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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlng & Econ Dev - 1996-06-10PED\1996-06-10 JUNE 10, 1996 PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER The Planning and Economic Development Committee met this date commencing at 3:30 p.m. under Councillor C. Weylie, Chair, with the following members present: Mayor R. Christy and Councillors John Smola, G. Lorentz, K. Redman, B. Vrbanovic, T. Galloway, M. Yantzi, J. Ziegler, M. Wagner and Jake Smola. Officials present: Ms. C. Ladd, P. MacPherson, V. Gibaut, J. Jantzi and Messrs. McCabe, B. Stanley, J. Shivas, D. Mansell, J. Witmer, P. Wetherup, Bensason, R. Mattice, O. den Ouden and L.W. Neil. T. McKay, T. T. Boutilier, L. 1. ECONOMIC 'I'VVINNING - KARLSRUHE, GERMANY The Committee was in receipt of a report dated June 10, 1996 from Ms. V. Gibaut recommending that Kitchener pursue an economic alliance with the City of Karlsruhe in Baden-Wurttemberg State in Germany. The report discusses the need for Canadian companies to enter new markets and mentions that the Economic Development Division has been working to foster economic development linkages between local companies and international partners. This meets one of the mandates of the Division which is to promote and facilitate local economic development. The report goes on to discuss background related to the issue, objectives of the project, outcomes and benefits, selection criteria and the reasons for choosing Karlsruhe. In the summary section of the report, it is recommended that if the response of Karlsruhe is positive, a delegation from Kitchener should visit Karlsruhe in September for the purpose of meeting with appropriate officials. A budget of $10,000 for this was proposed made up as follows: - Economic Development Division Budget - Twinning - Economic Development Division Marketing Budget - Mayors Budget $ 5,000 3,000 2,000 $10,000 Ms. Gibaut advised that Mr. Bill Waite, former President & CEO of Siemens Electric Limited was in attendance to make a presentation after having recently spent four months in Germany as a special advisor to the Canadian Government. Mr. Waite pointed out that the amount of annual German investment in Canada began falling in 1990 and that he went to Germany to research the issue. He found that Canada was no longer being looked at individually as a country and that NAFTA had taken its place. He stated that Canada was not doing enough to maintain the attention of German investors and that it must do more. Mr. Waite listed the advantages for German investors wishing to invest in Canada which include: a skilled workforce, small workforce turnover, manufacturing in metric, Iow manufacturing costs per unit, export potential and excellence in the fields of health care, communications, transportation and energy. He stated that Canada should emphasize its advantages of manufacturing in metric and integration within NAFTA to attract not only German investment but companies that plan to relocate out of Germany. Mr. Waite noted that he provided recommendations regarding these issues to the Canadian Government. In addition, he pointed out that approximately 425,000 German tourists visit Canada each year and that they represent a captive audience in respect to any initiative to attract more commerce. In summary, he noted that because of economic conditions in Germany the door was open for countries to seek German investment. In response to Councillor C. Weylie, Mr. Waite stated that he felt Karlsruhe was an attractive City to twin with but he commented that Ontario did not have a good track record and that Kitchener must show how seriously interested it is. In response to Mayor R. Christy, Mr. Waite advised that his comments were directed broadly across the German economy and that any initiative should be taken quickly. Ms. V. Gibaut advised that Ms. Marga Weigel was attending the meeting as a representative of the local German Canadian Professional Association. Ms. Weigel advised that most of her business was in commercial real estate with German investors and that she had recently visited two Rotarian Clubs in Karlsruhe and confirmed their receptiveness to outside investment opportunities. She pointed out that several years ago Karlsruhe had entered into a twinning arrangement with the City of Phoenix, Arizona that did JUNE 10, 1996 PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES - 89 - CITY OF KITCHENER ECONOMIC 'I'VVINNING - KARLSRUHE, GERMANY (CONT'D) not work out and also had links with two other Cities where not much was happening. She indicated that Karlsruhe has a similar infrastructure as Kitchener and saw the two Cities as compatible. Her impression was that the overall attitude within Karlsruhe was quite positive. On motion by Councillor M. Wagner - it was resolved: "That staff be directed to pursue an economic alliance with the City of Karlsruhe in the Baden-Wurttemberg State in Germany, and further, That staff of the Economic Development Division be requested to