HomeMy WebLinkAboutDev & Tech Svcs - 2009-06-01DEVELOPMENT & TECHNICAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
JUNE 1, 2009 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Development and Technical Services Committee met this date, commencing at 5:25 p. m.
Present: Councilor C. Weylie -Chair
Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors K. Galloway, J. Smola, J. Gazzola and G. Lorentz
Staff: D. Chapman, General Manager, Financial Services
J. Willmer, Interim General Manager, Financial Services
J. McBride, Director, Transportation Planning
A. Pinard, Interim Director of Planning
T. Beckett, Fire Chief
G. Murphy, Director, Engineering Services
R. Regier, Executive Director, Economic Development
B. Sloan, Senior Planner
D. Gilchrist, Committee Administrator
DTS-09-085 - CITY OF CAMBRIDGE -PROVISIONS OF SANITARY SERVICING
- CONESTOGA COLLEGE SOUTH CAMPUS & BLAIR BUSINESS PARK
The Committee considered Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-09-
085, dated May 20, 2009, concerning a memorandum of understanding with the City of
Cambridge related to amulti-jurisdictional wastewater servicing plan.
Mr. G. Murphy presented the report and he advised that the Class EA will begin on June 23rd
and will be completed in November 2009, in order to meet the college's timelines.
Mayor Zehr questioned whether this proposal will have an effect on the capacity at the
Kitchener Wastewater Treatment Plant, and was advised by Mr. Murthy that this proposal will
create a very small flow.
Mayor Zehr then questioned whether development of these two sites will affect other near by
sites that may be developed in the future. He stated that there seems to be potential for
development on the Kitchener side and questioned what kind of long term planning needs to
be in place. Mr. Willmer advised that there is potential for development both commercial and
residential, and staff would like this growth to create a people place and become a real
destination. He advised that there is merit in the Cities of Cambridge and Kitchener working
together on urban design principles for a transit oriented, mixed use node.
Mayor Zehr moved the recommendation in the staff report and advised that he would propose
a second resolution respecting design principles.
Councillor Gazzola questioned whether there are any other alternatives. Mr. Murphy
responded that the Preston Plant is another alternative but it is already at capacity. He also
noted that this issue had been resolved through the Region's wastewater master plan.
Councillor Smola questioned pumping stations. Mr. Murphy responded that there will be a
pumping station either on the Conestoga College site or somewhere else south of Hwy 401,
and it could either be privately owned or publicly owned.
On motion by Mayor C. Zehr -
itwas resolved:
"That staff be directed to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the City of
Cambridge related to the provision of cross-border wastewater servicing plan to
accommodate the Conestoga College South Campus lands and the Blair Industrial
lands; and,
That all expenditures associated with conducting Municipal Class Environmental
Assessment Study wastewater servicing plan to accommodate the Conestoga College
South Campus lands and the Blair Industrial lands, construction, commissioning and
operation of proposed sewage works, be at the cost of the City of Cambridge; and
further,
DEVELOPMENT & TECHNICAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
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DTS-09-085 - CITY OF CAMBRIDGE -PROVISIONS OF SANITARY SERVICING
- CONESTOGA COLLEGE SOUTH CAMPUS &
BLAIR BUSINESS PARK (CONT'D
That the results of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Study wastewater
servicing plan to accommodate the Conestoga College South Campus lands and the
Blair Industrial lands be provided to Kitchener's City Council prior to the issuance of the
Study findings being posted for the mandatory 30 day public review period."
On motion by Mayor C. Zehr -
itwas resolved:
"That Planning staff at the Cities of Cambridge and Kitchener work together with the
major property owners in the area of Homer Watson Boulevard and Hwy 401, to
establish urban design principles to guide future development as a transit oriented,
mixed use node."
DTS-09-086 -REGIONAL OFFICIAL PLAN (20291 -RESPONSE TO SECOND DRAFT
The Committee considered Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-09-
086, dated May 27, 2009, being the recommended response to the Regional Municipality of
Waterloo concerning the second draft of the Regional Official Plan (2009).
Mr. Sloan reviewed the report and advised that the Region did take some of Kitchener's
previous comments on the first draft of the Official Plan into consideration. Some of those
matters have been included in this second draft; however, staff still has questions on how such
matters as heritage will be implemented. It will be necessary for staff to spend a considerable
amount of time learning how to implement these new policies.
