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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDev & Tech Svcs - 2007-05-07DEVELOPMENT & TECHNICAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 7, 2007 CITY OF KITCHENER The Development and Technical Services Committee met this date, commencing at 4:08 p.m. Present: Councillor C. Weylie -Chair Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors K. Galloway, J. Gazzola and B. Vrbanovic Staff: C. Ladd, Chief Administrative Officer A. Pappert, General Manager of Community Services F. McCrea, Assistant City Solicitor J. Willmer, Director of Planning J. Witmer, Director of Building J. McBride, Director of Transportation Planning K. Currier, Director of Operations R. Regier, Executive Director of Economic Development C. Curtis, Senior Project Manager S. Wright, Manager of Downtown Community Development C. Bluhm, Urban Investment Advisor E. Saunderson, Project Manager D. Gilchrist, Committee Administrator 1. DTS-07-072 - LIMITING DISTANCE AGREEMENT WITH OWNER OF 3$6 SIENNA CRESCENT AND OWNER OF 3$2 SIENNA CRESCENT, PURSUANT TO SECTION 9.10.15.2.14) OF THE ONTARIO BUILDING CODE The Committee considered Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-07- 072, dated March 23, 2007, regarding a limiting distance agreement with the owners of 386 and 382 Sienna Crescent. On motion by Mayor C. Zehr - it was resolved: "That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute an agreement with the registered owner(s) of Lot 26, Registered Plan 58M-339, known as 386 Sienna Crescent, pursuant to Section 9.10.15.2.(4) of the Ontario Building Code, said agreement to permit a single family home with the limiting distance for the exposing building face being measured to a point beyond the property line on the adjacent property, and Lot 25, Registered Plan 58M-339, known as 382 Sienna Crescent, to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor." 2. PRESENTATION -MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY IN THE CITY OF KITCHENER Mr. M. Devine was in attendance on behalf of the Waterloo Region Labour Council to request the City's support for a proclamation about the multiple effects of the loss of manufacturing jobs to this Region and the country as a whole. Mr. Devine advised that manufacturing is a critical part of our economy, constituting 25% of our entire workforce. He spoke of the number of job losses as well as the number of industries which have shut-down. Mr. Devine then read aloud the proclamation for which he is seeking support. Mayor Zehr thanked Mr. Devine for bringing this matter forward. He questioned what other support he has received for the proclamation, and Mr. Devine advised they have received support from the City of Waterloo, but have not yet approached the City of Cambridge. Mayor Zehr then proposed that support of this proclamation be deferred one week to allow for input from City staff on what this City has been doing in this regard, and stronger wording for the proclamation. Councillor J. Gazzola questioned the reason for the current problems in the manufacturing sector. Mr. Devine responded that in Canada, we have done a good job at developing technology, but technology is portable. He suggested that we have to be innovative and keep the technology in Canada. Further, there needs to be trade barriers in place. There is no longer an Auto Pact, and we can not compete with countries like China and Korea. DEVELOPMENT & TECHNICAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 7, 2007 - 41- CITY OF KITCHENER 2. PRESENTATION -MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY IN THE CITY OF KITCHENER tCONT'D) Councillor Vrbanovic stated that the City of Kitchener would like to develop stronger wording for the proclamation, and has other issues such as the environment and safety that are not in place in other countries. In response to questioning, Mr. Regier advised that over the last three years, the manufacturing sector has spent an increasing amount of money on automation and innovation. There has also been a remarkable turn-around in cross-training of workers. City staff has been working with Canada's Technology Triangle to attract investment to this area, and they, in turn, have been working with manufacturers. We have a competitive advantage in this area and are working to increase our advantage. On motion by Mayor C. Zehr - it was resolved: "That consideration of the proclamation presented by the Waterloo Regional Labour Council at the May 7, 2007 Development & Technical Services Committee meeting be deferred and referred to the Council meeting of Mav 14, 2007, pending a report from staff on the current situation with respect to manufacturing jobs in the City of Kitchener, and new wording for a resolution." 3. DTS-07-04$ - KINGSWOOD DRIVE -TRAFFIC CALMING The Committee considered Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-07- 048, dated April 20, 2007, regarding traffic calming on Kingswood Drive. Mr. McBride advised that this proposal was discussed with the residents at a public meeting, and received their overwhelming support. Also the residents and other interested parties have been provided with a copy of the staff report. The only change made since that time is the curb extensions, which have been included at the request of the residents. Mr. McBride advised that installation of these traffic calming measures will begin in June, and staff will meet with the neighbours in November to provide them with the results these measures have achieved. On motion by Councillor J. Gazzola - it was resolved: "That a raised pedestrian crosswalk with curb extensions be installed on Kingswood Drive at Gracefield Crescent (east intersection); and, That a raised pedestrian crosswalk with curb extensions be installed on Kingswood Drive at Lucerne Drive; and, That a series of six (6) speed humps be strategically installed on Kingswood Drive from Block Line Road to Strasburg Road; and, That an all-way stop control be installed at the intersection of Kingswood Drive and Alpine Road; and, That a resident survey on the effectiveness of the speed humps be conducted 6 months after their installation and a report be prepared for Council outlining the neighbourhood's support for these new measures; and further, That these traffic calming measures be installed in June 2007." 