added at the request of the Townships, with no explanation. Mr. Stanley then reviewed the composite vision developed by staff in response to the three Regional scenarios. He explained that there is a slight expansion on the west side (west of Westmount Road) and on the southwest (south of the Huron Industrial Area) which reflects the previous direction of Council. It was also noted that this would allow for approximately 40,000 dwelling units by the year 2021. Mr. Mansell referred to a 1975 Proctor and Redfern report adopted by Council relative to three pumping stations and force mains brought in to service all development on the southwest side of the City. He suggested that Vision C appears to be in conflict with what was adopted by Council in 1975. Mr. Stanley advised that a statement should be made that in time the area in question will be developed and a sewage capacity at the treatment plant should be made available for future development. Alderman Zehr inquired as to the purpose of the agricultural buffer zone and why the limit of this zone on the southwest side was not extended to the municipal boundary. A discussion took place concerning the Grand River Trunk. It was noted that a proposed Regional Official Plan Amendment will be dealt with on September 8, 1992 and could require a Regional Trunk before the planning issues in this area have been dealt with. Mr. Mansell relayed a chronology of events leading to a meeting in early July involving developers and Regional staff. Mr. Mansell offered the opinion 1. RESPONSE TO REGIONAL DISCUSSION PAPER -"TOWARDS 2021: SHAPING OUR REGIONAL VISION TOGETHER" (CONT'D) that the servicing of the River Trunk would be driving the planning process if it is dealt with prior to the Official Plan. He asked that if this issue is raised at any Regional meeting prior to August 24, PLANNING AND ECONOMIC - 231 - DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES 1992, Kitchener request a deferral to allow further staff discussion. JULY 13, 1992 Mr. Stanley then continued with his presentation of City staffs modified vision. In reference to the concept of recreational and agricultural green belts Alderman Yantzi offered the opinion that green space should be planned on a city-wide basis and not exclusively in the form of a buffer around the city. He also noted that in his opinion recreational green space should not be created on productive farmland. Alderman Zehr agreed adding that there is a demonstrated need for recreational areas in closer proximity to neighbourhood settings. Mr. Stanley questioned why the Region would encourage additional nodes of growth in rural areas if their intent was to preserve farmland. He advised that City staff favour concentrated growth in the Townships which is confined to existing large centres rather than more numerous smaller centres scattered throughout the rural area. Mr. Beck outlined the response of Transit to the "nodes and corridors" concept in the Regional document. He pointed out that development and transit nodes are directly related and advised that staff favour concentration in the King Street, Fairview Road, Ottawa Street and Victoria Street corridors. He noted that at present there are high levels of service in this area and increasing density would not require an expansion of service, but would increase transit revenues. He also pointed out that staff would like to see less route concentration in the downtown in order to eliminate congestion and reduce travel time. Mr. Beck informed the committee that transit is presently working with the Region of Waterloo and the Province concerning the development of a Kitchener/Cambridge link. Mr. Stanley pointed out that staff feel initiatives such as Go-Transit and Rapid Rail Transit are environmentally sound and provide much needed alternate routes to larger centres such as Toronto. He referred to a proposed Rapid Rail system linking Windsor and Quebec City and suggested that if Kitchener is not part of the proposed corridor it could suffer substantial economic loss. He added that in future many land use decisions will derive from these two initiatives and asked for clear direction in this regard. Moved by Alderman B. Stortz Seconded by Alderman C. Zehr That the City of Kitchener support the extension of Go-Transit and the provision of high-speed rail service to the municipality. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Alderman Wagner inquired whether the reference to walking and cycling trails in Vision C is being seriously considered. Ms. Newell replied that at one of the focus group meetings Mr. W. Kessler proposed a trail system, and Regional staff are planning a major study of possible bicycle routes. In response to earlier discussion concerning the proposed Grand River Trunk it was generally agreed that if there is any capacity in existing services it should be allocated to the City of Kitchener in order to facilitate future growth in the Grand River South area. Moved by Alderman G. Leadston Seconded by Alderman M. Wagner That the following be included in the City's response to the Region of Waterloo's Discussion Paper entitled "Towards 2001: Shapin,q Our Re,qional Vision Toqether" and in the City's corresponding Vision Statement: 1. RESPONSE TO REGIONAL DISCUSSION PAPER -"TOWARDS 2021: SHAPING OUR REGIONAL VISION TOGETHER" (CONT'D) a) That the City supports the concepts of mixed use, high density transit nodes. b) That the City supports the concept of urban settlement areas as outlined in a modified "Vision C" and that staff be asked to clarify the purpose of the agricultural buffer zone and how it is to be used as well as why the buffer line in the southwest does not extend to the municipal boundary. PLANNING AND ECONOMIC - 232 - JULY 13, 1992 DEVELOPS~ENT CO~ITTEE MINUTES c) That the Region of Waterloo reserve sufficient capacity in the Kitchener sewage treatment plant to accomodate full development in the southwest corner of the municipality. d) That with regard to a rural settlement pattern, there be no expansion into rural agricultural areas beyond that presently allowed in the Region's Official Plan. e) That the City endorse the environmental policy statements outlined in "Vision C". CARRIED ADJOURNMENT On motion the meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m. G. Sosnoski Assistant City Clerk