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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlng & Econ Dev - 1999-02-08PED\1999-02-08 PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 8, 1999CITY OF KITCHENER The Planning and Economic Development Committee met this date commencing at 3:40 p.m. under Councillor C. Weylie, Chair, with the following members present: Councillors J. Ziegler, T. Galloway, J. Haalboom and John Smola. Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors M. Yantzi, G. Lorentz, B. Vrbanovic and Jake Smola entered the meeting after its commencement. Officials present: Ms. C. Ladd, J. Jantzi, J. Given and B. Newall and Messrs. J. Gazzola, J. Shivas, P. Sinnott, T. McCabe, B. Stanley, G. Richardson, D. Snow, D. Mansell, J. Witmer, L. Masseo, B. Allen and L. W. Neil. 1.BUSINESS ENTERPRISE CENTRE Ms. J. Jantzi handed out invitations to members of Council respecting the official opening of the Business Enterprise Centre and provided a list of invitees as well as details of the event. Mr. T. McCabe advised Committee members that he had sent an e-mail respecting the suggestion of moving the painting located outside of the Business Centre and clarifying that there was no intention to do so. Further, he advised that final negotiations were taking place with the Province concerning the common counter development and noted that the Province has allowed the City to be part of the interview process involving the hiring of their staff for the Centre. UPDATE ON OFFERS TO PURCHASE Councillor T. Galloway questioned how many offers to purchase land the City was entertaining at this time and Ms. J. Jantzi advised that negotiations were taking place with five companies. Councillor Galloway then questioned what consideration had taken place with regard to the matter of an industrial land strategy with a view to defining whether there was a need to bring private interests in to accelerate land development or whether or not it could be pursued in the public domain. Mr. T. McCabe advised that a staff team was working on a strategy and that a report could be expected in the Fall. He did note that the strategy may call for both long-term and short- term solutions as an approach to deal with the current shortage situation. Mayor C. Zehr and Councillor M. Yantzi entered the meeting at this point. 3.GRAND RIVER COMMUNITY Councillor J. Haalboom questioned if land development in the Grand River Community Planning Area was ever looked at from the point of view of industrial and / or commercial development rather than residential. Mr. T. McCabe responded that the lands had always been considered for residential development and provided background comment in that regard. Councillor Haalboom referred to noise issues pertaining to the Waterloo Regional Airport operations and questioned if development policies would be as restrictive if areas were not developed residentially. Mr. T. McCabe commented that City Council would have to give direction in that regard. 4.BPS 99/22 - 146 PIONEER TOWER ROAD - DEMOLITION CONTROL APPLICATION DC 98/13/P/JG - KRIZSANDERSON DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED – DOON-PIONEER WARD The Committee was advised that the Department of Business and Planning Services was in receipt of a Demolition Control Application submitted by Krizsanderson Developments Limited respecting lands known municipally as 146 Pioneer Tower Road. It was noted in Staff Report BPS 99/22 dated January 27,1999 that the applicant proposes to demolish a vacant dwelling due to its deteriorated condition. It was pointed out in the report that no concerns were expressed respecting loss of the dwelling after circulation of the application to agencies and neighbours. However the City’s Heritage Committee did express concern for the preservation of a large black walnut tree on the site and the salvaging of the stones from the front and side of the building. Action regarding these concerns is detailed in the report. 4.BPS 99/22 - 146 PIONEER TOWER ROAD PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 8, 1999-15 -CITY OF KITCHENER - DEMOLITION CONTROL APPLICATION DC 98/13/P/JG - KRIZSANDERSON DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED – DOON-PIONEER WARD (CONT’D) Councillor G. Lorentz entered the meeting at this point. Ms. C. Ladd reviewed the recommendation in the staff report and the issues relating to saving of the tree and utilization of the stones from the front and side of the building. In response to Councillor J. Haalboom, Ms. J. Given provided comment and clarification thst respecting the issues contained in her January 15 letter as well as the January 21 letter of Mr. B. Page. Mr. W. Green, Green Scheels Pidgeon, Planning Consultants Limited and Mr. Paul Heitshu, Thomasfield Homes appeared as a delegation in support of the recommendation contained in the staff report. No other delegations were registered respecting this