Planning and Strategic Initiatives

Committee Minutes

Monday, March 17, 2025 at 7:00 P.m. - 7:30 P.m.

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 B. Ioannidis (virtually)
• Councillor M. Johnston
• Councillor D. Chapman
• Councillor S. Stretch

Staff:

• D. Chapman, Chief Administrative Officer
• J. Readman, General Manager, Development Services
• G. Stevenson, Director, Development & Housing Approvals
• R. Bustamante, Director of Planning and Housing Policy
• N. Goss, Manager of Policy and Research
• T. Donegani, Senior Planner
• J. Zunic, Senior Planner
• L. Van Meer-Mass, Senior Planner
• D. Saunderson, Deputy Clerk
• M. Blake, Committee Coordinator

---

1.

Commencement

The Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee held a meeting this date commencing at 7:00 p.m.

2.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof

None. 

3.

Consent Items

Pursuant to Chapter 25 (Procedure) of the Municipal Code, a motion was brought forward by Councillor D. Chapman to discuss Consent item 3.1  listed on the agenda, which was voted on and was Carried.

3.1

Demolition Control Application - DC25/001/C/AA, 153 Courtland Avenue East, DSD-2025-092

The Committee considered Development Services Department report, DSD-2025-092, dated February 25, 2025, recommending approval of Demolition Control Application DC25/001/C/AA for the property municipally addressed as 153 Courtland Avenue East. G. Stevenson, Director, Development and Housing Approvals, was in attendance to respond to questions from the Committee. 

• On motion by Councillor S. Davey

  it was resolved:

  "That Demolition Control Application DC25/001/C/AA requesting permission to demolish a single detached dwelling at 153 Courtland Avenue East, BE APPROVED, as outlined in Development Services Department report, DSD-2025-092." 

  Carried

3.2

Demolition Control Application - DC25/002/C/AS, 101 Clive Rd, DSD-2025-107, DSD-2025-107

The Committee considered Development Services Department report, DSD-2025-107, dated March 5, 2025, recommending approval of Demolition Control Application DC25/002/C/AS for the property municipally addressed as 101 Clive Road. 

It was noted any recommendation arising from this matter will be considered at a Special Council meeting later this date.

• On motion by Councillor S. Davey

  it was resolved:

  "That Demolition Control Application DC25/002/C/AS requesting permission to demolish a two-storey single detached dwelling at 101 Clive Road, BE APPROVED, as outlined in Development Services Department report, DSD-2025-107."

  Carried

4.

Discussion Items

4.1

Kitchener 2051 - Evaluating Approaches to Growth, DSD-2025-084

The Committee considered Development Services Department report, DSD-2025-084, dated March 7, 2025, recommending that the Community Parameters and Technical Evaluation Criteria as presented in Development Services Department report, DSD-2025-084, be used to inform continued community and collaborator engagement on Kitchener 2051 and approaches to growth.

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

Mayor B. Vrbanovic left the meeting at this time. 

In response to questions from the Committee, T. Donegani advised Phase 3 of the Kitchener 2051 Engagement, as outlined in Development Services Department Report DSD-2025-091, will focus on discussions regarding growth strategies. It was noted this phase will include a range of community engagement initiatives, such as community conversation kits, interactive in-person and online engagement, ongoing dialogue with First Nations, and monthly meetings with the Community Working Group.

Mayor B. Vrbanovic returned to the meeting at this time.

• On motion by Councillor S. Davey

  it was resolved:

  "That the Community Parameters and Technical Evaluation Criteria as presented in Development Services Department report, DSD-2025-084 be used to inform continued community and collaborator engagement on Kitchener 2051 and approaches to growth."

  Carried

5.

Public Hearing Matters under the Planning Act (advertised)

5.1

Official Plan Amendment Application OPA24/014/L/BB, Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA24/030/L/BB, 288-292 Lawrence Avenue, S&S Stemco Inc. c/o Scott Stemerdink, DSD-2025-034

It was noted while notice of this matter was provided, this item was not considered this date. Staff anticipate that it will be scheduled for an upcoming Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee meeting, and further notice will be provided. 

6.

Information Items

Pursuant to Chapter 25 (Procedure) of the Municipal Code, a motion was brought forward by Councillor D. Chapman to discuss Information item 7.1 listed on the agenda, which was voted on and was Carried.

Councillor B. Ioannidis entered the meeting at this time. 

6.1

Housing for All Update, DSD-2025-103

L. Van Meer-Mass, Senior Planner and R. Bustamante, Director of Planning and Housing Policy were in attendance to respond to questions from the Committee. 

6.2

Kitchener 2051 - Engagement on Approaches to Growth, DSD-2025-091

6.3

Kitchener Growth Management Strategy: Annual Monitoring Report 2024, DSD-2025-101

6.4

Quarterly Report (Q4) - Planning and Housing Policy Division & Development and Housing Approvals Division - Significant Planning Applications, Policy Projects, Affordable Housing Projects, and Housing Pledge Update, DSD-2025-089 

7.

Adjournment

On motion, this meeting adjourned at 7:32 p.m.

Mariah Blake
Committee Coordinator