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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - 2026-01-12Council Meeting Minutes January 12, 2026, 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 J. Deneault Councillor C. Michaud Councillor A. Owodunni Councillor B. loannidis Councillor M. Johnston Councillor D. Chapman Councillor S. Stretch Absent: Councillor D. Schnider Councillor P. Singh 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 L. MacDonald, City Solicitor G. Stevenson, Director, Development and Housing Approvals A. Fusco, Director Legislated Services / City Clerk D. Saunderson, Deputy Clerk 1. COMMENCEMENT The meeting began with a Land Acknowledgement given by the Mayor and the singing of "O Canada." 1 1.1 Girl Guides in attendance for the singing of "O Canada". The Mayor welcomed the 1st Kitchener Sparks, 11th Kitchener Sparks, 24th Kitchener Embers, 24th Kitchener Guides, 26th Kitchener Guides, 28th Kitchener Guides, 28th Kitchener Pathfinders, 22nd Kitchener Rangers and 28th Kitchener Rangers who led the Mayor and Members of Council and all those in attendance for the singing of "O Canada". 1.2 We All Belong Here - Anti- hate Campaign Launch Councillor S. Stretch left the meeting at this time. Mayor B. Vrbanovic acknowledged the launch of Waterloo Region's We All Belong Here campaign - a powerful, region -wide, anti hate campaign designed to strengthen belonging and confront hate in all its forms within the Region. Councillor S. Stretch returned to the meeting at this time. 2. MINUTES FOR APPROVAL On motion by Councillor J. Deneault the minutes of the regular meeting held December 15, 2025, and special meeting held December 15, 2025, and January 5, 2026, as mailed to the Mayor and Councillors, were accepted. 3. DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF 4. COMMUNICATIONS REFERRED TO FILE 4.1 Flag / Illumination Request under Policy MUN-FAC-442 4.1.a Illumination - Liver Health Month - March 1, 2026 4.1.b Illumination - Amyloidosis Awareness Month March 2026 - March 5, 2026 4.1.c Illumination - World Down Syndrome Day - March 21, 2026 4.1.d Illumination and Flag - Menstrual Health Day - May 28, 2026 4.1.e Illumination - ALS Awareness Month - June 6, 2026 5. PRESENTATIONS 5.1 Kitchener -Waterloo Art Gallery Activities for 2026 Shirley Madill, Executive Director, Kitchener Waterloo Art Gallery gave a presentation updating Council on the activities of the Art Gallery, noting 2026 is the 70th anniversary of the Kitchener Waterloo Art Gallery. S. Madill provided an overview on the history of the Gallery, and a number of initiatives that were completed in 2025. S. Madill then shared some of the events proposed for 2026 and encouraged Council and the community to attend the exhibits. Councillor A. Owodunni left and returned to the meeting at this time. 6. DELEGATIONS 6.1 Official Plan Amendment Application OPA24/011/C/AP, Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA24/023/C/AP, 808-836 Courtland Avenue East, 808 Courtland GP Inc., DSD -2025-002, listed as item 7.4.b Council considered Official Plan Amendment Application OPA24/011/C/AP, Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA24/023/C/AP, 808-836 Courtland Avenue East, 808 Courtland GP Inc., DSD -2025-002, listed as item 7.4.b on the agenda this date. In addition, Council was in receipt of a written submission from Dentons Canada LLP on behalf of CN Rail, Graham and Christine Lehman and Lisa Worboys. Garett Stevenson, Director, Development and Housing Approvals was in attendance to respond to questions from Council. Kevin Muir, Zehr Group, was in attendance in support of the subject application and to respond to questions of Council if required. Lisa Worboys addressed Council in opposition of the subject application, expressing concerns with the proposed development and the potential adverse impacts on traffic safety as a result of the proposed development. In response to questions from Council, G. Stevenson advised that staff are recommending that a Holding "H" Provision be added to the recommendation, until such a time that the accurate water capacity for this development is required prior to building permit issuance. G. Stevenson then responded questions regarding the lifting of holding provisions delegated to staff and noted that the removal of the H provision rests with Council, when satisfied by the Region that the provision can be lifted. G. Stevenson then addressed planning mechanisms to remove the provision. A motion was brought forward by Councillor J. Deneault, which was seconded by Councillor D. Chapman, to approve the recommendation as presented by Planning Staff this date. Moved by Councillor J. Deneault Seconded by Councillor D. Chapman "That Official Plan Amendment Application OPA24/011/C/AP for 808-836 Courtland Avenue East, requesting to change the land use designation from `Commercial' and `General Industrial Employment' to `Strategic 3 Growth Area C' and to exempt the proposal from subsections d) and j) of Policy 15.D.12.81, to facilitate a high-density, mixed-use development comprising 977 dwelling units, 532.1 square metres of non-residential use on the ground floor, with a maximum building height of 30 storeys, be approved, in the form shown in the Official Plan Amendment attached to Development Services Department report, DSD -2025-002 as Attachment `A'; and, That Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA24/023/C/AP for 808-836 Courtland Avenue East be approved in the form shown in the Proposed By-law and Map No. 1, attached to Report