quickly develop a marketing plan to penetrate the German investment market." PD 96/37 - 248 STIRLING AVENUE SOUTH - MUNICIPAL PLAN AMENDMENT APPLICATION 96/1/S/PMB - ZONE CHANGE APPLICATION 96171SIPMB - COURTLAND-STERLING INVESTMENTS LTD. - VICTORIA PARK WARD Councillor C. Weylie, Chair read the following announcement to those persons in attendance in the Council Chambers: "This is a Public Meeting under 'The Planning Act, 1995' to consider Municipal Plan Amendment Application 96/1 (Courtland-Sterlin,q Investments Ltd). In order to ensure that record includes all the names of those individuals who are attending for this matter, please identify yourself and your name will be taken for the record. If your name does not appear on the record, you may jeopardize any further involvement you wish to have in this matter. Any recommendation made by Planning Committee on this matter today will be considered by City Council on June 17, 1996. If City Council adopts the amendment, it will proceed to the Regional Municipality of Waterloo who has the final approval authority for Municipal Plan Amendments. They are also the body to whom appeals are sent. If a person or public body has not made oral submissions at the public meeting or has not made written submissions to the City prior to the adoption of the plan by City Council, the Regional Municipality of Waterloo as the approval authority may refuse to refer an appeal in respect of the plan to the Ontario Municipal Board and the Ontario Municipal Board may dismiss the appeal. Further information on these procedures is available from the City's Department of Planning and Development or the Region's Department of Planning and Culture." In response to the request of the Chair, the following individuals who were attending for this matter identified themselves: - Mr. Kevin Curtis - Mr. Richard Brown The Committee was advised that the Department of Planning and Development was in receipt of an application from Courtland-Sterling Investments Ltd., to amend the Municipal Plan and to change the zoning with respect to the property known municipally as 248 Stirling Avenue South. It was noted in the report that the purpose of the Municipal Plan Amendment and Zone Change was to add a special policy to the Neighbourhood Commercial designation and a special use provision to the Neighbourhood Shopping Centre Zone (C-2) and the Existing Use Zone (E-l) to permit commercial recreational uses within the existing plaza at 248 Stirling Avenue South. In this regard the Committee considered Planning and Development Staff Report PD 96/37 dated April 18, 1996 along with an attached amendment to the Municipal Plan and a proposed zoning by-law dated April 17, 1996 attached to the staff report. It was noted in the report that the subject lands are located on the southwest corner of Courtland Avenue and Stirling Avenue South. The lands are physically separated from the lands to the west by the Grand River 2. PD 96~37 - 248 STIRLING AVENUE SOUTH JUNE 10, 1996 PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES - 90 - CITY OF KITCHENER - MUNICIPAL PLAN AMENDMENT APPLICATION 96111SIPMB - ZONE CHANGE APPLICATION 96171SIPMB - COURTLAND-STERLING INVESTMENTS LTD. - VICTORIA PARK WARD (CONT'D) Railway and a water course and all other properties abutting the subject lands are designated and zoned General Industrial. It was pointed out that notice that the Committee would hold a public meeting this date to consider these matters had previously been given. Ms. C. Ladd advised that staff had nothing further to add to the report under consideration. Mr. Richard Brown appeared as a delegation and advised that he was representing the Beth Jacob Synagogue which is located outside of the boundary of the planning circulation area. He advised that since the Synagogue did not receive circulation and that he had only just obtained a copy of the staff report he was not fully prepared to address the issue and would like to reserve the opportunity to object after first having consulted with officials of the Synagogue. In addition, he advised that some people on the periphery of the subject property in the area of Madison Avenue/Courtland including a neighbourhood church may be in objection to the proposal. Mr. Kevin Curtis appeared as a delegation on behalf of the applicant and indicated support of his client for the recommendations in the staff report. No other delegations were registered respecting this matter. On motion by Councillor M. Yantzi - it was resolved: "a) That City Council approve Municipal (Courtland-Sterling Investments Ltd. amendment to the Municipal Plan to: Plan Amendment Application 96/1/S/PMB 248 Stirling Avenue South), being an Amend the Mill Courtland-Woodside Park Neighbourhood Secondary Plan, Part 3, Section 13.4 by adding Special Policy 13.4.4.15 as follows: "Notwithstanding the Neighbourhood Commercial designation which applies to the property at 248 Stirling Avenue South, commercial recreation shall also be permitted." ii) Amend Map 12, to identify 248 