matter. Councillor J. Haalboom pointed out that the black walnut tree on the subject property was on the Great Tree Hunt list of the City and asked that the Committee add a condition that would not allow for the issuance of building permits on lot 1 and lot 2 within one year of each other so as to minimize stress on the tree. Ms. Given advised that staff did not have the authority to implement such a condition. In response to Councillor T. Galloway, Mr. B. Green commented on the tree in relation to impact from development of adjacent lots and the efforts that his client had made to work with staff to preserve the tree. He pointed out that this phase of the development was not registered yet and that the tree management plan called for a follow-up requirement at the building permit stage that would deal with this matter. In summary, he stated that his client was very willing to work with staff to protect the tree and that the only issue is the matter of timing relating to applications for building permits. Councillor T. Galloway acknowledged that the applicant had been very co-operative in the matter and questioned if the applicant recognized Mr. Page’s letter as an addendum to the Tree Management Plan, to which, Mr. Green responded that they did not concur with it. On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler - It was resolved: “That Demolition Control Application DC 98/13/P/JG (146 Pioneer Tower Road - Krizsanderson Developments Ltd.) requesting approval of the demolition of the vacant building at 146 Pioneer Tower Road, legally described as Part of Lot 10, Beasley’s Broken Front Concession, be approved. It is the opinion of this Committee that approval of this application is proper planning for the City.” NOTICE - SPECIAL PEDC MEETING - MARCH 1, 1999 - RE: DEMOLITION CONTROL APPLICATIONS (KING, MOUNT HOPE, PARK AND UNION ) AND ROAD CLOSURES (MUTUAL AND VOGT PLACE - BRIDGEPORT- NORTH WARD Mr. P. Britton, McNaughton Hermsen Britton Clarkson appeared as a delegation respecting the proposed date of a special meeting of the Planning and Economic Development Committee to consider the Mutual Life Demolition Control Applications and Road Closures noted above. Mayor C. Zehr advised that it had been tentatively agreed to hold the meeting at 4:00 p.m. on st March 1 and that the time and date would be firmed up. PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 8, 1999-16 -CITY OF KITCHENER 6.BPS 98/151- WELLINGTON STREET -PROPOSED NAME CHANGE – BRIDGEPORT-NORTH WARD The Committee was in receipt of Business and Planning Services Staff Report BPS 98/151 dated January 27, 1999. The report deals with a proposed street name change for a portion of Wellington Street located to the east of the future extension of Lackner Boulevard. The Committee was advised that staff had nothing further to add to the report under consideration. On motion by Councillor John Smola - It was resolved: “That the portion of “Wellington Street” which is east of Lackner Boulevard and north of the Canadian National Railway (CNR), as shown on Schedule “A” attached to Staff Report BPS 98/151 be renamed “Shirley Avenue”. 7.BPS 99/150 - MUNICIPAL PLAN AMENDMENT APPLICATION MP 98/2/C/GR - REVISED ROAD WIDTHS AND ROAD CLASSIFICATION – CITY INITIATED Councillor C. Weylie, Chair read the following statement: “This is a Public Meeting under to consider Municipal Plan 'The Planning Act, 1996' Amendment Application MP 98/2/C/GR - City Initiated Revised Road Widths and Road Classification. Section 17 (45) of the Planning Act allows the Ontario Municipal Board to dismiss all or part of an appeal without holding a hearing if the appellant did not make oral submissions at a public meeting or did not make written submissions to the council before the plan was adopted and, in the opinion of the Board, the appellant does not provide a reasonable explanation for having failed to make a submission. In order to ensure the record includes all the names of those individuals who are making verbal submissions today for this Municipal Plan Amendment, please ensure that you clearly identify yourself before you begin your submissions and the Clerk will record your name for the record. If your name does not appear on the record, you may jeopardize any further involvement you wish to have in these matters. Any recommendation made by Planning Committee on these matters today will be considered by City Council on If City Council adopts the amendments; February 15, 1999. they 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. 