HomeMy WebLinkAboutPSI Minutes - 2025-12-01�:T,,,,IE�I' �
Planning and Strategic Initiatives
Committee Minutes
December 1, 2025, 5:30 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 B. loannidis
Councillor M. Johnston
Councillor D. Chapman
Councillor S. Stretch
Staff: D. Chapman, Chief Administrative Officer
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
J. Mill, Director, Corporate Customer Service
R. Bustamante, Director, Planning and Housing Policy
J. Oosterveld, Manager, Customer Experience and Project
Management
N. Goss, Manager, Policy Research
S. Weare, Community Engagement Consultant
E. Pompa, Planner (Policy)
O. Ojurongbe, Project Manager, Planning
D. Saunderson, Deputy Clerk
M. Blake, Committee Coordinator
1
1. Commencement
The Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee held a meeting this date
commencing at approximately 5:30 p.m.
2. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
2.1 Councillor C. Michaud - Missing Middle and Affordable Housing Community
Improvement Plan, DSD -2025-371
Councillor C. Michaud declared a conflict regarding Item 6.1 Missing Middle and
Affordable Housing Community Improvement Plan, DSD -2025-371, due to place
of employment, and did not participate in any discussion or voting regarding this
matter.
2.2 Councillor J. Deneault - Missing Middle and Affordable Housing Community
Improvement Plan, DSD -2025-371
Councillor J. Deneault declared a conflict regarding Item 6.1 Missing Middle and
Affordable Housing Community Improvement Plan, DSD -2025-371, due to place
of employment, and did not participate in any discussion or voting regarding this
matter.
3. Consent Items
Pursuant to Chapter 25 (Procedure) of the Municipal Code, a motion was brought
forward by Councillor D. Chapman to discuss Consent item 3.1 listed on the
agenda, which was voted on and was Carried.
3.1 Elimination of Return Envelopes, FIN -2025-407
The Committee considered Financial Services Department report FIN -2025-407,
dated September 29, 2025, recommending the City of Kitchener discontinue the
practice of including return envelopes with mailed paper bills, effective February
1, 2026.
J. Lautenbach was in attendance to respond to questions regarding this matter.
It was requested item 3.1 Elimination of Return Envelopes, FIN -2025-407 be
voted on separately on a recorded vote.
On motion by Councillor A. Owodunni
it was resolved:
"That the City of Kitchener discontinue the practice of including return
envelopes with mailed paper bills effective February 1, 2026, as outlined
by Financial Services Department report, FIN -2025-407"
In Favour (8): Councillor S. Davey, Councillor D. Schnider, Councillor J.
Deneault, Councillor C. Michaud, Councillor A. Owodunni, Councillor R Singh,
Councillor B. loannidis, and Councillor M. Johnston
Contra (2): Councillor D. Chapman, and Councillor S. Stretch
Carried (8 to 2)
3.2 2025 Victus Hockey Academy LP Agreement at Sportsworld Arena, CSD -
2025 -472
The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD -2025-
472, dated November 10, 2025, recommending the General Manager,
Community Services and Deputy CAO be authorized to execute a licence
agreement with Victus Academy LP.
On motion by Councillor A. Owodunni
it was resolved:
"That the General Manager, Community Services and Deputy Chief
Administrative Officer be authorized to execute a license agreement and
any amendments or renewals with Victus Academy LP for space at
Sportsworld Arena, municipally known as 35 Sportsworld Crossing Road,
said agreement to be satisfactory to the City Solicitor, as outlined in
Community Services Department report, CSD -2025-472."
Carried
3.3 Modernizing Human Resource (HR) Policies, COR -2025-449
The Committee considered Corporate Services Department report COR -2025-
449, dated November 20, 2025, recommending approval of the modernized
Human Resources policies, attached as Appendix "A" to report COR -2025-449.
On motion by Councillor A. Owodunni
it was resolved:
"That the modernized Human Resources policies, attached as Appendix A
to Corporate Services report COR -2025-449 be approved; and further,
3
That the redundant Human Resources policies, attached as Appendix B to
Corporate Services report COR -2024-449 be repealed."
Carried
3.4 Municipal Act Section 357(g) Applications - Repairs and Renovations, FIN -
2025 -453
The Committee considered Financial Services Department report FIN -2025-453,
dated October 20, 2025, recommending approval of the draft policy attached to
Report FIN -2025-453.