Stirling Avenue South as a Special Policy Area as shown on the attached Schedule "A". It is the opinion of this Committee that approval of this Amendment to the Municipal Plan is proper planning for the City. b) That Zone Change Application ZC 96/7/S/PMB (Courtland-Sterling Investments Ltd.), adding special use provision 218 to the lands located at 248 Stirling Avenue South zoned Neighbourhood Commercial Zone (C-2) and Existing Use Zone (E-l) be approved in the form shown in the attached "Proposed By-law", dated April 17, 1996. It is the opinion of this Committee that approval of this Application is proper planning for the City and is in conformity with an Amendment to the City's Municipal Plan." Councillor C. Weylie advised that this recommendation would be considered by City Council at its meeting to be held on Monday, June 17, 1996. OPTION AGREEMENT - MCBRINE DRIVE, HURON BUSINESS PARK - PURCHASE OF PART LOT 16, REG. COMPILED PLAN 1471 - ELOCAB SONDERKABEL GMBH & CO. KG - SOUTH WARD JUNE 10, 1996 PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES - 91 - CITY OF KITCHENER The Committee was in receipt of a report dated June 5, 1996 from the Economic Development Division recommending the City enter into an Option Agreement for the sale of certain lands in Phase 2 of the Huron Business Park. It was noted in the report that the additional 4.5 acres of land that "elocab" is purchasing will be reserved for future expansion of the company. Ms. J. Jantzi provided an explanation of the Option Agreement and noted that a $22,500 option deposit was non refundable. Councillor J. Ziegler questioned if the deposit was appropriate given the size of the land purchase and was advised that staff are satisfied. Councillor Ziegler referred to a situation that occurred in the early 1980's involving land at the intersection of Ottawa Street South and Homer Watson Boulevard. He indicated that he did not want to see a repeat of a similar situation where lands that were purchased at a Iow price and remained undeveloped for many years were subsequently transferred to another party. In such circumstances where an original purchaser does not undertake development of land, Councillor Ziegler insisted that the procedure should be that the land is returned to the City for resale. Accordingly, he suggested that the recommendation should contain a clause referring to no transferability of the option to any other party in future. Ms. J. Jantzi indicated that a covenant in the offer to purchase contained a no sale or transfer clause without the City's approval. Mr. J. Shivas indicated that the staff recommendation could be revised to provide for approval subject to the option not being assigned without the City's consent. On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler - it was resolved: "That subject to the condition that the Option can not be assigned by the Purchaser, the City enter into an Option Agreement dated the 28th day of March, 1996, with elocab Sonderkabel GmbH & Co. KG for land in Phase 2 of the Huron Business Park, being composed of Part of Lot 16, Registrar's Compiled Plan 1471 shown as Parts 1, 3, and 4 on Reference Plan 58R-6949 and consisting of approximately 4.5 acres, for a total purchase price of $360,000.00 calculated at the rate of $80,000/acre, of which $22,500.00 is a non refundable deposit. The Mayor and Clerk are hereby authorized to execute any other necessary documentation required by the City Solicitor." UPDATE - OFFER TO PURCHASE, HURON BUSINESS PARK, SITE 98B - PREMIER MACHINE & GEAR LTD. Ms. J. Jantzi advised the Committee that at its meeting held May 13, 1996 an offer had been accepted from Premier Machine & Gear Ltd., to purchase Site 98B subject to Jenson Technologies Inc., not exercising its first right to purchase the property. Ms. Jantzi advised that Jenson Technologies has not exercised this right and that the offer of Premier Machine & Gear Ltd. will conclude in early July. DOCUMENT - VICTORIA PARK AREA HERITAGE CONSERVATION DISTRICT PLAN - INFORMATION ONLY - PRESENTATION BY NICHOLAS HILL The Committee was in receipt of the Victoria Park Area Heritage Conservation District Plan dated May 1996 prepared by Nicholas Hill, Architect-Planner. Mr. B. Stanley advised the Committee that the Heritage Conservation District Plan has been presented to a full public meeting and a resolution related to it has been adopted by the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee for consideration by City Council at its June 17th meeting. He noted that it was intended the presentation this date be for information only given that all members of Council were members of the Planning and Economic Development Committee. DOCUMENT - VICTORIA PARK AREA HERITAGE CONSERVATION DISTRICT PLAN - INFORMATION ONLY - PRESENTATION BY NICHOLAS HILL (CONT'D) Mr. Nicholas Hill appeared as a delegation and advised that the Plan was prepared under the Ontario Heritage Act and he outlined the purpose of the Act. He distributed a summary providing a chronology of events commencing