Respecting numeric targets, Mr. Sloan advised that the Region has allowed another year for
each municipality to determine its own density targets. In this version of the Region's Official
Plan, the region-wide target is that 45% of new residential units be constructed within the built-
up urban area by 2015, instead of 40%. Mr. Sloan advised that another concern is the
proposed role for the Region in local planning. There are new criteria, and although some of
them make sense, some are difficult to measure. There is a need for continued dialogue on
who does what. Mr. Sloan then referred to the matter of the countryside line, on page 4-3 of
the report. He advised that the boundary in Kitchener is there for the long term, and the
"Protected Countryside" designation is permanent. The main reason for this designation is
environmental conservation of the recharge area for the Waterloo Moraine. All in all, Mr. Sloan
advised that staff can support the second draft of the Region's Official Plan; however, further
consideration and discussion is still required on some of the policies.
Mayor Zehr questioned why the Region wants to be more involved in condominium
conversions. Mr. Sloan advised that the Region has a role to play in affordable housing and
they want to make sure that the supply of affordable housing does not diminish because the
units are being converted to condominiums. The Region now has a commenting role; however,
under the new Regional Official Plan their role may be increased.
Mayor Zehr then commented on the countryside line, which the Region intends will be
permanent. He questioned whether the Region is considering future technologies which may
make it more attractive for development. Mr. Pinard responded that the boundary of the
designated city urban area, or countryside line, is a long-term boundary; however, the
"Protected Countryside" designation is permanent. He stated that the land use could be
changed in the future if justified.
Mr. P. Britton, MHBC Planning, was in attendance and provided the Committee members with
a written submission in response to the second draft of the Regional Official Plan, on behalf of
property owners in southwest Kitchener. In particular these property owners own land between
New Dundee Road and Plains Road and Fischer-Hallman Road and the future extension of
Strasburg Road. In addressing the matter of the countryside line, Mr. Britton stated that what
will be left in Kitchener is a permanent area where there will be no infrastructure planning. Mr.
Britton stated that a permanent countryside line assumes perfect knowledge, and the Regional
assessment is incomplete. He recommended that there is a need to keep options open.
DEVELOPMENT & TECHNICAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
JUNE 1, 2009 - 71 - CITY OF KITCHENER
2. DTS-09-086 -REGIONAL OFFICIAL PLAN (2029) -RESPONSE TO
SECOND DRAFT (CONT'D)
Mr. Britton then referred to a map "Water Resources Protection Master Plan -Figure 19 -
Delineation of the Waterloo Moraine and Regional Recharge Area". His position was that there
is a lack of documentation to show that residential development is incompatible with the
recharge area. He advised that City staff is supportive of keeping options open with respect to
his clients' land.
Mayor Zehr noted that the City of Waterloo has reached its urban boundary and in the
Region's draft Official Plan neither the City of Waterloo nor the City of Kitchener has an urban
reserve for future expansion. He also noted that the City of Cambridge and the urban areas in
the townships have expansion areas. Mr. Pinard advised that the countryside line is based on
the information that the Region has on the recharge area. Staff has no concerns with Mr.
Britton pressing this issue with the Region, as City staff does not have the technical expertise
to do so.
Mayor Zehr stated that the staff report does not place a strong enough emphasis on the need
for an urban expansion area. Council should reiterate its official position and make its
comments to the Region stronger. The Region's position on the countryside line is based on
technical mapping but this mapping is incomplete.
Mr. Cooke, Cooke Capital, spoke on behalf of Mattamy Homes, noting that he previously made
a presentation on the need for an urban reserve. He advised that he endorses Mr. Britton's
position. He stated that based on the words of the draft Official Plan, he does not believe that
a hard countryside line can be reviewed in the future. He requested that the City advance the
notion of an urban reserve or anon-permanent countryside line.
Mayor Zehr stated that Council's position on the urban reserve must be included in this
Committee's motion.
Councillor Galloway questioned the difference between an urban reserve and the long-term
boundary. Mr. Sloan responded that the long-term boundary or countryside line does not
contemplate development within the time frame of the Official Plan, and nothing could be done
in terms of future urban expansion until after 2029.
