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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlng & Econ Dev - 2001-02-19PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 19~ 2001 CITY OF KITCHENER The Planning and Economic Development Committee met this date commencing at 3:17 p.m. under Councillor C. Weylie, Chair, with the following members present: Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors J. Smola, G. Lorentz, M. Galloway and B. Vrbanovic. Councillor J. Ziegler entered the meeting shortly after its commencement. Officials Present: Ms. C. Ladd, J. Given, M. Morrison and Messrs. J. Gazzola, B. Stanley, G. Borovilos, D. Mansell, J. Shivas, P. Wetherup, B. Page, B. Sloan and L.W. Neil. 1. BPS-01-018 TERMS OF REFERENCE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (EDAC) The Committee was in receipt of Business and Planning Services report BPS-01-018 dated February 5, 2001 advising of a recommendation approved by the Economic Development Advisory Committee with respect to revision of its terms of reference. Mr. G. Borovilos briefly commented on the report. On motion by Councillor G. Lorentz - It was resolved: "That revised Terms of Reference of the Economic Development Advisory Committee b.~e approved in accordance with the changes outlined in the attachment to report BPS-01-018 relating to Sections 1.0, 2.0 (a) & (d) and 3.0 (7) & (11 )." 2. BPS-01-028 COMPASS KITCHENER - KITCHEN TABLE TALKS The Committee was in receipt of Business and Planning Services report BPS-01-028 dated February 13, 2001. It was noted in the report that as a continued method of community consultation, Compass Kitchener proposes 15 Kitchen Table Talks, 5 of which will be youth focus groups. The Compass Kitchener Committee adopted this series of talks as a means to fulfil the following objectives: · move Compass Kitchenerforward · involve populations that were missed in the last rounds of community input · fulfill the Committee's goals to ensure on-going citizen involvement · utilize staff resources while still available In support of this undertaking, attached to the report was Appendix 'A' - Kitchen Table Talk Proposal and Appendix 'B' - Timeline for Kitchen Table Talks. Mr. B. Stanley commented that the report was for information only and follows up on previous consultation with City Council. He noted that in Appendix 'A' references to talks in specific wards could be deleted from the report before it was circulated. It was also requested that objective #5 be deleted on the basis that Councillors would prefer to deal with constituents on a case by case basis. Councillor B. Vrbanovic requested that each Councillor give serious consideration to the participation issue in view of the process that has been developed. Ms. Marie Morrison commented that Wards 4 and 5 had lower rates of participation than other wards and that the recommendation was meant to enhance the opportunity to address this earlier outcome. She pointed out that the intent was to look for natural leaders from those areas that originally had a Iow participation rate. 3. BPS-01-027 NEW RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION AGREEMENT The Committee considered Business and Planning Services report BPS-01-027 dated February 13, 2001 dealing with a proposed new Standard Residential Subdivision Agreement dated February 2001 attached to the report. It was pointed out in the report that staff together with input from industry representatives had developed this agreement in an effort to continue streamlining of subdivision approvals and to improve, simplify and achieve consistency in the City's Residential Subdivision Agreements. Ms. J. Given utilizing the overhead projection PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 19, 2001 -15- CITY OF KITCHENER 3. BPS-01-027 NEW RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION AGREEMENT (CONT'D) system provided the Committee with a detailed synopsis of the report. Firstly, she advised that a revised Standard Residential Subdivision Agreement dated February 12, 2001 had been distributed this date which contained minor revisions that have been made to the agreement circulated with the staff report. Ms. Given then remarked on the necessity to revise the outdated Standard Form Agreement and touched on the issue of Iotless blocks and delegation of draft plan of subdivision approval. She expressed appreciation to all internal staff and industry representatives who assisted in this lengthy process culminating in this document. Ms. Given highlighted the key changes relating to format and referenced the six main sections referred to in the document noting that most sections are organized in chronological sequence resulting in a simple easy to read format. In terms of key changes to content in the document she referenced the removal of pre-registration conditions, the use of standardized conditions and a streamlined approach to Iotless blocks. In reference to Iotless blocks she explained the current approach as compared to the new approach proposed in the document. Councillor J. Ziegler entered the meeting at this point. Ms. Given acknowledged that there are some further minor changes to the agreement that departments may ask for and alerted the Committee that staff may present a slightly revised document for final approval at the February 26th Council meeting. Councillor C. Weylie questioned