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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlng & Econ Dev - 2000-10-16PED\2000-10-16 PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 16~ 2000 CITY OF KITCHENER The Planning and Economic Development Committee met this date commencing at 4:02 p.m. under Councillor C. Weylie, Chair with the following members present: Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors Jake Smola, J. Ziegler, K. Taylor-Harrison, G. Lorentz, B. Vrbanovic and John Smola. Councillors M. Yantzi, T. Galloway and J. Haalboom entered the meeting after its commencement. Officials Present: Ms. P. Houston, K. Bissell, P. Bacon, M. Hodgins and Messrs. B. Stanley, J. Shivas, T. Boutilier, R. Morgan, L. Masseo, D. Mansell, J. Witmer and L.W. Neil. 1. BPS-00-139 - MCINTYRE DRIVE- HURON BUSINESS PARK, PHASE III - SITE 132 (ABUTTING BLEAMS ROAD) - CONVEYANCE OF LAND TO REGION OF WATERLOO FOR METERING AND PRESSURE REDUCING CHAMBER - SOUTH WARD The Committee was in receipt of Business and Planning Services staff report BPS-00-139 dated October 10, 2000 from the Economic Development Division. The report addresses a request the City received from the Region to locate a Metering and Pressure Reducing Chamber on site 132, Mclntyre Drive in Huron Business Park. The purpose of the Chamber, which would be located at the back of site 132 abutting Bleams Road, is to monitor and reduce the pressure of water in a trunk water main to be constructed along Bleams Road in the spring of 2001. Mr. R. Morgan provided a brief summary of the report and advised that staff had nothing further to add. No delegations were registered respecting this matter. On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler - It was resolved: "That the City convey a 7 metre x 20 metre block of land to the Regional Municipality of Waterloo to allow for the installation of a Metering and Pressure Reducing Chamber with all required survey costs to be paid for by the Region; and further, That the Mayor and Clerk be hereby authorized to execute any other necessary documentation required by the City Solicitor." BPS-00-144 KITCHENER INDUSTRIAL LAND STRATEGY The Committee was in receipt of Business and Planning Services staff report BPS-00-144 dated October 12, 2000 dealing with a Kitchener Industrial Land Strategy. Attached to the report was an Industrial Land Strategy document dated October 2000, which was a joint report prepared by staff of the Economic Development Division and the City's Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC). It was noted in the staff report that as part of the City's approved Corporate goals, direction was given to the Economic Development Division to investigate and resolve the question of future Business Park lands to accommodate Kitchener's future needs. Further the primary objective of the Industrial Land Supply Strategy is to determine the amount, location and timing of additional lands required for Business Park purposes and to accommodate Kitchener's immediate and long term needs. It was further noted that as a result of achieving the primary objective, the strategy would also achieve a number of secondary objectives which were itemized in the staff report Mr. T. Boutilier appeared as a delegation and advised that Mr. Hans Pottkamper, Chair of the Economic Development Advisory Committee was unable to attend to assist in presentation of the Industrial Land Strategy. Mr. Boutilier made a lengthy presentation utilizing the over projection system in support of the recommendations in the staff report. He reviewed the four recommendations which were approved by EDAC at its September 6th meeting and noted that staff were in full support. Councillors J. Haalboom, M. Yantzi and T. Galloway entered the meeting at this point. PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 16, 2000 - 171 - CITY OF KITCHENER 2. BPS-00-144 KITCHENER INDUSTRIAL LAND STRATEGY (CONT'D) Mr. Boutilier reviewed the broad objectives of the report and the following benefits of having a long term supply of Business Park Lands: employment creation, opportunity for community wealth, contribution to Community costs, retention of expanding local existing industries and attraction of new industries. In terms of future Business Park Land needs he advised that three categories were developed as follows: immediate being 2000 and 2001, intermediate being the years 2002 to 2010 and long term being beyond 2010 until the year 2016. He reviewed the following the projection methods in determining future land needs: historical absorption rates, employment projections and private sector projections. Mr. Boutilier pointed out that 36 gross acres were required to meet needs of 27 net acres every year, but that in order to sell 27 acres, at least 54 acres were required in inventory. He reviewed conclusions on page 33 of the document dealing with categorization of the amount of current land supply. He then reviewed the recommended Land Supply Strategy outlined in section D of the document wherein prospective areas for future Business Park locations were itemized along with the size of each. In conclusion, Mr. Boutilier again summarized the recommendations of EDAC contained the staff report. Questions were then put forward by various members of Council in respect to this matter. In response to Councillor T. Galloway, Mr. Boutilier advised that development of both the Westside and the Airport lands could proceed at the same time; however, he noted that two members of EDAC with exposure in real estate have a preference for development of the Airport lands proceeding before the West side lands. Mr. B. Stanley commented that there was a need for sufficient lands to provide an element of choice. Mayor C. Zehr indicated that he was in support of the recommendations in the staff report and that it was his understanding the Township of Woolwich favours development of Airport lands rather township lands north of the City of Waterloo. In response to Councillor