Councillor S. Stretch declared a conflict on this item. (Councillor S. Stretch declared a conflict with Item 6.2. Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA24/019/T/ES, 60 Trussler Road, 1000160668 Ontario Ltd, DSD-2024-432, due to owning property in close proximity, and did not participate in any voting or discussion related to the matter.)
The Committee considered Development Services Department report, DSD-2024-432, dated September 17, 2024, recommending adoption of Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA24/019/T/ES, for the property municipally addressed as 60 Trussler Road.
E. Schneider, Senior Planner presented the 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.
S. Patterson, Patterson Planning Consultants provided a brief presentation in support of the application. In response to questions from the Committee, S. Patterson noted the proposed development provides both one-bedroom and two-bedroom units, noting there are no affordable housing units proposed for the development at this time. In response to further questions, S. Patterson confirmed the applicant will report back to Council regarding proposed sustainability features for the subject property.
G. Schnek, D. Thomas and S. Harvey addressed the Committee in opposition to the application, noting concerns including, but not limited to: the potential for water drainage on abutting lands, a lack of sustainability features, decreased privacy on abutting lots on Cora Drive, and concerns related to rent control exemptions under the Residential Tenancies Act.
In response to questions from the Committee regarding the loss of privacy for abutting properties, E. Schneider noted the site was designed to locate the building as close to the north property line towards industrial lands, and furthest from the south property line, abutting the low-rise residential lands. E. Schneider also noted increased setbacks, and increased minimum height for the visual barrier has been proposed to mitigate any privacy concerns.
In response to further questions, E. Schneider confirmed the City's Engineering staff have provided clearance that there is adequate sanitary capacity for the proposed development, and the applicant will be required to prepare a Stormwater Management Plan to the satisfaction of the City’s Engineering division to address concerns related to water drainage on abutting lands.
In response questions from the Committee, E. Schneider confirmed transportation staff have been made aware of concerns raised by residents related to cut through traffic of heavy-duty vehicles, and Staff have proposed a number of mitigation efforts such as proposing this location to the Waterloo Region Police Service (WRPS) for the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP). E. Schneider also noted this section of Trussler Road was approved for Hot Spot Improvements through the 2024 Vision Zero report approved by City Council in May 2024. As such, a series of raised measures (humps) will be installed in the fall of 2024.
Councillor P. Singh left the meeting at this time. Councillor D. Chapman assumed the Chair.
Councillor B. Ioannidis brought forward a motion to refer the recommendation outlined in Development Services Department report, DSD-2024-432 to the November 18, 2024 Council meeting to allow the applicant and staff the opportunity to engage in further conversations regarding the potential for a reduction in the number and size of the proposed development’s units, and to review potential options for a visual barrier for the subject property.
Councillor P. Singh returned to the meeting and this time and resumed the Chair.