DSD -2025-002 as Attachment `B', as amended to include Holding Provision 117H to require that a study determining adequate water supply capacity has been completed or the Region of Waterloo Water Supply Master Plan and any necessary updates to water supply infrastructure have been completed; and, That pursuant to Section 34(17) of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P. 13, as amended, further notice is not required to be given in respect to Zoning By-law Amendment ZBA24/023/C/AP, and further, That the Urban Design Brief prepared by Zehr Group, dated December 2024 (Revised), attached as Attachment `C' to report DSD -2025-002 be endorsed and that staff be directed to implement the Urban Design Brief through a future Site Plan Approval process, and at the discretion of the City's Director of Development & Housing Approvals, significant changes to the Urban Design Brief will be to the satisfaction of Council." Carried 6.2 Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA25/026/W/EW, 7 Wimbleton Crescent, DSD -2026-001, listed as item 7.4. Council considered Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA25/026/W/EW, 7 Wimbleton Crescent, DSD -2026-001, listed as item 7.4. Garett Stevenson, Director, Development and Housing Approvals was in attendance to respond to questions from Council. David Galbraith, Up Consulting, was in attendance on behalf of the applicant, noting support for the staff recommendation, clarified building height of 9.8m, and to respond to questions from Council regarding capping building height at 10m. In response to questions from Council, G. Stevenson provided an alternative recommendation that Council could consider, which included Holding "H" Provision that would address the concerns of the Region of Waterloo, related to M water capacity; and, a provision that would restrict the building height to a maximum of 10m as requested by Council at the Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee meeting. Councillor S. Davey brought forward the alternative recommendation as suggested by staff, including the Holding Provision and height restriction, which was seconded by Councillor D. Chapman. Moved by Councillor S. Davey Seconded by Councillor D. Chapman "That Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA25/026/W/EW for 7 Wimbleton Crescent for BDRP Inc. be approved in form of the `Proposed By-law', and `Map No. 1' attached to Development Services Department report, DSD -2025-035 as Attachments 'Al' and 'A2', as amended to include Holding Provision 118H to permit a maximum of two dwelling units until such time that a study determining adequate water supply capacity has been completed or the Region of Waterloo Water Supply Master Plan and any necessary updates to water supply infrastructure have been completed, and as amended to include Site Specific Provision 443 to permit a maximum building height of 10 metres, and further, That pursuant to Section 34(17) of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P. 13, as amended, further notice is not required to be given in respect to Zoning By-law Amendment ZBA25/026/W/EW." Carried 7. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES 7.1 AUDIT COMMITTEE - DECEMBER 15, 2025 Moved by Councillor S. Davey Seconded by Councillor B. loannidis "That the report of the Audit Committee, dated December 15, 2025, listed as items 7.1.a on the agenda this date, be adopted." Carried .1.a 2026 Internal Audit Work Plan, CAO -2025-477 "That the 2026 Internal Audit work plan be approved as outlined in Chief Administrator's Office report CAO -2025-477." Carried l 7.2 HERITAGE KITCHENER -JANUARY 6, 2026 Councillor D. Chapman brought forward a motion to approve the report of Heritage Kitchener, dated January 6, 2026, which was seconded by Councillor C. Michaud. It was requested and agreed that the property municipally addressed as 33 Ontario Street North, listed in item 7.2.b be voted on separately. The property municipally addressed as 33 Ontario Street North, as outlined in item 7.2.b, was voted on and was Carried. The balance of the properties listed in item 7.2.b, were then voted on and was Carried. Moved by Councillor D. Chapman Seconded by Councillor C. Michaud "That the report of Heritage Kitchener, dated January 6, 2026, listed as items 7.2.a to 7.2.b on the agenda this date, be adopted." Carried 7.2.a Notice of Intention to Designate - 160 Courtland Avenue East, DSD -2026-005 "That pursuant to Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, the Clerk be directed to Publish a Notice of Intention to Designate the property municipally addressed as 160 Courtland Avenue East as being of cultural heritage value or interest, as outlined in Development Services Department report, DSD -2026-005." Carried 7.2.b Bill 23 Municipal Heritage Register Review Update - January 2026, DSD -2026- 006 "That pursuant to Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, the cultural heritage value or interest be recognized, and designation be pursued for the following properties, as outlined in Development Services Department report, DSD -2026-006: o 156 Benton Street o 42 Francis Street North o 53-61 King Street East n. 0 4336 King Street East 0 8-24 King Street East 0 182 Victoria Street North 0 33 Ontario Street North" Carried 7.3 FINANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE - JANUARY 5, 2026 Moved by Councillor S. Davey Seconded by Councillor B. loannidis "That the report of the Finance and Corporate Services Committee, dated January 5, 2026, listed as item 7.3.a on the