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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlng & Econ Dev - 1993-04-19PED\1993-04-19 PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 19, 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: Mayor D.V. Cardillo and Aldermen B. Stortz, M. Wagner, M. Yantzi, J. Smola, G. Leadston, T. Galloway and C. Weylie. Aldermen C. Zehr and G. Lorentz entered the meeting shortly after its commencement. Officials Present: Mr. T. McKay, Mr. S. Klapman, Mr. B. Stanley, Mr. T. McCabe, Ms. S. Frenette, Mr. J. Witmer, Ms. V. Gibaut, Mr. R. Mattice, Mr. J. Wallace, Mr. D. Snow, Mr. D. Mansell, Mr. V. Labreche, Ms. P. MacPherson, Mr. K. Curtis, Mr. P. Wetherup and Mr. L.W. Neil. 1. MINUTES Moved by Alderman B. Stortz Seconded by Alderman M. Wagner That the Minutes of the Planning and Economic Development Committee meeting held on April 5, 1993, as mailed to the members, be accepted. Carried 2. CORRESPONDENCE - Nil 3. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT - MARCH MONTH END REPORT. The Committee was in receipt of the Weekly Activity Reports of the Economic Development Department for the month of March. Ms. V. Gibaut advised that her staff continue to work closely with staff of the Development Division in responding to inquiries. She advised that Aikenheads Hardware has announced that they intend to open a large warehouse style hardware store situate off Sportsworld Drive in the vicinity of the Price Club. She advised that the parcel that has been secured was approximately 11 acres on which a 132,000 square foot building is proposed that will provide some 250 jobs. Ms. Gibaut also commented on several businesses and industries that are expanding within the community as well as moving to Kitchener and stated that she intended to complete a comprehensive list of these relocations and the number of jobs created by June. In response to an inquiry by Alderman T. Galloway concerning the status of Lot 130, Huron Business Park, Ms. V. Gibaut advised that this matter would be brought to the Committee's May 3 meeting. 4. PD 43/93 - BLOOMINGDALE ROAD/TOWNSHIP OF WOOLWICH BOUNDARY. - KITCHENER'S RESPONSE TO TOWNSHIP OF WOOLWICH ZONE CHANGE APPLICATION 15/90 TO ALLOW A GRAVEL PIT. - RAMA INVESTMENTS. The Committee was in receipt of Planning and Development Staff Report PD 43/93 dated April 5, 1993 prepared as Kitchener's response to Township of Woolwich Zone Change Application 15/90 (Rama Investments) to allow a Gravel Pit on a 23.4 hectare portion of a 57.6 hectare parcel of land located on Bloomingdale Road, east of the KitchenerANoolwich boundary. The Committee was in receipt of a letter dated April 15, 1993 from Alderman J. Smola, requesting a two-week deferral on behalf of a local neighbourhood group. Alderman Smola advised that he had attended a neighbourhood meeting at which a working group was formed to seek professional advise regarding the zone change before making a presentation to this Committee. Aldermen C. Zehr and G. Lorentz entered the meeting at this point. PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE - 79 - APRIL 19, 1993 4. PD 43~93 - BLOOMINGDALE ROAD/TOWNSHIP OF WOOLWICH BOUNDARY. - KITCHENER'S RESPONSE TO TOWNSHIP OF WOOLWICH ZONE CHANGE APPLICATION 15/90 TO ALLOW A GRAVEL PIT. - RAMA INVESTMENTS. (CONT'D) Mr. R. Hardie, Richard A. Hardie & Associates Inc., 500 Trillium Drive, Unit 14, appeared as a delegation on behalf of the applicant and indicated that his client would consent to the requested deferral. He stated that his client has already experienced considerable delay regarding the project and that they were disappointed that the residents had held a meeting and did not invite them in spite of their attempts to be open with the residents on details relating to the project. Mr. Hardie suggested that the residents supply him with a list of their concerns so that these issues could be discussed with his client prior to the Planning Committee meeting. For the record, Mr. T. McCabe clarified that discussion pertaining to the zone change application was not Kitchener's public meeting and that it was his understanding the Township of Woolwich has not yet advertised the date of their official public meeting to consider this matter. Alderman J. Smola advised that he was in disagreement with Mr. Hardie's remark pertaining to involvement of residents and that in fact, the applicant had failed to call an information meeting with area residents to discuss the proposal. No other delegations responded to the Chairman's invitation to address the Committee on this matter. Moved by Alderman J. Smola Seconded by Alderman B. Stortz That consideration of Kitchener Staff Report PD 43/93 responding to Township of Woolwich Zone Change Application 90/15, (Rama Investments) be deferred and referred to the Planning and Economic Development Committee meeting to be held on May 3, 1993. Carried The Chairman advised that this recommendation would be considered by City Council at its meeting to be held on Monday, April 26, 1993. PD 32~93 - UNDERSTANDING RESIDENTIAL VACANCY RATE STATISTICS IN KITCHENER. The Committee was in receipt of Planning and Development Staff Report PD 32/93 prepared by the Housing Division to assist in the understanding of Residential Vacancy Rate Statistics in Kitchener. It was noted in the report that vacancy rates are published by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and are drawn from their bi-annual rental market survey and that the most recent figures come from research in October 1992. Ms. S. Frenette commented that there has been a lot of discussion about vacancy rates in the City and noted that the report addresses that issue and shows how vacancy rates are arrived at and what they mean. She indicated that the Residential Vacancy Rate had been below 2% for approximately 8 years and had suddenly increased in the past few years into an over supply situation. She noted that the report highlights such issues as the threshold of affordability and the rate of absorption of rental units by the market. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation suggests that 88 rental units are absorbed into the market per month and that it will take approximately a year for the vacancy rates to readjust. Alderman C. Zehr questioned if Ms. Frenette had any idea what the City might have done differently toward avoiding the present rental unit oversupply. Ms. Frenette advised that Provincial Rent Controls have had a great deal to do with the existing problem. Mr. T. McKay pointed out that the issue of high vacancy rates in high priced rental buildings was an economic issue that was beyond the City's control. PLANNING AND ECONOMIC - 80 - APRIL 19, 1993 DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE PD 32/93 - UNDERSTANDING RESIDENTIAL VACANCY RATE STATISTICS IN KITCHENER. (CONT'D) Moved by Alderman G. Lorentz Seconded by Mayor D.V. Cardillo That Council accept the Staff Report PD 32~93 on vacancy rates for information and direct staff to make the document available to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the Ministry of Housing and those persons requesting information about the local housing market. Carried The Chairman advised that this recommendation would be considered by City Council at its meeting to be held on Monday, April 26, 1993. PD 41/93 - REQUEST FOR MORE RENT SUPPLEMENT PROGRAM FUNDING FOR KITCHENER. The Committee was in receipt of Planning and Development Staff Report PD 41/93 dated March 26, 1993 prepared by the Housing Division. It was noted in the report that in view of the current vacancy rate for Kitchener, the continued growth in waiting lists for rent-geared-to-income housing and the moratorium on the allocation of new non-profit housing units to the City, a solution to pent-up need for affordable rents could be addressed locally using the Rent Supplement Program. Accordingly, staff recommend that more Rent Supplement Funds be made available to Kitchener. Moved by Alderman B. Stortz Seconded by Alderman C. Zehr That Council request the Ministry of Housing to continue its support of the Rent Supplement Program in order to take advantage of vacant units in private rental housing that match the needs of applicants currently waiting for rent-geared-to-income units and to allocate additional subsidy dollars to the North Waterloo Housing Authority for their use in establishing new landlord rent supplement agreements. Carried The Chairman advised that this recommendation would be considered by City Council at its meeting to be held on Monday, April 26, 1993. PD 27/93 - 371 & 373 VICTORIA STREET NORTH. - ZONE CHANGE APPLICATION 92138NNL. - MILLAN AND RADA TODOROVlC. - CENTRE WARD. The Committee was advised that the Department of Planning and Development had received an application from Milan and Rada Todorovic to change the zoning of lands known municipally as 371 & 373 Victoria Street North. The proposed zoning change is from Semi-Restricted Residential (R2) to Semi-Restricted Residential (R2B) with a restriction of use and special regulations, according to By-law 4830. In this regard, the Committee considered Staff Report PD 27/93 dated March 18, 1993 and the Proposed By-law dated March 8, 1993 attached to the report. It was noted in the report that the applicant intends to rezone the subject lands to recognize the existing semi-detached dwelling located on the lands. 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 explained that the application was to allow for severance of the existing semi- detached dwelling. He noted that staff had recommended that the applicant be required to recreate two parking spaces under the building which have been converted to residential use. He pointed out that staff have received complaints of vehicles parked in the driveway that extend into the public sidewalk right-of-way as the driveway was deficient in length. PLANNING AND ECONOMIC - 81 - DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE APRIL 19, 1993 PD 27~93 - 371 & 373 VICTORIA STREET NORTH. - ZONE CHANGE APPLICATION 92/38/V/VL. - MILLAN AND RADA TODOROVIC. - CENTRE WARD. (CONT'D) In response to Alderman J. Ziegler, Mr. V. Labreche advised that certain interior renovations to the garage of 371 Victoria Street had already been done that appear intended for development of a kitchen, while none have been completed to the garage of 373 Victoria Street North. Mr. M. Todorovic, appeared as a delegation and advised that he has undertaken to improve the units with a complete renovation. He noted that there were many other properties with a similar parking problem due to the inadequate depth of their driveway but a medium size car could be easily be accommodated in the driveway. Finally, he stated that he has invested a large amount of money in renovation of the two units and would estimate that over $6,000 has been spent to convert each of the two garages so as to provide additional living space. Alderman B. Stortz questioned how the parking problem could be resolved. After discussion, Mr. T. McCabe advised that Council could accommodate the problem through a special regulation in the proposed By-law or require that the applicant arrange for two off-site parking spaces. Alderman G. Lorentz commented that before the Region of Waterloo widened the road, no one on the street had a parking problem and recommended that the existing situation be allowed to remain and that if violations occurred, staff just enforce parking regulations. Mr. V. Labreche clarified that when the Department