Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlng & Econ Dev - 1993-03-08 SPED\1993-03-08-SPE PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 8, 1993 The Planning and Economic Development Committee held a special meeting this date commencing at 4:00 p.m. under the Chairmanship of Alderman J. Ziegler with the following members present: Mayor D.V. Cardillo and Aldermen C. Weylie, J. Smola, M. Yantzi, G. Lorentz, T. Galloway, G. Leadston, C. Zehr and B. Stortz. Officials Present: Mr. T. McKay, Mr. S. Klapman, Mr. B. Stanley, Mr. T. McCabe, Ms. B. Newell, Ms. C. Ladd, Mr. D. Snow, Mr. J. Shivas, Mr. J. Witmer and Mr. L.W. Neil. Alderman J. Ziegler, Chairman, advised that the purpose of this special meeting was to allow for preliminary consideration of the draft Municipal Plan dated February 1993. Mr. B. Stanley advised that Ms. B. Newell would present an overview of the Plan using videographics and following her presentation staff were prepared to respond should the Committee wish either general discussion or detailed discussion. Ms. B. Newell then presented an overview of the Municipal Plan "Creating A Sense of Place". She stressed that the Plan was written in language that was "user friendly" and explained the legend for the colours of the aerial photograph of the City used as the cover of the Plan document. She then explained the intent of the Plan and the fact that the legal effect would result in all municipal by-laws having to conform to the Plan. Ms. Newell commented on the basic differences between the current Official Plan and the draft Municipal Plan. She pointed out that the current Plan focused on land use, an automobile orientation and a regulatory approach to uses and development while the draft Plan was focused toward the community, a people orientation and a directional approach to uses and development. Ms. Newell referred to the structure of the Plan. She commented on the "General Policies" section containing objectives and policies dealing with: Housing Community & Social Services Conservation & Community Development Natural Resources Management Downtown - The Economy - Health & Safety - Urban Design - Transportation The "General Land Use Plan" section outlines the desired future land use pattern and specifies types and standards for development. Individual components of this section include: Land Use Districts Residential Industrial Major Institutional Agricultural Comprehensive Development Areas Special Policies - Nodes & Transit Corridors - Commercial - Open Space - Downtown - Municipal Services & Public Utilities - Secondary Plans The final section of the Plan deals with "Managing the Plan" through: Implementation Strategies Co-ordinating Role of the Plan Monitoring and Review Mr. B. Stanley also commented on the differences between the current Plan and the draft Municipal Plan. He noted that the draft Plan changes emphasis from land use to general policies that provide greater flexibility and direction. In regard to Nodes & Corridors, he referred to Map 7 as being one of the key policies in the Plan since it outlines what the future structure of the City will be. Further, he pointed out that Nodes & Corridors Policies over-ride other policies in the Plan. A number of questions were then raised by Committee members and responded to by Mr. Stanley and Ms. Newell. The following Clarifications were provided: PLANNING AND ECONOMIC - 51 - MARCH 8, 1993 DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE downzoning will be discouraged along corridors but other areas will not lose anything. while higher density will be encouraged in nodes, there will be some dispersal at the same time. the Plan provides flexibility and generalizes about uses in a specific zone without discouraging development or restricting it in any way. consider inclusion of policies to govern neighbourhoods in transition and the effect of changing densities, as well as allowing for the retention and maintenance of housing around the core. the city's Schedule of Roads to be Widened will be reviewed in conjunction with consideration of the draft Plan. It was agreed that pending consideration of the draft Plan, road widening requests should be brought to the Project Review Committee before proceeding to the Planning and Economic Development Committee. the draft Plan has been sent out for circulation and response to staff, two public meetings have been scheduled as well as meetings with special interest groups with all input and comment to be considered by the Planning and Economic Development Committee in June and by City Council in July 1993. staff would appreciate Planning and Economic Development Committee members attending the April 27th public information meeting. The Committee agreed to reviewing the report on a page by page basis to allow members to raise their questions relative to issues on the following pages: 2-9 Impact Statements 2-11 Offices - permissible 2-13 Facilities - free-standing Community Centres clarified as last resort under certain conditions. 