Council Meeting Minutes

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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 (virtually)
  • Councillor C. Michaud
  • Councillor A. Owodunni
  • Councillor P. Singh
  • Councillor B. Ioannidis
  • Councillor M. Johnston
  • Councillor D. Chapman
  • Councillor S. Stretch
Staff:
  • D. Chapman, Chief Administrative Officer
  • M. May, General Manager, Community Services and Deputy Chief Administrator
  • V. Raab, General Manager, Corporate Services
  • J. Readman, General Manager, Development Services
  • J. Lautenbach, Chief Financial Officer, Financial Services
  • L. MacDonald, City Solicitor
  • R. Bustamante, Director Planning & Housing Policy
  • G. Stevenson, Director, Development & Housing Approvals
  • B. Rowland, Director, Corporate Communications and Marketing
  • D. Becks, Director, Facilities Management
  • A. Fusco, Director Legislated Services / City Clerk
  • D. Saunderson, Deputy Clerk
  • O. Siddiqui, Project Manager, Customer Experience
  • E. Schneider, Senior Planner

1.
COMMENCEMENT

 

The meeting began with a Land Acknowledgement given by the Mayor and the singing of “O Canada.”

1.1
Commemoration of Black History Month - Hymn To Freedom

 

Mayor B. Vrbanovic recognized Black History Month and Black Heritage Month and the Hymn to Freedom was presented. 

2.
MINUTES FOR APPROVAL

 

On motion by Councillor A. Owodunni the minutes of the regular meeting held January 20, 2025, and special meetings held January 20 and 27, 2025 as mailed to the Mayor and Councillors, were accepted.

3.
DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF

 

None.

4.
COMMUNICATIONS REFERRED TO FILE

 

5.
PRESENTATIONS

 

5.1
Award of Achievement

 

Mayor B. Vrbanovic acknowledged that the City of Kitchener and the SDG Idea Factory were presented with the Excellence in City Building Award by the Economic Developers Council of Ontario's Awards of Excellence.

6.
DELEGATIONS

 

6.1
Winter Sidewalk Enforcement

 

Nancy Ashley was not in attendance for the item.

6.2
Kitchener Indoor Recreation Facility - Gymnasium Funding Update, CSD-2025-044, listed as item 12.1.c

This item has attachments. 
1.Item 6.2 - Staff Presentation.pdf

Council considered Community Services Department report CSD-2025-044, entitled Kitchener Indoor Recreation Facility - Gymnasium Funding Update, listed as item 12.1.c this date.

Councillor S. Davey left and returned to the meeting at this time.

Allister Scorgie, Explore Waterloo, Paul Paven, KW Predators Volleyball and Mike Quigley, KW Youth Basketball Association, addressed Council in support of the staff recommendation.

Councillor P. Singh left and returned to the meeting at this time.

J. Lautenbach, O. Siddiqui and D. Becks then responded to questions from Council.

Councillor M. Johnston left and returned to the meeting at this time. 

  • Moved byCouncillor P. Singh
    Seconded byCouncillor A. Owodunni

    "That, in order to avoid project cost escalations and delays in opening the Kitchener Indoor Recreation Complex, staff be directed to proceed with phase one of the two-phased construction of a new gymnasium at Schlegel Park, as outlined in Community Services Department report CSD-2025-044, that would support a wide diversity of community activities and events, as well as fast-growing sports such as basketball, volleyball and pickleball; and,

    That staff be authorized to use the $19,913,529 in debenture financing previously authorized by City Council on September 16, 2024, to fund this phase of the gym construction; and further,

    That staff be directed to continue with advocacy efforts with the federal and provincial governments to secure grant funding to help complete phase two of the gym construction and open the facility.

    In Favour (11)Mayor B. Vrbanovic, Councillor S. Davey, Councillor D. Schnider, Councillor C. Michaud, Councillor P. Singh, Councillor B. Ioannidis, Councillor M. Johnston, Councillor D. Chapman, Councillor A. Owodunni, Councillor J. Deneault, and Councillor S. Stretch
    Carried, unanimously on a recorded vote (11 to 0)

6.3
Official Plan Amendment Application OPA24/012/K/ES and Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA24/024/K/ES, 4611 King Street East, Imperial Oil Limited c/o LJM Developments, DSD-2025-025, and addendum report DSD-2025-053, listed as item 7.2.b

This item has attachments. 
1.Item 6.3 - Delegation Presentation - S. Brown.pdf
2.Item 6.3 - Written Submission - Pinegrove(1).pdf

Council considered Official Plan Amendment Application OPA24/012/K/ES and Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA24/024/K/ES, 4611 King Street East, Imperial Oil Limited c/o LJM Developments, DSD-2025-025,  listed as item 7.2.b, In addition it was noted that staff have provided an addendum report DSD-2025-053. In addition, Council was in receipt of a written submission from Pinegrove, entitled "updated report".

