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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDev & Tech Svcs - 2005-09-12 DEVELOPMENT & TECHNICAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 12 2005 CITY OF KITCHENER The Development and Technical Services Committee met this date, commencing at 1 :30 p.m. Present: Councillor C. Weylie - Chair Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors J. Smola, B. Vrbanovic, G. Lorentz, J. Gazzola and M. Galloway Staff: C. Ladd, Chief Administrative Officer G. Stewart, General Manager of Development & Technical Services A. Pappert, General Manager of Community Services F. McCrea, Assistant City Solicitor R. Shamess, Director of Engineering J. McBride, Director of Transportation Planning J. Willmer, Director of Planning R. Mounsey, Senior Planner B. Steiner, Environmental Planner D. Gilchrist, Committee Administrator 1. DTS-05-153 - ONTARIO STREET NORTH - ON-STREET PARKING - BRIDGEPORT-CENTRE WARD The Committee was in receipt of Development and Technical Services Department report DTS- 05-153, dated August 19, 2005, regarding on-street parking on Ontario Street North. On motion by Councillor M. Galloway - it was resolved: "That on-street parking be prohibited at anytime on the east side of Ontario Street from Weber Street West to a point 45 metres south thereof; and further, That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly." 2. DTS-05-155 - WARD'S AND BRIGADOON PONDS SCHEDULE B CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT The Committee was in receipt of Development and Technical Services Department report DTS- 05-155, dated September 2, 2005, regarding Ward's and Brigadoon Ponds Schedule B Class Environmental Assessment. Mr. 1. Mahood, CH2MHILL, the City's consultant for the Class Environmental Assessment, presented an overview of the staff report, including the assessment, the alternatives, and the outcome to date. He noted that four alternatives were short listed, and Alternative # 5 is being recommended to the Committee today. This alternative would involve rehabilitating the entire reach of Strasburg Creek. Upon questioning, Mr. Mahood advised the difference between Alternative # 4 and #5 is that in Alternative # 4, Ward's Pond would be maintained, and in order to do so, the dam would have to be rebuilt. Further, the long term impact of choosing Alternative # 4 over Alternative # 5 is to lose an opportunity to rehabilitate the creek as a better natural habitat. Ms. B. Steiner was asked her position on Alternative # 5, and responded she participated in the Steering Committee for this project, and is fully in support of the staff recommendation. Ms. Y. Fernandes addressed the Committee, on behalf of neighbourhood residents, in opposition to the staff recommendation, and in support of Alternative # 4, which includes keeping Ward's Pond. Copies of Ms. Fernandes presentation, which she aloud at the meeting, were distributed to Committee members. In her presentation Ms. Fernandes highlighted the recreational benefits of keeping Ward's Pond, particularily ice skating. Ms. Fernandes then submitted a neighbourhood petition signed by approximately 150 people, representing approximately 450 people, in support of Alternative # 4. It was noted that Ms. Fernandes is a member of the City's Environmental Committee, and upon DEVELOPMENT & TECHNICAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 12.2005 - 94- CITY OF KITCHENER 2. DTS-05-155 - WARD'S AND BRIGADOON PONDS SCHEDULE B CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (CONT'D) questioning advised the Environmental Committee supports Alternative # 4 because of its concern about costs, changes in the eco system, and the value of having a large pond in an urban area. With respect to the recreational opportunities available with each alternative, Mr. Shamess advised one alternative does not have anymore than the other, and skating is possible with both alternatives. With respect to cost, Mr. Shamess advised the cost of rebuilding the dam in Alternative # 4, if necessary approvals can be obtained, will be $1.2 M, and the cost of Alternative # 5 can be exactly the same. He advised the Ministry of Natural Resources has indicated they may not approve a permit from the City of Kitchener to rebuild the dam at Ward's Pond. He also advised that the final statement received from the Grand River Conservation Authority is that they will not support Alternative # 4. Mr. Shamess then advised the Committee that the concern with the dams results from the fact that they were not properly constructed, as they are seated on organic material. With respect to whether the dam will break, Mr. Shamess stated the dam is well past its time, and should have failed in July. If it does break, there will be contamination of the downstream flow, public liability and public safety issues. The Committee generally agreed to defer final consideration of this matter to next Monday night's Council meeting. Prior to that time, staff were directed to arrange a site visit to Ward's Pond for interested Members of Council. Mr. Shamess was directed to get a clear answer from the Ministry of Natural Resources as to whether they would approve an application to rebuild the dam, or arrange for a member of the Ministry staff to attend the Council meeting. On motion by Mayor C. Zehr - it was resolved: That consideration of the following recommendation contained in Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-05-155 (Ward's and Brigadoon Ponds Schedule B Class Environmental Assessment) be deferred and referred to the Council meetina of Seotember 19 2005, pending receipt of a clearer indication from the Ministry of Natural Resources as to whether they will approve an application from the City of Kitchener to build a new dam at Ward's Pond: "That Council endorse the Preferred Alternative as detailed in the attached Executive Summary; and, That the Director of Engineering Services, Development and Technical Services Department, be authorized and directed to file the Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Project File Report for the Ward's and Brigadoon Pond Study with the Municipal Clerk for a Thirty (30) day public review commencing September 26, 2005; and further, That the Director of Engineering Services, Development and Technical Services Department, be directed, upon completion of the public review, to prioritize the identified project within the context of the 10 year capital program." 