Planning and Works Committee Minutes

Thursday, August 11, 2022 at 3:30 P.m. - 7:30 P.m.

150 Frederick Street, Kitchener, Ontario

Members Present:

• K. Redman, 
• B. Vrbanovic, 
• D. Jaworsky, 
• E. Clarke, 
• H. Jowett, 
• J. Erb, 
• J. Nowak, 
• K. McGarry, 
• L. Armstrong, 
• M. Harris, 
• S. Shantz, 
• S. Strickland, 
• S. Foxton, 
• and T. Galloway

Members Absent:

• G. Lorentz
• and K. Kiefer

Should you require an alternative format or a copy of the official minutes please contact the Regional Clerk at Tel.: [phone], TTY: 519-575-4605, or

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1.

Call to Order

Chair T. Galloway called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m.

Chair T. Galloway provided clarification that it is not the intent to have delegations for the August 18, 2022 Special Council meeting, but that the public is welcome to send in written submissions. He also specified that this course of action will depend on the decision made today, and if there are any changes to the Regional Official Plan (ROP) amendment between now and the August 18th Special Council meeting. 

2.

Land Acknowledgement

Chair T. Galloway provided a land acknowledgement.

3.

Declarations of Pecuniary Interest under the “Municipal Conflict of Interest Act”

B. Vrbanovic declared a deemed pecuniary interest on report PDL-CPL-22-24, Adoption of Proposed Amendment to the Regional Official Plan - Implementation of the Results of the Municipal Comprehensive Review under the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, due to a family member owning property along the proposed Ottawa St. intensification corridor.

4.

Presentations

4.1

Staff Presentation - The Proposed Regional Official Plan Amendment

Rod Regier, Commissioner, Planning, Development and Legislative Services and Danielle De Fields, Director, of Community Planning provided a presentation, which reviewed the objectives of the plan, community conversations, policy refinements and the next steps in the process of adopting a Regional Official Plan Amendment of this scope. A copy of the presentation is attached to the minutes.

R. Regier shared a summary of the responses provided for specific topics, such as Airbnb, Waterloo Region comparisons to the G7, and confirming the amount of land added through the last ROP and subsequently developed. He also provided a summary of community engagement throughout the process, which has included individual meetings, website visits on EngageWR, surveys, public events, presentations to Council, social media, and print ads and articles. R. Regier stressed that the ROP is a key tool to help the Region of Waterloo thrive in the future and that it is our responsibility to create an equitable, thriving, and sustainable community. 

R. Regier shared that staff have had a tremendously positive response to the 15 minute neighbourhood concept and that communities will be built to support this type of convenience, in both cities and townships. He also shared that the ROP is preparing to meet more people's housing needs through a more diverse housing mix and noted the importance of thinking holistically about building what meets the needs of our full community, including members of the workforce that are highly paid and less well paid. R. Regier also confirmed that the LNA analysis adheres to provincial methodology. 

D. De Fields provided an overview of the amendments, including policy updates. She noted that policy updates include new language around children and youth, a new policy regarding "priority consideration" in Ayr, and a refined missing middle policy and definition. D. De Fields outlined the next steps in the ROP process, which include consideration for adoption at today's Planning and Works meeting on August 11th, a Special Council meeting on August 18th, which will include a by-law of the adoption to amend the Regional Official Plan, and then staff will send the adopted plan to the Province for approval. She also noted that the 2nd amendment to the Regional Official Plan will be completed in 2022/2023.

 

5.

Delegations

Prior to the start of the delegations, the Committee reiterated that everyone has a voice and that if all voices are not heard, Council can not make good decisions.

5.1

Ian McLean, President/CEO, Greater KW Chamber of Commerce

Ian McLean was unable to appear, but submitted correspondence on behalf of the Greater KW and Cambridge Chambers of Commerce, which is attached to the minutes. 

5.2

Kevin Thomason, Co-Founder, Smart Growth Waterloo Region

Kevin Thomason, Cofounder, Smart Growth Waterloo Region appeared to share their support for the ROP amendment, noting that it is the bold and visionary plan, with a sustainability and climate change focus, that the Region will need. K. Thomason noted that aside from some of the development community and land speculators, almost all of the feedback from the public, area municipalities and local First Nations has been extremely positive and supportive. K. Thomason urged Council to approve the amendments with a strong, unanimous approval, noting that delaying or deferring is not in the best public interest.

