HomeMy WebLinkAboutCIS Minutes - 2023-04-24
Community and Infrastructure Services
Committee Minutes
April 24, 2023, 1:00 p.m.
Council Chambers - Hybrid
City of Kitchener
200 King Street W, Kitchener, ON N2G 4G7
Present: Mayor B. Vrbanovic
Councillor S. Davey
Councillor D. Schnider
Councillor J. Deneault
Councillor C. Michaud
Councillor A. Owodunni
Councillor P. Singh
Councillor B. Ioannidis
Councillor M. Johnston
Councillor D. Chapman
Councillor A. Clancy
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
G. MacNeil, Director, Bylaw Enforcement
B. Cronkite, Director, Transportation Services
G. Stevenson, Interim Director, Planning
A. McCrimmon-Jones, Manager, Transportation Safety and
Policy
N. Goss, Manager, Policy and Research
J. Shea, Manager, Forestry & Natural Areas Management
A. Buitendyk, Forestry Project Manager
C. Musselman, Senior Environmental Planner
G. Khandelwal, Planner (Policy)
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D. Saunderson, Deputy Clerk
M. Blake, Committee Administrator
M. Mills, Committee Administrator
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Commencement
The Community and Infrastructure Services Committee held a meeting this date
commencing at 1:05 p.m.
2. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
There were no conflicts declared.
3. Consent Items
3.1 Removal of Holding Provision, Zoning By-law Amendment
ZBA23/004/S/CD, 2155 Strasburg Road, Huron Creek Holdings Corp., DSD-
2023-114
The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD-2023-
114, dated March 24, 2023 recommending approval of Zoning By-law
Amendment Application ZBA23/004/S/CD, for the lands located at 2155
Strasburg Road, for the purpose of removing Holding Provision 29H. G.
Stevenson was in attendance and responded to questions from the Committee.
On motion by Councillor S. Davey
it was resolved:
"That Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA23/004/S/CD for Huron
Creek Holdings Corp. for the purpose of removing Holding Provision 29H
from the lands specified in the attached Map No.1, in the form shown in
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report DSD-2023-114 as Appendix A, be approved."
Carried
3.2 Removal of Holding Provision, Zoning By-law Amendment
ZBA23/006/C/BB, 9 Cameron Street North, 550 King Street GP Inc., DSD-
2023-156
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The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD-2023-
156, dated March 27, 2023 recommending approval of Zoning By-law
Amendment Application ZBA23/006/C/BB for the lands located at 9 Cameron
Street North for the purpose of removing Holding Provision 15H. G. Stevenson
was in attendance and responded to questions from the Committee.
On motion by Councillor S. Davey
it was resolved:
"That Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA23/006/C/BB for 9
Cameron Street North Kitchener Incorporated for the purpose of removing
Holding Provision 15H from the lands specified in the attached Map No.1,
in the form shown in the "Proposed By-law" attached to Development
Services Department report DSD-2023-156 as Appendix A, be approved."
Carried
3.3 Private Street Naming, 57 Jacob Detweiller Drive, DSD-2023-132
The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD-2023-
132, dated March 27, 2023 regarding the naming of a private street within a
multiple dwelling development located at 57 Jacob Detweiller Drive.
On motion by Councillor S. Davey
it was resolved:
"That the City of Kitchener acknowledge that Activa Holdings Inc. intends
development consisting of three townhouse buildings located at 57 Jacob
Detweiller Drive, as outlined in Development Services Department report
DSD-2023-132; and further,
required advertising, preparation, and registration of the necessary By-law
Carried
3.4 Private Street Naming, 175 Tartan Avenue, DSD-2023-150
The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD-2023-
150, dated March 27, 2023, regarding the private street naming within a multiple
residential development located at 175 Tartan Avenue.
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On motion by Councillor S. Davey
it was resolved:
"That the City of Kitchener acknowledge that Fusion Homes intends to
development located at 175 Tartan Avenue, as outlined in Development
Services Department report DSD-2023-150; and further,
required advertising, preparation, and registration of the necessary By-law
Carried
3.5 Noise Exemption, Greek Food Festival, CSD-2023-167
The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-2023-
167, dated March 30, 2023, recommending an exemption to Chapter 450 (Noise)
of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code be granted to the Greek Orthodox
Community of Saints Peter and Paul Kitchener-Waterloo & District for their
Annual Greek Food Festival.
