Susan Lloyd Swail spoke opposition to the Notice of Motion as proposed on the agenda this date, stating if Council is not willing to vote against the motion, it was requested that the motion be deferred to a future meeting to ensure that any decisions that are being made, can be supported by facts and data. S. Lloyd Swail then responded to questions from Council.
Yvonne Fernandes addressed Council in opposition to the Notice of Motion proposed by Councillor P. Singh this date. Y. Fernandes then responded to questions from Council, noting there is significant pressure on the Countryside Line and where possible Council needs to try to help maintain that boundary as previously identified.
Councillor P. Singh further clarified that the proposed motion is the same advocacy Council had in 2022 when the Regional Official Plan was approved in 2022, noting the motion further supports the Countryside Line as proposed.
Paul Lowes, SGL Planning, addressed Council on behalf of Mattamy Homes, specifically related to the 10 hectares of land in the Southwest area of Kitchener that they own adjacent to the Schlegel lands. P. Lowes stated Mattamy Homes has approval for 4,000 units that are proposed to be built within the next 10 years. P. Lowes further advised, Mattamy Homes is prepared to help Council achieve their housing pledge target. P. Lowes requested Council amend the motion to include the lands identified as "BSF2 - Non-Protected Countryside Lands", which was previously raised by Schlegel Developments.
Hal Jaeger spoke in opposition to the Notice of Motion on the floor for Council's consideration this date, and requested Council consider deferring the decision on the motion by one week to ensure any decision made is based on facts; and, to permit the involvement of the two members of Council presently on a leave of absence. H. Jaeger further requested that Council support ROPA6, as approved by Regional Council in August 2022.
Pierre Chauvin addressed Council on behalf of the Homebuilders Association. P. Chauvin stated home builders are required to build complete communities and as an association are in support of the motion on the floor, but would recommend an amendment to include all the lands set out by the Provincial Changes in order to meet current and future targets for the Community.
Dave Aston addressed Council on behalf of Activa in support of the motion on the floor. D. Aston stated the motion provides for good development, support of all housing types and the inclusion of the southwest lands. D. Aston stated the City has been requested to provide input, as to how Kitchener plans for the long-term. D. Aston stated this is another demonstration of how Council is planning for the long-term.
In response to questions related to a deferral, it was noted the Minister has requested input, no later than December 7, 2023, indicating this would be the last opportunity for Council to consider this matter within the requested deadline.
Questions were raised regarding subdivision approvals and whether the City could impose deadlines for completion as part of their approval. J. Readman stated the Planning Act does allow for deadlines to be imposed, if developers are not able to achieve those deadlines, they would be required to submit for another approval.
Councillor B. Ioannidis brought forward a an amendment, which was seconded by Councillor S. Davey to include the following additional Clauses:
"WHEREAS the land parcels identified as Part of the lands legally described as:
LT 144 GERMAN COMPANY TRACT KITCHENER; PT LT 143 GERMAN COMPANY TRACT KITCHENER AS IN 368142, T/W 368142 PARTIALLY RELEASED BY WR154625; KITCHENER (Being all of PIN: 227280027); and,
Part of the lands legally described as:
PART LOT 141 GERMAN COMPANY TRACT KITCHENER, PART LOT 142 GERMAN COMPANY TRACT KITCHENER AND PART LOT 143 GERMAN COMPANY TRACT KITCHENER, PARTS 1 & 2 PLAN 58R20966; S/T EASEMENT OVER PART LOT 142 GERMAN COMPANY TRACT KITCHENER, PART 2 PLAN 58R20966 AS IN 949187; S/T EASEMENT OVER PART LOT 142 GERMAN COMPANY TRACT KITCHENER, PART 2 PLAN 58R20966 AS IN 1011823 (EASEMENT 1011823 PARTIALLY RELEASED AS IN WR1546625 & WR1190463 CITY OF KITCHENER (Registry PIN: 227281206)PART LOT 141 GERMAN COMPANY TRACT KITCHENER, PART LOT 142 GERMAN COMPANY TRACT KITCHENER AND PART LOT 143 GERMAN COMPANY TRACT KITCHENER, PARTS 1 & 2 PLAN 58R20966; S/T EASEMENT OVER PART LOT 142 GERMAN COMPANY TRACT KITCHENER, PART 2 PLAN 58R20966 AS IN 949187; S/T EASEMENT OVER PART LOT 142 GERMAN COMPANY TRACT KITCHENER, PART 2 PLAN 58R20966 AS IN 1011823 (EASEMENT 1011823 PARTIALLY RELEASED AS IN WR1546625 & WR1190463 CITY OF KITCHENER (Registry PIN: 227281206)
And More particularly shown as “Lands added to the Urban Area by the Minister, and outside the Regionally adopted Countryside Line” on the mapping attached hereto as Attachment A:
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- Was designated “Prime Agriculture Area”, rather than the more restrictive designation of “protected countryside” in the Regional Official Plan approved by the Ontario Municipal Board on June 18, 2015; and,
- Is readily serviced and could support new housing supply within the next five years;"
To strike the following clauses:
"WHEREAS the South Kitchener Planning Area (referred to as the subject area in Attachment A) lands are within the countryside line as defined in the Regional Official Plan approved by the Ontario Municipal Board on June 18, 2015 and can be comprehensively planned with the Dundee North Secondary Plan;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Kitchener supports the April 11, 2023 Minister’s Decision on ROPA No. 6 only in relation to the lands within the countryside line, and more particularly shown as ‘the subject area’ on the mapping attached hereto as Attachment A;"
and further to amend and include the following clause:
"THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Kitchener supports the April 11, 2023 Minister’s Decision on ROPA No. 6;
THERFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Kitchener urges developments within the subject lands be designed to net-zero carbon standards to the extent possible and include affordable housing options;"