On motion by Mayor C. Zehr -
itwas resolved:
"That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo be requested to address the comments and
concerns regarding the second draft of the Regional Official Plan 2029, as outlined in
Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-09-086; and further,
That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo be advised that the City of Kitchener does
not support the permanency of the 'Protected Countryside' designation for the following
reasons:
technical reports in support of the groundwater recharge mapping have not been
made available to the public for review; and,
a permanent designation precludes the possibility of alternate technologies to
achieve groundwater recharge, or alternate sources for drinking water."
[minutes corrected on Jun 15, 2009]
CRPS-09-065 -ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
- AIR QUALITY IN KITCHENER -FIVE BEST BETS FOR 2009
The Committee considered Corporate Services Department report CRPS-09-065, dated May
21, 2009, relaying the recommendation of the Environmental Committee on the 5 Best Bets for
2009, respecting the Air Quality in Kitchener (2006) report.
DEVELOPMENT & TECHNICAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
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3. CRPS-09-065 -ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
- AIR QUALITY IN KITCHENER -FIVE BEST BETS FOR 2009 (CONT'D)
On motion by Councilor G. Lorentz -
itwas resolved:
"That in accordance with the Air Quality in Kitchener (2006) Report the following be
approved as the Five Best Bets for 2009:
Best Bet #1 - the City of Kitchener in cooperation with the Region of Waterloo's
Public Health Department, develop and implement education
strategies to make residents aware how their personal actions and
choices affect air quality [Recommended Action 3.4 from the Air
Quality in Kitchener report (2006)]; and,
Best Bet #2 - expand the existing Kitchener Clean Air Plan to include a smog
alert advisory /strategy and management program targeted at the
general public, not just City operations [Recommended Action 2.4
from the Air Quality in Kitchener report (2006)]; and,
Best Bet #3 - make available through the City of Kitchener educational material
and assessment tools to demonstrate the benefits of and
encourage energy retrofit initiatives in residential, commercial and
industrial applications. [Recommended Action 1.26 from the Air
Quality in Kitchener report (2006)]; and,
Best Bet #4 - assist transport centres (i.e. train and bus terminals) and City
facilities (i.e. arenas, libraries and pools) to introduce anti-idling
measures. [Recommended Action 1.7 from the Air Quality in
Kitchener report (2006)]; and,
Best Bet #5 - the City of Kitchener carry on emission inspections and
maintenance programs as part of ISO 14001 that effectively reduce
emissions from fleet vehicles [Recommended Action 1.1 from the
Air Quality in Kitchener report (2006)]; and further,
That staff through the Environmental Study Group be directed to investigate the
feasibility and, if appropriate, pursue the implementation of the Air Quality in Kitchener
Five Best Bets for 2009."
DTS-09-063 - BELMONT AVENUE WEST (BELMONT VILLAGE)
- ON-STREET PARKING AND RIGHT TURN LANE DESIGNATION
The Committee considered Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-09-
063, dated May 11, 2009, recommending a change in the regulations for on-street parking in
Belmont Village and the west bound curb lane on Belmont Avenue at Glasgow Street be
designated as right turn lane.
On motion by Councilor G. Lorentz -
itwas resolved:
"That the on-street parking regulations on both the north and south side of Belmont
Avenue West (Belmont Village) be changed to a mix of 30 minute, 1 hour, and 2 hour
time limits; and,
That the westbound curb lane on Belmont Avenue at Glasgow Street be designated as
aright turn lane only; and further,
That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly."
DEVELOPMENT & TECHNICAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
JUNE 1, 2009 - 73 - CITY OF KITCHENER
DTS-09-082 -COUNCIL RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT ROAD WIDENING DEDICATION
- 55 WOOLWICH STREET
The Committee considered Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-09-
082, dated May 21, 2009, recommending that the City accept a road widening across the
frontage of 55 Woolwich Street for future road widening, on terms and conditions satisfactory
to the City Solicitor.
On motion by Councilor G. Lorentz -
itwas resolved:
"That the Corporation of the City of Kitchener accept the conveyance of a 3.904 metre
wide parcel of land across the frontage of 55 Woolwich Street, legally described as Part
of Lot 59, GCT, identified as Part 4 on the draft Reference Plan prepared by
MacDonald-Tamblyn Surveying Ltd., dated April 21, 2009, free and clear of
encumbrances, for a future road widening, on terms and conditions satisfactory to the
City Solicitor."
ADJOURNMENT
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:15 p. m.
D. Gilchrist
Committee Administrator