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.” The Committee was in receipt of Business and Planning Services Staff Report BPS 98/150 dated January 18, 1999 dealing with a City Initiated application to amend the Municipal Plan as it relates to revised road widths and road classification. Attached to the staff report was the amendment report respecting this matter. It was pointed out in the staff report that the proposed amendment implements the second part of the Municipal Plan Amendment to rationalize the regional road system. The first part of the process adopted under Amendment 18 to the Plan dealt with reclassification of several regional roads being transferred from the Region to the City, including re-classification of roads under other jurisdictions. The second part deals with the necessary road widths of those roads that have now been transferred to the City, in addition to amendments to the classification of specific roads. PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 8, 1999-17 -CITY OF KITCHENER Ms. C. Ladd summarized the purpose of the report. 7.BPS 99/150 - MUNICIPAL PLAN AMENDMENT APPLICATION MP 98/2/C/GR - REVISED ROAD WIDTHS AND ROAD CLASSIFICATION – CITY INITIATED (CONT’D) Councillor G. Lorentz left the meeting at this point. Mr. G. Richardson provided a comment with respect to special policy 8.3.2.6 dealing with the scenic-heritage value of Trussler Road between Bleams Road and new Dundee Road. He also provided explanation with regard to Schedule E relating to the intersection of Park Street and Union Boulevard. Councillor J. Haalboom questioned if the amendment revisions pertaining to Trussler Road were the best that could be done in consideration of its scenic value. Mr. Richardson made reference to the corridor management plan and pointed out that the municipal plan revision obligates the Region to consult with the City respecting any future changes to the road. Councillor J. Haalboom requested that it be noted in the minutes that a 1986 study listed Trussler Road as one of the top ten scenic roads. Councillor M. Yantzi questioned the widenings requested for Courtland Avenue and the differences in that regard with respect to the section from Queen to David Streets and the section through Victoria Park. Ms. C. Ladd advised that the primary purpose of the widening was to provide for a utility corridor within the right-of-way. Councillor T. Galloway also raised the matter of Trussler Road as it relates to recommendation 1(d) and Mr. Stanley commented that since it was a Regional road under Regional jurisdiction the City’s designation could not be in conflict with the Regions. Mr. Graham Vincent, Acting Director of Transportation, Region of Waterloo advised that if the Region was ever to consider a widening, the Region was obligated to look at all the alternatives as well as a class environmental assessment. The recommendations in the staff report were then considered. On motion by Councillor by Councillor M. Yantzi - It was resolved: “1)That City Council adopt Municipal Plan Amendment Application MP 98/2/C/GR – City Initiated (Revised Road Widths and Road Classification) attached to Staff Report BPS 98/150, being an amendment to: a) Revise Schedule "D" - "Roads to be Widened" by including the streets to be widened as indicated in the attached amendment. b) Revise Section 8.3.3.9 to include Courtland Avenue between David Street and Devon Street as a Scenic-Heritage Road. c) Revise Section 8.3.3.10 to include Huron Road between Trussler Road and Westmount Road as a road for potential designation as a Scenic-Heritage Road. d) Revise Section 8.3.3.10 by deleting subsection v) relating to the inclusion of Trussler Road between Bleams Road and New Dundee Road for potential designation as a Scenic-Heritage Road. Revise Schedule "E" - "Intersections that may exceed the designated road allowance" by adding the intersection of Park Street and Union Boulevard. It is the opinion of this Committee that approval of this Amendment to the Municipal PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 8, 1999-18 -CITY OF KITCHENER Plan is proper planning for the City. That Regional Council be requested to modify Amendment No. 18 to the Municipal 7.BPS 99/150 - MUNICIPAL PLAN AMENDMENT APPLICATION MP 98/2/C/GR - REVISED ROAD WIDTHS AND ROAD CLASSIFICATION – CITY INITIATED (CONT’D) Plan to revise Map 4 - "Transportation" by changing the classification of Trussler Road between Bleams Road and New Dundee Road to a Primary Arterial Road, and that the following special policy also be included as part of the Amendment: 8.3.2.6That in recognition of the scenic-heritage value of that part of Trussler Road between Bleams Road and New Dundee Road, prior to any road re- alignment, widening or physical changes to the right-of way, a corridor management plan be developed by the Regional Municipality of Waterloo in consultation with the City of Kitchener. It is the opinion of this Committee that approval of this Modification to Amendment No. 18 of the Municipal Plan is proper planning for the City.” On motion by Councillor by Councillor J. Haalboom - It was resolved: “That notwithstanding adoption of Municipal Plan Amendment Application MP 98/2/C/GR the Region of Waterloo be requested to refer clause 1(d) of the recommendation to the Regional Heritage Planning Advisory Committee for comment and discussion prior to its consideration by the Regional Planning and Culture Committee.” 