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PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 8, 1997
CITY OF KITCHENER
The Planning and Economic Development Committee met this date commencing at 3:45 p.m. under
Councillor M. Yantzi, Vice-Chair, with the following members present: Mayor R. Christy and Councillors
John Smola, G. Lorentz, K. Taylor-Harrison, B. Vrbanovic, T. Galloway, J. Ziegler and M. Wagner.
Officials present:
Ms. C. Ladd, J. Koppeser and Messrs. J. Gazzola, T. McCabe, B. Stanley, L.
Masseo, J. Witmer, J. Shivas, D. Mansell, T. Boutilier, D. Snow, P. Wetherup and
L.W. Neil.
PD 97/86 - DOON HERITAGE CROSSROADS - PORTABLE SIGN REQUEST - REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF WATERLOO - SOUTH WARD
The Committee was in receipt of Planning and Development Staff Report PD 97/86 dated August
26, 1997 dealing with a portable sign request. It was noted in the report that Doon Heritage
Crossroads was hosting a fundraiser for the Humane Society and wishes to erect a portable sign
to advertise the event on an annual basis. The land is zoned Hazard Land Zone (P-3) and as
such does not permit a portable sign; however, as in similar requests in institutional zones, the
Department has no concerns supporting this request for a minor variance to the sign by-law.
Mr. T. McCabe advised that staff had nothing further to add to the report under consideration.
No delegations were registered respecting this matter.
On motion by Councillor M. Wagner -
it was resolved:
"That the Planning and Economic Development Committee permit, on an annual basis, a
30 day portable sign to be located at Doon Heritage Crossroads, RR#2 Kitchener, for the
purpose of advertising for a fundraiser for the Kitchener-Waterloo and North Waterloo
Humane Society, subject to the obtaining of the necessary sign permit in accordance with
the setback and other regulations governing portable signs."
PD 97~87 - 890 KING STREET WEST
- REQUEST TO EXTEND DEADLINE TO FULFIL CONDITIONS
-ZONE CHANGE APPLICATION ZC94/06/K/CL
- DR. V.B. RAO - BRIDGEPORT-NORTH WARD
The Committee was in receipt of Planning and Development Staff Report PD 97/87 dated August
28, 1997 dealing with a request from Dr. V.B. Rao to extend the deadline for fulfilling conditions on
Zone Change 94/06/K/CL for 890 King Street West. The owner has requested a further 12 month
extension beyond the additional five months extension already granted to August 6, 1997. Staff
recommend an extension be granted only until December 1, 1997.
The Committee was advised that staff had nothing further to add to the report under consideration.
No delegations were registered respecting this matter.
On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler -
it was resolved:
"That Kitchener Council support an extension to December 1, 1997 in order to fulfil the
conditions of approval for Zone Change Application 94/06/K/CL (Dr. V.B. Rao), 890 King
Street West."
PD 97~89 - CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT TEAM REPORT AND PRESENTATION - ONE STOP SHOPPING FOR BUSINESS APPROVALS
The Committee was in receipt of Planning and Development Staff Report PD 97/89 dated
September 4, 1997 dealing with the matter of one stop shopping for business approvals and
recommendations of the CIP Team in this regard. The Committee was also provided with a
PD 97~89 - CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT TEAM REPORT AND PRESENTATION
- ONE STOP SHOPPING FOR BUSINESS APPROVALS (CONT'D)
PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 8, 1997 - 140 - CITY OF KITCHENER
copy of a memorandum dated August 7, 1997 from Mr. J. Witmer on the subject of one stop
shopping for business approvals and the CIP Team report entitled "Enterprise 21: One Stop
Shopping - Fast Tracking to the Future" and the accompanying Appendices report.
Mr. J. Witmer briefly introduced the one stop shopping reports and staff members of the CIP
Team.
At this point Mr. T. Boutilier referenced the mandate for this inquiry originating from the Mayor's
Task Force on the Downtown and noted that the mandate had been expanded to include all
business approvals administered by the City. He commented that it was the Team's task to look at
the City's operations the way customers look at them and in this regard he noted that regular users
of the City's services were invited to comment and critique these services and their administration.
Mr. Boutilier pointed out to the Committee that not all members of staff agree with the
recommendation that has been put forward with regard to one stop shopping. Mr. Boutilier then
briefly took the Committee through the chapters of the one stop shopping report "Fast Tracking to
the Future".
During discussion, comments were forthcoming on the following issues: overcoming perceptions,
technology based challenges (automated tracking system), one location versus facilitator
approach and user performance expectations.
A discussion then took place on the need to move this initiative forward and the length of time to
do so. It was questioned how changes are to be communicated and suggested that a
communication plan be developed. Mr. J. Gazzola advised that it was his view the initiative could
be implemented in the near future and that the matter of communications/marketing/public
relations should be dealt with as part of the 1998 budget consideration. Further, he responded
that he viewed the area of changes necessary to implement this initiative as being the
responsibility of the Chief Administrative Officer.
Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison suggested the customer charter of rights should be adopted and
exhibited at all City facilities. Mayor R. Christy suggested there was benefit in having the Team
Kitchener Sub Committee examine this document. Councillor B. Vrbanovic raised the issue of a
staff group occupying a separate location to address business approvals and Mr. J. Gazzola
commented that he felt additional discussion on this issue was still warranted. Councillor
Vrbanovic was of the view that the initiative should move ahead quickly noting it was staff that
have suggested this location approach. He suggested a six month time limit be put on
recommendation #1 as it relates to a central staff location. Mr. T. McCabe requested that staff
have the opportunity to prepare costs in this regard as the recommendation had major staffing
implications. Other members of the Committee favoured moving forward as quickly as practical
and feasible with this initiative.
Councillor J. Ziegler put forward a revision to the recommendations itemized in the staff report and
the revisions were accepted by the Committee.
On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler -
it was resolved:
"1)
That the Improvement Idea to create one central, highly accessible Business
Approvals and Assistance Centre at the Ground Floor of Kitchener City Hall, as
outlined in Chapter 3 of the attached CIP Team Report entitled "Enterprise 21 -Fast
Tracking to the Future", be endorsed and staff be instructed to develop an
implementation and cost plan by October 31, 1997 for Council's approval based on
a target implementation date of April 1, 1998.
2)
That all remaining Improvement Ideas, as outlined in Chapters 4 to 11 of the
attached CIP Team Report entitled "Enterprise 21 -Fast Trackinq to the Future", be
endorsed and Staff are instructed to proceed with implementation.
PD 97/89 - CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT TEAM REPORT AND PRESENTATION
- ONE STOP SHOPPING FOR BUSINESS APPROVALS (CONT'D)
PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 8, 1997 - 141 - CITY OF KITCHENER
3)
That the CIP Team Report and Council's recommendations be provided to the Team
Kitchener Sub Committee for its information, review and comments."
PD 97/80 - REVISIONS TO HIDDEN VALLEY COMMUNITY PLAN - PROPOSED SECOND MEANS OF ACCESS TO HIDDEN VALLEY
- PROPOSED WABANAKI DRIVE EXTENSION - FAIRVIEW WARD
The Committee was in receipt of Planning and Development Staff Report PD 97/80 dated August
12, 1997 dealing with the Hidden Valley area. Specifically the report deals with revisions to the
Hidden Valley Residential Community Plan, a proposed second means of access to Hidden Valley
and a proposed Wabanaki Drive extension. It was noted that in August 1996, Vace Investments
Inc. submitted a request to modify the Community Plan to permit a relocation of a proposed
second means of access to the Hidden Valley area. Currently the Plan requires the construction
of the proposed Wabanaki Drive extension between Wilson Avenue and Goodrich Drive prior to
further residential development of the Vace Investments Inc. lands. Vace now proposes that the
requirement for a second means of access be revised to permit the construction of a road
connection between Fairway Road and Hidden Valley Road as a replacement for the existing road
requirement.
Mr. L. Masseo summarized the request by Vace Investments Inc. to relocate the approved second
means of access for the subdivision and reviewed recent planning history respecting their
subdivision. It was his understanding that the subdivider has had some difficulty marketing their
lots as a result of access being required through an industrial area and commented that the
existing second access road requirement would not change the situation. Accordingly, Vace
Investments has proposed construction of a connector road from Fairway Road to Hidden Valley
Road but he noted there were a number of difficulties with this alternative. Mr. Masseo suggested
that heavy truck traffic could be anticipated to utilize the connector road and also pointed out that
an Environmental Assessment would have to be prepared. As well, he pointed out that Vace
Investments was requesting city cost sharing to accommodate heavy trucks utilizing a roadway
which was being developed for subdivision access purposes and not general City purposes. He
indicated that there were cost sharing implications as to the extent of the connector roadway. Mr.
L. Masseo and Mr. D. Mansell responded to several questions raised by Councillors J. Ziegler and
T. Galloway with regard to road development options and associated costs of the south leg and
the north leg of the Wabanaki Drive extension and its future alignment.
Mr. Richard Payette appeared as a delegation in support of his correspondence dated September
1, 1997 distributed with the committee agenda. He reviewed his submission opposing any
amendment to the Community Plan and pointed out that he was in agreement with the findings of
the Fairway Road/River Road Traffic Study and Fairway Road Corridor Improvement Report dated
May 1994 prohibiting any Wabanaki extension at this time. Mr. Payette requested that Council
uphold the current hold on Hidden Valley development until the River Road extension was put in
place. In response to Councillor J. Ziegler, Mr. Payette pointed out that trucks exiting Hidden
Valley from a new connector road onto Fairway Road with the intent of accessing Highway #8
would have to quickly cross two lanes of traffic to reach the left turn and ramp to Highway #8. In
response to Councillor J. Ziegler, Mr. L. Masseo advised that the Fairway Road Study
contemplated traffic volume of existing approved development.
