HomeMy WebLinkAboutPSI Minutes - 2023-04-24Planning and Strategic Initiatives
Committee Minutes
April 24, 2023, 3:30 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. loannidis
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
R. Hagey, Director, Financial Planning
G. Stevenson, Interim Director of Planning
N. Goss, Manager Policy & Research
B. Bateman, Senior Planner
T. Donegani, Senior Planner
K. Anderl, Senior Planner
C. Dumart, Senior Planner
D. Saunderson, Deputy Clerk
M. Blake, Committee Administrator
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1. MEETING PART ONE - 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
2. Commencement
The Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee held a meeting this date
commencing at 3:57 p.m, Chaired by Councillor P. Singh. Mayor B. Vrbanovic
was in attendance virtually.
3. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
3.1 Councillor P. Singh - Official Plan Amendment OPA22/001/K/KA, Zoning By-
law Amendment, King -Charles Properties (Kitchener) Limited, 1001 King
Street East, DSD -2023-151
Councillor P. Singh declared a pecuniary interest with respect to item 9.1 on the
agenda this date related to Official Plan Amendment OPA22/001/K/KA, Zoning
By-law Amendment, King -Charles Properties (Kitchener) Limited, 1001 King
Street East, DSD -2023-151, due to a family member owning property within the
vicinity and did not participate in any voting or discussion on the matter.
4. Consent Items
4.1 None.
5. Public Hearing Matters under the Planning Act (Advertised)
This is a formal public meeting to consider applications under the Planning Act.
If a person or public body does not make oral or written submissions to the City
of Kitchener before the proposed applications are considered, the person or
public body may not be entitled to appeal the decision to the Ontario Land
Tribunal and may not be added as a party to a hearing of an appeal before the
Ontario Land Tribunal.
5.1 Zoning By-law Amendment ZBA23/001/BB, 1385 Bleams Road, loane and
Alina Solomes, DSD -2023-153
The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD -2023-
153, dated March 27, 2023, recommending approval of Zoning By-law
Amendment ZBA23/001/M/BB for the property municipally addressed as 1385
Bleams Road.
B. Bateman, Senior Planner, presented the report, indicating staff are
recommending approval of the subject application and responded to questions
from the Committee. In response to questions from the Committee, G. Stevenson
advised any recommendation arising from this matter would be considered at a
Special Council meeting later this date. G. Stevenson advised this is the first
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Planning application that is subject to the required 90 -day approval requirements
imposed by the Province through Bill 23, indicating if the application does not
receive full approved by April 25, 2023, the City would be required to refund the
applicant 50% of the application fee.
G. Saini and M. Warzecha, Polocorp Inc. were in attendance in support of the
Staff recommendation. G. Saini responded to questions from the Committee.
It was noted any recommendation arising from this matter would be considered
at a Special Council meeting later this date.
On motion by Councillor A. Owodunni
it was resolved:
"That Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA23/001/M/BB requesting
to amend Zoning By-law 85-1, for loane and Alina Solomes, for the
property municipally addressed as 1385 Bleams Road, be approved in the
form shown in the Proposed `Proposed By-law', and `Map No. 1' as
Attachment `A', of Development Services Department report DSD -2023-
153."
Carried
6. Discussion Items
6.1 Enabling Missing Middle and Affordable Housing, DSD -2023-160
The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD -2023-
160, dated April 13, 2023, regarding the Enabling Missing Middle and Affordable
Housing Feasibility Study.
T. Donegani, Senior Planner, provided a brief introduction to the Enabling
Missing Middle and Affordable Housing Feasibility Study. G. Stevenson, Interim
Director of Planning, N. Goss, Manager of Policy and Research, R. Hagey,
Director of Financial Planning and Reporting were also in attendance to respond
to questions from the Committee.
C. White and M. Paziuk, Parcel Economics addressed the Committee regarding
the Study, noting their presentation will include an outline of the challenges
involved, the opportunities, and potential solutions.
