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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlng & Econ Dev - 1992-10-19PED\1992-10-19 PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 19, 1992 The Planning and Economic Development Committee met this date commencing at 3:00 p.m. under the Chairmanship of Alderman J. Ziegler, with the following members present: Mayor D. V. Cardillo and Aldermen C. Weylie, M. Wagner, G. Lorentz, G. Leadston, C. Zehr, T. Galloway, M. Yantzi and B. Stortz. Officials Present: Mr. T. McKay, Mr. B. Stanley, Mr. T. McCabe, Mr. J. Witmer, Ms. S. Frenette, Mr. J. Wallace, Mr. P. Wetherup, Ms. V. Gibaut, Mr. D. Mansell, Mr. K. Tribby and Mr. L.W. Neil. 1. MINUTES Moved by Alderman C. Weylie Seconded by Alderman M. Wagner That the Minutes of the Planning and Economic Development Committee regular meeting held on October 5, 1992, as mailed to the members, be accepted. Carried 2. APPOINTMENTS TO ADAPTIVE RE-USE OF INDUSTRIAL BUILDING SUB-COMMITTEE At the Committee's October 5th meeting approval was given with regard to the terms of reference of the Adaptive Re-use of Industrial Building Sub-Committee which included the membership structure. Ms. V. Gibaut indicated that it was proposed to deal with appointment of the two private sector developer representatives and one planning consultant representative at this time and indicated that Alderman M. Wagner wished to present a recommendation. Alderman Wagner commented that it would be advantageous to put the Committee into effect at this time and not wait until the economy improves. Accordingly, he indicated that Alderman Stortz and himself were willing to serve on the Committee and recommended that Mssrs. Ray Ferraro, Hans Pottkamper and Paul Britton be appointed as the private sector developer and planning consultant representatives. Alderman M. Yantzi expressed concern with regard to the approach being taken relative to the appointments and Alderman G. Lorentz agreed. Ms. V. Gibaut pointed out that it had been intended to use these three representatives to help identify others that could assist the Committee. Alderman B. Stortz suggested that the matter should be tabled and considered at a future meeting, however, after some discussion it was suggested that the three representative positions be advertised along with other positions that City Council would soon be dealing with at its Annual Appointment Meeting to elect representatives to various Boards, Committees and Commissions. Moved by Alderman M. Wagner Seconded by Mayor D. V. Cardillo That the Commissioner of General Services and City Clerk be directed to advertise the following positions on the Adaptive Re-Use of Industrial Buildings Sub-Committee: - Two Private Sector Developers - One Planning Consultant Carried The Chairman advised that this recommendation would be considered by City Council at its meeting to be held on Monday, October 26th, 1992. = PD 95/92 - REVISIONS TO COUNTRY HILLS EAST COMMUNITY PLAN - FAIRVIEW WARD PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES - 294 - OCTOBER 19, 1992 The Committee was in receipt of Planning and Development Staff Report PD 95/92 dated September 15, 1992 dealing with revisions proposed to the Country Hills East Community Plan. Alderman J. Ziegler, Chairman, advised that he had a conflict of interest and abstained from discussion as his parents' property was close to the subject property. He vacated the Chair which was assumed by Alderman C. Weylie, Vice-Chairman. It was noted in the report that the proposed revisions are based on discussions that City staff have had with staff of the Region of Waterloo and the Grand River Conservation Authority following the Region's circulation of the Community Plan and Plan of Subdivision 30T-86035 for agency comment. The proposed changes address minor modifications in interpretation of the location of the regulatory floodlines of Schneider Creek and Balzer Creek and concerns regarding the potential land use impacts that could arise if Block Line Road is not extended to Courtland Avenue following the alignment shown on previous plans due to objections by C.N. and C.P. Rail. Mr. B. Stanley advised that staff had nothing further to add to the report under consideration. No delegations were registered respecting this matter. Moved by Alderman B. Stortz Seconded by Alderman M. Wagner That PD 80/87 - Country Hills East Community Plan as revised by Kitchener City Council on September 10, 1990 and May 18, 1992, be revised as follows: That Map B - Community Plan and Map D Floodplain and Environmental Areas dated 1990/06 and 1989/09 respectively be replaced by revised Maps B and D dated 1992/09 (attached). That Policy 3.5.3 be revised to add the following sentence: "The Secondary School on the site shall be located above the Regulatory Floodline." That Policy 3.5.4 be revised to add the