HomeMy WebLinkAboutPSI Minutes - 2021-08-09PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES
AUGUST 9, 2021 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee held an electronic meeting this date, commencing
electronically at 6:00 p.m. with all members present.
Present: Councillor P. Singh - Chair
Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors D. Chapman, K. Galloway-Sealock, J. Gazzola, B.
Ioannidis, M. Johnston, C. Michaud, D. Schnider, S. Davey and S. Marsh.
Staff: D. Chapman, Chief Administrative Officer
J. Readman, General Manager, Development Services
D. McGoldrick, General Manager, Infrastructure Services
R. Bustamante, Director, Planning
J. Oosterveld, Manager, Site Development and Customer Service
T. Donegani, Senior Planner
A. Pinnell, Senior Planner
T. Seyler, Planner
E. Schneider, Planner
D. Saunderson, Interim Manager of Council/Committee Services & Deputy City Clerk
S. Goldrup, Committee Administrator
1. DSD-2021-125 - DC21/015/E/TZ DEMOLITON CONTROL
- 138 EBYDALE DRIVE
The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD-2021-125, dated
July 12, 2021, recommending approval of Demolition Control Application DC21/015/E/TZ for 138
Ebydale Drive.
On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis
it was resolved:
That Demolition Control Application DC21/015/E/E/TZ, requesting permission to
demolish a single detached dwelling located at 138 Ebydale Drive, as outlined in
Development Services Department report DSD-2021-125, be approved.
2. DSD-2021-144 - DC21/024/W/TS DEMOLITON CONTROL
- 175 WELLINGTON STREET NORTH
The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD-2021-144, dated
July 12, 2021, recommending refusal of Demolition Control Application DC21/024/W/TS for 175
Wellington Street North. The Committee was also in receipt of a written submission on this matter
from Scott Patterson, Patterson Planning Consultants Inc.
Bernie Nimer presented to the Committee in opposition to
history of the property, previous development projects, and spoke to the intention of the
demolition to improve access to the office building at 130 Weber Street with plans for future
development.
In response to questions from the Committee, B. Nimer spoke to the plans for 175 Wellington
Street North, their future plans to develop a mid-rise building at 175 Weber Street, and recent
impacts on office buildings due to road construction and the COVID-19 pandemic. B. Nimer
further stated his belief that the demolition of 175 Wellington Street North is necessary to support
the viability of the office building at 130 Weber Street and improve parking and traffic safety.
Colin Fenby presented to the Commit
maintain current housing stock, the transformation of downtown residential buildings, and the
impact of the potential demolition as a neighbouring property.
, T. Seyler reported that the demolition control policy
intends to maintain housing stock, and the zoning would not support a parking lot on that site.
T. Seyler spoke to the demolition and building permit process.
On motion by Councillor M. Johnston
it was resolved:
PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES
AGUSUT 9, 2021-20-CITY OF KITCHENER
2. DSD-2021-144 - DC21/024/W/TS DEMOLITON CONTROL
-
That Demolition Control Application DC21/024/W/TS requesting permission to demolish
a single detached dwelling located at 175 Wellington Street North, as outlined in
Development Services Department report DSD-2021-144, be refused.
3. DSD-2021-127 - REGIONAL OFFICIAL PLAN REVIEW: GROWTH SCENARIOS
The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD-2021-127, dated
July 28, 2021, recommending endorsement of the comments included as attachment A to the
lan. The Committee was also in receipt of
a written submission on this matter from Paul Britton, MHBC Planning, Urban Design &
Landscape Architecture.
Councillor P. Singh left the meeting, and Councillor S. Marsh assumed the role of Chair.
T. Donegani presented to the Committee regarding the Regional Official Plan Review, the
comments in preliminary support for scenario three, and the review process and next steps.
Councillor P. Singh returned to the meeting and resumed the role of Chair.
