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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlng & Econ Dev - 1993-01-04PED\1993-01-04 PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES JAN UARY 4, 1993 The Planning and Economic Development Committee met this date commencing at 3:00 p.m. under the Chairmanship of Alderman C. Weylie, Vice Chairman, with the following members present: Aldermen J. Smola, M. Wagner, G. Leadston, B. Stortz, G. Lorentz and C. Zehr. Mayor D.V. Cardillo and Alderman M. Yantzi entered the meeting shortly after its commencement. Officials Present: Mr. T. McKay, Mr. S. Klapman, Mr. B. Stanley, Ms. V. Gibaut, Mr. J. Witmer, Mr. D. Mansell, Mr. P. Wetherup, Ms. C. Ladd, Mr. J. Wallace and Mr. L.W. Neil. 1. MINUTES Moved by Alderman B. Stortz Seconded by Alderman G. Lorentz That the Minutes of the Planning and Economic Development Committee regular meeting held on December 7, 1992, as mailed to the members, be accepted. Carried 2. MEMO - BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS The Committee was in receipt of a memorandum from Ms. V. Gibaut, Director of Economic Development and a copy of minutes of the meeting of the Business and Industry Advisory Committee held December 10, 1992. Ms. Gibaut requested that in accordance with Terms of Reference, the Planning and Economic Development Committee was being asked to consider the recommendation of the Business and Industry Advisory Committee with respect to its Chairman and Vice-Chairman. Moved by Alderman M. Wagner Seconded by Alderman G. Lorentz That the Planning and Economic Development Committee accepts the recommendation of the Business and Industry Advisory Committee that Mr. B. Michael Hiscott be appointed as Chairman and Mr. Tito Guglielmi be appointed as Vice-Chairman of the Business and Industry Advisory Committee, each for a term to expire November 30, 1993. Carried The Vice-Chairman advised that this recommendation would be considered by City Council at its meeting to be held on Monday, January 11, 1993. = MEMO - CANADA'S TECHNOLOGY TRIANGLE (CTT) COMMUNITY BUSINESS PROGRAM. Mayor D.V. Cardillo and Alderman M. Yantzi entered the meeting at this point. The Committee was in receipt of a memorandum from Ms. V. Gibaut, Director of Economic Development requesting endorsation of Canada's Technology Triangle (CTT) Community Business Program proposal for submission to the Federal Government. A copy of the program was attached to her memorandum which explained that the idea for the program originated from the CTT Alliance and that Mr. Larry Zepf organized the program with input from CTT, the Universities of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier and several private financiers. It was pointed out that the intent of the program is to provide a community-based pool of funds (projected to be between $50 to $100 million) to fuel the growth of the region's advanced technology firms. Companies that would be eligible for funding would be small and medium sized businesses involved in research and development and export markets, and which are located within Canada's Technology Triangle. It was noted in her memo that while some Federal officials have expressed certain concerns about the proposal most were enthusiastic with respect to its potential. Accordingly, CTT member municipalities plus the respective Chambers of PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE -2- JAN UARY 4, 1993 MEMO - CANADA'S TECHNOLOGY TRIANGLE (CTT) COMMUNITY BUSINESS PROGRAM. (CONT'D) Commerce are being requested to endorse the program to convey to the Federal Government that the program has received support at the local level. Ms. V. Gibaut introduced Mr. Doug Montgomery, Partner, Ernst and Young who is a member of the Action Team which has steered the Business Community Program concept. Mr. D. Montgomery advised that the Chamber of Commerce of Kitchener and Waterloo, Cambridge and Guelph have endorsed the program and that a presentation has been made to the Cities of Waterloo and Guelph and will be made to the City of Cambridge on January 13th. He confirmed that while Federal officials were receptive to the program there was a concern within the Finance Department with respect to the tax cost to the Federal Treasury of the program. Mr. Montgomery indicated that he, Larry Zepf and Paul Grespan are planning to meet with officials in Ottawa during the week of either January 18th or 25th to discuss the program in more debt and quantify some of its benefits. Alderman G.L. Leadston questioned if it would be beneficial if area members of Parliament accompanied the delegation to Ottawa and Mr. Montgomery advised that he felt at this stage it was unnecessary as they are just seeking endorsement by the cities at this time as support for their discussions with