following sentence before the existing last sentence of the policy: "All structures such as buildings, fences, bleachers, etc. shall be located above the Regulatory Floodline." That Policy 3.5.5 be revised to add the following sentence: "All structures such as buildings, fences, playground equipment, etc. shall be located above the Regulatory Floodline." It is the opinion of this Committee that the approval of these revisions is proper planning for the City. Carried Alderman J. Ziegler previously disclosed a conflict of interest and abstained from all discussion and voting with respect to this matter as his parents own property close to the subject property. Alderman C. Weylie, Vice-Chairman, advised that this recommendation would be considered by City Council at its meeting to be held on Monday, October 26, 1992. Alderman C. Weylie then vacated the Chair which was reassumed by Alderman J. Ziegler, Chairman. PD 108/92 - KITCHENER COMMENTS TO REGION OF WATERLOO - HOUSING AMENDMENTS TO REGIONAL OFFICIAL POLICIES PLAN The Committee was in receipt of Planning and Development Staff Report PD 108/92 dated October 1, 1992 dealing with a response to the Region of Waterloo regarding the draft Housing Amendment to the Regional Official Policies Plan to implement the provisions of the Land Use Planning for Housing Policy Statement. It was noted in the report that the Provincial Policy PLANNING AND ECONOMIC - 295 - OCTOBER 19, 1992 DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES Statement "Land Use Planning for Housing" in July 1989 required certain municipalities to adopt implementing Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments by August 1, 1991. The Policy Statement requires that Official Plans address a number of issues and an amendment prepared by Regional Staff following a consultation and revision process has been distributed for further comment by the public and area municipalities. Ms. S. Frenette advised that Kitchener Planning staff wish to make several additional comments as itemized in the recommendation in their report. She stressed that staff did not have any serious concerns and that the comments do not conflict in any way with the intent of the policies but more with the mechanisms that will be put in place to achieve objectives. She then briefly summarized an explanation of the reasoning behind the five points in the staff recommendation. No delegations were registered respecting this matter. Alderman M. Wagner expressed concern that if the Committee was to agree to the recommendation that it might be considered as tacitly agreeing to the issue of intensification with regard to the matter of duplexing second living units. Ms. Frenette indicated that if this was a concern a notation could be added that intensification would be dealt with at a later date. Alderman T. Galloway also expressed a similar concern as that of Alderman Wagner. However, Alderman Galloway indicated that it was his understanding the Regional document has excluded intensification (duplexing second living units) and that matter has been deferred. Ms. Frenette indicated that Alderman Galloway was correct. Moved by Alderman B. Stortz Seconded by Alderman G. Leadston That Council accept the comments prepared by the Department of Planning and Development for the draft Housing Amendment to the Regional Official Policies Plan and forward the following recommendations to the Regional Municipality of Waterloo. 1) That Policy 9.1 be amended to include third sector housing providers as one of the groups to be consulted in the setting of the Regional housing targets. 2) That Policy 9.4(5) be revised to include all households, not just seniors and special need populations as benefitting from a broad range of housing types. 3) That Policy 9.17 be revised to make allowance for density reductions as part of comprehensive planning studies which seek to achieve a balance of densities or a distribution of densities in a planning area. 4) That Policy 9.30 be revised to include all individuals as potential beneficiaries of garden suite housing and not restrict their occupancy to seniors and special needs populations. 5) That under Part IV - Implementation, the Region not consider implementing the requirement for 25% affordable housing on a site-specific basis. Carried The Chairman advised that this recommendation would be considered by City Council at its meeting to be held on Monday, October 26, 1992. 