Council Meeting Agenda

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Council Chambers - Hybrid
City of Kitchener
200 King Street W, Kitchener, ON N2G 4G7

People interested in participating in this meeting can register online using the delegation registration form at www.kitchener.ca/delegation or via email at delegation@kitchener.ca. Please refer to the delegation section on the agenda below for registration in-person and electronic participation deadlines. Written comments received will be circulated prior to the meeting and will form part of the public record.

The meeting live-stream and archived videos are available at www.kitchener.ca/watchnow

*Accessible formats and communication supports are available upon request. If you require assistance to take part in a city meeting or event, please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994.*


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

Minutes to be accepted as circulated to the Mayor and Councillors (regular meeting held September 25, 2023, and special meetings held September 25, October 2,  2023) - Councillor M. Johnston

Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Michelle Adams, Program Assistant, Neighbourhood Development Office, to present Affiliated Group Long Service Volunteer Awards.

Pursuant to Council’s Procedural By-law, delegations are permitted to address the Committee for a maximum of five (5) minutes. All Delegations where possible are encouraged to register prior to the start of the meeting. For Delegates who are attending in-person, registration is permitted up to the start of the meeting. Delegates who are interested in attending virtually must register by 5:00 p.m. on October 16, 2023, in order to participate electronically.

That pursuant to Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, the Clerk be directed to publish a Notice of Intention to Designate the property municipally addressed as 79-87 Scott Street/66-82 Weber Street East as being of cultural heritage value or interest, as outlined in Development Services Department report DSD-2023-416.

That pursuant to Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, the Clerk be directed to publish a Notice of Intention to Designate the property municipally addressed as 120 Victoria Street South as being of cultural heritage value or interest, as outlined in Development Services Department report DSD-2023-410.

That pursuant to Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, the Clerk be directed to publish a Notice of Intention to Designate the property municipally addressed as 28 Burgetz Avenue as being of cultural heritage value or interest, as outlined in Development Services Department report DSD-2023-412.

That a traffic calming review for Dumfries Avenue between Stirling Avenue North and Edna Street be initiated in 2023, as outlined in the Development Services Department report, DSD-2023-408.

That Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA23/026/M/BB for the property municipally addressed as 7 Morrison Road, for Klondike Homes Ltd. for the purpose of removing Holding Provision 42H from the lands specified in the attached Map No.1, in the form shown in the “Proposed By-law, attached to the Development Services Department report DSD-2023-408 as Appendix A, be approved.

That Official Plan Amendment Application OPA/23/012/W/CD, for the property municipally addressed as 83-87 Weber Street East, for Brigade Holdings Corporation requesting a land use designation change from ‘Market District’ to ‘Market District with Specific Policy Area 9’ to permit a 25-storey mixed use development on the lands specified and illustrated on Schedule ‘A’, be adopted, in the form shown in the Official Plan Amendment attached to Report DSD-2023-322 as Appendix ‘A’, and accordingly forwarded to the Region of Waterloo for approval; and,

That Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA23/022/W/CD for Brigade Holdings Corporation be approved in the form shown in the ‘Proposed By-law’, and ‘Map No. 1’, attached to Report DSD-2023-299 as Appendix ‘B; and further,

That staff engage with the applicant for additional density, along with the addition of affordable housing and additional community benefits and report back for the October 16, 2023 Council meeting.

Mayor B. Vrbanovic has given notice to introduce the following motion for consideration this date:

"WHEREAS Kitchener approved the Housing for All strategy in 2020 with a commitment to enabling more housing options and supply across the full housing spectrum; and

WHEREAS between 2016 and 2021, Kitchener experienced a population increase of 9.9 percent and is forecasted to grow by 52% to 409,200 people by 2051; and

WHEREAS in March 2023, Kitchener Council approved a commitment to the Ontario government’s Housing Pledge that included a provincially mandated housing target for Kitchener of 35,000 units by 2031; and

WHEREAS Kitchener approved a Missing Middle and Affordable Housing Study in April 2023 that among other things, recommended increasing density permissions city-wide to enable an increased supply of missing middle housing; and

WHEREAS the Government of Canada’s Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) grant program represents an opportunity for the City to refine the policies, procedures and processes to manage development in an effort to increase the supply of housing consistent with our Housing for All Strategy and our Housing Pledge; and

WHEREAS the City of Kitchener currently permits “as-of-right” building permits for up to 3 residential units on a lot; and

WHEREAS the City of Kitchener would like to provide more affordable housing options by reducing unnecessary barriers; and 

WHEREAS Bill 23 amended the Planning Act to create a new provincial threshold for what is permitted and moving toward “as-of-right” zoning to meet planned minimum density targets; 

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:

    1. That staff BE DIRECTED to propose a zoning by-law amendment that would permit “as-of-right” permissions for up to four (4) residential units on a property wherever zoning permits single detached, semi-detached or street townhouse dwelling units on sufficient lot sizes and report back to Council in Q1 2024. The implementing zoning by-law may address criterion such as servicing capacity to support the proposed units."

Councillor P. Singh has given notice to introduce the following motion for consideration this date:

"WHEREAS, the City of Kitchener has a long-standing informal park dedication program that allows citizens, organizations, and businesses to dedicate trees, benches, and other amenities throughout our city's parks, trails, and public spaces;

WHEREAS, the current dedication process may involve unnecessary complexities, leading to delays and inefficient management of resources;

WHEREAS, the Places and Spaces strategy development underway includes a review of the dedication program and community engagement has demonstrated support for a formalized dedication program;

WHEREAS, the review of the dedication program will ensure that the dedication process is streamlined, transparent, and accessible, maximizing citizen participation and satisfaction;

WHEREAS, the dedication of trees, benches, and other objects under this program holds significant value for commemorating loved ones, celebrating accomplishments, and fostering community engagement;

WHEREAS, it is essential for the City of Kitchener to maintain an efficient and effective dedication program that aligns with our commitment to sustainability, inclusive community development, the City’s strategic initiatives and goals, and responsible resource management; 
 
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that staff be directed to conduct a thorough review of the dedication program, with a key focus on the dedication process for trees, benches, and other commemorative donations; 
 
FURTHERMORE, this review shall include, but not be limited to, the following aspects:
 
1. Evaluation of the current dedication program's strengths and weaknesses, including feedback from Council, citizens, program participants, and relevant community stakeholders;
 
2. Analysis of the administrative procedures involved in the dedication process, aiming to identify potential bottlenecks and areas for improvement;
 
3. Examination of best practices and lessons learned from other municipalities with successful dedication programs for similar amenities;
 
4. Assessment of resource allocation and cost recovery mechanisms related to dedications, ensuring sustainability and equitable access for all community members;
 
5. Exploration and recommendation of technological solutions, such as online platforms or mobile applications, that could streamline the dedication process while ensuring transparency and accountability;
 
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the staff shall present their findings and recommendations to City Council in spring of 2024, along with an implementation plan for any proposed changes to the dedication program."

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