agenda this date, be adopted." Carried 7.3.a Adjournment of Development Charges Complaints - 15 Dellroy Avenue and 1438 Highland Road, FIN -2026-015 "That the request to adjourn the hearing related to the complaint of development charges at 15 Dellroy Avenue and 1438 Highland Road until no later than February 9, 2026, as outlined in Financial Services Department report FIN -2026-015, be granted." Carried 7.4 PLANNING AND STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE -JANUARY 5, 2026 Moved by Councillor D. Chapman Seconded by Councillor S. Stretch "That the balance of the Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee report, dated January 5, 2026, listed as item 7.4.a on the agenda this date, be adopted." Carried 7.4.a Demolition Control Application - DC25/034/S/AA - 26 Siebert Ave, DSD -2026-009 7 "That Demolition Control Application DC25/034/S/AA for 26 Siebert Avenue requesting permission to demolish a Single Detached Dwelling with one Additional Dwelling Unit (ADU)(Attached)(Duplex) and replace it with a new Single Detached Dwelling, BE APPROVED, as outlined in Development Services Department report, DSD -2026-009." Carried 7.4.b Official Plan Amendment Application OPA24/011/C/AP, Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA24/023/C/AP, 808-836 Courtland Avenue East, 808 Courtland GP Inc., DSD -2025-002 Carried, as amended, under Delegations 7.4.c Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA25/026M//EW, 7 Wimbleton Crescent, DSD -2026-001 Carried, as amended, under Delegations 8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - NIL 9. NEW BUSINESS 9.1 - MAYORAL BUSINESS AND UPDATES - MAYOR B. VRBANOVIC Mayor B. Vrbanovic addressed the Region of Waterloo's recent announcement regarding the water supply issue. 10. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS D. McGoldrick responded to questions from Council regarding blocked catch basins, unassumed roads in the Williamsburg area, catch basin open data mapping, and a salt shortage. Mayor B. Vrbanovic responded to questions from Council regarding requesting the Region of Waterloo consider a new transit stop at the Williamsburg Community Centre and Library. V. Raab addressed questions on the city's new website launch. 11. STAFF REPORTS 11.1 ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS 11.1.a Dangerous Dog Designation Appeal - Hillier, COR -2026-033 Moved by Councillor J. Deneault Seconded by Councillor M. Johnston "That the decision of the Dog Designation Appeal Committee regarding an appeal filed by C. Hillier, wherein the Committee affirms the Dangerous Dog Designation applied to the dog `Atheena' by the Humane Society of Kitchener -Waterloo and Stratford Perth, be ratified and confirmed with modified conditions, as outlined in Corporate Services Department report, COR -2026-033." Carried 11.1.b Potentially Dangerous Dog Designation Appeal - Miller, COR -2026-034 Moved by Councillor J. Deneault Seconded by Councillor A. Owodunni "That the decision of the Dog Designation Appeal Committee regarding an appeal filed by H. Miller, wherein the Committee affirms the Potentially Dangerous Dog Designation applied to the dog `Koda' by the Humane Society of Kitchener -Waterloo and Stratford Perth, be ratified and confirmed with modified conditions, as outlined in Corporate Services Department report, COR -2026-034." Carried 11.2 FOR INFORMATION 11.2.a Summary of Bid Solicitations as approved by the Chief Procurement Officer (October 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025), FIN -2026-026 12. BY-LAWS At the request of A. Fusco, Director, Legislative Services and City Clerk, now that the Reports of the Committees have been formally approved, it was agreed to formally add the By-laws, and as amended this evening, listed on the agenda under the heading of Late Starters to the agenda for Council's consideration. 12.1 THREE READINGS Moved by Councillor M. Johnston Seconded by Councillor A. Owodunni "That the by-laws be given third reading, namely: 9 12.1.a To further amend By-law No. 2010-190, being a by-law to prohibit unauthorized parking of motor vehicles on private property. (By-law 2026-003) 12.1.b To further amend By-law No. 2008-117, being a by-law to authorize certain on - street and off-street parking of vehicles for use by persons with a disability, and the issuing of permits in respect thereof. (By-law 2026-004) 12.1.c To further amend By-law No. 88-171, being a by-law to designate private roadways as fire routes and to prohibit parking thereon. (By-law 2026-005) 12.1.d Being a by-law to amend Chapter 380 of The City of Kitchener Municipal Code with respect to Tariff of Fees - Planning Matters. (By-law 2026-006) 12.1.e Being a by law to provide for the establishing and laying out of part of Pioneer Ridge Drive and Fall Harvest Drive as public highway in the City of Kitchener. (By-law 2026-007) 12.1.f Being a by-law to adopt Amendment No. 68 to the Official Plan - 808-836 Courtland Avenue East. (By-law 2026-008) 12.1.g Being a by-law to amend By-law 85-1, as amended, and By-law 2019-051, as amended, collectively known as the Zoning By-law for the City of Kitchener - 808 Courtland GP Inc. — 808-836 Courtland Avenue East. (By-law 2026-009) 12.1.h Being a by-law to amend By-law 2019-051, as amended, known as the Zoning By-law for the City of Kitchener — Christopher Michael Haliburton — 7 Wimbleton Crescent. (By-law 2026-010) 12.1.1 To confirm all actions and proceedings of the Council for January 12, 2026. (By-law 2026-011) Carried 10 13. ADJOURNMENT IN Map- r ciel