Planning and Strategic Initiatives

Committee Minutes

Monday, February 13, 2023 at 7:00 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
• Councillor P. Singh
• Councillor B. Ioannidis
• Councillor M. Johnston
• Councillor D. Chapman
• Councillor A. Clancy

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
• D. McGoldrick, General Manager, Infrastructure Services
• G. Stevenson, Interim Director of Planning
• C. Dumart, Senior Planner
• B. Bateman, Senior Planner
• D. Saunderson, Deputy Clerk
• M. Blake, Committee Administrator

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1.

Commencement

The Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee held a meeting this date commencing at 7:45 p.m.

2.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof

2.1

Mayor B. Vrbanovic - Official Plan Amendment Application OPA22/02/F/BB, Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA22/02/F/BB, 142-146 Fergus Avenue, 2467491 Ontario Inc., DSD-2023-051

Mayor B. Vrbanovic declared a conflict with regards to the Official Plan Amendment Application OPA22/02/F/BB, Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA22/02/F/BB, 142-146 Fergus Avenue, 2467491 Ontario Inc., DSD-2023-051, due to owning property within the vicinity of the subject property and did not participate in any voting or discussion on the matter.

3.

Consent Items

3.1

None.

4.

Public Hearing Matters under the Planning Act (7:00 p.m.)

This is a formal public meeting to consider applications under the Planning Act.  If a person or public body does not make oral or written submissions to the City of Kitchener before the proposed applications are considered, the person or public body may not be entitled to appeal the decision to the Ontario Land Tribunal and may not be added as a party to a hearing of an appeal before the Ontario Land Tribunal.

4.1

Official Plan Amendment Application OPA22/02/F/BB, Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA22/02/F/BB, 142-146 Fergus Avenue, 2467491 Ontario Inc., DSD-2023-051

Due to the previously declared conflict Mayor B. Vrbanovic did not participate in any voting or discussion on this matter.

The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD-2023-051, dated January 10, 2023, recommending approval of an Official Plan Amendment Application OPA22/02/F/BB and Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA22/02/F/BB for the property municipally addressed as 142-146 Fergus Avenue. 

B. Bateman, Senior Planner presented the report. G. Stevenson, Interim Director, Planning was also in attendance to respond to questions from the Committee. 

K. Barsidale, GSP Group provided a brief presentation regarding the application, noting key considerations in the development process included parkland dedication, parking and traffic, compatibility, tree loss and protection, proposed density and affordability. K. Barisdale was also in attendance to respond to questions from the Committee. 

In response to questions from the Committee, K. Barisdale noted creating additional units for affordable housing would likely result in a parking reduction. K. Barisdale stated the area is not considered a major public transportation point, and provision of adequate quantity of parking has been a challenge. 

In response to questions from the Committee, K. Barisdale noted the park space at the proposed development would become municipal property. K. Barisdale also stated an angular planes analysis was performed to assist in addressing any privacy concerns.

C. Michaud left the meeting at this time. 

Councillor S. Davey requested staff be directed to work with the applicant to potentially increase the density and possibility of accommodating affordable housing units, and to report information back at the February 27, 2023 Council Meeting.

C. Michaud returned to the meeting at this time. 

Councillor P. Singh left the meeting at this time, and Councillor D. Chapman assumed chair.

In response to questions from the Committee, B. Bateman confirmed a traffic impact study was conducted, and noted staff had no concerns regarding the proposed development's impact on traffic in the area. 

P. Singh re-entered the meeting and resumed chair.

• On motion by Councillor D. Schnider

  it was resolved:

  "That Official Plan Amendment Application OPA22/02/F/BB for 2467491 Ontario Inc. requesting a change to the Land Use Designation on the parcel of land specified and illustrated on Schedule ‘A’, be adopted, in the form shown in the Official Plan Amendment as Appendix “A” to Development Services Department report DSD-2023-051, and be forwarded to the Region of Waterloo for approval; and,

  That Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA22/02/F/BB for 2467491 Ontario Inc. for the property municipally addressed as 142-146 Fergus Avenue, be approved in the form shown in the “Proposed By-law” and “Map No. 1” attached as Appendix “B” to Report DSD-2023-051; and,

  That the Urban Design Brief prepared by GSP Group Inc. and attached as Appendix “C” to report DSD-2023-051 be adopted, and that staff be directed to apply the Urban Design through the Site Plan Approval process; and further,

  That staff be directed to work with the applicant to potentially increase the density and possibility of accommodating affordable housing units, and to report information back at the February 27, 2023 Council Meeting."

  Carried, as amended

4.2

Zoning By-law Amendment ZBA/22/027/B/CD , Blocks 22, 25, 28 and Part of Blocks 20,21, 23, 24, 26, 27, 29 Plan 58M-643, (Trussler West Subdivision), Activa Holdings Inc., DSD-2023-054 

The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD-2023-054, dated January 13, 2023, recommending approval of Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA22/027/B/CD, for the vacant property known municipally as Blocks 22, 25, 28 and part of blocks 20, 21, 23, 24, 26, 27, 29 Plan 58M-643 (Trussler West Subdivision). 

C. Dumart, Senior Planner presented a brief overview of the application, noting the proposed Zoning By-law Amendment provides for a development that is a compatible low rise residential use, that is appropriate for the neighborhood. G. Stevenson was also in attendance to respond to questions from the Committee. 

R. Wolff, MHBC Planning, addressed the Committee in support of Staff's recommendation, and was in attendance to respond to questions from the Committee. 

In response to questions from the Committee, R. Wolff clarified the proposed development has a total of 42 units. 

• On motion by Councillor A. Owodunni

  it was resolved:

  "That Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA22/027/B/CD for Activa Holdings Inc. for a vacant parcel identified as Blocks 22, 25, 28 and part of blocks 20, 21, 23, 24, 26, 27, 29 Plan 58M-643 (Trussler West Subdivision) be approved in the form shown in the “Proposed By-law”, and “Map No. 1”, attached to Development Services Department Report, DSD-2023-054 as Appendix “A”."

  Carried

5.

Information Items

5.1

None.

6.

Adjournment

On motion, this meeting adjourned at approximately 8:36 p.m.

 

Mariah Blake
Committee Administrator