Planning and Strategic Initiatives

Committee Minutes

Monday, January 06, 2025 at 6:30 P.m. - 8:30 P.m.

Council Chambers - Hybrid

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

Staff:

• D. Chapman, Chief Administrative Officer
• J. Readman, General Manager, Development Services
• R. Bustamante, Director of Planning and Housing Policy
• G. Stevenson, Director of Development and Housing Approvals
• J. Oosertveld, Manager, Customer Experience and Project Management
• E. Schneider, Senior Planner
• K. Anderl, Project Manager
• D. Saunderson, Deputy Clerk
• M. Blake, Committee Coordinator

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1.

Commencement

The Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee held a meeting this date commencing at 6:31 p.m.

2.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof

None.

3.

Consent Items

3.1

None.

4.

Discussion Items

4.1

None.

5.

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.  

5.1

Annual Zoning By-law Update, DSD-2025-003

The Committee considered Development Services Department report, DSD-2025-003, dated December 4, 2024, recommending adoption of City-initiated Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA24/025/K/KA; and, approval of a new Legal Services Administrator Full Time Equivalent position to support zoning review and the securement of planning approvals.

K. Anderl, Project Manager provided an overview of the report. J. Oosertveld, Manager, Customer Experience and Project Management, and R. Bustamante, Director of Planning and Housing Policy were also in attendance to respond to questions from the Committee. 

In response to questions from the Committee, J. Readman, General Manager, Development Services noted a new Legal Services Administrative full-time employee (FTE), is being requested to ensure the Legal Division can adequately and effectively resource the review of development applications within the prescribed timeframes. D. Chapman, Chief Administrative Officer noted a time study and lean review was also conducted regarding the addition of a new Legal Services Administrative full-time employee.

Councillor D. Chapman brought forward a motion to refer the recommendation outlined in Development Services Department report, DSD-2025-003 to the January 20, 2025 Council meeting to allow staff the opportunity to provide additional information regarding the need for a new Legal Services Administrator full-time employee (FTE) position.

• On motion by Councillor D. Chapman

  it was resolved:

  “That the following recommendation be referred to the January 20, 2025, Council Meeting to allow staff the opportunity to provide additional information regarding the need for a new Legal Services Administrator full-time employee (FTE) position:

  That City-initiated amendment ZBA24/025/K/KA (Annual Zoning By-law Update) to Zoning By-law 85-1, be approved in the form shown in the ‘Proposed By-law’ attached to Development Services Department report, DSD-2025-003 as Appendix “A”, and;

  That City-initiated amendment ZBA24/025/K/KA (Annual Zoning By-law Update) to Zoning By-law 2019-051, be approved in the form shown in the ‘Proposed By-law’ attached to Development Services Department report, DSD-2025-003, as Appendix “B”, and further;

  That a new Legal Services Administrator FTE position be approved to support zoning review and the required legal administration of securing planning approvals to support the timely review of development applications in accordance with the timeframes prescribed by Provincial legislation."

  Carried

5.2

Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA21/012/W/ES, 400 Westwood Drive, Zakia Kardumovic and Anel Kardumovic, DSD-2025-004

The Committee considered Development Services Department report, DSD-2025-004, dated December 2, 2024, recommending adoption of Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA21/012/W/ES, for the property municipally addressed as 400 Westwood Drive. It was noted a written submission was received by J. Chapman. 

E. Schneider, Senior Planner provided an overview of the report. G. Stevenson, Director of Development and Housing Approvals was also in attendance to respond to questions from the Committee. 

C. Tsimenidis, Arcadis Professional Services Inc. was in attendance in support of the staff recommendation, noting key planning, environmental and transportation considerations regarding the proposed development.

In response to questions from the Committee, C. Tsimenidis confirmed an arborist report and tree preservation enhancement plan was prepared, recommending measures including: phased tree protection fencing during demolition, implementing a tree protection zone, and removing felled trees directly after removal and prohibiting storage of lumber or brush on-site. C. Tsimenidis confirmed a total of 33 trees were selected to be removed as a result of the proposed development. 

In response to further questions, C. Tsimendidis noted during the building permit and access permit stage, the proposed five driveways may be combined into three driveways/accesses along Westwood Drive, resulting in additional on-street parking spaces. 

A. Sahinovic and K. Lawson were in attendance in opposition to the proposed application, noting concerns regarding tree protection, potential impacts on abutting properties, the change in lot fabric and traffic concerns:

Councillor M. Johnston brought forward a motion to refer the recommendation outlined in Development Services Department report, DSD-2025-004 to the January 20, 2025 Council meeting to allow community members, the applicant, and staff the opportunity to have further conversation regarding tree protection, potential impacts on abutting properties, the change in lot fabric and traffic concerns.

• On motion by Councillor M. Johnston

  it was resolved:

  “That the following recommendation be referred to the January 20, 2025, Council Meeting to allow community members, the applicant, and staff the opportunity to have further conversation regarding tree protection, potential impacts on abutting properties, the change in lot fabric and traffic concerns:

  "That Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA21/012/W/ES requesting to amend Zoning By-law 2019-051, for the property municipally addressed as 400 Westwood Drive, for Zakia Kardumovic and Anel Kardumovic be approved in the form shown in the ‘Proposed By-law’, and ‘Map No. 1’, attached to Development Services Department report, DSD-2025-004, as Attachments ‘A1’ and ‘A2.’ "

  Carried

6.

Information Items

6.1

None.

7.

Adjournment

On motion, this meeting adjourned at 8:07  p.m.

Mariah Blake
Committee Coordinator