became aware of the units being created in the garages, Mr. Todorovic upon request stopped work. Mr. Todorovic noted that the kitchen could easily be redesigned to function as a laundry room thereby providing additional living space elsewhere in the dwelling. No other delegations responded to the Chairman's invitation to address the Committee on this matter. The staff report was then considered. It was agreed to allow the required off-street parking zero metres from the street line and to permit a reduction in the minimum parking space length of the driveway and revise the proposed By-law in this regard. Consequently, the conditions recommended in the staff report were redundant and deleted. The staff recommendation, as revised, was then considered. Moved by Alderman B. Stortz Seconded by Alderman G. Lorentz That Zone Change Application 92138NNL (Milan and Rada Todorovic) requesting a change in zoning from Semi-Restricted Residential (R2) to Semi-Restricted Residential (R2B) with a restriction of use and special regulations on Part of Lot 5, Registered Plan 79, be approved, in the form shown on the form shown in the Proposed By-law attached dated March 8, 1993, as revised April 19, 1993 to allow the required off street parking space to be located 0.0 (zero) metres from the street line and to allow a reduction in the minimum parking space length from 5.49 metres (18 feet) to 4.98 metres (16.33 feet), without conditions. 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, April 26, 1993. PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE - 82 - APRIL 19, 1993 PD34/93 -42 RUTHERFORD DRIVE. - ZONE CHANGE APPLICATION 93/1/R/PMC. - EVA VEJVODA. - CHICOPEE WARD. The Committee was advised that the Department of Planning and Development has received an application from Eva Vejvoda to change the zoning of lands known municipally as 42 Rutherford Drive. The proposed zoning change is from Restricted Residential (R2A) with an extension of use and special regulations to Restricted Residential (R2A) with a further extension of use and further special regulations according to By-law 4830. In this regard, the Committee considered Staff Report PD 34/93 dated March 19, 1993 and the Proposed By-law dated March 17, 1993 attached to the report. It was noted in the report that the applicant intends to open a hairstyling service within the existing dwelling as a home occupation. 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 explained the nature of the application and advised that a number of concerns were expressed by neighbourhood residents. However, he pointed out that the Department proposes to allow home occupations in all residential zones within the City through the implementation of Stage 6 of the Comprehensive Zoning By-law. This issue is discussed in the report as well as limitations with respect to operation. Mr. D. Vejvoda, 42 Rutherford Drive, appeared as a delegation to respond to some of the comments of area residents to the proposal. He pointed out that a hairstyle shop that was located next door since 1986 had previously closed and subsequently reopened. He also stated that there would be no extra traffic and that they had no intention of using a commercial sign to advertise the home occupation use. 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.L. Leadston That Zone Change Application 93/1/R/PMc (Eva Vejvoda) requesting a change in zoning from Restricted Residential (R2A) with an extension of use and special regulations to Restricted Residential (R2A) with a further extension of use and further special regulations on Part of Lot 5, Registered Plan 742, be approved in the form shown in the proposed By-law attached, dated March 17, 1993, without conditions. 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, April 26, 1993. PD 44/93 - PUBLIC CONSULTATION PROCESS FOR GRAND RIVER CORRIDOR CONSERVATION PLAN. The Committee was in receipt of Planning and Development Staff Report PD 44/93 dated April 13, 1993 dealing with a process being recommended by staff for eliciting comments on the Draft Grand River Corridor Conservation Plan. Mr. K. Curtis briefly commented on the report to which were attached a summary and recommendations as well as relevant maps. He noted that the entire effort was to encourage conservation of land adjacent to the Grand River. No delegations were registered respecting this matter. PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE - 83 - APRIL 19, 1993 PD 44/93 - PUBLIC CONSULTATION PROCESS FOR GRAND RIVER CORRIDOR CONSERVATION PLAN. (CONT'D) Moved by Alderman C. Zehr Seconded by Alderman G. Lorentz That City of Kitchener Staff be directed to hold a Public Open House for Kitchener residents and property owners concerning the Draft Grand River Corridor Conservation Plan on Wednesday, April 28, 1993 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in Committee Room #4, 4th Floor, 22 Frederick Street. Further, that a Staff Report concerning the issues and comments identified at the Public Open House be considered at the May 17, 1993 meeting of the Planning and Economic Development Committee. Carried The Chairman advised that this recommendation would be considered by City Council at its meeting to be held on Monday, April 26, 1993. 10. KITCHENER MUNICIPAL PLAN - PUBLIC INFORMATION OPEN HOUSES. Mr. B. Stanley distributed a notice inviting the public to attend an Open House being held by the City on its new Municipal Plan. He advised that the first major open house session was being held on April 27 at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. and that a second open house was planned for May 4 at the same times in the second floor lobby of City Hall. 11. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 4:40 p.m. L.W. Neil, AMCT Assistant City Clerk