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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlng & Econ Dev - 1993-03-01PED\1993-03-01 PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 1, 1993 The Planning and Economic Development Committee met this date commencing at 3:15 p.m. under the Chairmanship of Alderman J. Ziegler with the following members present: Aldermen J. Smola, T. Galloway, G. Leadston, B. Stortz and C. Weylie. Aldermen M. Wagner, G. Lorentz, C. Zehr and M. Yantzi entered the meeting after its commencement. Officials Present: Mr. S. Klapman, Mr. B. Stanley, Mr. T. McCabe, Ms. S. Frenette, Mr. J. Witmer, Ms. V. Gibaut, Mr. J. Shivas, Mr. D. Mansell, Mr. K. Tribby, Ms. C. Ladd, Ms. B. Newell, Mr. R. Mattice, and Mr. L.W. Neil. 1. MINUTES Moved by Alderman J. Smola Seconded by Alderman G.L. Leadston That the Minutes of the Planning and Economic Development Committee regular meeting held on February 15, 1993, as mailed to the members, be accepted. Carried 2. 1992 ANNUAL REPORT - DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. Before considering the Department's Annual Report, Ms. V. Gibaut asked that the Committee take note of the new Kitchener Profile document that she distributed this date. She pointed out that it replaces a similar document from several years ago and was produced completely inhouse with the exception of the cover and that this provides a certain flexibility to update information within the document. She pointed out that staff were aware of one problem affecting Westmount Golf Course wherein information on it was inadvertently deleted with the inclusion of information on the Kitchener Public Library. Ms. Gibaut advised that the Kitchener Profile was used by the Department in response to enquiries received and that the document was being mailed extensively as follows: - Certain local legal farms. - All out of country offices of the Provincial Ministry of Economic Development and Trade. - Canadian Consulate General Offices. - Canadian High Commission Offices. - Certain Canadian Embassies. - Certain Foreign Chambers of Commerce. - Various other international contacts. - Certain Federal Government Departments and Agencies and Provincial Government Ministries and Agencies. The document was well received by the Committee whose only comment was a suggestion that the location of Kitchener be more clearly identified on a map of Ontario/Canada in future. Aldermen M. Wagner and G. Lorentz entered the meeting at this point. The Committee was in receipt of the 1992 Annual Report of the Department of Economic Development. Ms. V. Gibaut briefly commented on the Initiatives listed under Objectives in the report. Alderman C. Zehr entered the meeting at this point. Ms. Gibaut also pointed out that the Department works in concert with the Small Business Self- Help Office which handled approximately 3,000 enquiries and conducted 355 consultations in 1992. A discussion of the Report then followed. Alderman G.L. Leadston suggested that all members of Council take note of the Mission Statement and do everything possible to ensure economic development in the City. PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE - 46 - MARCH 1, 1993 2. 1992 ANNUAL REPORT - DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. (CONT'D) The Committee then focused on the 1993 Objectives and the following clarifications were provided: #15 She explained that residents from various ethnic backgrounds were hosting business activities and that the City should take advantage of such opportunity. #8 She stated that it was hoped to provide Council with a report by the Fall of 1993 listing cities of similar size for purposes of global economic twinning relationships. #7 The question was raised whether any reinforcement was required of the direct mail campaign and she advised that it was not and that the Initiative had been completed. #16 She advised that besides the liaison relationship with the Downtown through the KDBA, staff conduct a lot of other work with the KDBA and with property owners and that essentially activities supporting the Downtown fall under other numbered objectives. #11 Alderman G.L. Leadston suggested that in addition to the new City Hall, the Subscribers' Lounge of the Auditorium Complex be considered as a site for Chamber of Commerce Business After 5 events and provided the name of the contact for catering services at the Auditorium. As a final comment, Ms. Gibaut advised that there were several major companies currently investigating sites in this area. Moved by Alderman G. Lorentz Seconded by Alderman G.L. Leadston That the 1992 Annual Report of the Department of Economic Development be received. Carried 3. 1992 ANNUAL REPORT - DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT. The Committee was in receipt of the 1992 Annual Report of the Department of Planning and Development. Mr. S. Klapman, Commissioner, commented that the year 1992 was not memorable in terms of development activity. However, it was an extremely busy year given the consolidating, re- evaluating and restructuring that was undertaken within the Department. In reference to special activities undertaken, he referred to the Initiatives with respect to By-law Enforcement Officers, the New Sign By-law, detached home starts being triple the starts in 1991, the development and approval of the City's Strategic Plan for the Environment in which he noted that there was nothing within the Plan that was contrary to economic objectives, the undertaking of Heritage Planning and related staffing and commencement of the process for approval of the City's new Municipal Plan. Mr. T. McCabe, Director of the Development Division, advised that he wished to report on several matters. He noted that in December, 1992, Council had asked for an update on enforcement activities and in this regard, he advised that complaints had been minimal and revenues have been up significantly with respect to temporary signs. Also, he advised that staff were noticing a trend for some temporary signs to be replaced by permanent signs. He then illustrated a map outlining activities with respect to the Comprehensive Zoning By-law and referred to the two stages that are to be done in 1993 with both stages coming together for consideration at a public meeting in the Fall of 1993. PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE - 47 - MARCH 1, 1993 3. 