5.3

Matthew Cory, Markham

Matthew Cory appeared on behalf of Schlegel Urban Developments Corp. in Kitchener to recommend a settlement area boundary expansion, which would include Schlegel lands. M. Cory stated that the lands can be planned as a complete community, they are adjacent to the primary settlement area of Kitchener, and that they are not designated by the Region as a protected countryside area. 

M. Cory asked for the Committee and Council to consider including those lands into the settlement area boundary, noting that they are not suggesting a delay on the ROP process, but requesting that they continue to work with staff through the ministerial approval process. A copy of their presentation is attached to the minutes. 

5.4

Lucas Zhang, Kitchener

Lucas Zhang of Kitchener shared their concerns with student housing around the University area and the need for mid to high density housing. L. Zhang expressed concerns with the inability to rezone two lots on Columbia Street to mid or high density, the cost of rent, the bid wars that are undertaken, and the strategic releasing of units to drive up the cost. L. Zhang asked for direction as to where should go for next steps on the rezoning process for the Columbia Street lots, as the original application was submitted in 2015.

The Committee asked staff to get in touch with L. Zhang.

5.5

Luca Bucci, CEO, Ontario Home Builders' Association and Alex Piccini, Manager of Government Relations, OHBA 

Alex Piccini appeared before the Committee on behalf of the Ontario Home Builder's Association, with regrets from Luca Bucci. A. Piccini stressed that it is essential to provide sufficient land for all housing needs to meet market demand, and that the consequences of not doing so include a scenario where buyers drive to qualify for appropriate and attainable housing, and that people and businesses will move elsewhere. 

A. Piccini shared that they do not agree with staff's LNA analysis and urged the Region to consider a medium density focused scenario, as the Region can not afford to get this wrong.

5.9

Tova Davidson, Executive Director, Sustainable Waterloo Region

Tova Davidson, Executive Director, Sustainable Waterloo Region spoke in support of the ROP amendment, how it is bold and innovative, and a strong foundation for where the Region of Waterloo needs to go. T. Davidson noted that the reason why we fight for this environment is because we are fighting for people, and this ROP amendment is people centric while being development positive. T. Davidson shared that one of the things the Waterloo Region is good at, is doing things differently. 

In response to the Committee, T. Davidson shared that they believe it is a business focused and economic prioritizing ROP. T. Davidson stated that businesses operate differently now and would encourage the Region to not look at how operated in the past but allow for that innovative, future vision, towards economic prosperity. 

5.6

Ryan Doherty, Bousfields Inc.

Ryan Doherty spoke on behalf of their client, Cook Lands Group. R. Doherty spoke about a specific urban boundary expansion request that was filed and asked that the lands be included within the urban boundary for employment lands. A copy of the map provided is attached. 

R. Doherty shared that the land is well located for employment uses and that they feel it is a logical expansion opportunity. R. Doherty noted that the staff recommendation is to not have the lands be included, but would like to bring this matter forth for Council and the Committee's consideration.

R. Doherty shared that the most significant concern for including the land in the expansion was the potential crossing of the countryside line, but stated that this alone should not be the determining factor, given the other planning and economic goals that could be achieved with the lands being included. R. Doherty also asked that the countryside line be reconsidered, as to whether it makes sense as a long term boundary in this location, and that adjustments be made when it makes sense to do so. 

5.7

Mark Reusser, Wilmot

Mark Reusser appeared as Vice President, Waterloo Federation of Agriculture to share their support for the ROP amendment, stating that it identifies the needs of the people here in Waterloo, noting that its visionary approach protects farmland and the natural environment, and provides a wide range of housing options.

M. Reusser asked Council to stand behind the amendment and give it their unanimous support. 

In response to the Committee, M. Reusser confirmed that the Waterloo Federation of Agriculture is doing everything in their power to help persuade the Province that there is value in agricultural land, and that aggregate under prime agricultural land should not be used as a resource. 

The Committee recessed from 5:05 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.

5.8

Kae Elgie, Waterloo

Kae Elgie of Waterloo appeared in front of the Committee to express their thanks to the planning staff for the amount of work they have done, for so many consultation opportunities, and for an ROP amendment which addresses the community's needs. K. Elgie noted that we need local farmland and that the food inflation being experienced is mostly related to transportation costs, which will only increase the more we need to import. K. Elgie stated that people need a healthy environment, thriving farms and countryside, and a greener, more resilient and sustainable community. 

