HomeMy WebLinkAboutPSI Minutes - 2025-08-11Planning and Strategic Initiatives
Committee Minutes
August 11, 2025, 6:00 p.m.
Council Chambers
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 M. Johnston
Councillor D. Chapman
Councillor S. Stretch
Staff: D. Chapman, Chief Administrative Officer
J. Readman, General Manager, Development Services
R. Bustamante, Director Housing Policy
G. Stevenson, Director of Development and Housing Approvals
T. Malone -Wright, Manager, Development Approvals
M. Parris Manager, Parks and Open Space
N. Goss, Manager, Policy and Research
S. Bassanese, Manager, Site Plan
B. Bateman, Senior Planner
A. Pinnell, Senior Planner
J. Zunic, Senior Planner
S. Latam, Parks Planning and Development, Project Manager
B. Robinson, Parks Planning and Development Project Manager
D. Saunderson, Deputy Clerk
M. Blake, Committee Coordinator
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1. Commencement
The Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee held a meeting this date
commencing at 6:00 p.m.
2. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
2.1 Councillor C. Michaud - Official Plan Amendment Application
OPA25/005/F/AP, Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA25/001/F/AP,
132 Fairway Road North, Maxwell Building Consultants Ltd., DSD -2025-310
Councillor C. Michaud declared a conflict with regards to item 4.3. Official Plan
Amendment Application OPA25/005/F/AP, Zoning By-law Amendment Application
ZBA25/001/F/AP, 132 Fairway Road North, Maxwell Building Consultants Ltd.,
DSD -2025-310, due to their place of employment, and did not participate in any
voting or discussion on the matter.
3. Consent Items
3.1 Private Street Naming — 15 - 105 Mooregate Crescent, DSD -2025-325
The Committee considered Development Services Department report, DSD -
2025 -325, dated July 21, 2025, recommending that the City of Kitchener
acknowledge that the Regional Municipality of Waterloo intends to name a
private street: 'Mooregate Way' within a multiple residential development located
at 15 - 105 Mooregate Crescent.
On motion by Councillor S. Davey
it was resolved:
"That the City of Kitchener acknowledge that the Regional Municipality of
Waterloo intends to name a private street: 'Mooregate Way' within a
multiple residential development located at 15 - 105 Mooregate Crescent,
as shown in Attachment 'D' of Development Services Department report,
DSD -2025-325; and further,
That the City's Legal Services Division be directed to proceed with the
required advertising, preparation, and registration of the necessary By-law
for the naming of 'Mooregate Way'."
Carried
4. Public Hearing Matters under the Planning Act (advertised)
This is a formal public meeting to consider applications under the Planning Act. In
accordance with the Ontario Planning Act, only the applicant or owner of land
affected by the planning applications, a specified person, or a public body, and or
the Minister may appeal most decisions. If you do not make a verbal submission
to the Committee or Council, or make a written submission prior to City Council
making a decision on the proposal, you may not be entitled to appeal the
decision of the City of Kitchener to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT), and may not
be added as a party to the hearing of an appeal before the OLT. To understand
your right of appeal, if any, or for further clarification regarding appeals, please
see the Ontario Land Tribunal website (https.Ilolt.gov.on.cal).
4.1 Draft Plan of Subdivision Modification Application (Stage 4, 30T-08204),
Official Plan Amendment Application OPA24/015/T/AP, Zoning By-law
Amendment Application ZBA24/010/T/AP, 468 Trussler Road, Activa
Holdings Inc., DSD -2025-039
The Committee considered Development Services Department report, DSD -
2025 -039, dated July 18, 2025, recommending the modification of conditions of
draft approval for Draft Plan of Subdivision 30T-08204; adoption of Official Plan
Amendment Application OPA24/015/T/AP and adoption of Zoning By-law
Amendment Application ZBA24/010/T/AP, for the property municipally addressed
as 468 Trussler Road.
A. Pinnell, Senior Planner provided an overview of the staff report. T. Malone -
Wright, Manager, Development Approvals, and G. Stevenson, Director,
Development and Housing Approvals were also in attendance to respond to
questions from the Committee.
P. Chauvin, MHBC Planning, was in attendance in support of the staff
recommendation.