1992 ANNUAL REPORT - DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT. (CONT'D) Also, Mr. McCabe noted that Planning Staff were working with Mr. G. Andersen to develop policies for disposition of surplus land which they hoped can be considered no later than the April 4th Planning and Economic Development Committee meeting. It was hoped to develop a master list of surplus lands which would contain critical data in order to facilitate disposition. In response to Alderman C. Weylie, Mr. McCabe advised that staff intended to propose a City Tree Saving policy for consideration by the Committee in October, 1993. Alderman C. Zehr referred to the continuing reduction in the number of applications considered by the Committee of Adjustment and questioned why the numbers were still falling. Mr. McCabe advised that firstly, the Vacuum By-law of several years ago was primarily responsible and secondly, the Comprehensive By-law has lessened the regulatory requirements to comply with. Mr. McCabe then requested that the Committee hear a presentation by Mr. Ken Tribby with respect to enforcement activities. Mr. K. Tribby distributed a territorial boundary map outlining specific sections of the City that had been assigned to the four Municipal Law Enforcement Officers. He stressed that if any members of Council intended to register an initial complaint that they contact him. He then illustrated departmental areas of responsibility before the recent reorganization and afterward and noted that Municipal Code Chapters 408 - Animals, 450 - Noise, 645 - Ice Boxes and Refrigerators, 650 - Lot Maintenance and 687 - Snow and Ice (Sidewalks) had now come under his responsibility along with previous responsibilities for enforcement of the various Municipal Zoning By-laws and Chapters 630, 680 and 685 of the Municipal Code. Alderman M. Yantzi entered the meeting at this point. Mr. Tribby illustrated the numbers and percentages of violation statistics broken down by year, by Ward totals and by kinds of violations within each Ward. Mr. Tribby then itemized the following major initiatives proposed for 1993: - Implement computerized complaint violation tracking system. - Implement marketing system for minor violations. - Reduce response time to 48 hours. - Prepare and distribute informational brochures outlining enforcement services. - Do presentations to solicit co-operation and inform of City services. - Insert informational notices in the Public Notice Page of the newspaper. - Continue to upgrade staff training. Moved by Alderman J. Smola Seconded by Alderman G. Lorentz That the 1992 Annual Report of the Department of Planning and Development be received. Carried The Committee then considered Mr. Klapman's letter dated February 25, 1993, proposing update of the 1993 Strategic Plan. It was pointed out in Mr. Klapman's letter that the Strategic priority forms an adjunct to the Department Annual Report and was an update of the Department of Planning and Development Directions and Strategies 1990-1994 Report adopted by Council in March 1990. It was noted that the plan is reviewed and updated annually in conjunction with the Department's projected work program and the City's operating and capital budget planning. Mr. Klapman requested endorsement of the update. Moved by Alderman C. Weylie Seconded by Alderman G.L. Leadston That the Planning and Economic Development Committee approve the Department of Planning and Development Strategic Plan updated to Year 4, 1993. Carried PLANNING AND ECONOMIC - 48 - MARCH 1, 1993 DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE PD 18/93 - SUBMISSION ON THE DRAFT REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT REFORM IN ONTARIO (SEWELL COMMISSION). The Committee was in receipt of Planning and Development Staff Report PD 18/93 dated February 15, 1993, dealing with the draft recommendations of the Sewell Commission in which a range of recommendations are proposed that would significantly change the approach to planning in Ontario. In addition, the staff report outlines major areas of disagreement between the Region and the City with respect to the positions of the Region and the City in respect to the Sewell Commission recommendations. Mr. B. Stanley commented on several of the Sewell Commission recommendations and the respective position of the City and the Region on these recommendations. Following further comments by Mr. Stanley and Committee members, at the request of the Committee, Mr. Stanley pointed out that recommendations 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7 could be considered to be recommendations where the positions were significantly different between the City and the Region. Finally, Mr. Stanley commented that it was his understanding that all Regional Planning Commissioners within the Province are meeting to put forth a common Regional position with respect to recommendations in the Draft Report of Sewell Commission. Moved by Alderman G. Lorentz Seconded by Alderman G.L. Leadston That Kitchener Council direct its staff to point out the continued differences between the City and Regional positions respecting the Draft Report of the Commission on Planning and Development Reform in Ontario and to forward this information to Area Municipalities of the Region of Waterloo prior to the next Regional Council Meeting. Carried Moved by Alderman C. Zehr Seconded by Alderman J. Smola That Kitchener Council endorse the Submission on the Draft Report of the Commission on Planning and Development Reform in Ontario attached to staff report PD 18/93 and direct staff to present the Submission to the Commission at their public forum in Guelph on March 10, 1993. Carried PD 131/92 - HIGHLAND ROADNICTORIA STREET EXTENSION. - PROPOSED STREET NAMES-SUBDIVISION 30T-88033. - CYBAU HOLDINGS INC. - WEST WARD. The Committee was in receipt of Staff Report PD 131/92 dated February 15, 1993, requesting approval of street names that have been proposed by the applicant in regard to Subdivision 30T- 88033 (Cybau Holdings Inc.). Alderman C. Weylie expressed objection to the naming of one of the streets on the Plan as Pulpit Street and was supported by other members of the Committee. The staff report was then considered and it was agreed to delete the name Pulpit Street from the recommendation in the staff report and request the applicant to submit an alternate name directly to City Council. The recommendation, as revised, was then considered. Moved by Alderman C. Weylie Seconded by Alderman C. Zehr That the following proposed street names be approved for Draft Plan of Subdivision 30T-88033 (Cybau Holdings Inc.): PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE - 49 - MARCH 1, 1993 PD 131/92 - HIGHLAND ROAD/VICTORIA STREET EXTENSION. - PROPOSED STREET NAMES-SUBDIVISION 30T-88033. - CYBAU HOLDINGS INC. -WESTWARD. (CONT'D) Street One Westmeadow Drive Street Two Dawn Ridge Drive Street Three Dawn Ridge Court Street Four Bankside Drive Street Six (New Name to be submitted by the developer directly to City Council for approval.) Carried The Chairman advised that this recommendation would be considered meeting to be held on Monday, March 8, 1993. by City Council at its ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 4:55 p.m. L. W. Neil, AMCT Assistant City Clerk