J. Haalboom, Mr. Boutilier outlined how truck traffic would utilize the existing highway network once Lackner Boulevard was extended to Shirley Avenue. Councillor Haalboom also expressed concern with respect to the level of the Region's commitment to preserve farmlands. Councillor John Smola stressed that priorities must be established in regard to transportation and servicing. Mr. Boutilier indicated that a report would be brought to the Public Works and Transportation Committee in the next several weeks on the Shirley Avenue - Lackner Boulevard extension recommendation. Councillor Jake Smola stated that he fully supported the staff recommendations, but that it was his hope a Business Park could be developed in Grand River South. He suggested that with implementation of a Shirley Avenue - Lackner Boulevard connection, an urgency would be created for Fairway Road to be extended across the Grand River; however, lands in Grand River South would have no chance of commercial / industrial development unless Fairway Road was to cross the river. Councillor J. Haalboom indicated that she was opposed to the recommendations on the basis of her concerns about the West side land infrastructure needs being addressed before dealing with the matter. Mayor C. Zehr was of the view that appropriate work has been done to allow the matter to move forward which would then allow for the planning process to continue. Councillor J. Ziegler noted that lands in Hidden Valley that are visible from Fairway Road may be subject to a zone change application to commercial from industrial and that would reduce the industrial land supply total. The recommendations in the staff report were considered. It was agreed to revise recommendation #4 to add reference to the Township of Woolwich. Councillor Jake Smola requested that a recorded vote be taken. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - It was resolved: "That the following September 6, 2000 recommendations of the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC), as revised, be approved: 1 ) That the City advance the scheduling of Shirley Avenue - Lackner Boulevard PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 16, 2000 - 172 - CITY OF KITCHENER 2. BPS-00-144 KITCHENER INDUSTRIAL LAND STRATEGY (CONT'D) extension within the Capital Budget Forecast from 2006 to 2001/2002. 2) That the outstanding deferrals relating to the Westside (Bleams/Fischer Hallman) lands be resolved as soon as possible such that the lands south of Bleams Road and West of Fischer Hallman are designated for industrial development purposes. 3) That the City work with affected property owners in order to expedite necessary easements to facilitate the extension of the Middle Strasburg Trunk Sanitary Sewer. Further, that the City explore options together with property owners such that the construction of the trunk sanitary sewer may be expedited. 4) That the Township of Woolwich and the Region of Waterloo consider the designation of lands around the Waterloo Regional Airport for industrial purposes as part of the Regional Plan Review, and in the event this process is delayed that the Region be requested to initiate a Regional Plan Amendment no later than June 2001 ." Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors Jake Smola, M. Yantzi, J. Ziegler, G. Lorentz. B. Vrbanovic, T. Galloway, C. Weylie and John Smola voted in favour and Councillor J. Haalboom voted in the negative. Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison was absent for the vote. BPS-00-129 WEBER STREET EAST - EASTWOOD COLLEGIATE -LOCATION OF NEW SCHOOL PORTABLES CHICOPEE WARD The Committee was in receipt of Business and Planning Services staff report BPS-00-129, dated October 11, 2000 dealing with the location new school portables at Eastwood Collegiate. The report outlines circumstances pertaining to the newly erected portables at Eastwood Collegiate and summarizes the site plan approval process followed by the Department with respect to the placement of portables on all other school sites. Mr. L. Masseo briefly explained the purpose of the report and advised that staff had nothing further to add. Councillor B. Vrbanovic pointed out that his concern related to the fact that there were no stringent landscaping requirements in situations where portables are located close to private residences. Mr. Masseo commented on the fact that portables were temporary structures and it was unknown how long they might be in place. A general discussion took place between Councillor Vrbanovic and Planning staff and following this discussion, Mr. B. Stanley suggested that the Committee give staff direction to look at additional screening in situations such as Eastwood Collegiate within the parameters of the Urban Design Guidelines. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - It was resolved: "That the issue of new school portable locations described in staff report BPS-00-129 be referred back to planning staff with direction to consider requirements for screening / landscaping so as to buffer the impact of new school portables, particularly in locations adjacent to residential properties; and further, That staff prepare recommendations in this regard as an Amendment to the City's 'Urban Design Guidelines' and/or any other policy document." 4. INVESTIGATION OF ZONE CHANGE RE: SIZE OF DOWNTOWN BARS Councillor C. Weylie advised that she would like the Committee to consider giving direction to PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 16, 2000 4. - 173 - CITY OF KITCHENER INVESTIGATION OF ZONE CHANGE RE: SIZE OF DOWNTOWN BARS (CONT'D) Legal and Planning staff to consider a by-law that would limit the size of bars in the downtown area. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic- It was resolved: "That planning and legal staff be directed to investigate a City-Initiated zone change that would establish size limitations for bars in the City's downtown area." ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:23 p.m. L.W. Neil, AMCT Assistant City Clerk