On motion by Councillor A. Owodunni
it was resolved:
"That the City of Kitchener, pursuant to Section 51 (44) of the Planning Act
R.S.O. 1990, Chapter P 13, as amended, modify the conditions of draft
approval for Draft Plan of Subdivision Application 30T-08204, in the City of
Kitchener, for Activa Holdings Inc., for the property municipally addressed
as 468 Trussler Road, in the form shown in the Third Modification to
Conditions of Draft Approval, attached to Development Services
Department report, DSD -2025-039 as Attachment `A; and,
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That Official Plan Amendment
Holdings Inc. be approved, in
Amendment attached to Report
further,
Application OPA24/015/T/AP for Activa
the form shown in the Official Plan
DSD -2025-039 as Attachment 'B'; and
That Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA24/010/T/AP for Activa
Holdings Inc. be approved in the form shown in the Proposed By-law and
Map No. 1, attached to Report DSD -2025-039 as Attachment 'C'."
Carried
4.2 Official Plan Amendment Application OPA25/004/L/BB, Zoning By-law
Amendment Application ZBA25/009/L/BB, Block 1, 58A-711 - Sandra
Springs Subdivision, 2597316 Ontario Corp., DSD -2025-286
The Committee considered Development Services Department report, DSD -
2025 -286, dated July 11, 2025, recommending adoption of Official Plan
Amendment Application OPA25/004/L/BB and Zoning By-law Amendment
Application ZBA25/009/L/BB, for the property municipally addressed as Block 1,
58M-711 — Sandra Springs Subdivision.
B. Bateman, Senior Planner, provided an overview of the staff report. T. Malone -
Wright, Manager, Housing Approvals and G. Stevenson, Director of Development
and Housing Approvals were also in attendance to respond to questions from the
Committee.
B. Flewwelling, GSP Group, was in attendance in support of the application.
In response to questions from the Committee, B. Flewwelling noted the subject
property is proposed to be redesignated 'Low Rise Residential' and no buildings
shall exceed 3 storeys or eleven (11) metres in height. Further, it was noted the
proposed changes will not compromise the existing planned commercial
component of the approved subdivision.
On motion by Councillor S. Davey
it was resolved:
"That Official Plan Amendment Application OPA25/004/L/BB for 2597316
Ontario Corp. requesting to change the Land Use on Map 3 from 'Mixed
Use' to `Low Rise Residential', for Block 1, 58A-711 - Sandra Springs
Subdivision, be approved, in the form shown in the Official Plan
Amendment attached to Development Services Department report, DSD -
2025 -286 as Attachments 'Al', and 'A2'; and further,
M
That Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA25/009/L/BB to change
the zoning from `MIX -1' to `RES -5' be approved in the form shown in the
`Proposed By-law', and `Map No. 1', attached to Report DSD -2025-286 as
Attachments `131' and `132'."
Carried
4.3 Official Plan Amendment Application OPA25/005/F/AP, Zoning By-law
Amendment Application ZBA25/001/F/AP, 132 Fairway Road North, Maxwell
Building Consultants Ltd., DSD -2025-310
Councillor C. Michaud declared a conflict on this item. (Councillor C. Michaud
declared a conflict with regards to item 5.3. Official Plan Amendment Application
OPA25/005/F/AP, Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA25/001/F/AP, 132
Fairway Road North, Maxwell Building Consultants Ltd., DSD -2025-310, due to
their place of employment, and did not participate in any voting or discussion on
the matter.)
The Committee considered Development Services Department report, DSD -
2025 -310, dated July 25, 2025, recommending adoption of Official Plan
Amendment Application OPA25/005/F/AP and Zoning By-law Amendment
Application ZBA25/011/F/AP, for the property municipally addressed as 132
Fairway Road North. It was noted written submissions were received by P.
Bitiusca and N. Belanger.
A. Pinnell, Senior Planner provided an overview of the staff report. T. Malone -
Wright, Manager, Housing Approvals and G. Stevenson, Director, Development
and Housing Approvals, were also in attendance to respond to questions from
the Committee.
J. Wenzel, GSP Group and P. Maxwell were in attendance in support of the
application.
In response to questions from the Committee, P. Maxwell advised the proposed
development includes 26 affordable residential units, 6 external bike spaces, 28
secure indoor bike spaces, 8 parking spaces and an outdoor amenity area on the
third floor. The proposed rental price for a studio unit is approximately $860 per
month, intended for individuals making minimum wage, new Canadians and
persons receiving supplements.
Mayor B. Vrbanovic entered the meeting at this time.
l
N. Belanger, A. Belanger and J. Cassady were in attendance in opposition to the
application, citing concerns related to potential financial impact on surrounding
property values, privacy, increased traffic, noise, and parking availability.
In response to questions from the Committee, A. Pinnell advised the proposed
amenity space would face Jansen Street. It was further noted that the proposed
maximum height of the building is 9m, within the current zoning limit of 11 m.
