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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlng & Econ Dev - 1999-09-27PED\1999-09-27 PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 27, 1999CITY OF KITCHENER The Planning and Economic Development Committee met this date commencing at 3:50 p.m. under Councillor C. Weylie, Chair with the following members present: Councillors M. Yantzi, J. Ziegler, T. Galloway, J. Haalboom and John Smola. Councillors G. Lorentz, K. Taylor-Harrison and Jake Smola entered the meeting after its commencement. Officials present: Ms. L. MacDonald, C.Ladd and B. Newell and Messrs. B. Stanley, D. Mansell, J. Witmer, P. Wetherup, G. Borovilos and L. W. Neil. 1.BPS 99/139- TRILLIUM DRIVE, HURON BUSINESS PARK- - OFFER TO PURCHASE SITE -134 - FREDERICK THOMAS GORE AND BONNIE LYNN GORE - SOUTH WARD The Committee was in receipt of Business and Planning Services staff report BPS 99/139 which was undated. The report deals with an offer by St. Jude's School Inc and Scholars Hall Inc. to purchase Site 134 fronting Trillium Drive in the Huron Business Park. It was noted in the report that at present the subject property is the site of a Heritage Elm Tree and in this regard, a reference plan is being prepared to identify the specific boundary of the tree along with the land necessary to maintain a healthy root system. This parcel of land would stay in City ownership and accordingly, the purchase price in land area respecting this transaction will be reduced accordingly. Mr. G. Borovilos attended to provide a brief presentation of the report. Councillor T. Galloway stated that there was a need to come to a better understanding with the School Boards on issues related to controlled use which he suggested should be discussed sometime in the future. Mr. Borovilos recommended that the Business Facilitator maintain such relationship with the School Boards. Councillor J. Haalboom expressed concern that a school site, such as what has been proposed, would be approved in the Industrial Park and questioned the zoning category. Mr. B. Stanley advised that the Business Park zoning category permits non-residential institutions, churches and schools. On motion by Councillor T. Galloway - It was resolved: “That the City of Kitchener accept the Offer to Purchase from Frederick and Bonnie Gore owners and operators of St. Jude’s School Inc. and Scholar’s Hall Inc. for Part 5 of Reference Plan 58R-7426 (Site 134, Trillium Drive) in Huron Business Park. The parcel of land has an approximate area of .97 ha (2.41 acres) save and except the City owned portion of land containing the Heritage Elm Tree. The total purchase price of the land is approximately $180,750.00 (to be determined at the time of reference plan); and further, That the Mayor and Clerk are hereby authorized to execute any other necessary documentation required by the City Solicitor.” 2.BPS 99/124-950 HIGHLAND ROAD WEST / EASTFOREST TRAIL -ZONE CHANGE APPLICATION ZC 99/20/H/PB -MONARCH CONSTRUCTION / ROBERT KNEISS - WEST WARD The Committee was in receipt of a zone change application to remove a holding provision from lands situated on the northeast corner of Highland Road West and Eastforest Trail, located south of the Detweiler Greenway. In this regard, the Committee considered Business and Planning Services staff report BPS 99/124 dated August 24, 1999 and a proposed by-law dated August 25, 1999 attached to the report. It was noted in the report that Eastforest Trail has now been constructed to the City’s satisfaction and established as a public road. Accordingly, all conditions of an earlier holding provision have been met and thus the holding provision affecting the lands can be removed. 2.BPS 99/124-950 HIGHLAND ROAD WEST / EASTFOREST TRAIL PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 27, 1999- 140 -CITY OF KITCHENER -ZONE CHANGE APPLICATION ZC 99/20/H/PB -MONARCH CONSTRUCTION / ROBERT KNEISS - WEST WARD (CONT’D) Ms. C. Ladd provided a brief explanation of the purpose of the application. A question was raised as to whether a drive-through component, if located as part of the development on the property, would meet the intent of a new by-law covering such facilities. Ms. Ladd advised that the property was separated from adjoining residential properties by the Detweiler Greenway which provides for substantial distance separation. Further, she noted that the zoning is already in place relative to permitted uses on the subject property and it was only the removal of the holding provision that was the subject of this application. No delegations were registered respecting this matter. On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler - It was resolved: “That Zone Change Application ZC 99/20/H/PB (950 Highland Road West / Eastforest Trail – Monarch Construction / Robert Kneiss) to remove holding provision [9h] from lands zoned Convenience Commercial (C-1) legally described as Part Lot 35, German Company Tract, more