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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDev & Tech Svcs - 2006-05-01DEVELOPMENT & TECHNICAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 1, 2006 CITY OF KITCHENER The Development and Technical Services Committee met this date, commencing at 6:30 p.m. Present: Councillor C. Weylie -Chair Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors J. Smola, B. Vrbanovic, G. Lorentz and M. Galloway. Staff: R. Browning, General Manager of Development & Technical Services & Fire Chief F. McCrea, Assistant City Solicitor R. Regier, Executive Director, Economic Development R. Shames, Director of Engineering Services J. Willmer, Director of Planning B. Sloan, Planner C. Bluhm, Planner D. Gilchrist, Committee Administrator 1. DTS-06-074 - DEMOLITION CONTROL APPLICATION DC 06102/H1AP - 1396 HIGHLAND ROAD WEST - SUNVEST DEVELOPMENT CORP. - WEST-VICTORIA PARK WARD The Committee considered Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-06- 074, dated April 19, 2006, regarding a demolition application for 1396 Highland Road West. On motion by Councillor G. Lorentz - itwas resolved: "That Demolition Control Application DC 06/02/H/AP requesting permission to demolish one single detached dwelling located at 1396 Highland Road West, owned by Sunvest Development Corp., legally described as Part of Lot 39, German Company Tract, shown as Part 1, Reference Plan 58R-1847, be approved without conditions." 2. DTS-06-073 - DEER RIDGE CENTRE MASTER PLAN - 4263-4293 KING STREET EAST (FORMER LULU'S SITE) The Committee considered Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-06- 073, dated April 26, 2006, regarding the Deer Ridge Centre Master Plan for the property located at 4263-4293 King Street East. Mr. Sloan presented the report noting a substantial redevelopment of this site is proposed, and some has already taken place. The design guidelines proposed directly relate to Official Plan policies. Further, in 2001, Council approved policies for public participation in the site plan process. In accordance with these policies, staff and the owner have gone through a process with this site that has included the surrounding property owners and the neighbourhood association. With respect to the master plan, Mr. Sloan reviewed the main principles and guidelines; noting some flexibility has been included in the master plan, as all uses are not know at this time. Mr. Sloan stated it was at times a challenge to balance all interests and concerns; however, it has been a worthwhile process, one which hasn't been undertaken before. Ms. C. Wiebe, MHBC Planning, addressed the Committee on behalf of the owner, in support of the staff recommendation. She advised this has been a long process; and although the process has brought substantive improvements, there needs to be a balance with timeliness. The owner has been placed in a difficult situation whereby commitments to prospective tenants could not be made because of this master plan process, which had no committed timelines. Ms. Wiebe advised there have already been improvements made to this site; as there is now 80,000 sq. ft. of office space and a large retail component. Upon questioning, Ms. Wiebe responded that time was a major concern through this process, as there was no specific timeframe. There were a lot of people involved in the process, and the process got into detailed site plan issues which were more specific than the purview of a master DEVELOPMENT & TECHNICAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 1, 2006 - 40- CITY OF KITCHENER 2. DTS-06-073 - DEER RIDGE CENTRE MASTER PLAN - 4263-4293 KING STREET EAST (FORMER LULU'S SITE) (CONT'D) plan; however, this was a learning experience. Mr. B. McColl addressed the Committee noting it is always a difficult process when doing something for the first time. Lulu's is a complicated redevelopment project, and staff have done an excellent job. He thanked staff and Ms. Wiebe for the excellent job done through this master plan process. Councillor Galloway stated this planning process is the way of the future. He congratulated staff on the process undertaken and stated that he hopes staff will continue with this process into the future. On motion by Councillor G. Lorentz - itwas resolved: "That the Master Plan, including design requirements and drawing, for the Deer Ridge Commercial Centre located at 4263-4293 King Street East, and attached as Appendix "B" to Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-06-073, be adopted; and further, That the Master Plan and design requirements be implemented through the Site Plan Approval process, with any modifications to the Master Plan being to the satisfaction of the Supervisor of Site Plan Development." 3. DTS-06-076 - DOWNTOWN URBAN DESIGN GUIDELINES - PART 1-COMMUNITY CONSULTATION PROCESS The Committee considered Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-06- 076, dated April 26, 2006, providing an overview of the public consultation process proposed for the Downtown Urban Design Guidelines. This report was presented by Mr. C. Bluhm. Mayor C. Zehr questioned whether the community is being overloaded with surveys from the City, and Mr. Bluhm responded this approach is more of a casual consultation, and there won't be any public meetings. 4. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m. D. Gilchrist Committee Administrator