Planning and Strategic Initiatives

Committee Minutes

-
Council Chambers
City of Kitchener
200 King Street W, Kitchener, ON N2G 4G7
Present:
  • Mayor B. Vrbanovic
  • Councillor S. Davey
  • Councillor D. Schnider
  • Councillor J. Deneault
  • Councillor C. Michaud
  • Councillor A. Owodunni
  • Councillor P. Singh
  • Councillor M. Johnston
  • Councillor D. Chapman
  • Councillor S. Stretch
Staff:
  • D. Chapman, Chief Administrative Officer
  • J. Readman, General Manager, Development Services
  • R. Bustamante, Director Housing Policy
  • G. Stevenson, Director of Development and Housing Approvals
  • T. Malone-Wright, Manager, Development Approvals
  • M. Parris Manager, Parks and Open Space
  • N. Goss, Manager, Policy and Research
  • S. Bassanese, Manager, Site Plan
  • B. Bateman, Senior Planner
  • A. Pinnell, Senior Planner
  • J. Zunic, Senior Planner
  • S. Latam, Parks Planning and Development, Project Manager
  • B. Robinson, Parks Planning and Development Project Manager
  • D. Saunderson, Deputy Clerk
  • M. Blake, Committee Coordinator

1.
Commencement

 

The Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee held a meeting this date commencing at 6:00 p.m.

2.
Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof

 

3.
Consent Items

 

3.1
Private Street Naming – 15 - 105 Mooregate Crescent, DSD-2025-325

This item has attachments. 
1.Naming of a Private Street (15 - 105 Mooregate Cres) - DSD-2025-325.pdf
2.Appendix A - Site Plan SP24-026-M-CD.pdf
3.Appendix B - Applicant Request Letter.pdf
4.Appendix C - Agency Comments.pdf
5.Appendix D - Private Street Naming Plan.pdf

The Committee considered Development Services Department report, DSD-2025-325, dated July 21, 2025, recommending that the City of Kitchener acknowledge that the Regional Municipality of Waterloo intends to name a private street: 'Mooregate Way' within a multiple residential development located at 15 - 105 Mooregate Crescent.

  • On motion byCouncillor S. Davey

    it was resolved:

    "That the City of Kitchener acknowledge that the Regional Municipality of Waterloo intends to name a private street: 'Mooregate Way' within a multiple residential development located at 15 - 105 Mooregate Crescent, as shown in Attachment ‘D’ of Development Services Department report, DSD-2025-325; and further,

    That the City's Legal Services Division be directed to proceed with the required advertising, preparation, and registration of the necessary By-law for the naming of 'Mooregate Way'."

    Carried

4.
Public Hearing Matters under the Planning Act (advertised)

 

This is a formal public meeting to consider applications under the Planning Act. In accordance with the Ontario Planning Act, only the applicant or owner of land affected by the planning applications, a specified person, or a public body, and or the Minister may appeal most decisions.  If you do not make a verbal submission to the Committee or Council, or make a written submission prior to City Council making a decision on the proposal, you may not be entitled to appeal the decision of the City of Kitchener to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT), and may not be added as a party to the hearing of an appeal before the OLT. To understand your right of appeal, if any, or for further clarification regarding appeals, please see the Ontario Land Tribunal website (https://olt.gov.on.ca/).  

4.1
Draft Plan of Subdivision Modification Application (Stage 4, 30T-08204), Official Plan Amendment Application OPA24/015/T/AP, Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA24/010/T/AP, 468 Trussler Road, Activa Holdings Inc., DSD-2025-039 

15 m
This item has attachments. 
1.Subdivision Modification, OPA, ZBA- 468 Trussler Rd - DSD-2025-039.pdf
2.Attachment A1 - Third Modification to Conditions of Draft Approval.pdf
3.Attachment A2 - Draft Plan of Subdivision Drawing.pdf
4.Attachment B1 - Draft OPA.pdf
5.Attachment B2_Schedule A.pdf
6.Attachment C1 - Draft ZBA - 468 Trussler - Revised KPH July 23 2025.pdf
7.Attachment C2_Zoning Map 1.pdf
8.Attachment D - Newspaper Notice(1).pdf
9.Attachment E - Department and Agency Comments(1).pdf
10.5.1 - STAFF PRESENTATION - 468 Trussler Rd.pdf

The Committee considered Development Services Department report, DSD-2025-039, dated July 18, 2025, recommending the modification of conditions of draft approval for Draft Plan of Subdivision 30T-08204; adoption of Official Plan Amendment Application OPA24/015/T/AP and adoption of Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA24/010/T/AP, for the property municipally addressed as 468 Trussler Road.