particularly described as Parts 3, 13 and 18 on 58R-10060, be approved in the form shown in the "Proposed By-law" attached, dated August 25, 1999, without conditions. It is the opinion of this Committee that approval of this application is proper planning for the City and is in conformity with the City’s Municipal Plan.” 3.BPS 99/133-COMMUNITY GARDENS POLICIES Councillor G. Lorentz entered the meeting at this point. The Committee was in receipt of Business and Planning Services staff report BPS 99/133 dated September 7, 1999 dealing with Community Gardens Policies. It was noted in the report that Council previously instructed staff to undertake the formulation of a Community Gardens Policy outlining the role that various departments in the City could play in the facilitation of such gardens. Attached to the staff report was a further report entitled ‘Proposed Community Gardens Policies for the City of Kitchener’ with appendices attached to it. The proposed Community Gardens Policies were developed in conjunction with community gardeners and staff of various City departments that are likely to play a role in this matter. Background as well as basis of the policies and the process used in their development were outlined in the document attached to the staff report. Ms. B. Newell appeared before the Committee on behalf of the project team that developed the proposed Community Gardens Policies and advised that she had no formal presentation to make in respect to the report that was before the Committee. She did emphasize that the policies were developed through extensive consultation with a network of community gardeners who had clearly defined what they had wanted to see in the City’s policies. She did make specific reference to a few key issues in this matter: firstly, she referred to a proposal for the set up of land trusts which asks private owners to donate land; secondly, that Council support a contract position to co- ordinate community garden activities during the growing season and; thirdly, to establish a small fund not to exceed $1,000 per garden. Ms. Newell responded to questions of Councillor C. Weylie regarding the activity of a staff person to undertake Community Garden facilitation and on utilization of the $1,000 funding being suggested. The Committee reviewed the proposed policies in the Community Gardens document . Following lengthy discussions and on motion by several Councillors, it was agreed to revise the policies in the staff recommendation as follows: -Policy 1 - replace the words ‘beneficial recreational’ with ‘community development’ 3.BPS 99/133-COMMUNITY GARDENS POLICIES (CONT’D) PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 27, 1999- 141 -CITY OF KITCHENER -Policy 3 - change the words ‘Waterloo Region’ to ‘Building’ -Policy 5 (h) - add the word ‘normally’ in front of the phrase ‘not to exceed $1,000 per garden’ -Policy 6 - add new sub-clause (a) stating ‘a neighbourhood consultation process will take place to determine support for the garden’ and re-letter existing sub-clauses (a) - (g) to (b) - (h) -Policy 7 (e)-change the word ‘site’ to ‘park’ (g)-add the phrase ’all arrangements for’ before the words ‘waste management and disposal’ During the discussions the following comments were made: that the contract for a facilitator extend from the month of April to September, that staff attempt to discourage residents from putting gardens in storm water management ponding areas and instead locate them adjacent to or around such areas, and that the City include a budget provision in its Year 2000 Operating Budget to support the Community Gardens Policies. Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison entered the meeting at this point. On motion by Councillor T. Galloway - It was resolved: “That Council adopt the policy recommendations outlined in the document entitled “Proposed Community Gardens Policies for the City of Kitchener” attached to Business and Planning Services staff report BPS 99/133, as revised September 27, 1999 to incorporate text changes outlined in the Planning and Economic Development Committee minutes, and that the Policies listed hereunder be incorporated into the City of Kitchener Council Policy Manual: Community Gardens Policies A.General For the purpose of this policy community garden is defined as a place where people come together to grow fruits, flowers and vegetables on a non-commercial basis. These are different from allotment gardens, which involve the leasing of public lands to individuals for the specific purpose of growing food for personal consumption or sale. The City of Kitchener recognizes that while gardeners participate in community gardening for a number of reasons including financial, environmental, social and political, the benefits of community gardens are far reaching. Some of these benefits include community building, creation of green space, city beautification and education. 