if the agreement reflected that a subdivider would be responsible for services in the case of back-lotted subdivisions. Mr. D. Mansell explained frontage and flankage responsibilities on regional roads and noted that a condition would be included in such specific situations. Mr. Craig Robson appeared as a delegation on behalf of the Waterloo Regional Homebuilders and expressed appreciation on behalf of himself and industry representatives who were provided the opportunity to be involved in the process of developing the new standard form agreement. He commented that City staff worked diligently to address their concerns during the process and also acknowledged that there were a few housekeeping issues yet to be resolved prior to Council's adoption of the agreement. No other delegations were registered respecting this matter. The recommendation in the staff report was then considered and it was agreed to reference the February 12th agreement in the recommendation. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - It was resolved: "That Council adopt the new 'Standard Residential Subdivision Agreement' dated February 12, 2001 to replace the current 'Standard Form Residential Subdivision Agreement' and instruct the City's Legal Department to use this new agreement in all cases where approval is contingent upon entering into said agreement." 4. UPDATE VERBAL UPDATE RE EXTENSION TO SIGN BY-LAW DEFERRAL Ms. J. Given provided a verbal update with regard to the sign by-law deferral from the Committee's January 22, 2001 meeting. She noted that staff were trying to consult with other municipalities regarding their regulations including the issue of fluorescent signage and expect to provide the Committee with a report for consideration at its April 30th meeting. She indicated that there has been some discussion with some sign industry representatives and noted that staff had sought clarification with regard to size and lighting of signs relating to home businesses. Mr. Dave Lamka, A to Z Signs Limited, appeared as a delegation and read a submission dated February 19, 2001 which he circulated to the Committee. He expressed concerns regarding changeable copy being permitted on ground signs, destruction of the mobile sign industry and use of fluorescent colours. He circulated pictures in support of his submission. In summary, he requested that fluorescent colours be eliminated from mobile, pylon and ground signs; that no PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 19, 2001 - 16 - 4. UPDATE VERBAL UPDATE RE EXTENSION TO SIGN (CONT'D) CITY OF KITCHENER BY-LAW DEFERRAL action be taken to change the existing ground sign by-law; and, that no action be taken to reduce the size of mobile signs. In response to Councillor M. Galloway, Ms. Given advised that the proposed change in the sign by-law was to bring ground signs closer to the street line but with no change to the permitted intervals. On the subject of deterioration, she noted that the by-law has a stipulation that signs must be kept in reasonable condition. Mayor C. Zehr commented that he would be opposed to having portable signs evolve into permanent signs and asked that staff address this issue. In addition, he asked that staff deal with the matter of fluorescent colours which seem to deteriorate more quickly. Councillor J. Ziegler commented that his observation was that the upkeep of ground signs by businesses was of a lesser standard than what the mobile sign industry does presently. Ms. J. Given pointed out that the issue of reduction in size of mobile signs was brought forward by another mobile sign company to which Councillor J. Ziegler suggested the Committee direct that mobile signs be no larger than 72 sq. ft. It was pointed out that it was staff's intent to bring this matter back to the Committee for further consideration at its April 30, 2001 meeting. Councillor C. Weylie requested that staff deal with a concern in regard to a sign at the intersection of Westwood Drive and Westmount Road. BPS-01-019 BPS-01-021 UNNAMED LANE FROM WATER STREET TO FRANCIS STREET LANE CLOSURE APPLICATION LA 01/01/W/BS 144/146 and 154 JOSEPH STREET DEMOLITION CONTROL APPLICATION DC 011011JIBS MANULIFE FINANCIAL WEST-VICTORIA PARK WARD The Committee was in receipt of Business and Planning Services report BPS-01-019 dated February 8, 2001 dealing with a lane closure application submitted by Manulife Financial and MHBC Planning Limited pertaining to an unnamed lane running parallel to Charles Street West between Water Street South and Francis Street South. It was noted in the report that Manulife Financial owned all the properties on either side of the unnamed public lane and has requested closure in order to facilitate the expansion of the existing parking lot that is adjacent to the north side of the lane at 36 Water Street South. As well, the Committee was also in receipt of report BPS-01-021 dated February 9, 2001 pertaining to a demolition control application submitted by Manulife Financial with respect to the properties known municipally as 144/146 and 154 Joseph Street. It was noted in the report that the applicant proposes to demolish one single detached dwelling and one semi-detached dwelling on the north side of Joseph Street between Water Street South and Francis Street South. The purpose of the demolition is to facilitate the immediate redevelopment of the properties