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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPSI Minutes - 2021-02-08 PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 8, 2021 CITY OF KITCHENER The Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee held an electronic meeting this date, commencing electronically at 7:10 p.m. with all members present. Present: Councillor P. Singh - Chair Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors D. Chapman, K. Galloway-Sealock, J. Gazzola, B. Ioannidis, M. Johnston, C. Michaud, D. Schnider, S. Davey and S. Marsh. Staff: D. Chapman, Chief Administrative Officer J. Readman, General Manager, Development Services D. McGoldrick, General Manager, Infrastructure Services R. Bustamante, Director, Planning B. Bateman, Senior Planner B. Cronkite, Director, Transportation Services A. McCrimmon-Jones, Manager, Transportation Planning J. Oosterveld, Manager, Site Development and Customer Service S. Bassanese, Urban Designer V. Grohn, Heritage Planner P. Grivicic, Chief of Staff, Office of the Mayor and Council J. Bunn, Manager, Council & Committee Services/Deputy City Clerk S. Goldrup, Committee Administrator Councillor P. Singh advised this is a formal public meeting to consider applications under the Planning Act. If a person or public body that would otherwise have an ability to appeal a decision of the City of Kitchener to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal, but the person or public body does not make oral submissions at the public meeting or make written submissions to the City of Kitchener before the By-law is passed, the person or public body is not entitled to appeal the decision. 1. DSD-21-005 - OFFICIAL PLAN AMENDMENT OPA/19/003/M/KA - ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT APPLICATION ZBA/19/009/M/KA - 19-41 MILL STREET - POLOCORP INC. The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD-21-005, dated January 11, 2021, recommending adoption of Official Plan Amendment Application OPA/19/003/M/KA for Polocorp Inc.; approval of Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA/19/009/M/KA; and, recommending that applications for minor variances shall be permitted for lands subject to Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA/19/009/M/KA; and, that the Urban Design Guidelines for 19-41 Mill Street be adopted and used as principle guiding documents for site plan approval. Councillor P. Singh noted written submissions on this matter had been received from Gwen Wheeler, Peter Eglin, Hal Jaeger, Gail Pool, Burnie Root, Donald Featherstone, Mario Madau, Kelly-Ann Callaghan, and Linda Snyder in opposition. B. Bateman presented to the Committee regarding the proposed development and the potential Official Plan and Zoning By- feedback, including concerns received about the impact to properties with heritage elements, the loss of affordable housing, an increase in traffic and safety concerns, and the proposed development being too high and dense for the surrounding neighbourhood. B. Bateman spoke to the Neighbourhood Information Meeting and Working Group formed to address the concerns Joseph Puopolo, Polocorp Inc; Matthew Warzecha, Polocorp Inc; and Andrew Bousfield, ABA Group on behalf of Polocorp Inc; presented to the Committee regarding the background of amendments, design considerations, and community consultation undertaken. M. Warzecha reviewed and responded to the concerns raised regarding traffic, heritage, affordable housing, The Committee heard delegations from Aleksandra Petrovic, Social Development Centre Waterloo Region; Sally Gunz; Gail Pool, Architectural Conservancy of Ontario, North Waterloo PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 8, 2020 -2- CITY OF KITCHENER 1. DSD-21-005 - OFFICIAL PLAN AMENDMENT OPA/19/003/M/KA - ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT APPLICATION ZBA/19/009/M/KA - 19-41 MILL STREET - POLOCORP INC. Branch; Gwen Wheeler; Jane Pellar; Steffen Knochel; Peter Eglin; Kevin White, Waterloo Region Yes in my Backyard; Deb Westman; John Ryrie; Alfred Rempel; Hal Jaeger; Frank Etherington; Mario Madau; and, Mario Chilanski in opposition to the proposed development. Concerns were shared regarding the loss of affordable housing; the displacement of current tenants; increased shadowing; increased traffic; and, the loss of buildings with heritage elements. Further concerns were expressed regarding the disruption to the neighbourhood created by the proposed buildin requested; the precedent set if such amendments were to be approved; omissions in the angular plane analysis; and, the potential flooding and drainage impacts to neighbouring properties. Sev be addressed. In response to questions from the Committee, there was discussion of considerations for affordable housing and the displaced residents; the potential disruption and displacement to the neighbourhood; the historical value of Mill Street; the significance of the amendments requested and concerns about the planning process; groundwater and flooding; and, underground parking. In response to further questions from the Committee, the applicant and staff spoke to the angular ground flow; additional detail for affordable housing and displacement of current tenants; planned amenities; and, an additional period to further dialogue with the community. On motion by Councillor D. Chapman - it was resolved: That consideration of the following recommendation be deferred to the March 8, 2021, Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee meeting, to allow for additional consultation with the Working Group: requesting a change to the Land Use Designation be adopted in the form shown in the Official Plan Amendment attached to Development Services Department report DSD-21- of Waterloo for approval; and, That Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA19/009/M/KA for Polocorp Inc. be - -21- That in accordance with Planning Act Section 45 (1.3 & 1.4) that applications for minor variances shall be permitted for lands subject to Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA 19/009/M/KA; and further, That the Urban Design Guidelines for 19 41 Mill Street, revised dated November 2020 and attached to Report DSD-21- along with the Heritage Impact Assessment revised dated September 9, 2020 and associated addendums thereto, be used as principle guiding documents for site 2. ADJOURNMENT On motion, this meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m. S. Goldrup Committee Administrator