On motion by Councillor S. Davey
it was resolved:
"That an exemption to Chapter 450 (Noise) of the City of Kitchener
Municipal Code be granted to the Greek Orthodox Community of Saints
Peter and Paul Kitchener-Waterloo & District for their Annual Greek Food
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Festival at 527 Bridgeport Road East, to be held on June 10 and 11,
2023 from 12 p.m. 11 p.m., as outlined in Community Services
Department report CSD-2023-167."
Carried
4. Discussion Items
4.1 Vision Zero Report, DSD-2023-152
The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD-2023-
152, dated March 23, 2023, regarding the City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy
update.
F. Hosseini provided a summary of the Vision Zero Strategy project.
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In response to questions from the Committee regarding increased street safety in
school zones, A. McCrimmon-Jones noted the Vision Zero Strategy proposes a
decreased speed limit of 30km/h in all school zones. In addition, automated
speed enforcement initiatives and hot spot improvements for school zones that
are determined to be at highest risk will be implemented. Further, seasonal traffic
calming measures are implemented based on data analysis and Council
feedback.
In response to further questions from the Committee, A. McCrimmon-Jones
noted the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) will be re-established to
ensure greater use of data driven information in determining the highest risk
locations for collisions and over speeding in the City.
Councillor P. Singh entered the meeting at this time.
Councillor M. Johnston left the meeting at this time and Councillor D. Schnider
assumed Chair.
In response to questions from the Committee, B. Cronkite noted Staff will be
advocating to the Provincial and Federal government to ensure municipal
requirements for the use of Connected and Autonomous Vehicles are
appropriate.
Councillor A. Owodunni left the meeting at this time and re-entered.
On motion by Mayor B. Vrbanovic
it was resolved:
"That Development Services Department report DSD-2023-152 be
received, which serves as a progress update on the Vision Zero action
items completed in 2022; and further,
That staff be directed to implement the hot spot improvements as outlined
in Appendix 'A' (Proposed Hot Spot Improvements) of Development
Services Department report DSD-2023-152, to support implementation of
the Vision Zero Strategy."
Carried
4.2 Fireworks By-law Update, CSD-2023-166
The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-2023-
166 dated March 30, 2023 regarding an update on the Fireworks By-law.
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G. MacNeil provided an overview of the Fireworks By-law update and noted, the
By-law currently allows firework displays on Victoria Day, Canada Day and Diwali
and the days immediately preceding or succeeding each of these celebration
days. However, due to increasing noise disturbance complaints related to
fireworks displays, Staff propose that fireworks be permitted only on the day of
celebration and that firework displays cease by 11:00 p.m.
Tom Ruggle, Chief Fire Prevention Officer was in attendance and responded to
questions from the Committee.
The Committee discussed potential measures for reducing noise disturbances
related to fireworks displays and ensuring the appropriate use of fireworks.
Councilor P. Singh questioned whether staff had considered identifying
designated areas within the City for fireworks displays, noting he could have
further discussion with staff in advance of the Council meeting prior to
considering an amendment to the recommendation.
In response to questions from the Committee, G. MacNeil noted a group
advocated to Council for Diwali to be included in the Fireworks By-law as a day
of celebration, however, there have been no additional requests for other
celebrations to be included in the fireworks by-law. Councillor A. Clancy noted
Lunar New Year should be included as a day of celebration in the fireworks by-
law, as other cities permit it, and to ensure the City is proactive in promoting
equitable representation of the City's diversity.
Councillor B. Ioannidis brought forward a motion to approve the staff
recommendation as outlined in Report CSD-2023-166.
Councillor A. Clancy brought forward an amendment to the motion, to include
Lunar New Year as an additional permitted day for firework displays, which was
voted on and was LOST.
On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis
it was resolved:
"That the number of permitted days for firework displays be reduced to
only the day of celebration including Victoria Day, Canada Day and
Diwali and must cease by 11pm, as outlined in Community Services
Department report CSD-2023-166; and further,
That the Municipal Code, Chapter 544 (Fireworks Vendors) and
Chapter 739 (Fireworks and Firecrackers), be repealed and replaced
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with the revised Chapter 739 which incorporates a series of
administrative changes outlined in Report CSD-2023-166."