In response to questions from the Committee, T. Donegani discussed considerations for the
future of work and commercial office spaces, forecasted growth and housing needs, and the
comments were coming forward at that time to meet an extension from the July 30, 2021,
deadline for feedback on the preferred growth scenario set by the Region. T. Donegani clarified
that staff would be able to revise their comments once they had received the additional
information from the Region. Staff reviewed the considerations for financial, infrastructure,
climate, and growth factors in density projection in greenfield areas. When asked about the
possibility of the City withholding comments until the Region had provided additional information,
rio
into the land needs assessment process and the potential impact on the urban boundary. T.
preferred growth scenario without the noted impact assessments, studies, and draft policies from
the Region. Staff described the public consultation undertaken by the Region to engage with the
development community.
The Committee heard delegation from Robyn Brown, IBI Group on behalf of Schlegel Urban
Villages; Maria Kyveris, Waterloo Region Home Builders' Association; and, Pierre Chauvin,
MHBC Planning on behalf of Activa Holdings Inc. The delegations expressed concern about the
lack of public engagement and consultation from the Region and the lack of background
technical information. The delegations each shared the belief that without the background
information, it would be premature to support a growth scenario and requested the Committee
are shared.
Sam Nabi, Hold the Line Waterloo Region, spoke to the Committee regarding the need to protect
the countryside line, implications of the moratorium on development in the Haldimand Tract, and
concerns that the density targets do not justify public transit, which impacts priorities for
sustainability and affordability.
J. Readman confirmed that the Regional Official Plan Review is a project of the Region of
Readman acknowledged the challenge of selecting a preferred growth scenario without the
technical detail mentioned but noted that not providing any feedback could leave the City
vulnerable and compromised in terms of providing other needed comments and engaging in the
Regional process. T. Donegani further shared the belief that scenario three comes very close to
meeting the intent of what Council previously asked the Region to consider in terms of
community areas.
PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES
AGUSUT 9, 2021-21-CITY OF KITCHENER
3. DSD-2021-127 - REGIONAL OFFICIAL PLAN REVIEW: GROWTH
The Committee reiterated priorities including, holding the countryside line, affordable housing,
environmental sustainability, and limiting costs to redevelopment.
On motion by Mayor B. Vrbanovic
it was resolved:
That consideration of the following recommendation be referred to the August 23,
2021, Council meeting to allow for an opportunity for staff to provide additional
information related to proposed comments to be forwarded to the Region of Waterloo on
preferred growth scenarios; as well as, in inclusion of concerns related to the lack of
technical information required to take a formalized position:
That the comments included in Development Services Department staff report
DSD-2021-127 (Regional Official Plan Review: Growth Scenarios) be endorsed;
and further,
That staff be directed to forward Staff Report DSD-2021-
comments to the Region of Waterloo for their consideration in the update to the
Plan.
4. DSD-2021-123 - OFFICIALPLAN AMENDMENT OPA21/003/B/ES
- ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT ZBA21/006/B/ES
- 120 BULLOCK STREET
The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD-2021-123, dated
July 7, 2021, recommending adoption of Official Plan Amendment Application OPA21/003/B/ES;
approval of Zoning By-law Amendment application ZBA21/006/B/ES; and that applications for
minor variances shall be permitted for lands subject to Zoning By-law Amendment Application
ZBA21/006/B/ES.
Heather Price of GSP Group Inc. presented to the Committee on behalf of the applicant in
On motion by Councillor J. Gazzola
it was resolved:
That Official Plan Amendment Application OPA21/003/B/ES for PDCP Block 5 Industrial
GP Inc. requesting a change in designation from Commercial to General Industrial
Employment, a change in urban structure from Arterial Commercial to Industrial
Employment Area, and the removal of Specific Policy Area 30 from the subject site be
adopted in the form shown in the Official Plan Amendment attached to Development
Services Department report DSD-21-
illustrated as th
and accordingly forwarded to the Region of Waterloo for approval; and,
That Zoning By-law Amendment application ZBA21/006/B/ES for PDCP Block 5 Industrial
GP Inc. be approved -
attached to Report DSD-21-
That in accordance with Planning Act Section 45 (1.3 & 1.4) that applications for minor
variances shall be permitted for lands subject to Zoning By-law Amendment application
ZBA21/006/B/ES.