Brandon Flewwelling, GSP Group; Liaquat (LJ) Mian, LJM Developments; Andrew Steinsky, Paradigm Transportation Solutions Inc. delegated in support of the recommendation and highlighted the revised development application to reduce units from 726 to 583 units, maintain the same number of 493 parking spaces or 0.75% parking spaces per unit and a reduction in the heights of the buildings adjacent to King Street from 33 storeys to 26 storeys and a reduction of the interior tower to 18 storeys; for a total reduction of 11 storeys across the site. The delegates then responded to questions from Council.

Councillor P. Singh and B. Ioannidis left the meeting at this time.

Councillor B. Ioannidis returned to the meeting at this time.

Councillor P. Singh returned to the meeting at this time.

Councillor A. Owodunni left the meeting at this time.

Councillor S. Davey left and returned to the meeting at this time.

Stephanie Brown addressed Council in opposition of the recommendation noting concerns with the conformity of the proposed application with the surrounding neighbourhood.

Sharon Verley-Entz delegated in opposition of the recommendation highlighting the lack of infrastructure and amenities in the adjacent neighbourhood.

Beth Weckman addressed Council in opposition of the recommendation.

Eric Schneider, Senior Planner, Garett Stevenson, Director, Development and Housing Approvals, and Barry Cronkite, Director, Transportation, then responded to questions from Council regarding amenities available near the proposed development, Pineridge Community Association report and recommendations, ability to defer decision until master space planning is complete, traffic speeds along King Street and parking provisions.

Councillor P. Singh left and returned to the meeting at this time.

Councillor A. Owodunni returned to the meeting at this time.

Councillor S. Stretch left and returned to the meeting at this time.

Councillor D. Schnider left and returned to the meeting at this time.

Councillor P. Singh brought forward a motion to approve the recommendation as outlined in Addendum Report DSD-2025-053, including an amendment to require the applicant to provide 10 affordable housing units within the development, which was then seconded by Councillor D. Chapman.

A motion to defer consideration of the application to the March 3, 2025 Council meeting, was brought forward by Councillor P. Singh, to allow further opportunity to discuss concerns raised by the neighbourhood, including but not limited to building height, transportation impacts, site access, community amenities, and parking concerns, and was seconded by Councillor S. Davey.

  • Moved byCouncillor P. Singh
    Seconded byCouncillor D. Chapman

    “That the following recommendation be deferred to the March 3, 2025, Council Meeting to allow staff the opportunity to have further conversations with the applicant related to the matters including but not limited to: building height, transportation impacts, site access, community amenities, and parking concerns:

    "That Official Plan Amendment Application OPA/24/012/K/ES for Imperial Oil Limited c/o LJM Developments requesting to add Policy 15.D.12.80 to Section 15.D.12 and to add Specific Policy Area 80 to Map 5 – Specific Policy Areas in the Official Plan to facilitate a mixed use development having 586 residential dwelling units and 1,892 square metres of commercial space within two towers atop a shared podium with building heights of 18 and 26 storeys and a Floor Space Ratio (FSR) of 6.7, be approved, in the form shown in the Official Plan Amendment attached to Report DSD-2025-053 as Attachments ‘A1’ and ‘A2’, and,

    That Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA24/024/K/ES for Imperial Oil Limited c/o LJM Developments be approved in the form shown in the ‘Proposed By-law’, and ‘Map No. 1’, attached to Report DSD-2024-053 as Attachments ‘B1’ and ‘B2’, and further,

    That pursuant to Section 34(17) of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P. 13, as amended, further notice is not required to be given in respect to Zoning By-law Amendment ZBA24/024/K/ES.""

    Carried, as amended

6.4
Council proceedings to continue beyond 11:00 p.m.

 
  • Moved byCouncillor P. Singh
    Seconded byCouncillor M. Johnston

    “That pursuant to Section 25.4.16 of Chapter 25 (Council Procedure) of the Municipal Code, the Council proceedings this date shall be allowed to continue beyond 11:00 p.m. to conclude matters as listed on the agenda.”

    Carried

6.5
Evictions due to Renovations Report Back Timing, DSD-2025-051, listed at item 8.1

 

Council considered Development Services Department report DSD-2025-051, entitled Evictions due to Renovations Report Back Timing, listed at item 8.1. In addition, the city was in receipt of written submissions from ACORN and the Advocacy Centre for Tenants.