On motion by Councillor D. Schnider
it was resolved:
"That Official Plan Amendment Application OPA25/005/F/AP for Maxwell
Building Consultants Ltd. for the property muncipally addressed as 132
Fairway Road North, requesting to add Specific Policy Area 83 to permit a
multiple dwelling with a Floor Space Ratio of 1.33 on the parcel of land
specified and illustrated on Schedule `A, be approved, in the form shown
in the Official Plan Amendment attached to Development Services
Department report, DSD -2025-310 as Attachment `A'; and,
That Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA2/011/F/AP for Maxwell
Building Consultants Ltd. for the property municipally address as 132
Fairway Road North, be approved in the form shown in the Proposed By-
law and Map No. 1 attached to Report DSD -2025-310 as Attachment `B';
and further,
That the Revised Urban Design Brief, prepared by GSP Group Inc., dated
July 2025, attached as Attachment `C' to report DSD -2025-310, be
endorsed, and that staff be directed to implement the Revised Urban
Design Brief through a future Site Plan Application Approval process and,
at the discretion of the City's Director of Development and Housing
Approvals, significant changes to the Revised Urban Design Brief will be
to the satisfaction of Council."
Carried
5. Discussion Items
5.1 Kitchener 2051 - Preferred Growth Scenario, DSD -2025-318
The Committee considered Development Services Department report, DSD -
2025 -318, dated July 30, 2025, recommending that the Preferred Approach to
Growth be used to inform the development of a draft Official Plan.
n.
J. Zunic, Senior Planner provided an overview of the report. N. Goss, Manager,
Policy and Research, and R. Bustamante, Director Housing Policy, were also in
attendance to respond to questions from the Committee.
Councillor D. Schnider left the meeting at this time.
Councillor P. Singh left the meeting at this time and Councillor S. Davey assumed
the Chair.
Councillor D. Schnider entered the meeting at this time.
In response to questions from the Committee, J. Zunic noted the City continues
to engage in discussions with regional staff regarding the objective of minimizing
impacts to source water protection areas when developing approaches to growth.
Councillor P. Singh resumed Chair.
On motion by Councillor S. Davey
it was resolved:
"That the Preferred Approach to Growth as presented in Development
Services Department report, DSD -2025-318 be used to inform the
development of a draft Official Plan (Kitchener 2051)."
Carried
5.2 Parkland Acquisition Strategy, DSD -2025-331
The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD -2025-
331, dated July 24, 2025, recommending that staff be directed to develop a
Parkland Acquisition Strategy and report back to Council prior to March 31, 2026.
S. Latam, Parks Planning and Development Project Manager, provided an
overview of the report. B. Robinson, Parks Planning and Development Project
Manager, S. Bassanese, Manager, Site Plan, M. Parris Manager, Parks and
Open Space and G. Stevenson, Director, Housing and Development Approvals
were also in attendance to respond to questions from the Committee.
Councillor A. Owodunni moved the staff recommendation as outlined in
Development Services Department report, DSD -2025-331.
Councillor D. Chapman brought forward an amendment to Councillor A.
Owodunni's motion to include an additional clause "that staff be directed to
identify government-owned properties of interest in each ward for repurpose to
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potentially address parkland deficits in identified Critical Needs Areas and
circulate this data to Council prior to the end of 2025."
Councillor D. Chapman brought forward a further amendment to Councillor A.
Owodunni's motion to include an addiitonal clause, "that staff be directed to
investigate and bring a report to Council before the 2026 budget cycle on ways in
which parkland acquisition might be advanced and funded, including exploring
tools such as a special tax program that would support the Parkland Reserve
Fund to acquire parkland."
In response to questions from the Committee, D. Chapman noted that a timeline
of March 31, 2026, for staff to report back to Council on the development of the
Parkland Acquisition Strategy, would allow sufficient time to complete the work.
It was requested Councillor D. Chapman's amendments both be voted on
separately on a recorded vote.
Councillor D. Chapman's first amendment was voted on and was Carried
unanimously on a recorded vote.
Councillor D. Chapman's second amendment was then voted on and Lost on a
recorded vote, with Councillor A. Owodunni and D. Chapman voting in favour;
and Councillor S. Davey, J. Denault, M. Johnston, C. Michaud, D. Schnider and
P. Singh voting in opposition.
On motion by Councillor A. Owodunni
it was resolved:
"That staff be directed to develop a Parkland Acquisition Strategy and
report back to Council prior to March 31, 2026, as outlined in
Development Services Department report DSD -2025-331; and further,
That staff be directed to identify government owned properties of interest
in each ward for repurpose to potentially address parkland deficits in
identified Critical Needs Areas and circulate this data to Council prior to
the end of 2025."
Carried
6. Information Items
6.1 None.
7. Adjournment
On motion, this meeting adjourned at 8:56p.m.
Mariah Blake
Committee Coordinator