1. The City of Kitchener recognizes community gardens as a community development activity. 2. Community gardens in the City of Kitchener will be developed and run by community groups with the City acting in a facilitation and support role. 3. The Building Community Gardens Manual will be used as a guide for community gardening in the City of Kitchener. 4. In engaging in gardening activities, community gardeners at all times will protect their own safety and the safety of others. 3.BPS 99/133-COMMUNITY GARDENS POLICIES (CONT’D) 5. The City of Kitchener will facilitate and support community gardens in the PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 27, 1999- 142 -CITY OF KITCHENER following ways (a) Assist community groups in finding suitable sites for the development of community gardens. Suitable sites may include underutilized public and private lands, as well as parklands, community centres, schoolyards, boulevards, and cul-de-sac bulbs. Storm water management areas are not considered suitable sites for community gardens. (b) Encourage developers to make available suitable land for community gardens as part of the overall design of subdivisions, senior citizens complexes and homes. This should not necessarily be in excess of the required park land dedication. (c) Set up a land trust and encourage landowners to dedicate lands as permanent community garden sites. (d) Assist in the development of user agreements for City owned lands. (e) Assist with advertising and promoting community gardens events. (f) Liaise, when possible, with property owners on behalf of community gardens. (g) Assist with gardening advice on set up and with coordination of community garden projects. (h) Establish a small fund for start-up costs, normally not to exceed $1000.00 per garden, and provide water sources, when available, that can be easily accessed by gardeners. (i) Provide, subject to the availability of staff, equipment and material, rototillers and transportation of topsoil and compost if community gardeners are unable to provide this on their own. 6.Where cul-de-sac bulbs and boulevards are used for community gardens the following conditions will apply: (a) A neighbourhood consultation process will take place to determine support for the garden. (b) These areas will not be used for growing food. (c) Gardeners can obtain engineering drawings from the City’s Public Works Department to determine the location of City in-ground structures before planting. Gardeners must “call before they dig” to determine the location of all in-ground structures. (d) Gardening activities must not take place on the road and plants must not obstruct roads and sidewalks. (e) Plantings in boulevards must not exceed a maximum height of 0.5 metres. (f) Plantings in cul-de-sac bulbs must not exceed a maximum height of 0.7 metres and must be shorter at the edge of the bulb to ensure visibility is not obstructed. 3.BPS 99/133-COMMUNITY GARDENS POLICIES (CONT’D) (g) Plantings in both boulevards and cul-de-sac bulbs must have a PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 27, 1999- 143 -CITY OF KITCHENER minimum horizontal clearance of 1.2 metres from all utilities. (h) Gardeners will be responsible for providing their own water when gardening in cul-de-sac bulbs and boulevards. 7.Where parklands are used for community gardens the following conditions will apply: (a) A neighbourhood consultation process will take place to determine support for the garden. (b) The garden must operate in harmony with other activities in the park. (c) The garden site showing the plot layout and any structures and fences must be drawn up and approved by the Manager of Parks Operations. Structures must not require a building permit (must be less than 107 square feet) and must be easily movable. (d) Garden plots must be allotted in a fair and equitable manner. (e) Public access to the park must not be denied. (f) All maintenance standards of the Parks Division must be adhered to. (g) Gardeners must be responsible for the on going maintenance of the garden including grass cutting and trimming and all arrangements for waste management and disposal. B.Roles and Responsibilities of Various Departments Although it is evident that a number of departments have a role to play in facilitating the community gardens initiative there is a demonstrated need for a community gardens facilitator on staff. This individual will be the contact between the community and the various departments involved in the community gardens initiative, will assist with community garden start-ups and administer user agreement. Initially, it is recommended that this individual be hired on contract during the growing season. Suggested departmental roles and responsibilities are as follows: 1.Parks and Recreation - Supply equipment, trucks, rototillers, compost, subject to the availability of staff, equipment and material - Provide garden advice on set up. 2.Business and Planning Services - Site plan, site history and zoning - Land ownership 3.Public Works - Provide advice on water resources and connection - Provide engineering drawings 4.Legal - Help set up user agreements for City owned lands 3.BPS 99/133-COMMUNITY GARDENS POLICIES (CONT’D) On motion by Councillor T. Galloway - It was resolved: PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 27, 1999- 144 -CITY OF KITCHENER “That funding in the amount of $10,000 to cover facilitation activity and start-up costs in support of the ‘Community Gardens Policies’ be referred to the Finance and Administration Committee for consideration during its review of Year 2000 Operating Budgets.” 