5. PD 109/92 - HOUSING MONITORING REPORT It was noted in staff report PD 109/92 that on March 28, 1990 the City was informed that a Community Planning Grant had been approved in the amount of $63,805.00 or 85% of the actual cost of establishing a Housing Monitoring System to meet the requirements of the Province's Policy Statement on Land Use Planning for Housing. The Community Planning Grant funding was applied towards the cost of hiring staff for the development and maintenance of a Housing Monitoring System and the initial monitoring format is now in place and the City is in a position to request the final payment of the grant. Attached to the Staff Report was a "Housing Monitoring Systems Report, A Final Report under the Community Planning Grant Program of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs" dated October 9, 1992. It was noted that it was the Housing Division's intent to produce an annual Monitoring Report PLANNING AND ECONOMIC - 296 - OCTOBER 19, 1992 DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES concurrent with the preparation of the Staging and Development Report. The Monitoring Report is able to provide the following information both by neighbourhood and city-wide: 1 ) the adequacy of the supply of residential land 2) the range of housing types being developed in the City 3) housing price data of new residential buildings and housing resales 4) a measure of the supply of housing in terms of the provincial affordability targets It was pointed out that the Monitoring System satisfies the guidelines of the Provincial Policy Statement and will be useful to the City in several other ways as noted in the report. No delegations responded to the Chairman's invitation to address the Committee on this matter. Moved by Alderman M. Yantzi Seconded by Alderman B. Stortz That City Council adopt the Kitchener Housing Monitoring Report dated October 9, 1992, which provides a system for monitoring the supply of residential land and housing supply in accordance with the requirements of the Provincial Policy Statement regarding Land Use Planning for Housing and that the Ministry of Municipal Affairs be requested to release the holdback to the financial assistance granted March 28, 1990 under the Community Planning Grant Program in the amount of $9,571.00. Carried The Chairman advised that this recommendation would be considered by City Council at its meeting to be held on Monday, October 26, 1992. PD 112/92 - KITCHENER COMMENTS ON PC REPORT 92-120, - REGIONAL STAFF COMMENTS ON SEWELL COMMISSION'S REVIEW OF THE PLANNING ACT The Committee was in receipt of Planning and Development Staff Report PD 112/92 dated October 19, 1992 presenting comments of Kitchener Staff on PC Report 92-120, Regional Staff's Comments on the Sewell Commission's Review of the Planning Act. It was noted in the report that Kitchener Planning staff have reviewed a first draft of the Regional Report on October 1, 1992 and as a result of changes made to the Report, Kitchener Planning Staff with two major exceptions were in general agreement with the report to be presented to Regional Planning and Culture Committee on October 20, 1992. The area of major disagreement relates to the question of the need for the province and upper tier governments to continue in the Plans approval business. PD 112/92 - KITCHENER COMMENTS ON PC REPORT 92-120, - REGIONAL STAFF COMMENTS ON SEWELL COMMISSION'S REVIEW OF THE PLANNING ACT (CONT'D) Mr. B. Stanley advised that the Regional Report would be the basis of a response to the Sewell Commission and that it was Kitchener's position that it was in support of both the Sewell Commission and the AMO Planning Task Force which strongly support the position that the provincial government and by extension their delegated upper tier municipalities should get out of the Plans Approval Business. He explained how the approval and appeal mechanism would work with regard to municipalities within Regional Government structure and noted that in other provinces the provincial governments did not get involved in plan approval. Mr. T. McKay advised the Committee that he requested Mr. Stanley to prepare the report as he was in total disagreement with Regional Staff's position on this matter since the Regional Staff Report and Recommendation is contrary to the direction that other Regions are taking. Further discussion took place and Alderman C. Zehr questioned if hold-ups and duplication would PLANNING AND ECONOMIC - 297 - OCTOBER 19, 1992 DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES be removed under the change being proposed by the AMO and the Sewell Commission. Mr, Stanley indicated that the changed circumstances would put pressure on provincial agencies to come to grips with their objectives and either act to appeal decisions or by not acting thereby consent to approval and thus speed the planning process. Moved by Mayor D. V. Cardillo Seconded by Alderman M. Yantzi That Kitchener Council support the position of the A.M.O. Planning Task Force and the Sewell Commission that the Province and Upper Tier Regional Governments get out of the Plans approval process. Carried The Chairman advised that this recommendation would be considered by City Council at its meeting to be held on Monday, October 26, 1992. PD 94/92 - 380 CHICOPEE DRIVE - ZONE