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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlng & Econ Dev - 1994-06-06P E D\1994-06 -04 PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES The Planning and Economic Development Committee met this date commencing at 4:00 p.m. under the Chairmanship of Councillor J. Ziegler, Vice-Chairman, with the following members present: Mayor D.V. Cardillo and Councillors B. Stortz, M. Wagner, M. Yantzi, J. Smola, C. Zehr, T. Galloway and G. Lorentz. Officials present: Mr. T. McKay, Mr. T. McCabe, Mr. B. Stanley, Ms. S. Frenette, Mr. R. Mattice, Mr. J. Witmer, Mr. D. Snow, Mr. D. Mansell, Mr. J. Shivas, Ms. C. Ladd, Mr. B. Liddle, Mr. G. Nixon, Mr. T. Boutlier and Mr. L.W. Neil. 1.HOMER WATSON BOULEVARD WIDENING - OLD CARRIAGE DRIVE TOWARDS BLOCK LINE ROAD - PROJECT TEAM PRESENTATION - FAIRVIEW/SOUTH WARDS Mr. Gary MacDonald, Waterloo Regional Engineering Department, advised that staff and consultants were in attendance to present information concerning plans for two major road widenings scheduled on Regional roads within Kitchener. These projects involve expansion of both Homer Watson Boulevard and Fischer-Hallman Road from two to four lanes. In this regard, he noted that a public information meeting would be held on Wednesday, June 22 for Homer Watson Boulevard and on Tuesday, June 28 for Fischer-Hallman Road. As part of the presentations, key issues and alternatives relative to the widenings would be touched on. Mr. Martin Scott, McCormick-Rankin, appeared as a delegation to present the widening plans for Homer Watson Boulevard between Old Carriage Drive to Block Line Road. He noted that the portion of Homer Watson Boulevard between Bleams Road and Block Line Road was not included in the project at this time. Mr. Scott pointed out that current traffic volumes are close to capacity and that planned future development justifies the need for widening. For the information of the Committee, he distributed a draft of handout material that would be made available at the June 22 public information meeting. The handout provides detailed information on background, study limits, environmental assessments, study participants, traffic, the Huron Road interchange, medians, noise analysis and construction staging. Mr. Scott commented on a few matters that were seen as key issues. Firstly, he briefly reviewed the history of planning for the interchange at Huron Road and Homer Watson Boulevard, and illustrated the preferred interchange that was selected out of five full interchange alternatives. Secondly, he indicated that noise assessment was based on existing Regional policy and pointed out that the expected increase in traffic only results in an increase of between 0 to 5 decibals. He then commented on aspects relating to the route and length of the work, and noted that a team was in the process of completing preliminary design for the section of road between Bleams Road and Block Line Road which he indicated would receive visual buffering treatment. Finally, Mr. Scott stated that it was his expectation construction would be complete by March 1997. Councillor B. Stortz questioned why noise barriers would not be erected at the same time as road construction and Mr. Scott advised that even projecting 10 years into the future results in only an average 2 to 4 decibal increase. Councillor C. Zehr stated that he thought Regional policy relative to noise barriers applied to anything over 60 with a change of more than 5 decibals as roads developed. Mr. Bill Pyatt commented on existing Regional policy which is currently under evaluation, and indicated new draft policy would be more stringent. He noted that the proposed road widening fell under existing policy. Councillor T. Galloway commented that it was hard to understand the fact that a road built where none previously existed could meet criteria for a noise barrier but not in cases where a road currently exists. Councillor J. Ziegler stated that he was aware that residents living adjacent to Homer Watson Boulevard between Bleams Road and Ottawa Street were concerned with the issue of noise attenuation. Councillor T. Galloway stated that he favoured the preferred alternative for the Huron Road/Homer Watson Boulevard interchange. 2.FISCHER-HALLMAN ROAD WIDENING - VICTORIA STREET SOUTH TO ERB STREET - PROJECT TEAM PRESENTATION PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES - WEST WARD ('~ITV hi= I,(ITt'~HI~klI~Q Mr. Gary Leveck of Paragon Engineering Limited appeared as a delegation to provide a presentation with respect to the second Regional road widening project. Mr. Leveck stated that his firm was responsible for the Fischer-Hallman Road widening from Victoria Street South to Erb Street in Waterloo. He quoted traffic volume statistics which evidence that volumes have increased within original expectations that called for widening by 1992. Traffic continues to increase and will substantially over the next ten years. He pointed out that certain intersections along the route were operating with an unsatisfactory service level of D or E. Mr. Leveck pointed out that this road widening project was also being constructed within the infrastructure program and noted that he expected construction to commence in 1994. In reference to any key issues, Mr. Leveck referred to the construction of two bridges which are required over the C.N.R. tracks and the Henry Sturm Greenway, and that it has been concluded to twin the new structures with the existing bridges. On the issue of noise, he pointed out that noise barriers were already in place. Mr. Leveck referred to the Region's Master Bicycle Plan and pointed out that Fischer-Hallman Road was designated in the Plan and it has been planned to incorporate on street bicycle lanes for committed cyclists with allowance for recreational cyclists adjacent to the roadway. Mr. Leveck illustrated that routing of the widening and affected intersections as an overview to his presentation. PD 94/48 - RESIDENTIAL VACANCY RATE STATISTICS - UPDATE TO STAFF REPORT PD 32/93 The Committee was in receipt Planning and Development Staff Report PD 94/48 dated May 5, 1994. It was pointed