C. White outlined the challenges the City of Kitchener experiences regarding the
delivery of missing middle and affordable housing, noting the City is faced with a
housing supply crisis and housing affordability issues. C. White stated the study
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analyzes methods to improve housing affordability, provide more diversity in
housing types constructed, and to increase overall housing supply.
M. Paziuk noted the opportunities arising from the study, including enabling the
development of more missing middle and affordable housing types.
C. White discussed potential solutions, and noted the four recommendations
arising from the study, including a reduction of parking requirements, an increase
in height and density permissions, providing financial incentives and process
improvements.
In response to questions from the Committee, C. White stated price dynamics,
consumer preference and lifestyle -based decision-making plays a key role in
housing sizes and price points required by consumers.
In response to concerns from the Committee regarding whether the City's public
transportation can compensate for the recommended parking reduction, C. White
noted the study recognizes the City requires varying types of housing and price
points. C. White also stated it may take time for the appropriate infrastructure to
be put into place to compliment the parking reduction.
In response to further questions, T. Donegani informed the Committee, Staff will
provide additional information regarding the financial incentives within the coming
months, as a deeper understanding of Bill 23 is gained. T. Donegani stated thus
far, the incentives have been provided through the development charges rebate
program to non -profits. T. Donegani noted there is a restriction in the Municipal
Act to providing these types of incentives to for-profit developers, except in
limited circumstances, such as the Community Improvement Plan and the Capital
Facilities Agreements and By-law.
Mayor B. Vrbanovic and C. Michaud left the meeting at this time.
In response to questions from the Committee, G. Stevenson stated there are
immediate opportunities to set the stage for the recommended changes outlined
in the report, through pending updates to Official Plans and Zoning in Major
Transit Station Areas (MTSAs).
T. Donegani noted in response to further questions, that the study utilizes the
existing definition of affordable which is aligned under the currently enforced
Provincial Policy Statement (PPS), the Regional Official Plan and City Official
Plan. T. Donegani also noted the recommendations in the study create
opportunities for new small developers to become more active in the City's
development.
Mayor B. Vrbanovic returned to the meeting at this time.
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On motion by Councillor B. loannidis
it was resolved:
"That the Enabling Missing Middle and Affordable Housing Feasibility
Study be used to inform the Growing Together project for planning in
Major Transit Station Areas and future updates to the Official Plan and
Zoning By-law, as outlined in Development Services Department report
DSD -2023-160; and,
That the Enabling Missing Middle and Affordable Housing Feasibility
Study be used to inform continuous improvement of development services
processes; and further,
That Staff be directed to further consider financial incentives for missing
middle and affordable housing and report back to Council on next steps
once additional information on Bill 23 regarding affordable and attainable
housing is made available."
Carried
7. Recess and Reconvene
The Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee recessed at 5:50 p.m. and
reconvened at 7:09 p.m., Chaired by Councillor P. Singh with all members
present, except Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillor C. Michaud.
8. MEETING PART TWO - Approximately 7:00 p.m.
9. Public Hearing Matters under the Planning Act Cont'd (Advertised)
This is a formal public meeting to consider applications under the Planning Act.
If a person or public body does not make oral or written submissions to the City
of Kitchener before the proposed applications are considered, the person or
public body may not be entitled to appeal the decision to the Ontario Land
Tribunal and may not be added as a party to a hearing of an appeal before the
Ontario Land Tribunal.
9.1 Official Plan Amendment OPA22/001/K/KA, Zoning By-law Amendment,
King -Charles Properties (Kitchener) Limited, 1001 King Street East, DSD -
2023 -151
Councillor P. Singh declared a conflict on this item. (Councillor P. Singh declared
a pecuniary interest with respect to item 9.1 on the agenda this date related to
Official Plan Amendment OPA22/001/K/KA, Zoning By-law Amendment, King -
Charles Properties (Kitchener) Limited, 1001 King Street East, DSD -2023-151,
due to a family member owning property within the vicinity and did not participate
in any voting or discussion on the matter.)