CHANGE APPLICATION 92124101JG (ALBERT ARNDT) - CHICOPEE WARD The Committee was advised that the Department of Planning and Development was in receipt of an application from Albert Arndt to change the zoning of lands at 380 Old Chicopee Drive. The proposed zoning change is from Township Agricultural (TWP.A.) according to By-law 878-A to Restricted Residential (R2A) with special regulation. In this regard the Committee considered Staff Report PD 94/92 dated September 11, 1992 and the proposed By-law dated August 25, 1992 attached to the report. It was noted in the report that the re-zoning will permit the future severance of the front portion of the property into two residential lots and the rear portion will be re-zoned and sub-divided at a future date. It was pointed out that notice that the Committee would hold a public meeting this date to consider this matter had previously been given. Mr. T. McCabe reviewed the purpose of the zone change and advised that staff had nothing further to add to the report under consideration. Mr. A. Arndt expressed concerns regarding the following: a letter he received which stated that there would be a freeze on the front of the lot, water supply, a 1.9 metre dedication for the Old Chicopee Drive right-of-way and the lot where the house is presently located. Ms. J. Given noted that the zone change application dealt only with the zoning of the front and rear lands. Mr. T. McCabe advised that the matters of concern being expressed by Mr. Arndt were issues that would PD 94/92 - 380 CHICOPEE DRIVE - ZONE CHANGE APPLICATION 92124101JG (ALBERT ARNDT) - CHICOPEE WARD (CONT'D) be dealt with as part of the severance process. In regard to the concern over the loss of some trees Mr. T. McCabe pointed out that Council has directed that Old Chicopee Drive remain a scenic road and Alderman C. Zehr referred to a compromise that was reached some time ago in this regard but does eliminate some of the trees. Mr. D. Mansell advised that staff do not have final design for the road right-of-way but in any event they would have to abide by design/safety criteria pertaining to the reduction of the right-of-way from 20 metres to 16 metres which would result in the loss of some smaller vegetation but would maintain large trees. No other delegations responded to the Chairman's invitation to address the Committee on this matter. Moved by Alderman C. Zehr Seconded by Alderman G. Lorentz That Zone Change Application 92/24/O/JG (Albert Arndt) requesting a change in zoning from Township Agricultural (Twp. A.) according to By-law 878-A to Semi-Restricted Residential (R2A) PLANNING AND ECONOMIC - 298 - OCTOBER 19, 1992 DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES with a special regulation on Part of Lot 118, German Company Tract be approved in the form shown in the proposed By-law, attached, dated August 25, 1992, subject to the following condition being satisfied prior to any reading of the amending Zoning By-law by Council: 1. To arrange for notification by letter from the Regional Municipality of Waterloo to the City's Clerk, that all Regional requirements have been satisfied with respect to the proposed zone change. 2. The Owner acknowledges that Condition 1 hereof is required to be satisfied no later than seven (7) months from Council having approved by resolution, the amending zoning by-law. In the event this requirement is not satisfied within the seven month period, Council shall consider rescinding its zone change approval. It is the opinion of this Committee that the approval of this application is proper planning for the City and is in conformity with the City's Approved Official Plan. Carried The Chairman advised that this recommendation would be considered by City Council at its meeting to be held on Monday, October 26th, 1992. DELEGATION PAUL LAWSON ENFORCEMENT ASPECT OF THE NEW SIGN BY-LAW Mr. Paul Lawson appeared as a delegation in support of his submission dated October 7, 1992 and further correspondence which he distributed this date. His October 7th correspondence listed businesses that are breaking the sign by-law and he questioned the City's enforcement in that regard. The correspondence that he distributed this date recommended changes that the City should make relative to the sign by-law pertaining to: colour coded permits, licencing mobile owners, names being required on mobile signs, mobile signs being certified where they use electricity, and ticketing and removal should the sign not comply in any way. Also it was requested that equal enforcement of the by-law take place with regard to mobile sign operators and that where telephone complaints are made they be acted upon immediately. Further Mr. Lawson complained of mobile signs that are situated on boulevards that are City- owned property and asked that the by-law be enforced in this regard. He indicated that he has complained