5. DSD-2021-122 - SIGN VARIANCE APPLICATION SVA2021-005
- ADDRESS: 105 KING STREET EAST (CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL)
-OWNER: VISTA WATERLOO LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD-2021-122, dated
July 28, 2021, recommending refusal of Sign Variance Application SVA2021-005, related to 105
PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES
AGUSUT 9, 2021-22-CITY OF KITCHENER
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5. DSD-2021-122 - SIGN VARIANCE APPLICATION SVA2021-005
- ADDRESS: 105 KING STREET EAST (CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL)
- OWNER: VISTA WATERLOO LIMITED PARTNERSHIP (CONTD)
King Street East for Vista Waterloo Limited Partnership, for the purpose of allowing a digital sign
on the Benton Street façade of the existing building. The Committee was also in receipt of
written submissions on this matter from Shawn Nielsen, Sandra Parks, and Melissa Bowman.
A. Pinnell presented to the Committee providing background on digital signs in the downtown
core and the concerns regarding precedent for digital signage, third-party advertising, and impact
dation for refusal.
Amin Visram and Samer Ghazi of Vista Waterloo Partnership Limited presented to the
through the Committee of Adjustment, their history in the downtown core, the proposed value
created by the sign for downtown businesses in the first year, and their experience with similar
digital signage.
In response to questions from the Committee, A. Visram confirmed their willingness to advertise
only businesses in Kitchener, the downtown core, or their own business, as well as flexibility for
light levels in the evening.
Kevin Muir, GSP Group Inc., presented to the Committee regarding the mix of opinions received
on the matter and stated their belief that the proposed digital sign is not precedent-setting as the
proposed location is in a unique, strategic location downtown. K. Muir noted the practice of
regulating light levels and timing in municipalities that allow digital signage and the applicant's
willingness to be flexible on first and third-party advertising.
A. Pinnell confirmed that staff cannot regulate third-party advertising content, neighbouring
residential buildings would have an angled view of the sign, and that the Committee of
Adjustment decision continues in perpetuity. A. Pinnell further discussed the potential precedent
that the City could set by approving the proposed digital sign, the differences between video and
digital signage, and the considerations for the monitoring of lighting levels. A. Pinnell confirmed
that conditions for brightness, hours of operations, and a pilot project could be possible.
CounciDevelopment Services
Department report DSD-2021-122.
Councillor D. Schnider moved that this matter be referred to the August 23, 2021, meeting of
Council to provide staff opportunity to connect with Vista Waterloo Partnership Limited about
potential conditions regarding light levels, hours of operation, and content.
Councillor motion was then voted on and was Carried, on a recorded vote,
with Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors S. Davey, D. Schnider, J. Gazzola, P. Singh and B.
Ioannidis voting in favour; and, Councillors C. Michaud, K. Galloway-Sealock, M. Johnston, D.
Chapman, S. Marsh voting in opposition.
On motion by D. Schnider
it was resolved:
That consideration of the following recommendation be referred to the August 23,
2021, meeting of Council to provide staff opportunity consulate with Vista Waterloo
Partnership Limited about potential conditions regarding light levels, hours of operation,
and advertising content:
That Sign Variance Application SVA2021-005 related to 105 King Street East for
Vista Waterloo Limited Partnership, for the purpose of allowing a digital sign on the
Benton Street façade of the existing building, requesting the following relief from
Section-
A.Relief from Section 680.10.18 only allowing fascia signs with external
downward illumination in D-1 through D-3 Zones, whereas the proposed digital
sign will be internally illuminated,
PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES
AGUSUT 9, 2021-23-CITY OF KITCHENER
5. DSD-2021-122 - SIGN VARIANCE APPLICATION SVA2021-005
- ADDRESS: 105 KING STREET EAST (CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL)
- OWNER: VISTA WATERLOO LIMITED PARTNERSHIP (CONTD)
B. Relief from Sections 680.3.29 and 680.10.17 requiring automatic changing
copy on a sign to be no closer than 23 metres (75.45 feet) of a street
intersection or traffic light, whereas the proposed sign is approximately 1.2
metres (4 feet) from the intersection of Benton Street & King Street East, and
C. Relief from Section 680.3.32 prohibiting third party advertising, whereas the
proposed sign will include third party advertising, be refused.
6. ADJOURNMENT
On motion, this meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
S. Goldrup
Committee Administrator