A. Pinnell, Senior Planner provided an overview of the staff report. T. Malone-Wright, Manager, Development Approvals, and G. Stevenson, Director, Development and Housing Approvals were also in attendance to respond to questions from the Committee. 

P. Chauvin, MHBC Planning, was in attendance in support of the staff recommendation. 

  • On motion byCouncillor A. Owodunni

    it was resolved:

    "That the City of Kitchener, pursuant to Section 51 (44) of the Planning Act R.S.O. 1990, Chapter P 13, as amended, modify the conditions of draft approval for Draft Plan of Subdivision Application 30T-08204, in the City of Kitchener, for Activa Holdings Inc., for the property municipally addressed as 468 Trussler Road, in the form shown in the Third Modification to Conditions of Draft Approval, attached to Development Services Department report, DSD-2025-039 as Attachment ‘A’; and,

    That Official Plan Amendment Application OPA24/015/T/AP for Activa Holdings Inc. be approved, in the form shown in the Official Plan Amendment attached to Report DSD-2025-039 as Attachment ‘B’; and further,

    That Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA24/010/T/AP for Activa Holdings Inc. be approved in the form shown in the Proposed By-law and Map No. 1, attached to Report DSD-2025-039 as Attachment ‘C’."

    Carried

4.2
Official Plan Amendment Application OPA25/004/L/BB, Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA25/009/L/BB, Block 1, 58A-711 - Sandra Springs Subdivision, 2597316 Ontario Corp., DSD-2025-286

30 m
This item has attachments. 
1.Sandra Springs Subdivision Block 1, 58M-711 OPA and ZBA - DSD-2025-286.pdf
2.Attachment A -- Proposed Official Plan Amendment.pdf
3.Attachment A1 - MAP3.pdf
4.Attachment B - Proposed Bylaw Lackner Keewatin.pdf
5.Attachment B1 - MAP1.pdf
6.Attachment C - NEWSPAPER AD (Lackner-Keewatin).pdf
7.Attachment D - Staff and Agency Comments.pdf
8.Attachment E - Resident Written Comments.pdf
9.5.2 - STAFF PRESENTATION - Lackner-Keewatin.pdf

The Committee considered Development Services Department report, DSD-2025-286, dated July 11, 2025, recommending adoption of Official Plan Amendment Application OPA25/004/L/BB and Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA25/009/L/BB, for the property municipally addressed as Block 1, 58M-711 – Sandra Springs Subdivision.

B. Bateman, Senior Planner, provided an overview of the staff report. T. Malone-Wright, Manager, Housing Approvals and G. Stevenson, Director of Development and Housing Approvals were also in attendance to respond to questions from the Committee. 

B. Flewwelling, GSP Group, was in attendance in support of the application. 

In response to questions from the Committee, B. Flewwelling noted the subject property is proposed to be redesignated 'Low Rise Residential’ and no buildings shall exceed 3 storeys or eleven (11) metres in height. Further, it was noted the proposed changes will not compromise the existing planned commercial component of the approved subdivision.

  • On motion byCouncillor S. Davey

    it was resolved:

    "That Official Plan Amendment Application OPA25/004/L/BB for 2597316 Ontario Corp. requesting to change the Land Use on Map 3 from ‘Mixed Use’ to ‘Low Rise Residential’, for Block 1, 58A-711 - Sandra Springs Subdivision,  be approved, in the form shown in the Official Plan Amendment attached to Development Services Department report, DSD-2025-286 as Attachments ‘A1’, and ‘A2’; and further,

    That Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA25/009/L/BB to change the zoning from ‘MIX-1’ to ‘RES-5’ be approved in the form shown in the ‘Proposed By-law’, and ‘Map No. 1’, attached to Report DSD-2025-286 as Attachments ‘B1’ and ‘B2’."