Zackery Smith, and Breanna Elaine Hill, addressed Council in support of the City passing a renoviction By-law.

Councillor P. Singh left and returned to the meeting at this time.

Councillor C. Michaud left and returned to the meeting at this time.

Lise Lindsay, delegated in support of Council passing a renoviction By-law.

Mayor B. Vrbanovic left the meeting at this time. Councillor S. Davey assumed the role of the Chair.

Martin Asling and Mo Markham addressed Council in support of expediting consideration and implementation of a renoviction by-law.

Mayor B. Vrbanovic returned to the meeting at this time and assumed the role of the Chair.

Jeff Donkersgoed, Eve Simpson, Greg Thornton, Ken Vogelpohl, Ryan Murdock  and Jacquie Wells delegated in support of Council considering and implementing a renoviction by-law earlier than June 2025.

Rosa Bustamante, Director of Planning & Housing Policy and Justin Readman, General Manager, Development Services then responded to questions from Council.

Councillor M. Johnson left and returned to the meeting at this time.

Mayor B. Vrbanovic acknowledged his participation in bringing forward a motion, to the Ontario Big City Mayor's (OBCM), which was adopted, regarding continued advocacy to the Province related to bad faith renovictions and the implementation provisions outlined in Bill 97.

Councillor Chapman expressed interest in approving option 2 as outlined in Report DSD-2025-051, which would require staff to report back at an earlier date than June 2025.

Amanda Fusco, Director, Legislated Services/City Clerk, advised for Council to consider option 2, a motion to reconsider the direction that was approved at June 24, 2024 Council meeting would be required. It was noted the motion would require 2/3 of the whole of Council for approval.

Councillor D. Chapman brought forward a motion that the direction provided at the June 24, 2024 Council meeting "That staff be directed to report come back in June 2025 reviewing impacts of the By-law thus far and to provide a further updates on any other “renovictions” By-laws within Ontario." be reconsidered, to allow Council to consider amending the timeline to receive a report back prior to that date, which was seconded by Councillor C. Michaud.

The motion to reconsider was then voted on and was LOST.

In response to questions from Council, R. Bustamante acknowledged staff are anticipating reporting back at a Standing Committee meeting on June 2, 2025.

6.6
Suspend the Rules - Motion to go Beyond Midnight

 

In accordance with Municipal Code Chapter 25 (Procedural By-law), Section 25.2.2 (Suspend the Rules), Mayor B. Vrbanovic requested a motion to suspend the rules to extend the proceedings of Council past midnight.

  • Moved byCouncillor B. Ioannidis
    Seconded byCouncillor C. Michaud

    “That approval be given for this meeting of Council to proceed for an additional hour beyond 12:00 a.m.”

    Carried

7.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

 

7.1
HERITAGE KITCHENER - FEBRUARY 4, 2025

 
  • Moved byCouncillor D. Chapman
    Seconded byCouncillor C. Michaud

    "That the report of Heritage Kitchener, dated February 4, 2025 listed as item 7.1.a on the agenda this date, be adopted."

    Carried

7.1.a
Heritage Permit Application HPA-2025-IV-003, 107 Courtland Avenue East, Replacement of 22 Windows and Front Doors on Front Façade, DSD-2025-024

 

  • "The pursuant to Section 33 of the Ontario Heritage Act, Heritage Permit Application HPA-2025-IV-003 requesting permission for:

      1. The replacement of 22 windows on the front façade with new window units, and;
      2. The replacement of the main entrance doors on the front façade with new doors

    for the property municipally addressed as 107 Courtland Avenue East, BE APPROVED in accordance with the supplementary information submitted with the application, as outlined in Development Services Department report, DSD-2025-024."

     

    Carried

7.2
PLANNING AND STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE - JANUARY 27, 2025

 
  • Moved byCouncillor P. Singh
    Seconded byCouncillor D. Chapman

    "That the report of the Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee, dated January 27, 2025, listed as item 7.2.a on the agenda this date, be adopted."