2-14 District Sports Fields - Conestoga College Fields not under City ownership 2-15 Leisure Facilities Master Plan provides for a Regional park. It was suggested that a notation be included that the City will work to remove legal issues pertaining to McLennan Park during the life of the new Municipal Plan. It was also pointed out that McLennan Park was not on the master list of former landfill sites. Grand River Corridor Study supported at staff level. 2-16 Parkland and Open Space Acquisition - include surplus/abandoned railroad rights of way to be considered for integration into the transportation network. 2-21 Servicing and Utilities - correct 4.1 to refer to sewage and waste collection rather than to disposal. 2-24 Fire Prevention - fire protection option suggested to include automatic sprinkling in areas where a 6 minute response time is not possible - staff will review this suggestion. 2-25 Noise, Vibration and Emissions - retro-fit existing streets with noise attenuation walls. 2-30 Energy Conservation - include other alternate fuels. 2-36 Community Improvement - Mr. B. Stanley explained why St. Mary's Hospital area was not included on the Community Improvement Areas Map (Map 1). Community Development Projects - for example, monies included for Cedar Hill area. 2-37 2-39 Definition of a Vista is still under consideration and will be referred back. PLANNING AND ECONOMIC - 52 - DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MARCH 8, 1993 2-40 Art in Public Places - consideration being given to possibility of using a bonusing system. 2-41 Signage -include billboards. Entrances - also include reference to Gaukel Street as the entranceway to Victoria Park. Ring Road - question if King-Cedar-Duke connection should ever be completed and if not, remove it from the Plan. Transit Division requested to prepare a report for consideration by the Public Works and Transportation Committee. 2 -42 Preservation of Vista's - i.e., Queen Street South/Joseph Street, Church clock tower. Develop a catch-all clause to include other similar situations. 2-53 Wetland Conservation - tie-in or linkage of Wetlands between Map 2A Natural Resources (Regional Floodline & E.S.P.A.'s) and Map 2B Natural Resources Wetlands was questioned. Mr. Stanley noted that he has had discussions with Ministry of Natural Resources & Grand River Conservation Authority and was confident that policies dealing in environmental areas meet objectives of Ministry of Natural Resources & Grand River Conservation Authority. In particular, he commented that Flood Plain Policies were related to preservation of life and property but are linked to Watershed Policies and Wetland Policies. 2-58 Urban Woodlot Policies - question pertaining to areas of experimental naturalization was raised. 2-61 Aggregate Resources - question raised if draft Plan reflects site plan control procedures recently adopted with respect to gravel pits. Mr. Stanley advised the Plan reflects Council's newly adopted position respecting the relationship between the City and Ministry of Natural Resources but that the Letter of Clearance procedure is not included. Mr. T. McCabe suggested some general comment could be included of page 2-66 to document the procedure. 2 -66 Agricultural Resources - it was questioned if the clause could be tightened up to specify lands beyond the Settlement Boundary. 2-73 Specific Roads - it was agreed that the status of Frederick Street would be clarified. 2-74 Mr. D. Snow advised that staff are still reviewing roads. The process regarding the Major Transportation Study in Doon South in relation to the draft Plan was questioned. Mr. Stanley clarified that the draft Plan would be adopted by resolution only, while in the Fall, the Transportation Study would be adopted and an Official Plan Amendment would be processed. It was pointed out that Map 4- Transportation, shows a future crossing of the Grand River by Fairway Road. Mr. Snow stated that this was not the intent of draft Plan and Fairway Road should be stopped short of the river. Mr. McKay noted that both Kitchener and Cambridge opposed such a river crossing. 2-77 Parking - it was questioned if parking for the disabled was addressed and Ms. Newell stated that policies were definitely needed. It was agreed to defer further discussion of the draft Municipal Plan to the Committee's April 22nd meeting. On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m. L. W. Neil, AMCT Assistant City Clerk