4. DTS-07-073 - STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AND FUNDING REVIEW - STUDY UPDATE AND INTERIM REPORT The Committee considered Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-07- 073, dated April 12, 2007, regarding the Stormwater Management Program and funding review. DEVELOPMENT & TECHNICAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 7, 2007 - 42- CITY OF KITCHENER 4. DTS-07-073 - STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AND FUNDING REVIEW - STUDY UPDATE AND INTERIM REPORT tCONT'D) Mr. D. Mansell and Ms. C. Curtis were in attendance to present the study update and interim report on the City's Stormwater Management program and funding, which they advised has been done in partnership with the City of Waterloo. Ms. Curtis noted that the current program and funding are insufficient to preserve the stormwater management assets owned by the City of Kitchener. Further the City does not have sufficient staff resources to perform an adequate amount of maintenance on these assets. She advised that at this time staff are investigating funding sources, will undertake a public consultation, and will evaluate the current program. Councillor Gazzola questioned street sweeping standards. Mr. Currier advised that several years ago there was an effort to reduce street sweeping, and the number of street sweeping units was reduced from five to three. Last year the City purchased a 4th unit and hired a staff person to operate it. Also, a program to meet Regional standards on Regional Roads has been implemented. The downtown has a higher standard for street cleaning, and although there is no regular cleaning schedule, staff are sent out to clean Downtown streets as soon as it is noticed that they need to be cleaned. Councillor Gazzola noted that as a result of the number of water main breakages, there is a lot of gravel on the streets, and he suggested that more cleaning needs to be done on local streets. 5. DTS-07-076 - KING STREET & THE CITY CENTRE DISTRICT STREETSCAPE MASTER PLAN - PROJECT UPDATE The Committee considered Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-07- 076, dated May 1, 2007, regarding the Master Plan for King Street & the City Centre District. Mr. L. Lynch introduced Mr. D. Drackley of IBI Group, the City's consultant on this project, and Mr. Drackley presented the staff report. Mr. Drackley advised the on April 24, 2007, a public consultation process was undertaken in the form of a charette, that included downtown stakeholders from a broad rang of interests. Then Mr. Drackley reviewed the outcomes from the charette. He also reviewed the time lines for completion of this project: the streetscape concept development will be presented at a public open house on May 22, 2007, where there will be an evaluation and selection of a streetscape concept for King Street. The feasibility phase will take place from June to August 2007; the design phase from August to September 2007; the tender phase from the fall of 2007 to the winter of 2008; and, the construction phase in 2008-2009. Councillor Vrbanovic commented that it would be appropriate to have recycle bins placed with garbage bines on the streets. He also commented about the times of day that businesses are required to place their garbage on the sidewalks for collection. Mr. Lynch responded that the City's Operations staff and downtown business owners will be participating in this process, when the details are discussed, to resolve issues such as these. With respect to tendering this project, Mr. Lynch advised that any works that would have been done on King Street this year, have been put on hold to wait for this current process to be completed. With respect to the portion of King Street East from Cedar Street to Frederick Street, no physical work will be done through this project, but any issues that arise will be dealt with. Mr. Lynch also advised that the timing for the works to be done on King Street between the railway line west of Victoria Street to Frederick Street will be completed over two construction seasons in order to accommodate the needs of traffic and Grand River Transit; also, these road works will tie in with the Rapid Transit environmental assessment, and the City is working with the Region of Waterloo and the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy in this regard. DEVELOPMENT & TECHNICAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 7, 2007 - 43- CITY OF KITCHENER 5. DTS-07-076 - KING STREET & THE CITY CENTRE DISTRICT STREETSCAPE MASTER PLAN tCONT'D) On motion by Councillor K. Galloway - it was resolved: "That the master plan process and project schedule outlined for King Street & the City Centre District be continued; and, That City staff and the project team present streetscape alternatives to the public and determine the preferred streetscape solution for King Street and strategies for the City Centre District; and further, That City staff report to the Development & Technical Services Committee on June 18, 2007, and recommend the preferred streetscape solution." 6. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:14 p.m. D. Gilchrist Committee Administrator