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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDev & Tech Svcs - 2006-05-15DEVELOPMENT & TECHNICAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 15, 2006 CITY OF KITCHENER The Development and Technical Services Committee met this date, commencing at 6:35 p.m. Present: Councillor C. Weylie -Chair Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors J. Smola, B. Vrbanovic, J. Gazzola, G. Lorentz and M. Galloway. Staff: R. Browning, General Manager of Development & Technical Services & Fire Chief F. McCrea, Assistant City Solicitor R. Shames, Director of Engineering Services J. Willmer, Director of Planning J. McBride, Director of Transportation Planning B. Sloan, Planner B. Steiner, Environmental Planner D. Gilchrist, Committee Administrator 1. DTS-06-0$2 - HERITAGE PERMIT APPLICATION 2006-V-006 - 11 DILL STREET - PROPOSED ADDITION TO REAR OF EXISTING HOUSE The Committee considered Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-06- 082, dated May 10, 2006, regarding Heritage Permit Application 2006-V-006 (11 Dill Street) for a proposed addition to the rear of the existing house. On motion by Councillor M. Galloway - it was resolved: "That pursuant to Section 42 of the Ontario Heritage Act, Heritage Permit Application HPA 2006-V-006 (11 Dill Street) be approved, to permit the construction of an addition to the rear of the existing dwelling." 2. DTS-06-079 - BUILT HERITAGE RESOURCE PRESERVATION & MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT TEMPLATE tHERTTAGE TAX REFUND PROGRAM) The Committee considered Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-06- 079, dated May 4, 2006, regarding a Built Heritage Resource Preservation & Maintenance Agreement Template (Heritage Tax Refund Program). On motion by Councillor M. Galloway - it was resolved: "That the establishment and use of Built Heritage Resource Preservation & Maintenance Agreements be approved in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor and generally as outlined in Development & Technical Services Department report DTS-06-079, to secure the conservation of select properties and to qualify property owners for a heritage property tax refund." 3. DTS-06-0$6 - JAMESWAY OMB APPEAL - 715 FISCHER HALLMAN ROAD The Committee considered Development & Technical Services Department report DTS-06-086, dated May 10, 2006, advising of an appeal filed with the Ontario Municipal Board over the City's lack of a decision and action on their applications for a Municipal Plan Amendment and zone change for the property at 715 Fischer Hallman Road. Mr. J. Willmer advised that staff didn't bring forward a recommendation and report on these applications, as the applicant and the Region were not able to come to an agreement on the necessary transportation improvements to Fischer Hallman Road. It was noted by Councillor Galloway that there are traffic problems on Fischer Hallman Road at Ottawa Street, and in particular at this plaza. He noted there is a centre turning lane, but questioned whether there should be traffic signals. Councillor Galloway moved the DEVELOPMENT & TECHNICAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 15, 2006 - 42- CITY OF KITCHENER 3. DTS-06-0$6 - JAMESWAY OMB APPEAL tCONT'D) recommendation in the staff report, adding a clause that the Region be requested to reconsider installing traffic signals at this location. On motion by Councillor M. Galloway - it was resolved: "That subject to the resolution of the traffic issues and required road improvements to the satisfaction of the Regional municipality of Waterloo, the proposed Municipal Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment set out in development and Technical Services department report DTS-06-086 be supported, as the basis for resolution of the appeals by 1581780 Ontario Limited in OMB File No's. 0050114 and 2050102; and further, That the Region of Waterloo be requested to review the method of control at the site driveway and Fischer Hallman Rd, including the operational aspects of the two way centre left turn lane and whether a traffic control signal would be a more appropriate form of control." The Committee recessed at 6:45 p.m. & reconvened at 7:00 p.m. with all members present. 4. DTS-06-07$ - SOUTH KITCHENER TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR - CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT The Committee considered Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-06- 078, dated April 26, 2006, regarding the South Kitchener Transportation Corridor Class Environmental Assessment. Mr. J. McBride introduced the report noting that the City of Kitchener has been requested to provide the Region of Waterloo with comments on this study. In providing some background to this situation, Mr. McBride advised that in 1981, both the City and the Region adopted the original design for the River Road extension, which was reaffirmed in 1999. In 2004, the Region started to seriously look into the design and realized it needed to be changed. Through the current process, the Region has considered many different designs, and has undertaken an extensive pubic consultation process. Since January, when designs 4B and 5A were presented to this Committee, the Ministry of Transportation advised they will not consider a design that includes around-about; consequently, alternative 4C was developed and is being recommended in the staff report. He advised that both the Ministry of Transportation and the Grand River Conservation Authority prefer the design with the 70 km per hour access to Highway 8. Respecting consultation with some of Council's advisory committees, Mr. McBride advised that staff have consulted with the Environmental Committee who prefers no road at all. Staff has also consulted with the Economic Development Advisory Committee who has concerns about congestion on Fairway Road. They would like to have a more direct route from Wabanaki Drive/Goodrich Drive to Highway 8. With respect to the adjacent residential areas, Mr. McBride advised it is essential, from a transportation perspective, to maintain