Council considered Development Service Department report DSD-2024-005 and Follow-up Report DSD-2024-128, Growing Together - Protected Major Transit Station Area Land use and Zoning Framework, dated March 14, 2024, listed as item 6.1 on the agenda this date. It was noted this matter was initially considered at the Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee on January 29, 2024 and further at Council on February 12, 2024, and was deferred to the meeting this date to allow an opportunity for staff to further dialogue with the residents who provided oral or written submissions through those meetings and to respond to any of the concerns that were raised.
Council was also in receipt of written submissions from J. Seeds, JD Development Group – on behalf of 39 & 51 Church St & 69 & 73 Benton Street, M. Morgenroth W. and N. Altmeyer, K. Barisdale, GSP Group, S. Litt, Vive Development, H. Jaeger, M. Hay, K. Muir, L. Menard, J. Stemberger, D. Parker, P. Heidebrecht, S. Head, and D. Kuehl related to the subject Official Plan and Zone Change applications.
J. Readman, General Manager, Development Services Department, provided an overview of the supplemental report to DSD-2024-005. N. Goss, Manager, Policy and Research, outlined the supplementary engagement methods completed since the initial consideration of the matter on January 29, 2024, noting staff further engaged with the public as follows: circulation of additional materials in graphic form to communicate principles of the Growing Together framework, a community open house conducted on February 29, 2024 with approximately 30 community members in attendance, and the occurrence of 14 meetings with landowners, members of the development industry and consultants about site specific matters. It was noted staff evaluated a total of 56 submissions as seen in Table 1 of DSD-2024-005.
N. Goss noted staff are requesting a small amendment to the documents provided, noting since the publishing of the Council agenda this past Friday, two omissions have been identified. The report before Council indicated a recommended change in land use to Strategic Growth Area B for 23-31 Cedar Street North and 18 to 26 Madison Avenue North. This recommended change was missed on the Official Plan amendment and the correct map has been provided to the City Clerk for inclusion on the public record. Additionally, two notes were missed in Table 6-5 the purpose of which is to clarify regulations about building length and floor plate area for buildings less than 12-storeys. Should Council approve the Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments in front of them today, these changes will be reflected as presented.
M. Haye, Waterloo Region Council of Canadians, was in attendance in support of the staff report, noting the significant links between Inclusionary Zoning and the Growing Together Framework.
M. Morgenroth was in attendance in opposition to the staff recommendation, requesting the recommendation be refused due to concerns with safety of neighborhoods, and the potential decrease in a sense of community with increased vertical developments.
K. Barsidale, GSP Group, was in attendance on behalf of 49 to 55 Pine Street, requesting consideration be given to designating the properties as Strategic Growth Area B and zoned Strategic Growth Area 3: High Rise Growth Zone (Limited) as part of the Growing Together initiative. K. Barisdale was also in attendance on behalf of 115 Benton Street requesting consideration be given to designating the property as Strategic Growth Area 3.
S Litt, Vive Development, was in attendance in opposition to the staff recommendation, noting concerns with potential financial increases, as well as potential increases to construction timelines, which may impact renters and buyers alike.
P. Nickels was in attendance in support of the staff report, requesting consideration be given to further deferring the transitional zoning between SGA-1 and SGA-4 zones along Joseph Street between Ontario Street and Victoria Street until after the Official Plan review, and, greater tree protection measures to continue to support the City’s goal of 30% tree canopy in each ward by 2050.
H. Jaeger was in attendance in support of the Growing Together Framework, requesting Council consider further amending the proposed Official Plan and Zoning By-law to include that "zoning permissions do not necessarily reflect heritage preservation requirements into the Official Plan, after proposed Section 15.D.2.8.", and that "Item A in 2019-051 Zoning By-law Section 4.14.8.1 'Patios, decks and outdoor recreation associated with a restaurant may project into a required yard provided that they are located a minimum of 30m from any residential zone.'"
D. Aston, MHBC Planning, addressed Council on behalf of 178, 188, 196 and 202 Queen Street South as well as 15 Joseph Street, noting support for the staff recommendation as presented in the initial report, DSD-2024-005
W. Eckhardt was in attendance in support of the staff recommendation, noting support for making walkable communities where possible.
D. Galbraith, Up Consulting Ltd, was in attendance on behalf of Ontario Seed Company and Fitzrovia Residential Development, noting support for the staff recommendation proposed in the report, DSD-2024-128.
M. Doherty attended in support of the staff recommendation, stating the zoning outlined should be expanded beyond the Major Transit Station Area, and additional steps should be taken to address affordable housing.
Mayor B. Vrbanovic left the meeting at this time and Councillor S. Davey assumed the Chair.
M. Bowman was in attendance in support of the staff recommendation, noting the framework offers the opportunity to create connected communities, where most of a person’s daily needs can be met with a short walk, ride, roll or transit ride.
B. Flewwelling, GSP Group, and P. Benninger addressed the Committee on behalf of 60 Ottawa Street, 97 Kent Street 449 Charles Street, requesting the lands indicated be included in the Growing Together Framework outlined in DSD-2024-005.
A. Sinclair, MHBC Planning, addressed the Committee in support of the supplemental report following their meeting with staff.
A. Head, Dryden Smith and Head Planning, addressed the Committee on behalf of 286-296 Ottawa Street and additional properties surrounding Weber Street, Cedar Street, Duke Street and Scott Street in opposition to the staff recommendation. A. Head noted concerns with staff's designating 286-296 Ottawa Street SGA-2, and requested the lands instead be zoned SGA-3.
A. Head also requested the Cedar/Weber street blocks be zoned SG3 or SGA-4.
J. Watson, G. Schenks, S. Gunz were in attendance in opposition to the staff recommendation.
Mayor B. Vrbanovic returned to the meeting at this time, and resumed the Chair.
The Committee recessed at 4:40 pm. and returned at approximately 4:50 p.m., chaired by Mayor B. Vrbanovic with all members present.
Staff provided additional information in response to the comments made by the delegations.
It was noted due to time constraints, this matter was being referred to the Council meeting later this date, to allow Council an opportunity to dialogue further regarding Growing Together - Protected Major Transit Station Area Land Use and Zoning Framework, DSD, 2024-128.