to staff regarding this matter and it appeared that staff do not seem to be enforcing the regulation. DELEGATION PAUL LAWSON ENFORCEMENT ASPECT OF THE NEW SIGN BY-LAW (CONT'D) Mr. T. McCabe stated that staff have in fact undertaken substantial enforcement activity since the new by-law was put in place and that staff have investigated all of the examples of non-compliance that Mr. Lawson has provided and that violations were being addressed. Mr. Ken Tribby confirmed that staff have done extensive enforcement since September 1, 1992 and have issued over 100 violation notices. A consequence has been that some 35 sign permits were being issued weekly. Mr. Tribby advised the Committee that he had tried to make Mr. Lawson aware of staff procedures with respect to valid permits issued under the old by-law that will not expire before early 1993 and that these situations would legally be in place until their expiry date. He also confirmed that portable signs used by the City must comply with the zoning. Mr. Lawson stated that there were a lot of problems with regard to mobile signs and referred to an example of one that was electrified and sitting on City property thus being a liability to the City and that the electricity line was in fact running through water at the Frederick Street Mall. In response to Alderman B. Stortz, Mr. J. Wallace recommended that in view of this information the City should act diligently to investigate and correct this situation to avoid liability. Finally, Mr. Lawson indicated that he would provide staff with the addresses of situations that he was aware of with regard to mobile signs located on City property. 9. PD 100/92 - 2209 KINGSWAY DRIVE PLANNING AND ECONOMIC - 299 - OCTOBER 19, 1992 DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES - REQUEST FOR BRIDAL RENTAL BUSINESS (BOBBLE PAHL) - FAIRVIEW WARD Mr. Mark Zarzycki, 2209 Kingsway Drive, appeared as a delegation on behalf of Ms. Bobbie Pahl with respect to the request that a bridal rental business be permitted on the property known municipally as 2209 Kingsway Drive. Mr. Zarzycki was earlier notified that City Council at its meeting held October 13, 1992 had deferred and referred this matter to the Committee for consideration this date. Alderman J. Ziegler informed Mr. Zarzycki that City Council has been advised by its solicitor that the decision that had been arrived at the October 5th meeting of the Planning and Economic Development Committee was improper. Alderman B. Stortz questioned what Council's latitude was to interpret the City's Official Plan and Mr. J. Wallace advised that the Council has the discretion to interpret the Official Plan. Mr. B. Stanley noted that when City Council implemented the provisions of By-law 85-1 it deemed the By- law to conform to the Official Plan. He noted that the Official Plan was sufficiently general in respect to provisions but that it was the zoning by-law that set the pattern. Alderman J. Ziegler vacated the chair to comment on this matter and Alderman C. Weylie, Vice- Chairman, conducted the meeting at this point. Alderman J. Ziegler questioned why the City couldn't permit bridal rental in the service commercial category and suggested that the City initiate a change comprehensively to accomplish this. Moved by Alderman J. Ziegler Seconded by Alderman G. Leadston That the Department of Planning and Development be directed to initiate an Official Planning Amendment and Zoning Change comprehensively amending the Service Commercial land use policies and the Service Commercial (C-6) zone under By-law 85-1 so as to allow a bridal apparel rental as a permitted use. Carried PD 100/92 - 2209 KINGSWAY DRIVE - REQUEST FOR BRIDAL RENTAL BUSINESS (BOBBLE PAHL) - FAIRVlEW WARD (CONT'D) Moved by Alderman J. Ziegler Seconded by Alderman G. Leadston That in conjunction with a City Initiated Official Plan Amendment and Zone Change Application, Ms. Bobbie Pahl be granted temporary occupancy of the premises at 2209 Kingsway Drive for the purpose of opening a bridal apparel rental business. Further, that enforcement of the City's zoning by-law be waived with respect to 2209 Kingsway Drive subject to the occupant vacating the said premises at no expense or liability to the City in the event the City-initiated Zone Change should not be approved by City Council or by the Ontario Municipal Board. And further, that in the event of failure to vacate as required, the City's By-law Enforcement Officer be directed to commence notice of action to remove the illegal use and that any work being done to the premises is at the sole risk and responsibility of the owner in the event losses are incurred through a refusal of the zone change. Carried Alderman C. Weylie, Vice-Chairman, advised that these recommendations would be considered by City Council at its meeting to be held on Monday, October 26, 1992. Alderman C. Weylie then vacated the chair which was reassumed by Alderman J. Ziegler who conducted the remainder of the meeting. 