K. Elgie urged Council to vote yes unanimously and to not delay or defer. 

A copy of K. Elgie's presentation is attached to the minutes.

6.

Regular Agenda Items

Regional Chair K. Redman read a letter by Chief Mark Hill of the Six Nations of the Grand River. A copy of the letter is attached to the minutes. 

6.1

PDL-CPL-22-24, Adoption of Proposed Amendment to the Regional Official Plan – Implementation of the Results of the Municipal Comprehensive Review under the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe

The Committee discussed and deliberated the proposed ROP amendment, including the need for a transit study within the rural communities, desire for a made in Waterloo plan, 15 minute complete neighbourhoods and housing affordability. 

B. Vrbanovic raised concerns with not allowing delegations at the August 18th Special Council meeting, noting the tight turnaround times from when meeting materials are available and the importance of providing people with an opportunity to delegate. Chair T. Galloway confirmed that written submissions will be accepted. 

In response to the Committee, R. Regier noted that it is a concern that the Chambers of Commerce are not satisfied with the analysis, but that no information has been provided to staff that would fundamentally change the analysis that staff have prepared. R. Regier shared his confidence in the analysis and that it will stand up to careful scrutiny, further confirming that the anticipated change in the demographic structure within our community is fully accounted for. 

In response to the Committee, R. Regier noted that the ROP amendment is a high level document and that next steps would include a detailed planning process, where each municipality would go through the amendment process for their own official plans.

In response to the Committee, R. Regier confirmed that the Region of Waterloo is obliged to review the ROP every five years, but that when provincial policy changes, a municipal comprehensive review will need to be undertaken. 

In response to the Committee, D. De Fields confirmed that there have been regular meetings between Regional staff and the staff of the municipal affairs and housing, where Regional staff have presented the methodology used and no concerns have been raised. 

The Committee thanked staff and everyone in the community who has been engaged in the process. 

Regional Chair K. Redman asked for a recorded vote. 

J. Erb joined the meeting at 5:39 PM. ()

• Moved by D. Jaworsky
  Seconded by E. Clarke

  That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo take the following actions with respect to the proposed recommended amendment to the Regional Official Plan (ROP) as outlined in Report PDL-CPL-22-24, dated August 11, 2022:

  a. That a Regional Intensification Corridor be included in the proposed ROP amendment along Ottawa Street, as reflected in the schedules and policies of the proposed ROP amendment outlined in Attachment A

  In Favor (12)	D. Jaworsky, E. Clarke, H. Jowett, J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, K. McGarry, L. Armstrong, S. Shantz, S. Strickland, S. Foxton, and T. Galloway
  Opposed (1)	M. Harris
  Conflict (1)	B. Vrbanovic

  Carried (12 to 1)
• Moved by D. Jaworsky
  Seconded by E. Clarke

  That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo take the following actions with respect to the proposed recommended amendment to the Regional Official Plan (ROP) as outlined in Report PDL-CPL-22-24, dated August 11, 2022:

  b. Enact a By-law to repeal Chapters 1 and 2, and Section 3. A of the existing ROP, and adopt the proposed new Chapters 1 and 2, and Section 3.A as set out in the proposed ROP amendment in Attachment A;

  c. Direct staff to issue a Notice of Adoption for the proposed ROP amendment in accordance with the provisions of the Planning Act;

  d. Direct staff to forward the proposed ROP amendment and all required supporting documents to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for approval, and forward this report to the local area municipalities for information; and

  e. Direct staff to work with the Ministry to approve the proposed ROP amendment, including incorporating any modifications to the amendment deemed necessary by the Ministry, and report back to Council as required.

  In Favor (12)	B. Vrbanovic, D. Jaworsky, E. Clarke, H. Jowett, J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, K. McGarry, L. Armstrong, S. Shantz, S. Strickland, and T. Galloway
  Opposed (2)	M. Harris, and S. Foxton

  Carried (12 to 2)

7.

Information/Correspondence

Chair T. Galloway acknowledged the correspondence that has been received. He noted that any correspondence received after the addendum agenda was sent and before the start of the meeting is listed below. He confirmed that the correspondence has been shared with the Committee, and is attached to the minutes.

8.

Other Business

9.

Next Meeting - Regional Official Plan

10.

Adjourn

• Moved by M. Harris
  Seconded by L. Armstrong

  That the meeting adjourn at 6:32 p.m.

  Carried