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Planning and Strategic Initiatives
Committee Minutes
January 10, 2022, 6:00 p.m.
Electronic Meeting
Present: Mayor B. Vrbanovic
Councillor S. Davey
Councillor D. Schnider
Councillor J. Gazzola
Councillor C. Michaud
Councillor K. Galloway-Sealock
Councillor P. Singh
Councillor B. loannidis
Councillor M. Johnston
Councillor D. Chapman
Councillor S. Marsh
Staff: D. Chapman, Chief Administrative Officer
M. May, General Manager, Community Services and Deputy
Chief Administrator
V. Raab, General Manager, Corporate Services
J. Readman, General Manager, Development Services
J. Lautenbach, Chief Financial Officer, Financial Services
D. McGoldrick, General Manager, Infrastructure Services
L. MacDonald, City Solicitor
C. Bluhm, Executive Director, Ec. Development
B. Rowland, Director, Corporate Communications and Marketing
N. Lobley, Director of Parks and Cemeteries
D. Becks, Manager of Downtown Development and Innovation
J. Shea, Manager of Forestry and Natural Areas
N. Goss, Manager of Policy and Research
G. Stevenson, Manager of Development
B. Steiner, Senior Environmental Planner
C. Dumart, Senior Planner
E. Schneider, Senior Planner
P. Grivicic, Chief of Staff, Office of Mayor and Council
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D. Saunderson, Manager of Council/Committee Services and
Deputy Clerk
D. Mange, Committee Administrator
1. Commencement
The Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee held an electronic meeting this
date, chaired by Councillor D. Chapman, commencing at 6:04 p.m.
2. Consent Items
2.1 Demolition Control Application DC21/038M/TS - 82 Wilson Avenue, The
Regional Municipality of Waterloo, DSD -2022-020
The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD -2022-
020 dated December 17, 2021, recommending the demolition of an existing
multi -residential dwelling, located at 82 Wilson Avenue.
On motion by Councillor J. Gazzola
It was resolved:
"That Demolition Control Application DC21/038/W/TS requesting
permission to demolish a multiple dwelling with 16 dwelling units located
at 82 Wilson Avenue be approved as outlined in Development Services
Department report DSD -2022-020."
Carried
3. Discussion Items
3.1 Tree Canopy Target for Kitchener - INS -2022-002
The Committee considered Infrastructure Services Department report INS -2022-
002 dated December 15, 2021, recommending the approval of a tree canopy
target of 30 per cent be established for each ward by 2050, with an overall City-
wide canopy target of 33 per cent by 2070.
N. Lobley, Director of Parks and Cemeteries, was in attendance to introduce the
matter, J. Shea, Manager of Forestry and Natural Areas Management, presented
the report.
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Patrick Gilbride, Reep Green Solutions was in attendance in support of the Tree
Canopy Target for Kitchener report and stated the value of further research on an
equitable distribution of the tree canopy amongst residents. P. Gilbride
emphasized the need to increase tree protection legislation on public and private
property. Questions were raised regarding proactive measures, tree preservation
in private properties, best practices in other municipalities and guiding principles
to assess tree preservation.
J. Toms was in attendance to propose protection of mature trees in private
properties and definition of best practices for tree preservation in the City.
L. Bass was in attendance in support of the report and requested the City to
consider tree By -Law protection, an increase of the proposed tree canopy target
and the implementation of annual targets to measure progress.
J. Chapman was in attendance to share a presentation on the Green Belt
Neighborhood Association and expressed her support with the recommendation
as outlined in the report.
C. Janssen -Grieve was in attendance and expressed her support for the report's
equitable approach and requested the City to consider increasing tree planting in
parks with play structures.
J. Shea responded questions regarding managing the tree canopy in public and
private land. N. Lobley indicated the report is recommending action in both
private and public areas with a balanced approach of tree protection. Questions
were raised, including but not limited to: tree planting in parks and open spaces,
existing tree canopy and maintenance per Ward, management of canopy in
natural areas, intensification measures and climate change effect over the
canopy, rules for determining canopy targets and Federal funding for planting
programs.
B. Steiner, Senior Environmental Planner, was in attendance and provided an
overview of how the current City of Kitchener Tree Conservation By -Law
originated in 2008.
Due to time constraints the Committee agreed recess this matter to following
consideration of the Public Planning Maters listed on the agenda this date.
The Committee recessed at 8:22 pm and reconvened at 8:28 pm, chaired by
Councillor D. Chapman, with all members present.
4. Public Hearing Matters under the Planning Act (7:00 p.m.)
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4.1 Zoning By-law Amendment ZBA/21/016/F/CD 1940 Fischer Hallman Road,
Draft Plan of Subdivision 30T-07205, Blocks 183-191 Schlegel Urban
Developments Corp. - DSD -2022-003
The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD -2022-
003 dated December 8, 2021, recommending approval of Zoning By-law
Amendment Application ZBA21/016/H/CD for Schlegel Urban Developments
Corp. for the property municipally addressed as 1940 Fischer Hallman Road. C.
Dumart, Senior Planner, presented the report. C. Pidgeon, GSP Group, was in
attendance to answer questions from the Committee.