8.BPS 99/25 - CITY OF KITCHENER RESPONSE - DRAFT REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN The Committee was in receipt of Business and Planning Services Staff Report BPS 99/25 dated February 2, 1999 prepared jointly by B. Newell, Senior Planner and Mr. D. Snow, Director of Transportation, Public Works Department. Attached to the staff report was a joint report of the Region’s Planning and Culture Committee and Engineering Committee on the ‘Draft Transportation Master Plan’. Also attached was a draft of the Waterloo Transportation Master Plan ‘Action Plan for Implementation’. It was noted in the report BPS 99/25 that on January 5, 1999 the Draft Transportation Master Plan was tabled at the Region and referred for circulation to area municipalities for comment by th February 26. A joint Regional Planning and Culture and Engineering Committees Public Meeting for the Transportation Master Plan is scheduled for March 10, 1999. Council and staff representatives of the City were involved in the development of the plan from its inception in 1997 and the Draft Plan generally reflects what is seen as a reasonable and balanced approach to transportation planning in the Region. The approach will facilitate and accommodate growth and at the same time attempt to mitigate the negative effects of growth on the environment particularly by encouraging reduced reliance on the automobile. The 7% target reduction in the total auto trips by the year 2016 was referred to in the report and it was noted that it could only be achieved by a strong commitment to develop and implement strategies that will enable people to choose an alternative mode of transportation other than the automobile. In this regard, the City’s Municipal Plan has a number of policies that are directed towards reducing the use of the automobile and implementation of these policies together with the Bicycle Master Plan initiatives will support the 7% reduction goal. Mr. Graham Vincent, Acting Director of Transportation, Region of Waterloo appeared as a delegation to present the Draft Regional Transportation Master Plan. Mr. Vincent noted that the plan represented a 2-year effort and he then proceeded to comment in further detail on the outline of an overhead presentation that was displayed to the Committee. PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 8, 1999-19 -CITY OF KITCHENER Councillor’s B. Vrbanovic and Jake Smola entered the meeting at this point. Mr. Vincent firstly referred to the 1984 Regional Transportation Plan and noted that transportation issues had been dealt with in several subsequent area studies, in the 1995 8.BPS 99/25 - CITY OF KITCHENER RESPONSE - DRAFT REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN (CONT’D) Regional Official Policies Plan and in 1996 through the initiation of the current Regional Transportation Master Plan. He noted that the study process involved: A consultative public process Preparation of a study work plan Scoping the issues Forecasting future travel demands Identifying deficiencies Developing a plan. The study organization was outlined as well as the extent of public participation in seminars, public information centres, workshops and opinion surveys. The results of a public opinion telephone survey of 300 respondents were summarized. The following areas were addressed in the survey: Transportation improvements, Transit within and between cities and townships, environmental considerations, congestion issues, cycling program, widening existing roadways and intersections and where respondents would like more of their tax dollars spent. A near-term vision and a long-term vision was developed. The near-term vision would have the Region continue to provide an efficient road transportation system for residents and commercial / industrial operations while at the same time increasing the opportunities for residents to use transit, pedestrian and bicycle facilities. The long-term vision would include the following: Achieve a shift towards greater use of transit, pedestrian and bicycling facilities, and away from high auto reliance. This shift would be accomplished by providing increased land use densities, mixed land uses, a higher order transit system linking the Regions urban centres and an improved integration of the various modes of transportation. The necessary transportation systems to achieve the vision will be in place to service the needs of the community. Population growth and employment growth was forecast to rise between the years 1996 and 2016 by 34% and 43% respectively. Accordingly, travel growth was forecast to increase from 77,000 person trips in peak A.M. hours in 1996 to 114,000 person trips in the year 2016. From these statistics, strategic transportation options were considered ranging from