10. DELEGATION BILL GREEN OTTAWA STREET SOUTH/FISCHER-HALLMAN ROAD FREURE DEVELOPMENTS LTD/VOISIN DEVELOPMENTS LTD PLANNING AND ECONOMIC - 300 - OCTOBER 19, 1992 DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES PLANS OF SUBDIVISION 30T-90019 AND 30T-89018 SOUTH WARD Mr. Bill Green appeared as a delegation with regard to the Countryside subdivision of Freure Developments Ltd. and Voisin Developments Ltd. being developed on lands situate at the southwest intersection of Highway 7/Fischer-Hallman Road/Ottawa Street South. Mr. Green advised that the subdivisions had been draft approved since March 1992 and that currently the developers had offers of purchase for forty-two homes. However, the developers were still awaiting regional approval of lot grading as well as encountering additional delay because of new requirements being added daily by the Region. He noted that all levies have been paid and subdivision services were 70% installed. Mr. Green stated that there was a problem in respect to condition 51(e) of the subdivision agreement which requires completion of International Place to Ottawa Street South prior to the issuance of any building permits and in this regard he noted that as a result of a change within the subdivision other access points would be available and he requested that the City temporarily waive the fufillment of condition 51(e) at this time. Further Mr. Green advised that they now have their site plan application ready for submission and asked that the City authorize construction of single detached dwellings prior to registration of the plans if necessary following the City's approval of the site plan application. In summary, he noted that because of delays that have been incurred the developers were now coming close to the closing dates set out in offers of purchase and sale but have been unable to commence construction since the subdivision plan has not been registered. In response to Alderman C. Zehr, Mr. D. Mansell advised that the City had submitted the entire application to the Region of Waterloo and the Ministry of the Environment for approval. He pointed out that City staff were satisfied with the design and systems but must have Regional and Ministry approval before consenting to Plan registration. 10. DELEGATION BILL GREEN OTTAWA STREET SOUTH/FISCHER-HALLMAN ROAD FREURE DEVELOPMENTS LTD/VOISIN DEVELOPMENTS LTD PLANS OF SUBDIVISION 30T-90019 AND 30T-89018 SOUTH WARD (CONT'D) Mr. B. Green commented that with regard to the Ministry of the Environment approval he was not convinced that M.O.E. approval was required prior to registration. Further discussion of the question of issuance of building permits took place and Mr. J. Witmer, Director of Building and Inspections advised that he could not issue a building permit until all applicable law had been adhered to. Alderman C. Zehr summarized that the issue was to find a way so that construction could begin because all reasonableness indicated that it should begin. Mr. T. McCabe advised that staff could undertake to provide site plan approval in two weeks but commented that the application could have been submitted a year ago. Mr. T. McKay advised that there was agreement that the issue relating to International Drive could be accommodated, that an effort should be made to get the Ministry of the Environment moving to consider the application and give their approval and that staff would undertake to provide site plan approval in two weeks. Mr. Green advised that the site plan application had not been submitted because of the range of types of housing units that were being marketed and an intent to allow the purchasers to have a choice in this regard. Moved by Alderman T. Galloway Seconded by Alderman G. Leadston That subject to all other required approvals being received with respect to Plans of Subdivision 30T-90019 and 30T-89018 (Freure Developments Limited and Voisin Developments Limited), we approve the request to change the application of Clause 51(e) of the Subdivision Agreement with Freure Developments Limited requiring completion of International Place to Ottawa Street South prior to occupancy rather than prior to issuance of any building permits. Carried PLANNING AND ECONOMIC - 301 - OCTOBER 19, 1992 DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES The Chairman advised that this recommendation would be considered by City Council at its meeting to be held on Monday, October 26, 1992. 11. 