HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-2024-449 - Supplementary Report to CSD-2024-408 - Noise Exemption VanMar Constructor - 641 King Street WestCommunity Services Department www.kitchener.ca
REPORT TO: Committee of the Whole
DATE OF MEETING: September 30, 2024
SUBMITTED BY: Gloria MacNeil, Director, Bylaw Enforcement, 519-741-2200 ext 7952
PREPARED BY: Gloria MacNeil, Director, Bylaw Enforcement, 519-741-2200 ext 7952
WARD(S) INVOLVED: 9 and 10
DATE OF REPORT: September 23, 2024
REPORT NO.: CSD-2024-449
SUBJECT: Supplementary Report to CSD-2024-408 Noise Exemption VanMar
Constructor 641 King Street West
RECOMMENDATION:
That staff be directed to complete a public consultation process as outlined in CSD-
24-408 (Supplementary Report) to assess neighbourhood support for a noise
exemption request from VanMar Constructors to begin construction at 641 King St.
W. at 6:00am until April 30, 2025.
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS:
VanMar Constructors ON Inc. requested a noise exemption to begin construction at
6:00 a.m. (instead of 7:00 a.m.) at 641 King St. W, from October 1, 2024, to April 30,
2025.
Staff recommended that the noise exemption be denied due to the extended duration
of the request, staying consistent with past practices and the potential to set a
precedent for other construction projects across the city.
At the FCS meeting on September 13, 2024, Council directed staff to conduct a public
consultation process with residents near the construction site to determine if there is
community support for the proposed noise exemption.
Staff are proposing the public consultation process include residents living within a
250-metre radius of the construction site, and that staff return to Council in late
October with the results of that survey to help inform a final decision on the requested
exemption.
BACKGROUND:
Staff attended the Finance and Corporate Services Committee on September 13, 2024, after
receiving a noise exemption request from VanMar Constructors ON Inc. The noise
exemption request is to allow construction at 641 King St. W to begin at 6:00 a.m., instead
of the currently permitted 7:00 a.m., from October 1, 2024, to April 30, 2025. Currently,
Chapter 450 (Noise) permits construction to begin at 7:00 a.m.
was recommended that the noise exemption be denied by Council.
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
During the meeting, several Councillors expressed a concern that there had not been
sufficient public consultation from the contractor regarding this exemption request. As a
result, Council directed staff to conduct additional public consultation to assess whether the
surrounding neighbourhood would be in support of the earlier start time for construction.
REPORT:
develop and launch a survey targeting residents
within approximately a 250-metre radius of the construction site at 641 King St. W.
Nearby Residents will also have the opportunity to provide open-ended feedback to explain
their reasoning for either supporting or not supporting the exemption.
Survey Distribution and Participation
The survey will be distributed using a targeted approach. Part-time Bylaw Enforcement staff
will
deliver postcards with a QR code linking residents directly to the online survey of all
residential units and addresses within 250 metres of 641 King Street West. Only one
response will be permitted per address.
Staff will perform door-knocks to deliver the postcards encouraging participation from all the
residents. If no one is home, the postcard will be left in the door/mailbox. The distribution
effort is expected to take 12 days. The survey will remain open for a two-week period to
allow time for responses, considering potential impacts of the upcoming long weekend and
possible resident travel plans.
Online Survey Details
The online survey will also include additional resources, such as:
Information on the current noise bylaw regulations regarding construction start times.
A link to the original report presented to Council.
Contact information for inquiries.
Next steps.
Following the two-week consultation period, staff will compile and analyze the feedback.
The results of the survey will then be reported back to Council on October 28, 2024 for a
decision by Council on whether to support or deny the noise exemption request. In the
meantime, VanMar Constructors is permitted to continue with construction during the
permitted hours.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This report supports the delivery of core services.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The impact for conducting the public consultation is estimated to be $1000 for the creation
and printing of the postcards, and approximately $1100 ($34.19/hr x 2 staff for 2 days) for
bringing in additional staffing to deliver the postcards to residents.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM
the council / committee meeting.
CONSULT Although public consultation is not typically part of the Noise Exemption
approval process, this initiative will involve a targeted survey distributed to residents within
250 metres of the construction site to assess support for the proposed 6:00 a.m. construction
start time. Residents will be asked to provide a yes/no response and explain their reasoning
for supporting or opposing the exemption, and the feedback gathered will be vital in guiding
Council's decision.
PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES:
CSD-24-408 Noise Exemption VANMAR Constructor On Inc 641 King Street
West
APPROVED BY: Michael May, General Manager, Community Services Department
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