3. DTS-05-124 - DESIGN BRIEF FOR THE SCHOOL OF PHARMACY (HEALTH SCIENCES CAMPUS) The Committee was in receipt of Development and Technical Services Department report DTS- 05-124, dated September 7, 2005, containing a Design Brief for the School of Pharmacy (Health Sciences Campus). Mr. R. Mounsey provided an overview of the Design Brief which was prepared by staff in partnership with the University of Waterloo, as included with the staff report. Dr. J. Thiessen of the University of Waterloo responded to questions, advising that Phase I of the proposed Health Sciences Complex will have a floor area of 100,000 sq.ft., and Phases II DEVELOPMENT & TECHNICAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 12.2005 - 95- CITY OF KITCHENER 3. DTS-05-124 - DESIGN BRIEF FOR THE SCHOOL OF PHARMACY (CONT'D) and III will probably each have an area of 100,000 sq.ft. With respect to a "green roof" design, Dr. Thiessen responded they will perhaps introduce a medicine garden into one of the phases. With respect to architectural compatibility within the Warehouse District, Mr. Mounsey stated the building will have vertical expression and a prominent main entrance, compatible with the former Kaufman Footwear Factory, and the building materials will blend with the areas historic materials. In response to questions from the Committee, Mr. Mounsey reviewed the public interaction to date, and advised that the first major public consultation will take place on October 4, 2005, in the City Hall Rotunda. Councillor Vrbanovic stated that because of the significant amount of public funding, it is essential that public input is collected and that there be adequate time to consider this input. On motion by Councillor G. Lorentz - it was resolved: "That the Design Brief for the School of Pharmacy, to be located at the corner of King Street West and Victoria Street South, dated September 12, 2005 attached as Appendix "A" to Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-05-124 be adooted, to provide the general basis for site plan development approvals; and, That prior to any future development approval to expand the Health Sciences Campus, Planning staff be directed to prepare an updated Design Brief for the Health Sciences Campus to ensure all development proposals are appropriately integrated with the School of Pharmacy campus and Downtown character; and further, That Planning and Communication staff be directed to initiate a public consultation process and communication plan for the School of Pharmacy Concept Plan, and report to Council for information and, if necessary, direction prior to final development approvals being granted." 4. DTS-05-131 - DEMOLITION CONTROL APPLICATION DC 05/08/P/SR - 579 PARK STREET - FAMILY & CHILDREN'S SERVICES OF WATERLOO REGION - WEST-VICTORIA PARK WARD The Committee was in receipt of Development and Technical Services Department report DTS- 05-131, dated August 25, 2005, regarding Demolition Control Application DC 05/08/P/SR, requesting permission to demolish one duplex dwelling located at 579 Park Street. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That Demolition Control Application DC 05/08/P/SR requesting permission to demolish one duplex dwelling located at 579 Park Street, legally described as Part Lot 10, Plan 408, be aooroved in principle, subject to the following conditions: 1. That the owner obtain final Site Plan Approval for a parking area not greater than 420 square metres and final Landscape Approval for the amenity area. 2. That the owner post securities, to the satisfaction of the Supervisor of Site Plan Development, to ensure implementation of plans approved in Condition 1. Upon satisfaction of the above noted condition, the Chief Building Official may authorize and issue a demolition permit under Section 33(6) of the Planning Act." DEVELOPMENT & TECHNICAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 12.2005 - 96- CITY OF KITCHENER 5. DTS-05-151 - TEMPORARY OCCUPANCY REQUEST - 561 QUEEN STREET SOUTH - A DUTCH MILL FLOWER SHOP / DON JAMIESON - WEST-VICTORIA PARK WARD The Committee was in receipt of Development and Technical Services Department report DTS- 05-151, dated September 6, 2005, regarding a request for temporary occupancy for 561 Queen Street South. On motion by Mayor C. Zehr - it was resolved: "That enforcement of the City's Zoning By-law be waived with respect to the use of a florist (sale of cut flowers) on the property zoned CR-2, 20H at 561 Queen Street South and temporary occupancy be approved subject to the florist shop use vacating the location in the event that the entire site is not rezoned to permit this use as proposed in the implementation of the Mixed Use Corridor Official Plan policy; and further, That in the event of failure to vacate, the City's Municipal By-law Enforcement Officer be directed to commence notice of action to remove the illegal use and that any work done to the premises be at the sole risk and responsibility of the owner in the event losses are incurred as a result of the final disposition of this application." 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Consideration of the staff report on Public Participation in the City's Site Plan Approval Process was deferred and referred by Council to today's meeting to allow further discussion among all interested parties. This item will be dealt with at the next Committee meeting scheduled for September 26, 2005. 7. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 3:15 p.m. D. Gilchrist Committee Administrator