On motion by Councillor A. Owodunni
it was resolved:
"That Council approve the draft policy attached as Appendix A to Financial
Services Department report, FIN -2025-453."
Carried
3.5 Municipal Act Section 357(1)(d.1) Application for Sickness or Extreme
Poverty, FIN -2025-451
The Committee considered Financial Services Department report FIN -2025-451,
dated November 18, 2025, recommending approval of the draft by-law attached
to Report FIN -2025-451 to delegate authority to the Assessment Review Board
for determining the eligibility for property tax relief for applications received under
Section 357(1)(d.1) of the Municipal Act, 2001.
On motion by Councillor A. Owodunni
it was resolved:
"That the draft by-law attached to Financial Services Department report,
FIN -2025-451 as Appendix "A" to delegate authority to the Assessment
Review Board for determining the eligibility for property tax relief for
applications received under Section 357(1)(d.1) of the Municipal Act, 2001
be approved; and further,
That staff forward a certified copy of the by-law to the Registrar of the
Assessment Review Board and the Municipal Property Assessment
Corporation, as required under Section 357(12) of the Municipal Act, 2001
and thereafter forward a copy of every application received to which this
by-law applies."
M
Carried
3.6 Project Funding Increase for Dundee Secondary Plan and Environmental
Assessment, DSD -2025-469
The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD -2025-
469, dated November 20, 2025, recommending an increase for purchase order
213285 - Dundee Secondary Plan and Environmental Assessment.
On motion by Councillor A. Owodunni
it was resolved:
"That Purchase Order 213285 — Dundee Secondary Plan and
Environmental Assessment, be increased in the amount $200,000, plus
HST of $26,000, for a total of $226,000, as outlined in Development
Services Department report, DSD -2025-469"
Carried
3.7 Q24-016 - Professional Services — Ann Street, Becker Street, & Fife Street
Reconstruction — Purchase Order Extension, DSD -2025-437
The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD -2025-
437, dated October 10, 2025, recommending an increase in funding for a
purchase order extension.
On motion by Councillor A. Owodunni
it was resolved:
"That the Purchase Order for providing contract administration and
inspection for the reconstruction of Ann Street, Becker Street and Fife
Street, issued to GHD Limited (GHD) be increased by $496,400.34 funded
by the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) and an existing surplus in the
project account, as outlined in Development Services Department report,
DSD -2025-437."
4. Discussion Items
Carried
l
4.1 2025 Community Engagement Policy, COR -2025-454
The Committee considered Corporate Services Department report COR -2025-
454, dated November 20, 2025, recommending the Community Engagement
Policy (GOV-COU-2010), be amended, to make the changes indicated in
Attachment `A', as outlined in Report COR -2025-454.
S. Weare, Community Engagement Consultant, provided an overview of the
report.
In response to questions from the Committee, S. Weare advised that the revised
policy does not prescribe specific engagement methods, such as hybrid or in-
person formats, but rather establishes a principles -based approach that allows
adaptation to the context and project. S. Weare further noted that this approach
is intended to ensure that public engagement reflects the diversity of the
community.
In response to additional questions, S. Weare confirmed that it is standard
practice to request demographic information, including gender, underrepresented
group status, and postal code, from participants in engagement sessions. S.
Weare also advised that the proposed amendments represent a general update
to the policy and do not have financial implications at this time. Future
engagement methods may involve financial considerations, which are currently
unknown.
On motion by Councillor S. Stretch
it was resolved:
"That the Community Engagement Policy (GOV-COU-2010), be amended,
to make the changes indicated in Attachment `A' and outlined in Corporate
Services report, COR -2025-454."
Carried
4.2 Inclusionary Zoning, 2025 Residential Market Update, DSD -2025-450
The Committee considered Development Services Department report, DSD -
2024 -450, dated November 20, 2025, an information report related to the 2025
Residential Market Update for Inclusionary Zoning. It was noted the report was
moved to a discussion item as the result of the registered delegations. It was
noted written submissions were received from H. Jaegar and P. Nickels regarding
this item.
n.
E. Pompa, Planner (Policy) provided an overview of the report. N. Goss,
Manager of Policy Research, J. Oosterveld, Manager of Customer Experience
and Project Management, R. Bustamante and M. Bennet, NBLC, consultant on
behalf of the City, were in attendance to respond to questions of the Committee.
