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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPSI Minutes - 2023-08-14Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee Minutes August 14, 2023, 7:00 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. loannidis Councillor M. Johnston Councillor D. Chapman Councillor A. Clancy Staff: D. Chapman, Chief Administrative Officer J. Readman, General Manager, Development Services C. Bluhm, Executive Director, Economic Development G. Stevenson, Interim Director, Planning A. McCrimmon-Jones, Manager, Transportation Safety and Policy T. Malone -Wright, Interim Manager, Development Review N. Goss, Manager, Policy and Research D. Becks, Manager, Downtown Development & Innovation E. Schneider, Senior Planner D. Saunderson, Deputy Clerk M. Mills, Committee Administrator 1. Commencement The Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee held a meeting this date commencing at 7:24 p.m. 1 2. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof None. 3. Consent Items 3.1 Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA23/017/D/CD, Lifting of Holding Provision 95H, 206, 210 Duke Street East and 46, 50 Madison Avenue North, The Knossos Housing Corp. of Waterloo Region, DSD -2023-305 The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD -2023- 305, dated July 14, 2023, recommending approval of Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA23/017/D/CD, for the properties municipally addressed as 206, 210 Duke Street East and 46, 50 Madison Avenue North. On motion by Councillor B. loannidis it was resolved: "That Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA23/017/D/CD for The Knossos Housing Corporation of Waterloo Region, for the properties municipally addressed as 206, 210 Duke Street East and 46, 50 Madison Avenue North, for the purpose of removing Holding Provision 95H 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 -2023-305, as Appendix `A', be approved." Carried 3.2 Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA22/020/H/TS, Lifting of Holding Provision 15H, 495 Huron Road, Activa Holdings Inc., DSD -2023-330 The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD -2023- 330, dated July 18, 2023, recommending approval of Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA22/020/H/TS, for the property municipally addressed as 495 Huron Road. On motion by Councillor B. loannidis it was resolved: E "That Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA22/020/H/TS for Activa Holdings Inc., for the property municipally addressed as 495 Huron Road, 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- 330 as Appendix `A', be approved." Carried 3.3 Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA23/020/C/TS, Lifting of Holding Provision 15H, 15 Cedar Street North, Nimbell Holdings Inc., DSD -2023-326 The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD -2023- 326, dated July 18, 2023, recommending approval of Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA23/020/C/TS, for the property municipally addressed as 15 Cedar Street North. On motion by Councillor B. loannidis it was resolved: "That Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA23/020/C/TS for Nimbell Holdings Inc., for the property municipally addressed as 15 Cedar Street North, 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- 326 as Appendix 'A', be approved." Carried 4. 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. 3 4.1 Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA23/015/Q/ES, 1154 Queen's Boulevard, Sunset Hills Estates Corp., DSD -2023-323 The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD -2023- 323, dated July 17, 2023, recommending approval of Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA23/015/Q/ES, for the property municipally addressed as 1154 Queen's Boulevard. E. Schneider provided a presentation summarizing the application and recommendation for approval noting the proposed development contributes to the diversity of housing in the neighbourhood. G. Stevenson and T. Malone -Wright were also in attendance to respond to questions from the Committee. A. Head, Dryden, Smith and Head Planning Consultants Ltd. addressed the Committee in support of the Staff recommendation. In response to questions from the Committee, A. Head noted, the existing 20 parking spaces at the subject site will be reduced to 17, in order to provide additional amenity space for future residents. It was also noted the proposed number of parking spaces is greater than the parking requirement of 12 spaces. In response to questions from the Committee regarding a written submission, E. Schneider noted the Zoning By-law Amendment Application does not grant permission for the applicant to remove trees on neighbouring properties. It was noted, the applicant would require consent from the property owners if they wish to remove trees on neigbouring properties. On motion by Councillor M. Johnston it was resolved: "That Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA23/015/Q/ES requesting to amend Zoning By-law 2019-051, for Sunset Hills Estates Corp., for the property municipally addressed as 1154 Queen's Boulevard, be approved in the form shown in the 'Proposed By-law', and 'Map No. 1' attached to Development Services Department report DSD -2023-323 as Attachments 'Al' and `A2'; and further, That in accordance with Planning Act Section 45 (1.3 and 1.4), applications for Minor Variances shall be permitted for lands subject to Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA23/015/Q/ES." Carried M 5. Discussion Items 5.1 Speed Limit Review - School Zones and Bingemans Centre Drive, DSD - 2023 -286 The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD -2023- 286, dated July 20, 2023, recommending a consistent and static speed limit of 30 km/hr be maintained for all school zones in Kitchener neighbourhoods including all Automatic Speed Enforcement school zone locations, and that the speed limit on Bingeman's Centre Drive be maintained at 50 km/h. A. McCrimmon-Jones provided an overview of the report and staff recommendation. In response to questions from the Committee, A. McCrimmon- Jones noted, at the end of 2023, the Region of Waterloo will be presenting results of a pilot study for school zones with static speed limits at all times of the day, as well as varying speed limits at different times of day and of the