Federal officials. He indicated that they intend to hold a meeting of prominent business people before the delegation meets with Federal officials. Mr. Montgomery agreed that local elected officials should be kept informed of the groups activity from an information point of view. Moved by Alderman C. Zehr Seconded by Alderman M. Wagner That Kitchener City Council endorses 'Canada's Technology Triangle (CTT) Business Community Program' proposal dated October 13, 1992 for submission to the Federal Government. Carried The Vice-Chairman advised that this recommendation would be considered by City Council at its meeting to be held on Monday, January 11, 1993. Ms. V. Gibaut distributed copies of a four part series of news articles that appeared recently in the Toronto Star on the recession and the efforts of the Kitchener-Waterloo area to address the economic problems created by the recession. She advised that one of the articles specifically referred to the initiatives of Canada's Technology Triangle and pointed out that the area had received extremely favourable coverage within the articles. Alderman G.L. Leadston recommended that the City send the Toronto Star a letter expressing appreciation for the quality of the Star's reporting and analysis of the economic environment of the Kitchener-Waterloo area. Mr. T. McKay advised that in consultation with the Mayor such letter would be sent. Mr. T. McKay reported to the Committee that he had received correspondence from the Mayor of Sarnia requesting that he provide whatever material he could in respect to Kitchener's approach to address economic problems created by the recession. Alderman M. Yantzi commented that a major point made within the articles was that the employment levels within Kitchener-Waterloo were at their highest levels ever in spite of the recession. 4. NEW BUILDING CODE ACT Mr. J. Witmer, Director of Building and Inspections appeared before the Committee to provide an overview of changes being introduced under Bill 112, an Act to revise the Building Code Act, that has been passed by the Ontario Legislature. Mr. Witmer advised that the Building Code Act PLANNING AND ECONOMIC - 3 - JANUARY 4, 1993 DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE NEW BUILDING CODE ACT. (CONT'D) governs the administration and enforcement of the Ontario Building Code. The Code regulates the construction and renovation of all buildings in Ontario and Bill 112 is the first major revision to the Building Code Act since its introduction in 1974. He stated that the purpose of the revision was to provide for greater flexibility, efficiency and effectiveness in the administration and enforcement of the Act and that the main changes within the Bill are as follows: 1. Standards for existing buildings may be established in the Building Code, ie. Property Standards. 2. The Plumbing Code is transferred from the Ontario Water Resources Act to this Act and the Building Code. 3. Conditional permits may be issued for any stage of construction. 4. The Chief Building Official may allow the use of equivalent materials, systems and building designs. 5. The Minister may issue rulings to approve the use of innovative materials, systems or building designs that have been evaluated and approved by evaluation bodies. 6. The definition of "unsafe" is expanded in relation to buildings. 7. Emergency remedial powers are given to the Chief Building Official relative to buildings that pose an immediate danger to the health or safety of any person. 8. The Bill provides for a search warrant that does not require the seizure of evidence. 9. A permit for a "change in use" of an existing building is required although no construction is proposed if the change will result in an increase in hazard, as defined in the Building Code. 10. Maximum fines are significantly increased. Mr. Witmer responded to several questions raised by members of the Committee relative to the changes outlined in his presentation which was provided for information only. PD 132/92 - RESPONSE TO REGION EEAC REPORT RE BOUNDARY EXPANSION OF ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE POLICY AREA #35. The Committee was in receipt of Staff Report PD 132/92 dated December 22, 1992 dealing with staff review of the Proposed Expansion to the western boundary of E.S.P.A. #35 - Doon Pinnacle Hill beyond the boundary that was identified in the Doon South Community Plan. Mr. B. Stanley advised that City Planning Staff and representatives of Monarch Construction Limited have been working on this matter since 1992 and that at this point there was no useful purpose in staff making representations regarding their concerns. Accordingly, the issue should now be dealt with at the political level. Mr. K. Curtis commented on the content of Staff Report PD 132/92 and pointed