Mr. Sydney Townsend appeared as a delegation in support of his submission dated September 8,
1997 distributed with the committee agenda. Mr. Townsend reviewed his submission with the
Committee and commented that traffic congestion on Fairway Road should be of concern to all
residents of Kitchener. He suggested that the request of Vace Investments flies in the face of the
Fairway Road/River Road Traffic Study and noted that several major developments have been put
in place along Fairway Road since the study and upgrading of traffic flow on Fairway Road. In
summary, Mr. Townsend requested the amendment to the Community Plan be refused as it would
benefit only Vace Farms at the expense of the general taxpayers. As well, all users of Fairway
Road would be impacted by increased delays and additional driving hazard as a result of the
necessity to quickly change lanes to access Highway #8 ramp southbound.
PD 97/80 - REVISIONS TO HIDDEN VALLEY COMMUNITY PLAN - PROPOSED SECOND MEANS OF ACCESS TO HIDDEN VALLEY
- PROPOSED WABANAKI DRIVE EXTENSION - FAIRVIEW WARD (CONT'D)
PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 8, 1997 - 142 - CITY OF KITCHENER
Mr. Paul Dietrich, Wright-Dietrich, Planners, Engineers and Land Development Consultants,
appeared as a delegation on behalf of Vace Investments Inc. He acknowledged that planning in
the Hidden Valley Area was a difficult exercise spanning a number of years during which
conditions keep changing. Mr. Dietrich stated that he was in general support of the staff report.
He noted that with Fairway Road having been improved it was feasible to request a connection to
facilitate access to residential areas being developed in Hidden Valley with a prohibition of truck
traffic along such access. He noted that provision of a connector road would not open Hidden
Valley to additional development which must await the construction of a future River
Road/Highway #8 interchange. Mr. Dietrich distributed a copy of a letter from Al's Cartage Ltd.
advising that they would prohibit their trucks from utilizing a connector road to Fairway Road for
one to two years.
Mr. Aaron Klassen appeared as a delegation on behalf of Vace Investments Inc. and distributed a
submission dated September 8, 1997. The submission deals with the objections raised in the
correspondence of Messrs. R. Payette and S. Townsend and comments on the existing plans
which would have two accesses to the area both coming through an industrial section. Mr.
Klassen requested amendment so as to allow access to the area via Fairway Road instead of
through the back way via the industrial area. He also questioned the reasoning as to why a
residential developer was expected to build a road specifically for the benefit of industrial users.
Councillor T. Galloway commented that he had a concern as to the incremental nature of changes
that have been requested following completion of the planning process for this subdivision. He
pointed out that should a right in/right out intersection of a connector road at Fairway Road be
approved it was his concern that subsequently a request would be received for development of a
full intersection.
Mrs. Doreen Townsend appeared as a delegation and expressed a concern over the possibility of
the Vace development obtaining water from wells rather than from a city water service. She also
expressed concern over additional traffic flowing onto Hidden Valley Road from Fairway Road as
well as the fact that the connector road from Hidden Valley Road to Fairway Road would be a level
railroad crossing.
No other delegations were registered respecting this matter.
Councillor T. Galloway questioned if the Official Plan or the Community Plan anticipated a link to
Fairway Road from Hidden Valley Road and Mr. L. Masseo advised that the industrial portion of
the Plan refers to a linkage. Mr. T. McCabe advised that reference to the linkage was in the
approved Municipal Plan.
Councillor J. Ziegler stated that he was concerned about the impact on Fairway Road should it be
connected to Hidden Valley Road particularly as it relates to trucks. He noted that currently trucks
leaving the Hidden Valley industrial area after turning onto Fairway Road from Wilson Avenue
have a long distance to move to the left to access the left turn Highway #8 ramp access. Further,
he pointed out that since recent improvements were made to Fairway Road it was functioning
reasonably well and an additional connection at this point may negate the recent improvements.
He suggested that before any consideration take place a traffic impact study was required to
analyze the impact that trucks would have on Fairway Road should a connection be developed.
Mr. L. Masseo commented that a traffic study could be part of the Environmental Assessment
process with respect to the future proposed Wabanaki Drive extension.
On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler -
it was resolved:
"That no action be taken at this time on the recommendations contained in Planning and
Development Staff Report PD 97/80 (Revisions to Hidden Valley Residential Community
Plan, proposed second means of access to Hidden Valley, proposed Wabanaki Drive
Extension) until a revised scoped Traffic Impact Study has been submitted by the
PD 97/80 - REVISIONS TO HIDDEN VALLEY COMMUNITY PLAN - PROPOSED SECOND MEANS OF ACCESS TO HIDDEN VALLEY
- PROPOSED WABANAKI DRIVE EXTENSION - FAIRVIEW WARD (CONT'D)
proponent, addressing the impact on the operations of Fairway Road resulting from both
PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 8, 1997 - 143 - CITY OF KITCHENER
automobile and heavy truck traffic utilizing a proposed new road connecting Fairway Road
and Hidden Valley Road."
5. ADJOURNMENT
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
L.W. Neil, AMCT
Assistant City Clerk