year. It was noted Regional roads serve a different function from Kitchener roads in that they carry significant volumes of traffic whereas, Kitchener roads serve a community function such as providing access to homes, front lawns and neighbourhood amenities. As such, A. McCrimmon-Jones noted the recommended approach for Kitchener school zones is a consistent and static speed limit of 30km/h at all hours of the day. In response to questions about maintaining school zone speed limits at 30km/h outside school hours, A. McCrimmon-Jones noted schools are often used after hours for various community programs. In addition, as there is a presence of children and other vulnerable street users around school properties throughout the day and year, a consistent and static speed limit of 30 km/hr is the recommended approach. Further, it was noted this approach is consistent with neighbouring municipalities including Cambridge, Guelph, Mississauga, and Waterloo. Councillor C. Michaud expressed support for a consistent and static speed limit of 30km/h in school zones as it is a better precaution for the safety of children. In response to questions from the Committee regarding additional traffic calming measures at Bingemans Centre Drive, A. McCrimmon Jones noted this road is larger than most in Kitchener and carries a high volume of traffic, thus, traditional forms of traffic calming measures would not be sufficient. It was noted tools such as a greater speed enforcement, improvements to pedestrian facilities and educating drivers will be the most appropriate traffic calming methodology. It was also noted several collisions have occurred on Bingemans Centre Drive and drivers typically average 75 km/h on this road, thus, an increase to the posted l speed limit may further exacerbate overspeeding. The Committee noted additional speed enforcement measures should be implemented on this road to improve the safety of drivers. The Committee noted its' preference for Staff to review the Region of Waterloo pilot study on speed limits in school zones prior to the Committee making a final decision on speed limits in Kitchener school zones. Councillor S. Davey brought forward a motion for Staff to report back at the next Council meeting with proposed hotspot traffic calming measures at Bingemans Centre Drive, having an increased speed limit of 60km/h; and further, that consideration of speed limits in Kitchener school zones be deferred to a future Council meeting, to allow Staff an opportunity to propose speed limits that are in tandem with the Region of Waterloo pilot study. It was requested that the two matters be voted on separately. A motion was brought forward by Mayor B. Vrbanovic to defer any changes to the current school zone speed limits until the Region of Waterloo completes their pilot program review. On motion by Councillor S. Davey it was resolved: "That staff be directed to report back at the next Council meeting with an increased speed limit on Bingeman Centre drive to 60 km/hr considering any suggested signage changes or other measures to reduce hotspot areas of concern; and further, That the following motion be deferred to a future Council meeting, to allow additional time for the Region of Waterloo to complete their review of their pilot project school zone speed limits: "That staff be directed to report back with suggested "school hours" timing, where school zone speed limits may be restricted to 30 km/hr but outside school hours could be 40 km/hr, in tandem with the Region of Waterloo's discussions." Carried X 5.2 Downtown Kitchener Draft Vision and Principles, DSD -2023-315 The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD -2023- 315, dated July 21, 2023, recommending that a vision statement and set of principles be finalized for Downtown Kitchener and that staff report back on this matter for Council approval at a later date in 2023. D. Becks and N. Goss provided an overview of the proposed vision and principles noting these statements were developed from feedback received from the community. N. Goss noted staff in attendance this date are seeking the Committee's feedback on the proposed vision and principles. G. Stevenson and C. Bluhm were also in attendance to respond to questions from the Committee. N. Goss inquired whether the proposed vision establishes a clear direction for the future of Downtown Kitchener. In response, the Committee noted the vision statement should be more aspirational and bold by outlining specific ways in which the vision will be achieved. Further, it was noted the vision should speak to the City's strength in driving business innovation. N. Goss presented the proposed principles and requested the Committee's feedback on the following questions: 1. Do the principles establish a clear direction for the future of DTK? 2. Do the principles prioritize the matters that should be focused on to achieve the vision? If not, what is missing? 3. What actions could be taken to implement the above principles? The Committee noted the principles should outline equitable access and inclusion for displaced and marginalized groups. Further, it was noted the principles should reflect a goal of ensuring the cost of living downtown is affordable for every socioeconomic group. It was also noted the principles should speak to the importance of increasing the tree canopy in the downtown area. The Committee proposed that the phrase "downtown, your neighbourhood also" be included in the principles to promote the communal benefit of investments into the downtown area for all Kitchener residents In response to questions from the Committee, D. Becks noted the downtown community working group engaged downtown businesses in conversations regarding post -pandemic recovery and findings from these conversations will be presented in a future report to the Committee. 7 On motion by Councillor M. Johnston it was resolved: "That the comprehensive community engagement results received to date, combined with Council feedback, as outlined in Development Services Department report DSD -2023-315, be used with input from the Downtown Community Working Group to finalize a vision statement and set of principles; and further, That staff report back with the final vision and set of principles for Council approval later in 2023." 6. Adjournment On motion, this meeting adjourned at 9:27 p.m. Marilyn Mills Committee Administrator Carried n.