11. PD 110/92 - MUNICIPAL HOUSING STATEMENT The 1992 Municipal Housing Statement Update, prepared by the Housing Division of the Department of Planning and Development, was tabled at the August 10th meeting of the Planning and Economic Development Committee. The 1992 Housing Statement is comprised of the following component reports: (a) Introduction - understanding and using the report - past initiatives in housing - the 1985 Municipal Housing Statement (b) Housing Facts and Figures (c) Housing Issues and Problems (d) The Provincial Housing Policy Statement (e) Where do we go from here? It was noted in Planning and Development Staff Report PD 75/92 which was distributed at the August 10th meeting that in August 1988 the Ontario Ministry of Housing approved funding to the City of Kitchener for the PD 110/92 - MUNICIPAL HOUSING STATEMENT (CONT'D) preparation of an update to its Municipal Housing Statement which was first completed in 1985. The completed statement is the result of approximately three years of study and research. It was pointed out that conclusions and recommendations in the document are closely tied to and will be implemented through both the official plan review and the development of the new comprehensive residential zoning by-law. Ms. S. Frenette provided the Committee with a brief introduction to the document which she stressed was essentially a statement of intent and that actual changes would come through the Official Plan Amendment and Zone Change Process. Mr. N. Dobbing, who was previously a Housing Policy Planner in the Housing Division and authored much of the document, provided the Committee with a summation of some of the important issues raised within the document that should be considered by the community. Mr. Dobbing advised that every effort was made to write the document in language that would easily be understood by all. Using an overhead projector, he presented a series of charts that were contained in the document illustrating changes that have taken place over the last thirty years in the percentage ownership of various housing forms and the number of persons per household in these housing forms. Mr. Dobbing pointed out that the changes identified raise a number of issues, particularly with respect to accepted approaches to planning that have remained constant since the 1950's. He suggested that we need to change our approaches even though many people have found adequate housing as a result of reduced prices in the last year, many people are still facing significant difficulty in obtaining adequate affordable housing. In this regard, he referred to the rate of change taking place in the economy and the boom/bust cycle, the swings of which were becoming more pronounced and the effect of which was making things much more turbulent for the development industry. Mr. Dobbing suggested that there was a need to better communicate with the public, particularly with respect to tenants who need a voice in the determination of development policy within the community. He referred to issues of changing demographics and the growth of the seniors population over the next twenty years, the whole question of attitudes to different kinds of housing, and the adequacy of planning for higher density development. He noted that the Province has suggested a PLANNING AND ECONOMIC - 302 - OCTOBER 19, 1992 DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES requirement for 25% affordable housing but that staff had a concern to an inflexible approach to that goal. Further, he stated that the affordability threshold of $147,000 as determined by the province was high and unrealistic. Mr. Dobbing stated that what was needed was: - to know more about needs/preferences, - to streamline the planning process, - to bring about more efficient use of land through creation of more compact communities, - to resolve known problems afflicting high density housing, - to improve urban design through a scaled approach, - to seriously consider the benefits that higher densities permit such as more concentrated and efficient transit services and a community that is walkable - to re-evaluate our communities in terms of mixed uses, housing types and orientation of the automobile Lastly, Mr. Dobbing expressed a concern that for any new ideas or changes we promote, that every effort be made to do them well. 11. PD 110/92 - MUNICIPAL HOUSING STATEMENT (CONT'D) Ms. Judy Ann Chapman appeared as a delegation in support of a submission dated October 19, 1992 which she distributed to the Committee. Essentially her submission expressed concern that the Municipal Housing Statement is weighted heavily against the views of a large majority of Kitchener residents. She acknowledged that while demographic characteristics of households were changing and the economic times were uncertain, the direction proposed in the document was dramatically different and involved the potential for broad scale change throughout the City. She suggested that the potential for such change was an unsettling feature that could further harm the city at a time when its needs stabilization. In response to the document her submission dealt with five points of concern, being: (a) the developers of new subdivision require more flexibility to respond to changes so as to change their products and be free to develop new ones. (b) new strategies for existing development that would facilitate conversion of old commercial/industrial sites to housing uses and avoid conversion of Iow density lands to high density and support for home occupation uses that do not alter the appearance of existing neighbourhoods. (c) an understanding that adaptable housing does not necessitate structural changes that may or may not be permanent and greater emphasis on the promotion of home sharing to provide more affordable accommodation. (d) addressing the results of intensification in advance so that as a result of housing intensification, areas do not become deficient in park space and associated facilities. (e) the protection of community assets such as treed areas on large private lots should be encouraged but that continued direction in the promotion of city-wide intensification threatens such assets. Ms. Karen Simoneau, Director of Social Planning, Social Planning Council of Kitchener Waterloo arranged for a distribution of her letter dated October 15, 1992 and a copy of the Social Planning Council's response to the Regional Municipality of Waterloo Discussion Paper: "Towards 2021: Shaping our Regional Vision Together" Official Policy Plan Review. Ms. Simoneau advised that she did not have a formal presentation to make but directed the Committee's attention to section C "Urban" of the Social Planning Council document which addresses the matter of range of housing and affordable housing and indicated that they were in concurrence with the comments presented PLANNING AND ECONOMIC - 303 - OCTOBER 19, 1992 DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES earlier by Mr. N. Dobbing wherein it was suggested that there was a need for affordable housing and access to appropriate services to be readily available. Further Ms. Simoneau commented that the promotion of affordable housing will reduce environmental pressures as the promotion of intensification was their preference rather than the alternative of continually losing open space/agricultural lands to Iow density development forms. Mr. Michael Brisson appeared as a delegation to comment on the Municipal Housing Statement in respect to the matter of zoning and problems of finding suitable sites for multiple development. In particular he indicated that he wished to focus on medium density zoning and the R2B Zone which was spread over large areas of the city and currently allows intensification to take place. He stated that the zoning allows housing accommodation to be added by counting bedroom/parking to achieve intensification. However, he noted that while the zoning allows such transformation he gave an example of how the Official Plan was moving away from what Mr. N. Dobbing has been recommending. He stated that it was his fear that the R2B conversion ability will be lost in the new zoning to be implemented under the residential portion of By-law 85-1. Mr. Brisson noted that current zoning allows additional density on pairs of lots which would bring about medium density with little impact on the existing neighbourhoods. 11. PD 110/92 - MUNICIPAL HOUSING STATEMENT (CONT'D) No other delegations were registered respecting this matter. Moved by Alderman M. Yantzi Seconded by Alderman M. Wagner That Council of the City of Kitchener accept the Municipal Housing Statement dated July 1992 and refer it to the Regional Municipality of Waterloo and the Ministry of Housing for approval. Carried The Chairman advised that this recommendation would be considered by City Council at its meeting to be held on Monday, October 26th, 1992. 12. PROPOSED CLOSURE OF HERITAGE DRIVE Alderman G. Leadston referred to the question of closure of Heritage Drive and the staff report which was dealt with at a recent public information meeting. He noted that there were significant differences of opinion between the area residents and accordingly suggested that the staff report be deferred and that a consultant be retained to address concerns and dialogue with the affected school boards and consider any other alternatives. Following some discussion it was agreed to request staff to prepare a report that would allow for an alternative to be considered relative to this matter and that the report address the length of time a consultant would require to deal with this matter and the approximate cost of consultant services. It was directed that this information be presented at both the meetings of the Public Works and Transportation Committee and the Planning and Economic Development Committee on November 2, 1992. 13. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m. L. W. Neil, AMCT Assistant City Clerk PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES - 304 - OCTOBER 19, 1992