Carried
4.3 Tree Conservation Processes Review, DSD-2023-161
Councillor M. Johnston re-entered the meeting at this time and assumed Chair.
The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD-2023-
161, dated April 14, 2023, recommending initiation of a second phase of the Tree
Conservation Process Review.
G. Khandelwal provided an overview of the Tree Conservation Process Review
and presented some key findings of Staff's jurisdictional scan of municipal tree
conservation processes, polices and bylaws.
G. Stevenson was in attendance and responded to questions from the
Committee.
In response to questions from the Committee, C. Musselman noted the tools
used to regulate the removal and saving of trees at development sites in the City
are the City's Tree Conservation Policy and Tree Management Plans. It was also
noted that the Tree Conservation Policy operates as a tiered system where the
removal of trees at development sites are mitigated through various methods
such as fines or the planting of replacement trees at alternative locations.
Councillor C. Michaud and Councillor J. Deneault left the meeting at this time.
In response to questions from the Committee regarding the enhancement of the
City's tree canopy, A. Buitendyk noted majority of the land available in Kitchener
for tree planting are privately owned lands thus Staff are exploring opportunities
with School Boards and the Reep Green Solutions, Backyard Tree Planting
program to promote tree planting on private lands.
Councillor C. Michaud and Councillor J. Deneault re-entered the meeting at this
time.
In response to questions from the Committee, N. Goss noted, an aim of Phase 2
of the Tree Conservation Process review is to develop strategies for ensuring a
balanced approach in managing staff and budget resources and other competing
interest such as housing goals, while ensuring an adequate level of tree canopy
protection.
Councilor D. Schnider and Councillor A. Owodunni left the meeting at this time.
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Councillor M. Johnston inquired about the status of the City's incentive programs
that reward residents for retaining trees. In response, D. McGoldrick noted these
programs were put on hold due to insufficient Staff resources and the lack of
funding, as Council transferred the incentive program budget to the Disaster
Mitigation and Adaptation Fund program. It was noted, there may be
opportunities to further explore incentive initiatives through the tree conservation
processes review and that Staff will bring back further information for Committee
consideration.
Councillor A. Clancy noted mature trees make a greater contribution to carbon
sequestering thus, the City should take a more cautious approach in considering
approvals for the removal of mature trees.
On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis
it was resolved:
"That staff be directed to initiate a second phase of the Tree Conservation
Processes Review that includes further evaluation of specific
enhancement opportunities to existing tools and processes, as outlined in
Development Services Department report DSD-2023-161."
Carried
4.4 Wiijindamaan Indigenous Land Restoration at Pioneer Tower Natural Area,
INS-2023-181
The Committee considered Infrastructure Services Department report INS-2023-
181 dated April 5, 2023, regarding the proposed Land Restoration Project
located at the Pioneer Tower Natural Area.
J. Shea provided an overview of the project and highlighted the goal of restoring
the Pioneer Tower Natural Area to preserve local biodiversity, in partnership with
Indigenous organizations and Conestoga College. In addition, J. Shea noted a
two-eyed seeing lens, that is, a combination of Indigenous and Western
knowledge, would be utilized in the restoration of the natural area.
Councillor B. Ioannidis left the meeting at this time.
Councillor A. Owodunni left the meeting at this time and re-entered.
Councillor S. Davey left the meeting at this time.
Councillor P. Singh left the meeting at this time.
Councillor S. Davey re-entered the meeting at this time.
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Councillor B. Ioannidis re-entered the meeting this time.
On motion by Councillor D. Chapman
it was resolved:
"That Council direct staff to proceed with the proposed Land Restoration
Project and authorize the General Manager, Infrastructure Services to
sign agreement(s) with project partners, subject to review and satisfaction
of the City solicitor, as outlined in Infrastructure Services Department
report INS-2023-181."
Carried
5. Adjournment
Councillor P. Singh re-entered the meeting at this time.
On motion, this meeting adjourned at 3:44 p.m.
Marilyn Mills
Committee Administrator
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