    Carried

4.3
Official Plan Amendment Application OPA25/005/F/AP, Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA25/001/F/AP, 132 Fairway Road North, Maxwell Building Consultants Ltd., DSD-2025-310

20 m
This item has attachments. This item has conflict.
1.OPA25-005-F-AP and ZBA25-011F-AP 132 Fairway Road North - DSD-2025-310.pdf
2.Attachment A1 - Official Plan Amendment.pdf
3.Attachment A2 - Schedule A.pdf
4.Attachment B1 - Draft By-law.pdf
5.Attachment B2 - Map No 1.pdf
6.Attachment C - Revised Urban Design Brief.pdf
7.Attachment D - Newspaper Notice.pdf
8.Attachment E - Department and Agency Comments.pdf
9.Attachment F - Community Comments.pdf
10.5.3 - STAFF PRESENTATION -132 Fairway Rd N.pdf
11.5.3.1 - Delegation presentation - Jenna Wenzel- 132 Fairway Road N.pdf
12.Written Submission 1 - P. Bitiusca - 132 Fairway Rd_Redacted.pdf
13.Written Submission 2 - N. Belanger - 132 Fairway Rd N - _Redacted.pdf
  • Councillor C. Michaud declared a conflict on this item. (Councillor C. Michaud declared a conflict with regards to item 4.3. Official Plan Amendment Application OPA25/005/F/AP, Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA25/001/F/AP, 132 Fairway Road North, Maxwell Building Consultants Ltd., DSD-2025-310, due to their place of employment, and did not participate in any voting or discussion on the matter.)

The Committee considered Development Services Department report, DSD-2025-310, dated July 25, 2025, recommending adoption of Official Plan Amendment Application OPA25/005/F/AP and Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA25/011/F/AP, for the property municipally addressed as 132 Fairway Road North. It was noted written submissions were received by P. Bitiusca and N. Belanger. 

A. Pinnell, Senior Planner provided an overview of the staff report. T. Malone-Wright, Manager, Housing Approvals and G. Stevenson, Director, Development and Housing Approvals, were also in attendance to respond to questions from the Committee. 

J. Wenzel, GSP Group and P. Maxwell were in attendance in support of the application. 

In response to questions from the Committee, P. Maxwell advised the proposed development includes 26 affordable residential units, 6 external bike spaces, 28 secure indoor bike spaces, 8 parking spaces and an outdoor amenity area on the third floor. The proposed rental price for a studio unit is approximately $860 per month, intended for individuals making minimum wage, new Canadians and persons receiving supplements. 

Mayor B. Vrbanovic entered the meeting at this time. 

N. Belanger, A. Belanger and J. Cassady were in attendance in opposition to the application, citing concerns related to potential financial impact on surrounding property values, privacy, increased traffic, noise, and parking availability.

In response to questions from the Committee, A. Pinnell advised the proposed amenity space would face Jansen Street. It was further noted that the proposed maximum height of the building is 9m, within the current zoning limit of 11m.

  • On motion byCouncillor D. Schnider

    it was resolved:

    "That Official Plan Amendment Application OPA25/005/F/AP for Maxwell Building Consultants Ltd. for the property muncipally addressed as 132 Fairway Road North, requesting to add Specific Policy Area 83 to permit a multiple dwelling with a Floor Space Ratio of 1.33 on the parcel of land specified and illustrated on Schedule ‘A’, be approved, in the form shown in the Official Plan Amendment attached to Development Services Department report, DSD-2025-310 as Attachment ‘A’; and,

    That Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA2/011/F/AP for Maxwell Building Consultants Ltd. for the property municipally address as 132 Fairway Road North, be approved in the form shown in the Proposed By-law and Map No. 1 attached to Report DSD-2025-310 as Attachment ‘B’; and further,

    That the Revised Urban Design Brief, prepared by GSP Group Inc., dated July 2025, attached as Attachment ‘C’ to report DSD-2025-310, be endorsed, and that staff be directed to implement the Revised Urban Design Brief through a future Site Plan Application Approval process and, at the discretion of the City’s Director of Development and Housing Approvals, significant changes to the Revised Urban Design Brief will be to the satisfaction of Council."