out that essentially there was a difference of opinion between the City and the Regional Environmental Advisory Committee with respect to the boundary of E.S.P.A #35. He pointed out that there had been several amendments to the Doon South Community Plan since its original approval by the City and the Region and that no concern was ever raised. However, when the Monarch Subdivision was considered by the Region, E.E.A.C. had a concern that the boundary should be expanded. Subsequently, an Environmental Impact Statement was prepared by Ecoplans Limited and a Hydrogeological Study was prepared by Dames & Moore Limited and City staff concur with Monarch Construction Limited that there is no justification for the recommendation of E.E.A.C. that the PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE -4- JAN UARY 4, 1993 PD 132/92 - RESPONSE TO REGION EEAC REPORT RE BOUNDARY EXPANSION OF ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE POLICY AREA #35. (CONT'D) E.S.P.A. #35 boundary be expanded. Further, he pointed out that the lands in question would be deeded to the City of Kitchener and that there would be no intrusion for development purposes. Mr. Mark Tutton, Monarch Construction Limited, 2025 Sheppard Avenue East, Willowdale and Mr. Glen Scheels appeared as a delegation to support the recommendation in Kitchener Staff Report PD 132/92 and comment on the matter. Mr. Tutton advised that both he and Mr. Scheels had attended the E.E.A.C. meeting when the Sub-Committee recommendation was considered and pointed out that while neither he nor the City has been provided with the E.E.A.C. recommendation or the Committee minutes, it was his understanding that the recommendation that will be placed before Regional Planning Committee will be more severe than what the discussion under Kitchener Planning Staff Report PD 132/92 indicates. Mr. Tutton stated that he objected to the approach that was taken at the Regional level to review the area by means of an enlargement map rather than utilizing the Community Plan. Further, he indicated that the question of the boundary had never been raised before when amendments to the Community Plan were considered and that Monarch Construction Limited had relied on the Community Plan to undertake its development planning within the area. In reference to Monarch's planning of development in the area, he questioned the actions of a non-elected body (E.E.A.C.) affecting the development industry in this matter which had previously had received all approvals from appropriate elected bodies. Alderman M. Yantzi commented that it was his view that the actions of E.E.A.C. were eroding the decisions that elected Council Representatives have already made. Moved by Alderman B. Stortz Seconded by Alderman M. Yantzi That City of Kitchener Council advise the Council of the Regional Municipality of Waterloo that it does not support the recommendation made by the Region of Waterloo Ecological and Environmental Advisory Committee to expand the western boundary of E.S.P.A. #35 - Doon Pinnacle Hill beyond the boundary that has been identified in the Doon South Community Plan since the Plan's adoption by City of Kitchener Council on November 20, 1978 and the Plan's approval by Regional Council on July 19, 1979. Carried The Vice-Chairman advised that this recommendation would be considered by City Council at its meeting to be held on Monday, January 11, 1993. PD 133/92 - REVISIONS TO CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL - ZCA 881711BIZJ AND SUBDIVISION APPLICATION 30T-86035 - DREWLO HOLDINGS LIMITED (FAIRVIEW WARD). The Committee was in receipt of Planning and Development Staff Report PD 133/92 dated December 22, 1992 dealing with changes to the Proposed Zoning By-law for Zone Change Application 88/71/B/ZJ and revisions to Council's conditions for Draft Plan of Subdivision 30T- 86035 (Drewlo Holdings Limited). It was pointed out in the report that the Region gave draft approval to the Subdivision Plan on November 26, 1992 with the exception of draft approval related to Stage 4. It was noted that the Region was concerned that approval of any lotting arrangement within Stage 4 lands would be premature until the final alignment of Block Line Road was determined. As result of discussions, agreement has been reached between all parties whereby no lotting pattern would be proposed within Stage 4 lands, rather they would consist of one large future development block which would still be subject to the conditions associated with the timing of the approvals required for the Block Line Road extension. The changes to the conditions of Subdivision approval reflect this agreement. With these changes, related changes are required to the Proposed By-law which has been amended accordingly. PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE -5- JAN UARY 4, 1993 6. PD 133/92 - REVISIONS TO CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL - ZCA 881711BIZJ AND SUBDIVISION APPLICATION 30T-86035 - DREWLO HOLDINGS LIMITED (FAIRVlEW WARD). (CONT'D) Mr. T. McCabe advised the Committee that he had nothing further to add to the report under consideration and that it was his view that the revisions were housekeeping in nature which address the concerns raised at the Regional level. Mr. P. Britton appeared as a delegation on behalf of Drewlo Holdings Limited and advised that he was in support of the staff recommendation and requested that the amending Zoning By-law be placed before City Council for three readings at its meeting to be held on Monday, January 11, 1993. No other delegations responded to the Chairman's invitation to address the Committee on this matter. Moved by Alderman G.L. Leadston Seconded by Mayor D.V. Cardillo That the "Proposed By-law" dated August 31, 1992 for Zone Change Application 881711BIZJ (Drewlo Holdings Inc.) be replaced with the attached "Proposed By-law" dated December 15, 1992. That the Plan of Subdivision dated Revised 92 08 14 be replaced with the attached Plan of Subdivision dated Revised 92 12 11. That the conditions related to Subdivision Application 30%86035 (Drewlo Holdings Inc.) approved by City Council on May 18, 1992 and revised on September 21, 1992 be further revised as follows: a) That Condition 50 be amended by deleting reference to the date "Revised 92 08 14" and replacing it with "Revised 92 12 11" b) That Condition 51 be deleted in its' entirety and the following substituted therefor: "That in view of the regulations of The Registry Act, the Subdivision must be registered in four (4) stages, with Stage 1 consisting of Lots 1 to 101 inclusive and Blocks 102 to 116 inclusive; Stage 2 shall consist of Lots 1 to 72 inclusive and Blocks 73 to 85 inclusive; Stage 3 shall consist of Lots 1 to 15 inclusive; and Stage 4 shall consist of Block 1, all as shown on the Seventh Schedule attached hereto and in accordance with the following: (a) That Stage 2 of this Plan of Subdivision may register immediately consecutive with or subsequent to Stage 1 of this Plan; (b) That the registration of Stage 4 of this Plan of Subdivision shall not occur until such time as the alignment of the Block Line Road extension is finalized. In addition, no registration of Stage 4 may occur until the final lotting pattern has been approved through an amendment to the draft approval and this subdivision agreement. (c) That Stage 3 of this Plan of Subdivision may register immediately consecutive with or subsequent to the registration of Draft Plan of Subdivision 30T-86036." c) That Condition 65 be revised by deleting subsection (c) in its' entirety and substituting the following therefor: (c) Blocks 114 to 119 inclusive for 0.3 metre reserves. d) That Condition 67 be deleted in its' entirety. e) That Condition 68 be deleted in its' entirety. That no further notice be required prior to the passing of the zoning by-law since the changes are minor and do not change the general nature of the subdivision. PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE -6- JAN UARY 4, 1993 PD 133/92 - REVISIONS TO CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL - ZCA 881711BIZJ AND SUBDIVISION APPLICATION 30T-86035 - DREWLO HOLDINGS LIMITED (FAIRVlEW WARD). (CONT'D) It is the opinion of this Committee that the approval of these revisions is proper planning for the City. Carried The Vice-Chairman advised that this recommendation would be considered by City Council at its meeting to be held on Monday, January 11, 1993. 7. PD 135/92 - REVISED OFFICIAL PLAN REVIEW WORK PROGRAM AND TIMETABLE. The Committee was in receipt of Planning and Development Staff Report PD 135/92 dated December 24, 1992 in which Planning staff propose a revised Official Plan Review Work Program and Timetable. Ms. Binn Newell provided the Committee with a further revision of the dates for Official Plan Review and circulation to replace the one that was attached to the staff report. She then highlighted the considerations that were to take place during 1993 leading to approval by City Council in June, 1993 and submission to the Region in July, 1993. Moved by Mayor D.V. Cardillo Seconded by Alderman G.L. Leadston That the revised Official Plan Review Work Program and Timetable of Dates for review, circulation and consideration, as outlined in the revised attachment to Planning and Development Staff Report PD 135/92 dated December 24, 1992, be endorsed. Carried The Vice-Chairman advised that this recommendation would be considered by City Council at its meeting to be held on Monday, January 11, 1993. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 4:07 p.m. L. W. Neil, AMCT Assistant City Clerk