4.BPS 99/141-ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND PLANNING SERVICES The Committee was in receipt of the 1998 Annual Report of the Department of Business and Planning Services. Mr. B. Stanley provided brief introductory remarks to the Departmental report. Councillor J. Haalboom referred to a number of heritage initiatives that were planned and the ability of the Heritage Planner to support the volume of such initiatives. She questioned if there was an opportunity to work in additional support staff for this activity given the ongoing re- organizations that have been taking place in the department. Mr. B. Stanley advised that as part of the re-organization, a planning technician was added to the staff complement and could offer some assistance in regards to this matter. However, he did point out that across the entire department there were many projects outstanding that had to be addressed in terms of a scarcity of staff resources. Councillor Haalboom commented that within the objectives of the department she did not see a concerted effort to capture a link between tourism and heritage being joined into an economic development strategy. Mr. G. Borovilos advised that he was currently assessing the role and function of the Economic Development Division and hoped to provide a marketing plan in this regard. He also referenced the fact that there was a tourism structure within Kitchener-Waterloo but that he would consider the long-term picture of this matter. Councillor Jake Smola entered the meeting at this point. On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler - It was resolved: “That the 1998 Annual Report of the Department of Business and Planning Services be received.” 5.WESTMOUNT ROAD / GLASGOW STREET INTERSECTION Councillor C. Weylie referred to the major traffic problem associated with the intersection of Westmount Road / Glasgow Street and improvements proposed by the Region of Waterloo. She questioned if the problems could be approached from a philosophical viewpoint as to planning merits. In reference to the Region’s proposed intersection improvements, Councillor Weylie suggested that adding turning lanes would only attract more vehicles to turn and impact the immediate neighbourhood in a more negative way. Accordingly, she questioned what the City’s philosophy should be on this matter and if the City could comment officially to the Region. Mr. B. Stanley advised that he has reviewed the existing Municipal Plan and acknowledged that the Plan deals with competing and conflicting objectives. He did state that one key aspect of the Plan was that the City is committed to a sustainable community. However, he pointed out that there are statements in the Plan that speak to the matter of traffic safety and the movement of automobiles and that there was a need to balance many transportation factors in relation to community issues. Mr. Stanley noted that there was an overall direction in the Plan to focus on quality of life within residential neighbourhoods and look at alternative approaches to deal with traffic issues. He pointed out that in 1994 Council dealt with a transportation corridor issue in Doon South and took certain action in this regard. 5.WESTMOUNT ROAD / GLASGOW STREET INTERSECTION (CONT’D) Councillor J. Ziegler commented that it was his view that most people who moved into the area of Glasgow Street / Westmount Road were well aware of existing traffic patterns when they made their decision to locate in the area. Further, he pointed out that staff have indicated that traffic surveys have shown that 80% of the left turn movements from Westmount Road onto Glasgow PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 27, 1999- 145 -CITY OF KITCHENER Street, could be attributed to residents living within the immediate neighbourhood. Accordingly, he suggested that the Council should be supporting the recommendations of its traffic staff in this matter. Councillor C. Weylie commented that she has had difficulty with the facts presented to date and noted that it would still be her wish that the Department of Business and Planning Services provide comment on the philosophy in respect to proposed road changes and the impact on the immediate urban area. 6.ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 4:35 p.m. L.W. Neil, AMCT Assistant City Clerk