Councilor D. Chapman assumed the Chair for this matter.
The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD -2023-
151, dated March 27, 2023, recommending approval of Official Plan Amendment
application OPA22/001/K/KA; and approval of Zoning By-law Amendment
Application ZBA22/001/K/KA, for the property municipally addressed as 1001
King Street East.
K. Anderl presented the report, provided an overview of the development,
indicating staff are recommending approval of the subject applications. K. Anderl
further responded to questions from the Committee. G. Stevenson was also in
attendance to respond to questions from the Committee.
S. Litt, Vive Development and P. Chauvin, MHBC Planning were in attendance in
support of the subject application and to respond to questions from the
Committee. P. Chauvin provided an overview of the development proposal,
highlighting the proposed unit types, parkland dedication, as well as building
renderings including live -work units on the street level. P. Chauvin stated the
development was also subject to heritage impact analysis as the building was
formally operated as Onward Manufacturing Company.
On motion by Councillor J. Deneault
it was resolved:
"That Official Plan Amendment Application OPA22/001/K/KA for King
Charles Properties (Kitchener) Limited, for the property municipally
addressed as 1001 King Street East, requesting a land use designation
change from `Mixed Use Corridor with Special Policy Area 1' to `Mixed
Use Corridor with Special Policy Area 10' to permit a mixed use
development on the lands specified and illustrated on Schedule `A', be
adopted, in the form shown in the Official Plan Amendment attached to
Development Services Department report DSD -2023-151 as Appendix `A',
and accordingly forwarded to the Region of Waterloo for approval; and,
That Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA22/001/K/KA for King
Charles Properties (Kitchener) Limited be approved in the form shown in
the `Proposed By-law', and `Map No. 1', attached to Report DSD -2023-
151 as Appendix 'B'; and further,
That the Urban Design Brief for 1001 King Street East attached to Report
DSD -2023-151 as Appendix `C', be adopted."
Carried
9.2 Official Plan Amendment OPA22/008/M/CD, Zoning By-law Amendment
ZBA22/015/M/CD, 455-509 Mill Street, Polocorp Inc., DSD -2023-145
Councillor P. Singh assumed the Chair.
The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD -2023-
142, dated March 27, 2023, recommending the approval of Official Plan
Amendment application OPA/22/008/M/CD; and, approval of Zoning By-law
Amendment application ZBA22/015/M/CD, for the property municipally
addressed as 455-509 Mill Street. C. Dumart presented the report, noting staff
were recommending approval of the Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law
application.
Matthew Warzecha, Polocorp Inc. addressed Committee in support of the subject
applications and the staff recommendation and responded to questions from the
Committee. M. Warzecha indicated the proposed development is intended to be
integrated with the Mill Street ION transit station area, to allow the station to be
linked with and through the site.
On motion by Councillor S. Davey
it was resolved:
"That Official Plan Amendment Application OPA/22/008/M/CD for
Polocorp Inc. requesting a change in land use designation, for the
properties municipally addressed as 455-509 Mill Street, from `General
Industrial Employment' to `Mixed Use with Site Specific Policy Area No.
62' to permit a high intensity mixed use dwelling development on the lands
specified and illustrated on Schedule `A' and Schedule `B', be adopted, in
the form shown in the Official Plan Amendment attached to Development
Services Department report DSD -2023-145 as Appendix `A', and
accordingly forwarded to the Region of Waterloo for approval; and,
That Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA22/015/M/CD for
Polocorp Inc. be approved in the form shown in the `Proposed By-laws',
and `Map No. 1', attached to Report DSD -2023-145 as Appendix `B'; and
further,
That the Urban Design Brief dated February 2023 and attached to Report
DSD -2023-145 as Appendix `C', be adopted, and that staff be directed to
apply the Urban Design Brief through the Site Plan Approval process."
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Carried
10. Information Items
10.1 None.
11. Adjournment
On motion, this meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Mariah Blake, Committee Administrator
Dianna Saunderson, Manager, Council and Committee Services/Deputy Clerk