April 19, 1994 through to the presentation this date and City Council's consideration of a by-law on June 17th designating the Victoria Park Area as a Heritage JUNE 10, 1996 PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES - 92 - CITY OF KITCHENER Conservation District. Mr. Hill noted that the Plan had been undertaken in two portions with the first portion being composed of study of the area and the second portion being development of the Plan itself. He pointed out that Page 3 of the document outlines the boundaries of the Victoria Park Area Heritage Conservation District which itself is composed of three sub-areas. Mr. Hill referred to the document and advised that it consists primarily of voluntary guidelines from Pages 18 through to 60 that have been created to assist property owners. He advised that the area was found to be quite stable and it was not necessary to come in with hard regulations to maintain the area and consequently the voluntary guidelines had been developed. He indicated that the local Heritage Committee will advise residents as to compulsory regulations where major work is planned such as building additions, conversions, demolitions, etc., and inform them of procedure for approaching LACAC. Finally, he referred to Victoria Park itself and noted the goal to conserve and enhance the 18th century romantic landscape style of Victoria Park. As well, he asked that note be taken of the streetscape features listed on Pages 85-87 and pointed out that the Plan was developed to stretch over many years and that the community was involved in development of the Plan. He then publicly thanked the Steering Committee and all of the members of City staff who assisted in preparation of the Plan. Councillor C. Weylie questioned the status of previously designated houses within the Plan area and Mr. Hill advised that individually designated houses under LACAC are actually excluded from the District Plan. Also in response to Councillor C. Weylie, he advised that the Plan would be administered by LACAC as well as a local committee within the community. Councillor M. Yantzi thanked Mr. Hill for the approach he took to develop the Plan particularly the community involvement aspect. Councillor M. Wagner noted that at the last Steering Committee meeting it was pointed out that residents were unanimous in their support of the process that had taken place to develop the Plan. PD 96/45 - CONDOMINIUM CONVERSION ACTIVITY AND MARKET IMPACT The Committee was in receipt of Planning and Development Staff Report PD 96/45 dated May 13, 1996 which provides a review of Condominium Conversions under the Rental Housing Protection Act since 1990 and an analysis of the conversions impact on the local market. As a result of staff's analysis, it is recommended that a permissive stance be taken to the conversion of rental townhouses to condominium and that a restrictive stance be taken to the conversion of rental apartments to condominium. Mr. B. Stanley advised that the information contained in the report builds on the material that was presented by Mr. R. Mattice at the Committee's last meeting wherein it was noted that there was a decrease in vacancy rates for apartment units. Councillor J. Ziegler stated that he was opposed to the staff recommendation and suggested that staff should maintain a totally permissive approach. As proof of his view, he referred the Committee to the last paragraph on Page 4 of the staff report which notes that the conversions are staying in the rental market. Mr. B. Stanley acknowledged that it was correct that conversions have remained within the rental pool. Mr. R. Mattice commented that vacancy rates were getting close to the bottom end of the range and that if more conversions were allowed to occur the vacancy rate would fall below acceptable levels. Councillor J. Ziegler stated that if in future there was evidence of a change wherein condominium apartments were being used by owners and not available for rental and the vacancy rate continues to decrease then he was agreeable to reconsidering the issue. Councillor M. Yantzi suggested a review of the matter in six months. Mr. R. Mattice indicated that the issue could be set aside for now and reviewed after October 1996. PD 96/45 - CONDOMINIUM CONVERSION ACTIVITY AND MARKET IMPACT (CONT'D) On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler - it was resolved: "That Council receive Planning and Development Staff Report PD 96/45 on condominium conversion and market impact for information, and further, That Council direct Staff to continue to take a permissive stance to the conversion of rental JUNE 10, 1996 PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES - 93 - CITY OF KITCHENER townhouses to condominium and to the conversion of rental apartments to condominium, and further, That staff prepare an update report for review by the Planning and Economic Development Committee by 1996 yearend." ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 4:35 p.m. L.W. Neil, AMCT Assistant City Clerk