auto-dominance, auto-reduction and auto-constrained. Auto reduction is the preferred option that would reduce auto use and increase opportunities for other modes. In this regard the following transportation demand management measures were considered: public transit improvements, alternative work hours, cycle / pedestrian programs, car / van pooling, TDM supportive land use, auto usage charges (except tolls), HOV / bus lanes, parking pricing and regulation, road pricing (tolls) and tele-commuting. Staff are of the view that this is a challenge that must be accepted but with focus on realistic strategies as they relate to public transit improvements, bicycle / pedestrian improvements and land use changes. In this regard encouragement, education and promotion are required and it is suggested that responsibility for this area be designated to a co-ordinator. The following recommendations of the Action Plan for Implementation of the Transportation Master Plan were then presented: Hire a Transportation Demand Management Co-ordinator Establish priority networks for improvements to bicycle and pedestrian treatments PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 8, 1999-20 -CITY OF KITCHENER Meet with Area Municipalities to initiate discussion for enhancing land use plans to support the Transportation Master Plan and incorporate Transportation Demand Management land use Enhance Transportation Demand Management considerations in the site design process Routinely make road projects, bicycle, pedestrian and transit friendly Improve inter-model passenger connections throughout the Region Provide support to transit through design of the built environment and use of technology 8.Educate the public regarding auto reduction and Transportation Demand Management initiatives 8.BPS 99/25 - CITY OF KITCHENER RESPONSE - DRAFT REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN (CONT’D) 9.Approach businesses to review opportunities to reduce auto use 10.Initiate discussions with Via Rail and private carriers as to increasing service between municipalities within Waterloo Region and Toronto 11.Initiate discussions with private carriers in regards to service between municipalities within Waterloo Region 12.Implement policies to protect and develop Central Transit Corridor 13.Provide for the safe movement of horse drawn buggies 14.Improve roadway and bridge maintenance efforts and seek efficiency in practices 15.Protect options for new roadways but implement only when they are required and supported by the community. Councillor T. Galloway referred to the Traffic Demand Management role and questioned if there was any documented experience on the benefits of the hiring of a Co-ordinator. Mr. Vincent acknowledged that there was little data in this regard but a comparable could be drawn to the hiring that took place for the Water Efficiency Co-ordinator and the Re-Cycling Co-ordinator wherein favourable results were achieved. Councillor Galloway referred to recommendations 6 and 11 of the Action Plan dealing with transit service between municipalities and commented that he was not sure that use of private carriers was the solution to this issue. Mr. D. Snow commented that an example involves servicing to parts of Cambridge but that there were many issues as well as the de-regulation issue that had to be dealt with. In response to Councillor T. Galloway, Mr. Vincent indicated that a seamless transit system would be a desirable objective and that there was lots of opportunity and flexibility in the Action Plan. Councillor Galloway pointed out that one of the City’s corporate objectives was to investigate the Regional transportation system. Further commentary and discussion took place on the forecast percentage of trip increases, the capital costs of road building along with a request to be advised of what the costs of annual maintenance would be for new roadways and the role of the Transportation Demand Management Co-ordinator as to input into new plans of subdivision. Councillor J. Haalboom expressed a concern that there were a number of factors that work against achievement of the goal in the Plan to reduce automobile trips. For example she noted that commuting could be expected to increase because of cheaper dwelling costs in outlying communities and suggested that Regional Council should ask for a moratorium on land development to prevent urban sprawl from such lifestyle. On motion by Councillor by Councillor J. Ziegler - It was resolved: “That the Council of the City of Kitchener express its general support for the draft Transportation Master Plan outlined in the Region of Waterloo report E-99-007/PC-99-002 and the Waterloo Transportation Master Plan ‘Action Plan for Implementation’ dated December 1998.” 9.ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:23 p.m. PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 8, 1999-21 -CITY OF KITCHENER L.W. Neil, AMCT Assistant City Clerk