    Carried

7.2.a
Official Plan Amendment Application OPA24/005/K/CM, Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA24/008/K/CM, Hidden Valley Land Use Implementation Project, DSD-2024-292

 

  • “That the following recommendation be deferred to the May 26, 2025, Council Meeting, or sooner to allow staff the opportunity to conduct a site visit of the subject properties and have further conversations with the applicant, and Ward Councillor related to land use, transportation, environment and source water protection concerns:

    That City Initiated Official Plan Amendment OPA24/005/K/CM, for the purpose of implementing recommendations contained within the Hidden Valley Land Use Implementation Project, including amendments to mapping and text amendments, be approved, in the form shown in the Official Plan Amendment attached to Development Services Department report, DSD-2024-292 as Attachment ‘A’; and,

    That City Initiated Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA24/008/K/CM to amend Zoning By-law 2019-051, be approved in the form shown in the “Proposed By-law” attached to Report DSD-2024-292 as Attachment ‘B’; and further,

    That the Hidden Valley Residential Community Plan (as approved June 14, 1990) and Hidden Valley Industrial Community Secondary Plan (as approved October 19, 1981) be repealed in their entirety."

7.2.b
Official Plan Amendment Application OPA24/012/K/ES and Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA24/024/K/ES, 4611 King Street East, Imperial Oil Limited c/o LJM Developments, DSD-2025-025 and addendum report DSD-2025-053

This item has attachments. 
1.Follow Up Report OPA-ZBA- 4611 King Street East - DSD-2025-053 - DSD-2025-053.pdf
2.Attachment A- Revised Proposed Zoning By-law.pdf
3.Item 6.3 - Written Submission - Pinegrove.pdf
  • Carried, as amended, under Delegations

8.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

9.
NEW BUSINESS

 

10.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS - NIL

 

11.
BY-LAWS

 

12.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

 

On motion, Council resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole to consider its agenda and was Chaired by Councillor A. Owodunni.

12.1
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

 

12.1.a
2025 Appointments to the Heritage Kitchener Committee, COR-2025-063

This item has attachments. 
1.2025 Heritage Kitchener Committee Appointments.pdf
  • Moved byCouncillor D. Chapman

    it was resolved:

    "That effective February 10, 2025, Preston Arens and Nic E’Silva be appointed to the Heritage Kitchener Committee for the term ending November 15, 2026, or until a successor has been appointed, as outlined in Corporate Services Department report, COR-2025-063."

    Carried

12.1.b
Dangerous Dog Designation Appeal - Snider and Hillenaar, COR-2025-064

This item has attachments. 
1.Dog Designation - Snider and Hillenaar.pdf
  • Moved byCouncillor D. Chapman

    it was resolved:

    "That the decision of the Dog Designation Appeal Committee regarding an appeal filed by R. Snider and C. Hillenaar, wherein the Committee substitutes the designation of Dangerous Dog, applied to the dog ‘Murphy’ by the Humane Society of Kitchener-Waterloo and Stratford Perth, and pursuant to By-law 2014-142, and hereby designates “Murphy” as a Potentially Dangerous Dog, be ratified and confirmed with modified conditions, as outlined in Corporate Services Department report, COR-2025-064."

    Carried

12.1.c
Kitchener Indoor Recreation Facility - Gymnasium Funding Update, CSD-2025-044

This item has attachments. 
1.Kitchener Indoor Recreation Facility - Gymnasium Update - CSD-2025-044.pdf
2.CSD-2025-044 Appendix A.pdf
3.Appendix B EWR - Leter of Support.pdf
4.Appendix C Kitchener Soccer - Letter of Support.pdf
5.Appendix D KW Predators - Letter of Support.pdf
6.Appendix E KWYBA - Letter of Support.pdf
7.Appendix F POWWR - Letter of Support.pdf
8.Appendix G SOCA - Letter of Support.pdf
  • Carried, under Delegations

12.2
ITEMS ARISING FROM IN-CAMERA

 

12.2.a
Ontario Land Tribunal Matter - Legal Advice (Solicitor / client privilege and Litigation or potential litigation - Section 239 (2) (e) and (f)) , COR-2025-050

 
  • Moved byCouncillor B. Ioannidis

    “That the City Solicitor be authorized to enter into settlement negotiations relating to OLT case number OLT-22-002377; and,

    That the General Manager of Development Services be authorized to approve any settlement of OLT Case Number OLT-22-002377 in accordance with the direction given in-camera on February 10, 2025, and to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor; and further,

    That the General Manager of Development Services be authorized to execute any minutes of settlement pertaining to an approved settlement for OLT case number OLT-22-002377, to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor”

    Carried

13.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

 

On motion, Council rose from the Committee of the Whole.

  • Moved byCouncillor A. Owodunni
    Seconded byCouncillor D. Chapman

    “That the proceedings and the recorded pecuniary interests and conflicts taken in the meeting of the Committee of the Whole held this date, as attached hereto and forming part of these minutes are hereby adopted and confirmed."

    Carried

14.
BY-LAWS

 

15.
ADJOURNMENT

 

On motion, the meeting adjourned at 11:52 p.m.

No Item Selected