    Carried

5.
Discussion Items

 

5.1
Kitchener 2051 - Preferred Growth Scenario, DSD-2025-318

45 m
This item has attachments. 
1.Kitchener 2051 - Preferred Growth Scenario.pdf
2.Attachment A - Growth Scenarios Study Report.pdf
3.Attachment B - Preferred Approach to Growth.pdf
4.6.1 STAFF PRESENTATION - Kitchener Preferred Growth Scenario.pdf

The Committee considered Development Services Department report, DSD-2025-318, dated July 30, 2025, recommending that the Preferred Approach to Growth be used to inform the development of a draft Official Plan.

J. Zunic, Senior Planner provided an overview of the report. N. Goss, Manager, Policy and Research, and R. Bustamante, Director Housing Policy, were also in attendance to respond to questions from the Committee.  

Councillor D. Schnider left the meeting at this time. 

Councillor P. Singh left the meeting at this time and Councillor S. Davey assumed the Chair. 

Councillor D. Schnider entered the meeting at this time. 

In response to questions from the Committee, J. Zunic noted the City continues to engage in discussions with regional staff regarding the objective of minimizing impacts to source water protection areas when developing approaches to growth. 

Councillor P. Singh resumed Chair. 

  • On motion byCouncillor S. Davey

    it was resolved:

    "That the Preferred Approach to Growth as presented in Development Services Department report, DSD-2025-318 be used to inform the development of a draft Official Plan (Kitchener 2051)."

    Carried

5.2
Parkland Acquisition Strategy, DSD-2025-331

30 m
This item has attachments. 
1.Parkland Acquisition Strategy - DSD-2025-331.pdf
2.Attachment 1 – Inventory of Existing Parks (Spaces, Parks Master Plan).pdf
3.6.2 - STAFF PRESENTATION - Parkland Acquisition Strategy_PSIC.pdf

The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD-2025-331, dated July 24, 2025, recommending that staff be directed to develop a Parkland Acquisition Strategy and report back to Council prior to March 31, 2026.

S. Latam, Parks Planning and Development Project Manager, provided an overview of the report. B. Robinson, Parks Planning and Development Project Manager, S. Bassanese, Manager, Site Plan, M. Parris Manager, Parks and Open Space and G. Stevenson, Director, Housing and Development Approvals were also in attendance to respond to questions from the Committee. 

Councillor A. Owodunni moved the staff recommendation as outlined in Development Services Department report, DSD-2025-331.

Councillor D. Chapman brought forward an amendment to Councillor A. Owodunni's motion to include an additional clause “that staff be directed to identify government-owned properties of interest in each ward for repurpose to potentially address parkland deficits in identified Critical Needs Areas and circulate this data to Council prior to the end of 2025."

Councillor D. Chapman brought forward a further amendment to Councillor A. Owodunni's motion to include an addiitonal clause, "that staff be directed to investigate and bring a report to Council before the 2026 budget cycle on ways in which parkland acquisition might be advanced and funded, including exploring tools such as a special tax program that would support the Parkland Reserve Fund to acquire parkland.”

In response to questions from the Committee, D. Chapman noted that a timeline of March 31, 2026, for staff to report back to Council on the development of the Parkland Acquisition Strategy, would allow sufficient time to complete the work.  

It was requested Councillor D. Chapman’s amendments both be voted on separately on a recorded vote.

Councillor D. Chapman's first amendment was voted on and was Carried unanimously on a recorded vote. 

Councillor D. Chapman's second amendment was then voted on and Lost on a recorded vote, with Councillor A. Owodunni and D. Chapman voting in favour; and Councillor S. Davey, J. Denault, M. Johnston, C. Michaud, D. Schnider and P. Singh voting in opposition.

  • On motion byCouncillor A. Owodunni

    it was resolved:

    "That staff be directed to develop a Parkland Acquisition Strategy and report back to Council prior to March 31, 2026, as outlined in Development Services Department report DSD-2025-331; and further,

    That staff be directed to identify government owned properties of interest in each ward for repurpose to potentially address parkland deficits in identified Critical Needs Areas and circulate this data to Council prior to the end of 2025."

    Carried

6.
Information Items

 

6.1
None.

 

7.
Adjournment

 

On motion, this meeting adjourned at 8:56p.m.

Mariah Blake
Committee Coordinator

No Item Selected