two accesses to the Hidden Valley Road residential area. Further, residents of Stonegate Drive are concerned that this design will encourage increased traffic on their street. Should the South Kitchener Transportation Corridor proceed, staff will meet with the residents of Stonegate Drive in October. Mr. B. Sloan stated that conservation of the Hidden Valley environmentally sensitive areas is of key importance; noting there is potential for more business park, commercial and residential development in this area. The original River Road extension alignment from 1981 was used as the basis for past land use designations. He further explained that any decision made on the alternatives in the current study will impact on the undeveloped lands in Hidden Valley. Mr. Sloan commented that Alternative 4C may mean different servicing options will be required and the servicing may have somewhat of an impact on the environmental areas; however, choosing an alternative is only the first step. Much more will need to be done over the next 1-2 DEVELOPMENT & TECHNICAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 15, 2006 - 43- CITY OF KITCHENER 4. DTS-06-07$ - SOUTH KITCHENER TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR tCONT'D) years; such as, further environmental studies will be required before servicing can take place, and there is a possibility that more environmentally sensitive lands will be designated as such. This process will involve more analysis as to which land should be designated as environmentally sensitive, and how to acquire them as public land. All planning/development matters will have to be reconsidered. All of these matters will require further public consultation. Mr. Sloan then advised there are 53 ha of environmentally sensitive land in the Hidden Valley ring road. Currently 45 ha of this land are designated, and 5 ha of this land, which is not designated as such, are zoned for development. If alternative 4C is chosen, 11 ha of environmental land will be impacted, including 3.5 ha of Provincially Significant Wetland; whereas, 13 ha of environmental land would have been impacted by the old alignment. Ms. B. Steiner reviewed the previous environmental studies relating to the original design for the River Road extension, and the more recent environmental studies undertaken since 2004. Mr. R. Shames addressed the servicing issues for this area, noting that servicing had been designed based on the original design for the River Road extension. Now, based on the new environmental studies and alternative 4C, servicing will be much more costly, and will involve forcemains and 2 separate pumping stations, among other things. Ms. D. Nicholls was in attendance on behalf of "Friends of Hidden Valley" to express concerns about the environment in the Hidden Valley area. She stated that Regional Council members have recognized the need to protect environmentally sensitive areas, and there are an increasing number of people who are concerned about our future. Ms. Nicholls questioned whether a South Kitchener Transportation Corridor, in any one of the alternatives put forward, is at all necessary, or the right thing to do. She questioned whether there are significant reasons why we need a business park with industrial buildings backing onto environmentally sensitive areas. She stated that Hidden Valley needs to remain as a whole entity to work, and developing it will kill it. She questioned whether the City of Kitchener could reconsider the zoning in Hidden Valley, and incorporate current zoning standards. Ms. Nicholls then noted the priorities of Compass Kitchener to seek consensus and for environmental protection, noting that Kitchener doesn't have many more opportunities, and that Hidden Valley can only be saved by legislation. Upon questioning by Councillor Gazzola, Ms. Nicholls responded that if there has to be a road, it should be unobtrusive to this environmentally sensitive area, suggesting Alternative 4A which has a ramp from Fairway Road. She stated she would like to see this area as a park, as it should be saved in perpetuity. Mr. G. Nicholls presented the Committee with 9 points in support of preserving and protecting the Hidden Valley environmentally sensitive area: 1. It is the responsibility of the City and the Region to protect the citizens of the City of Kitchener. 2. It is necessary to address the City's poor air quality. Of the poor air quality in the City, 35- 45% of it is our responsibility. Poor air quality is causing between 70 and 200 deaths per year. 3. Pandemics have become a substantial health issue through the later years of the 20th Century, and the quality of the air we breathe will affect this health issue. To help address this issue, we need to maintain and provide as much forest as possible; the Hidden Valley property immediately presents itself. 4. Boreal Forests have an economic value and this value can also be attributed to the Upper Carolinian Forest. The balance sheet should show that removing any part of this forest is a cost. DEVELOPMENT & TECHNICAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 15, 2006 - 44- CITY OF KITCHENER 4. DTS-06-07$ - SOUTH KITCHENER TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR tCONT'D) 5. The planning process must optimize the environmental area as much as possible. The north land area was an ESPA at one time. In the 1970's when the original River Road extension was designed, the designation was removed. Further, there should be consideration of bicycle paths and increased public transit through the planning process. 6. Traffic flow on Fairway Road will not be improved if another traffic signal is introduced. 7. The City should commence a forest land acquisition program. 8. If the Region goes forward with Alternative 4C, there will be a direct cost to the environment, as 5.5 ha of environmentally sensitive land will be required for this alternative. If this alternative goes forward, the City should acquire the same amount of land in the same area to be planted with replacement trees. 