out in the report that vacancy rates are published by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and are drawn from their bi-annual rental market survey. The staff report illustrates that rental units priced at various levels are experiencing different vacancies and that vacancy rates tend to increase the higher that rental units are priced. Tables were presented in the report which illustrate the following: - the historic pattern of vacances in the rental housing stock - the composition of multiple housing activity and the effect that pentup demand has on overbuilding and underbuilding - the average vacancy rate by unit type - the distribution of each unit type - the vacancy rate of different units in different price categories - the vacancy rate by rental range for all unit types Mr. R. Mattice advised the Committee that this was the second staff report discussing residential vacancy rate statistics after the first was tabled in 1993. He then presented several slides and commented specifically on the following issues: the 4.8 percent vacancy rate and an explanation of factors that were beind the rate, vacancy rates by rental rate and unit type, the price of vacant units tends to be more than the average price and the Iow level of building permit issuance for construction of multiple dwellings presenting a stabilization in the rental market. In summary, Mr. Mattice advised that staff predict a drop in the vacancy rate in 1994 on the basis that unit supply has peaked since nothing was being built as existing vacant units become occupied. On motion by Councillor G. Lorentz, It was resolved: "That Council accept Planning & Development Staff Report PD 94/48 (update to PD 32/93) on vacancy rates for information and direct staff to make the document available to C.M.H.C., the Ministry of Housing and those persons requesting information about the local housing market." 4. MEMO - SUMMARY OF RESPONSES RECEIVED TO SUBMISSION PROPOSALS OF MR. EDMOND MEYERS The Committee was in receipt of a memorandum dated June 1, 1994 from Mr. L. Neil with the attached PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES ('~ITV hi= I,(ITt'~HI~klI~Q responses received from staff that were prepared as a result of several submission proposals presented by Mr. Edmond Meyers to the Planning & Economic Development Committee on February 14, 1994. An additional staff response from Mr. J. Witmer was distributed prior to the meeting. Councillor B. Stortz expressed concern over the staff resources consumed in order to consider these proposals. Council J. Ziegler commented that he liked the idea of municipal address numbering on telephone poles. Mr. T. McKay pointed out that it would be a considerable expense to undertake the suggestions of Mr. Meyers. Councillor J. Ziegler commented that any numbering program could start by incorporating it into new development. Mr. D. Snow stated that in considering the issue it was necessary to refer back to the Region's Operations Study which contained a recommendation that street number signs be provided along key roads/intersections. He noted that the other issue was the question of sign uniformity and that all of the issues of Mr. Meyers have already been addressed and there was no need for any other action. By general consent, it was agreed that no further action would be taken on the submission proposals of Mr. E. Meyers. 5.UPDATE RE: PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES Mr. T. McCabe advised that following discussion of the Forwell subdivision at the Committee's April 25 meeting, staff had been requested to review procedures relative to circulation notice requirements and recirculation of planning proposals and provide a report to the Committee by June 30. He advised that the Department has begun to collect all of its procedures but requires additional time to fully consider the approach to the review. Mr. McCabe noted that one suggestion has been to undertake public consultation and with such approach, staff believe they require until the end of September to complete the review. On motion by Councillor B. Stortz, It was resolved: "That an extension from June 30 to September 30 be granted relative to Council's April 25, 1994 resolution which is amended to read as follows: 'That Staff of the Department of Planning and Development be requested to review procedures relative to circulation notice requirements and recirculation of planning proposals and provide a report to the Planning & Economic Development Committee by September 30, 1994'." 6.REVISION TO CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL - 542 CHARLES STREET EAST DEMOLITION CONTROL APPLICATION DC 93/04/RM (TAWCO LIMITED) Mr. T. McCabe provided the Committee with a copy of the resolution passed by City Council on August 23, 1993 pertaining to approval of Demolition Control Application DC 93/04/RM of Tawco Limited respecting the property known municipally as 542 Charles Street East. Mr. McCabe noted that as a result of further discussions with Mr. Witzel relative to issues relating to a temporary gravel extraction operation under Zone Change Application 92/36NV/Z J, he tabled a proposed revision to the original conditions of approval of demolition respecting 542 Charles Street East. On motion by Councillor M. Wagner, It was resolved: 6.REVISION TO CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL - 542 CHARLES STREET EAST DEMOLITION CONTROL APPLICATION DC 93/04/RM (TAWCO LIMITED) (CONT'D) "That Council's August 23, 1993 conditions of approval for Demolition Control Application DC 93/04/RM (Tawco Limited), 542 Charles Street East, be replaced with the following conditions: That prior to the issuance of the demolition permit 1.The General Manager of Planning and Development be satisfied with arrangements made for site PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES JL.~,~ ~, .~aa,~ _ 111~ _ r'~_l'l'v nl: I,(iTr'~_HI:I~iI:I~ landscaping, grading, parking layout and surfacing of parking area/driveways. 2.That a Regional Road Entranae Permit be obtained for any new entranae to 0harles Street." 7.ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m. L.W. Neil, AMCT Assistant City Clerk