for an expansion to an existing parking lot that will provide required parking facilities for Manulife's employee intensification at their downtown Kitchener office located at 235 King Street West (former King Centre). Mr. B. Sloan advised the Committee that he had nothing further to add to the reports under consideration. Mr. Bruce Lackenbauer, Madorin Snyder, appeared as a delegation on behalf of Manulife Financial along with Mr. Paul Britton, MHBC Planning Limited, and Mr. Manny Bauer of Manulife as well as a representative from the Walter Fedy Partnership. Mr. Lackenbauer commented on the intensification taking place within Manulife at the King Centre which will see its employee complement rise from 900 to 1300 employees by mid April. He noted that it was critical to obtain parking for the staff and that the key to this employee expansion was closure of the lane and demolition of the homes to provide the required parking. He asked that if the Committee was to approve of the recommendations in the staff report that they be referred to a Special Council meeting being held after this meeting in order that they could be formally ratified. He pointed out BPS-01-019 UNNAMED LANE FROM WATER STREET TO FRANCIS STREET PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 19, 2001 -17- CITY OF KITCHENER BPS-01-021 LANE CLOSURE APPLICATION LA 01/01/W/BS 144/146 and 154 JOSEPH STREET DEMOLITION CONTROL APPLICATION DC 011011JIBS MANULIFE FINANCIAL WEST-VICTORIA PARK WARD (CONT'D) that if this was the case, the 3rd reading of the road closing by-law could be scheduled for Council's March 19th meeting. In response to Councillor B. Vrbanovic, he displayed a site plan of the redeveloped parking lot that provides for access mid block on both Water Street and Francis Street as well as a landscaping buffer. Mr. Paul Britton spoke in support of the demolition proposal and itemized the considerations that have taken place with respect to the lane closure application. Councillor C. Weylie made reference to the letter received from Ms. Sharon Malleck relating to various concerns including activity in the parking lot when downtown bars close. Mr. P. Britton noted that another purpose of the parking lot was to serve the public at night but that by design access was mid block on Water Street and Francis Street which avoids vehicles spilling directly into the nearby residential area. He noted that issues relating to lighting and streetscape would be dealt with during the site plan approval process. Mr. Manny Bauer of Manulife acknowledged concerns expressed with regard to the operation of the parking lot, as well as design issues, all of which he took under advisement. No other delegations were registered respecting this matter. The staff recommendation with respect to the application for lane closure was considered. On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler - It was resolved: "That Lane Closure Application LA 01/01/W/BS (Manulife Financial/MHBC Planning Ltd.) be approved in principle, and that the Legal Department and Corporate Services Department be instructed to proceed with the ordering of a reference plan, preparation of a By-law and necessary advertising in the local newspaper for the closing of the unnamed lane that runs parallel to Charles Street West between Water Street South and Francis Street South, as shown generally on the attached map. The lane closure is subject to the following conditions: 1) That a reference plan be completed and deposited prior to the passing of the lane closure By-law. 2) That the purchasers pay fair market value for the lane to be closed as determined by the City's Legal Department. 3) That any easements are retained for utility services within the lane or that the purchasers pay for the relocation of the utility services if the relocation of such services is possible. 4) That the purchasers be responsible for all costs related to survey, legal, registration and advertising associated with the closure of the lane. It is the opinion of this Committee that approval of this application is proper planning for the City." The recommendation pertaining to the demolition control application was then considered. 5. BPS-01-019 UNNAMED LANE FROM WATER STREET TO FRANCIS STREET PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 19, 2001 -18- CITY OF KITCHENER BPS-01-021 LANE CLOSURE APPLICATION LA 01/01/W/BS 144/146 and 154 JOSEPH STREET DEMOLITION CONTROL APPLICATION DC 011011JIBS MANULIFE FINANCIAL WEST-VICTORIA PARK WARD (CONT'D) On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler - It was resolved: "That Demolition Control Application DC 01/01/JIBS (Manulife Financial), requesting approval for the demolition of one single detached dwelling located at 154 Joseph Street and one semi-detached dwelling (2 units) located at 144/146 Joseph Street, legally described as Part Lot 127 and 128, Registered Plan 375, be approved. It is the opinion of this Committee that approval of this application is proper planning for the City." On motion, the Committee agreed that the applications for lane closure and demolition be referred for ratification to the Special Council meeting to be held following this meeting, as well as consideration of first and second reading of the by-law to close and sell the lane. 6. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 4:19 p.m. L.W. Neil, AMCT Assistant City Clerk