On motion by Councillor K. Galloway-Sealock
It was resolved:
"That Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA21/016/H/CD for
Schlegel Urban Developments Corp., for the property municipally
addressed as 1940 Fischer Hallman Road, be approved in the form shown
in the "Proposed By-law", and "Map No. 1", attached to Development
Services Department report DSD -2022-003 as Appendix "A"; and further,
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 ZBA/21/016/F/CD."
Carried
4.2 Zoning By-law Amendment ZBA21/011/H/ES- 1673 Huron Road Huron Road
Apartments Kitchener 2021 Ltd - DSD -2022-004
The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD -2022-
004 dated December 8, 2021, recommending approval of Zoning By-law
Amendment application ZBA21/011/H/ES for Huron Road Apartments Kitchener
2021 Ltd. for the property municipally addressed as 1673 Huron Road. E.
Schneider presented the report and to respond questions from the Committee.
C. Davison and J, Babchuck, Traine Construction and Development and V.
Schmidt, GSP Group were in attendance in support of the recommendation as
outlined in the report and responded to questions from the Committee.
On motion by Councillor B. loannidis
It was resolved:
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"That Zoning By-law Amendment application ZBA21/011/H/ES for Huron
Road Apartments Kitchener 2021 Ltd, for the property municipally
addressed as 1673 Huron Road, be approved in the form shown in the
"Proposed By-law" and "Map No. 1" attached to Development Services
Department report DSD -2022-004 as Attachment "A"; and further,
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 ZBA21/011/H/ES."
Carried
5. Discussions Items (Cont'd)
5.1 Tree Canopy Target for Kitchener, INS -2022-002 (Cont'd)
Councillor M. Johnston moved the recommendation outlined in the staff report
including an amendment to Clause 4 of the recommendation, directing staff to
initiate a review of existing tree conservation processes in the City, including:
• A review of the existing bylaws and processes, including the Kitchener Tree
Conservation Bylaw
• Review of requirements for tree planting contained within the Development
Manual
• Reviewing the Tree Management Policy and any relevant policies as required
• Undertake a jurisdictional scan of other municipal tree conservation
processes, policies and bylaws
Councillor S. Marsh brought forward an amendment to Councillor Johnston's
motion to increase the tree canopy target for 2050 to 35% per cent rather than
30% and to 38% by 2070 rather than 35%.
Councillor S. Marsh's amendment was then voted on and was LOST on a
recorded vote with Councillors S. Marsh, C. Michaud, K. Galloway-Sealock, M.
Johnston and D. Chapman in favor and Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors S.
Davey, D. Schnider, J. Gazzola, P. Singh and B. loannidis opposed.
Mayor B. Vrbanovic brought forward an amendment to Councillor Johnston's
motion to direct staff as part of their 2025 that staff review whether the tree
canopy target can be increased to 33% per cent by 2050 be established for each
of the ten Wards in the City of Kitchener together with an overall City-wide
canopy target of 38% by 2070.
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The Mayor's amendment was then voted on and was Carried Unanimously on a
recorded vote.
Councillor M. Johnston amendment of Clause 4 was then voted on and was
Carried Unanimously on a recorded vote.
The balance of the main motion was then voted on, and was Carried
Unanimously.
On motion by Councillor M. Johnston
It was resolved:
"That a tree canopy target of 30% per cent by 2050 be established for
each of the 10 Wards in the City of Kitchener together with an overall City-
wide canopy target of 33% per cent by 2070, as outlined in Infrastructure
Services Department report INS -2022-002, and,
That staff be directed to develop ward (and where appropriate,
neighborhoods), specific action plans that focus on planting, maintaining
and protecting trees in consideration of local pressures on canopy and,
That these action plans inform future budget requests beginning in 2022
for the 2023 financial year; and,
That staff be directed to initiate a review of existing tree conservation
processes in the City, including:
o A review of the existing bylaws and processes, including the
Kitchener Tree Conservation Bylaw
o Review of requirements for tree planting contained within the
Development Manual
o Reviewing the Tree Management Policy and any relevant
policies as required
o Undertake a jurisdictional scan of other municipal tree
conservation processes, policies and bylaws
With an intention to extend and strengthen tree conservation measures,
and report back to Council with preliminary findings by the end of 2022,
and further,
That staff report back in 2025 and on five -yearly intervals thereafter, with
an update on Kitchener's Urban Forest Canopy, which will include a
review on whether the tree canopy target can be increased to 33% per
cent by 2050 be established for each of the 10 Wards in the City of
Kitchener together with an overall City-wide canopy target of 38% per cent
by 2070."
Carried unanimously
5.2 Downtown Kitchener Vision Project Plan - DSD -2022-014
The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD -2022-
014 dated December 23, 2021, recommending endorsement of the Downtown
Kitchener Vision Project Plan as outlined in the Report.
C. Bluhm, Executive Director of Economic Development, was in attendance to
introduce the Downton Kitchener Vision Project Plan. D. Becks, Manager of
Downtown Development and Innovation, and N. Goss, Manager of Policy and
Research, were in attendance to present the report and responded questions
from the Committee.
On motion by Councillor S. Marsh
It was resolved:
"That the Downtown Kitchener Vision project plan, as outlined in
Development Services Department report DSD -2022-014, be endorsed."
6. Information Items
6.1 None.
7. Adjournment
On motion, this meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m.
Daniela Mange
Committee Administrator
Carried
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