Councillor P. Singh left the meeting at this time. Councillor S. Davey assumed the
Chair.
L. Masseo, Waterloo Region Home Builders Association, was in attendance in
opposition to the implementation of inclusionary zoning until market conditions
improve.
Councillor P. Singh entered the meeting at this time, and assumed Chair.
Councillor A. Owodunni left the meeting at this time.
D. Galbraith and J. Puopolo were in attendance on behalf of Build Urban, in
opposition to the implementation of inclusionary zoning until market conditions
can sustain it.
Councillor A. Owodunni entered the meeting at this time.
Councillor B. loannidis provided notice that he would be putting forward a notice
of motion for the agenda on December 15, 2025 regarding the proposed set -side
rates due to be implemented through inclusionary zoning.
5. Public Hearing Matters under the Planning Act (advertised)
This meeting is being held to hear the delegations on the planning item listed on
today's agenda. Please note that this is not the statutory public meeting required
under the Ontario Planning Act. Due to issues related to the public advertising
legislation, the statutory public meeting for this application will take place on
December 15, 2025. All written submissions and delegations received today will
be noted as part of public record. Further information regarding Planning Act
Appeals is available through the Ontario Land Tribunal website
5.1 Missing Middle and Affordable Housing Community Improvement Plan,
DSD -2025-371
Councillor C. Michaud declared a conflict on this item. (Councillor C. Michaud
declared a conflict regarding Item 6.1 Missing Middle and Affordable Housing
Community Improvement Plan, DSD -2025-371, due to place of employment, and
did not participate in any discussion or voting regarding this matter. )
7
Councillor J. Deneault declared a conflict on this item. (Councillor J. Deneault
declared a conflict regarding Item 6.1 Missing Middle and Affordable Housing
Community Improvement Plan, DSD -2025-371, due to place of employment, and
did not participate in any discussion or voting regarding this matter.)
The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD -2025-
371, dated November 20, 2025, recommending approval of the proposed By-law
establishing a Community Improvement Project Area, incorporating all lands
within the municipal boundaries of the City of Kitchener.
E. Pompa, Planner (Policy) and O. Ojurongbe, Project Manager, Planning
provided an overview of the report. N. Goss, Manager, Policy Research, J.
Oosterveld, Manager, Customer Experience and Project Management and R.
Bustamante, Director, Planning and Housing Policy were in attendance to
respond to questions of the Committee.
S. Wong was in attendance in support of the Missing Middle And Adorable
Housing Community Improvement Plan.
Jason Deneault left the meeting at this time.
In response to questions from the Committee, J. Oosterveld noted that
construction timelines are constrained, with a goal of achieving units by October
2026. Regarding questions related to affordability, it was noted the definition of
affordable housing follows the City of Kitchener Official Plan and is geared
toward low to moderate income households. Staff confirmed that the affordability
commitments of organizations will be registered on title to ensure compliance for
up to five years.
Councillor J. Deneault entered the meeting at this time.
As this was not the statutory public meeting related to the Missing Middle and
Affordable Housing Community Improvement Plan, the Committee noted that the
matter will be further considered at the Planning Committee meeting on
December 15, 2025. The following motion represents an endorsement in
principle at this time, with the final recommendation to be completed during the
Public Planning Committee meeting on December 15, 2025.
On motion by Councillor B. loannidis
it was resolved:
"That the proposed By-law establishing a Community Improvement
Project Area incorporating all lands within the municipal boundaries of the
n.
City of Kitchener, in the form shown in Attachment 'A' to Development
Services Department report, DSD -2025-371 be approved; and,
That the proposed Missing Middle and Affordable Housing Community
Improvement Plan By-law, be approved in the form shown in Attachment
'B' to report DSD -2025-371; and further,
That the General Manager of Development Services or their designate be
authorized to execute all agreements and other related documentation,
subject to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor, which may be required to
administer the Missing Middle Affordable Housing Community
Improvement Plan."
Carried
6. Information Items
6.1 Quarterly Planning Report (Q4), DSD -2025-470
6.2 Property Tax Exemption for Affordable Housing Update, FIN -2025-434
7. Adjournment
On motion, this meeting adjourned at 8:11 p.m.
Mariah Blake
Committee Coordinator
9