9. Municipal servicing through the Provincially Significant Wetlands will cause irreversible damage to them. Ms. Y. Fernandes was in attendance, representing the City's Environmental Committee, to ask that the City support the option of "No road through Hidden Valley". She stated that the current problems should have been foreseen as these environmentally sensitive lands were designated as such 30 years ago. She offered the following points: 1. the construction of a road in this area contradicts the recent statements made by the Regional Chair on the importance of reigning in urban sprawl; 2. species unique to the Carolinian Forest would have to be removed. Smog Days are already a problem in Kitchener; 3. as noted by Compass Kitchener and the Environics Survey, Kitchener residents prize our green lands and parks, and consider the environment as a top priority; 4. the road will require dramatic grading of land that provides erosion control; also, the salting of the road will have a negative impact on the environment; and 5. any road in this area will fragment the landscape. Ms. Fernandes advised that the Environmental Committee requests Council's support to search for alternatives for this road outside of the Hidden Valley area. Mr. P. Eichinger, Pearl Valley Development Corporation, addressed the Committee advising his company owns 200 acres of land in this area, which was purchased around the time the Region began this study. The process to date has been an attempt to balance competing interests. He stated that he agreed with Mr. Sloan as to next steps, and the inclusion of further public consultation. Mr. Eichinger advised he is committed to a process for the future. He also stated that a very large natural area will be preserved in Hidden Valley. Councillor John Smola advised that not all members of the Economic Development Advisory Committee were in support of a road in this area. Some members did not support such a course of action, and others wanted a different design. Councillor Vrbanovic noted that earlier today members of Council toured the Hidden Valley area. During that tour there was dialogue on options, one being an angled bridge, another being the option of going under Highway 8. Councillor Vrbanovic read aloud a motion, which he put forward for adoption. He stated the tour was enlightening. He acknowledged the extensive work which has been undertaken in this regard by the Region, the City and the public. He noted references made by several of the delegations to Compass Kitchener and the Environics survey, at the same time noting there is a DEVELOPMENT & TECHNICAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 15, 2006 - 45- CITY OF KITCHENER 4. DTS-06-07$ - SOUTH KITCHENER TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR tCONT'D) land owner in this area with legitimate development rights. He noted that traffic on Fairway Road is a nightmare, there is a shortage of employment lands in the City, and there are environmental challenges to be addressed. Saying "No" to any development isn't realistic; however, time must be taken to look at more options to minimize the impact. Mayor Zehr commented that the City can not ignore the survey results or the issues raised by the delegations. He stated that the City does need a roadway, but in the least intrusive way possible. He also advised that designation of certain environmentally sensitive lands was approved last week by the Region. Councillor Lorentz stated that the City needs to fight to preserve this area, and the area needs to be carefully planned. He also noted that the Huron Natural Area and the Huron Business Park work well together. Councillor Gazzola stated he did not see much difference between Councillor Vrbanovic's motion and that in the staff report, and those matters specifically addressed in this motion have been addressed in the staff report. However, he advised that he would support the motion. He further advised that he would rather see additional money spent on acquiring more of the environmental lands. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That the City of Kitchener regards environmental conservation as an important objective in Hidden Valley and therefore requests that the Regional Municipality of Waterloo allocate funds in its South Kitchener Transportation Corridor project budget, or other budget, to be reserved for potential acquisition of environmental lands within the Hidden Valley area; and, That should Regional Council move forward with the South Kitchener Transportation Corridor project, the Council of the Corporation of the City of Kitchener supports the Region pursuing alternatives that would be less invasive to the Hidden Valley ESPA's, candidate ESPA's and wetlands; and, That in order to achieve this objective, the Region is requested to immediately consider the viability of the following alternatives in lieu of proceeding with the currently preferred alignment of Alternative 4C, specifically: (a) a 50 km per hour design alternative which could reduce the extent to which the roadway must cut into the ESPA; (b) the possibility of an angled bridge over Highway 8 which would connect to the existing road and would allow the woodlot to be avoided in it entirety; and, (c) an engineered alternative which would allow the road to go underneath the existing Highway 8 as outlined as a possibility by Regional staff on May 15, 2006; and, That if the South Kitchener Transportation Corridor does proceed, the residents of the Stonegate Drive subdivision be consulted about ingress and egress into their subdivision so as to ensure that traffic from the new road does not cut through that neighbourhood; and further, That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo be informed of the preference of the Council of the Corporation of the City of Kitchener and that they be forwarded a copy of this recommendation and Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-06- 078 for their consideration." Carried Unanimously DEVELOPMENT & TECHNICAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 15, 2006 - 46- CITY OF KITCHENER 5. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 8:43 p.m. D. Gilchrist Committee Administrator