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Planning and Works Committee - November 2, 2004 Minutes   |
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9:00 a.m.
Council Chamber
150 Frederick Street, Kitchener, ON
Present were: Chair J. Wideman, K. Denouden, J. Haalboom, W. Roth, B. Strauss, K. Seiling and C. Zehr
Regrets: D. Craig and H. Epp
Others attending: R. Kelterborn and J. Mitchell
Meeting commenced at 9:00 a.m.
DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST UNDER THE MUNICIPAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST ACT
B. Strauss declared a conflict of interest with respect to Item 3 c) as he has a financial interest on adjacent property.
PRESENTATION
a) Alex Home, Airport Manager announced that the Region of Waterloo International Airport has been awarded top honours for innovative airport design by the Airport Management Conference of Ontario (AMCO). A. Home indicated the 2004 Innovation Award was presented to the Region of Waterloo based on the airport’s originality in terminal and security design.
b) Chris Thompson, Project Manager gave a brief overview of the Fischer-Hallman Road Improvements from Erb Street to Columbia Street in Waterloo Class Environmental Assessment project. He outlined the final recommended alternative consisting of the following:
• Widen the existing 2 lane road to a median divided 4 lane road (Alternative 3 - modified);
• Construct dedicated on-road cycling lanes;
• Construct intersection improvements at Columbia Street;
• Construct continuous multi-use trails/continuous sidewalks;
• Use of noise-reducing asphalt (if testing results are supportive); and
• Enhanced landscaping along rear-lotted residential properties to provide a visual screen
C. Thompson highlighted the public consultation process and addressed comments and questions raised in the Independent Noise Study commissioned by the Fischer-Hallman Neighbourhood Committee.
C. Thompson and John Hammer, Director, Transportation responded to questions and provided clarification regarding the implementation guidelines for noise policies, in particular, the provision that allows affected residents to request the Region to review the need for a noise wall within five (5) years of the road construction.
Staff also provided clarification and further details regarding the enhanced landscaping proposed.
DELEGATIONS
a) Keith Janke appeared before committee on behalf of various Condominium Corporations and Neighbourhood Associations supporting the need for noise barriers to be installed as part of the Fischer-Hallman Road Widening project. He stressed the importance for the noise barriers in order for the communities affected to maintain their quality of life. K. Janke urged the Region to recalculate the anticipated growth rates and revisit the noise study to see how actual traffic volumes measured directly correlate with sound levels.
b) Steve Schock provided illustrations outlining the various types of noise barriers found within the Region of Waterloo. He also provided illustrations showing the type of structures erected by residents in areas where noise barriers may not be warranted. He indicated the structures erected by individual residents are aesthetically unpleasing as they are inconsistent in their design and material types vary.
c) Maxine Walsh, on behalf of the Homeowners’ Associations and Condominium Corporations along Fischer-Hallman Road between Winchester Drive and Columbia Road. She urged the Region to install noise barriers indicating the widening of the roadway to four lanes will increase the noise levels and compromise the quality of life for residents.
Chair J. Wideman indicated correspondence has just been received from the City of Waterloo indicating Council supports the efforts of the Fischer-Hallman Neighbourhood Committee and hopes the Region of Waterloo does what it can within its mandate to deal with the noise issue. Chair Wideman also indicated he had received an email from Councillor Herb Epp requesting Committee members to consider directing staff to review the need for a noise wall within three (3) years following construction to determine whether noise wall attenuation is warranted.
Jim Archibald, Acting Commissioner of Transportation and Environmental Services indicated Section 5.5 of Part B of the policy indicates affected residents may request the Region to review the need for noise abatement within five (5) years, however, staff would be agreeable to a review after three (3) years.
Staff responded to additional questions regarding the type and size of landscaping proposed, consultation with individual landowners concerning the plantings and the potential for use of noise reducing asphalt.
Scott Penton, Rowan, Williams, Davies and Irwin provided clarification regarding the criteria established by the Ministry of the Environment and implemented by the Region for outdoor sound levels.
J. Mitchell suggested Committee consider undertaking a review of the Noise Policy to consider reducing the noise level of 65 decibels.
REPORTS – TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
a) E-04-074.1 Fischer-Hallman Road Improvements, Erb Street to Columbia Street, City of Waterloo, Filing of Class Environmental Assessment Study
MOVED by J. Haalboom
SECONDED by K. Seiling
THAT the Regional Municipality of Waterloo take the following actions with respect to the Class Environmental Assessment for Fischer-Hallman Road Improvements from Erb Street to Columbia Street in the City of Waterloo:
a) Approve the Recommended Design Alternative as described in Report E-04-074.1, dated November 2, 2004, and
b) Direct staff to file the Notice of Completion for this Class Environmental Assessment Study by means of advertisements in local newspapers and mailings to adjacent property owners, tenants, and agencies, and place the Environmental Study Report on the public record for a period of 30 days; and
c) Direct staff to review noise levels three (3) years after construction or at such time as Ira Needles Boulevard is completed and fully operational in accordance with Section 5.5, Part B of the Noise Policy.
CARRIED, as amended
b) E-04-054 Approval of Project and Approval to File Class Environmental Assessment for Mill Race Bridge Replacement, King Street, Cambridge
Chris Thompson appeared before Committee and responded to questions.
J. Haalboom requested staff consider an open railing design with respect to this bridge.
MOVED by K. Denouden
SECONDED by B. Strauss
THAT the Regional Municipality of Waterloo take the following actions with respect to the Class Environmental Assessment for the Mill Race Bridge Replacement Project, King Street, in the City of Cambridge:
a) Approve the plans described as Alternative 2B in Report E-04-054, dated November 2, 2004,
b) Direct staff to file the Notice of Completion for this Class Environmental Assessment Study by means of advertisements in local newspapers and mailings to adjacent property owners and agencies, and place the Project File on the public record for a period of 30 days; and
c) Authorize the Commissioner of Transportation and Environmental Services to execute a temporary easement agreement between the Region and Dover Flour Industries allowing the Region’s employees, agents and contractors to enter on to lands owned by Dover Flour Mills for the purposes of construction.
CARRIED
B. Strauss having declared a conflict of interest did not participate in discussions or vote on the matter.
c) E-04-088.1 Approval of Plans for Roadway Improvements on Lobsinger Line (Regional Road #15) in the Village of Heidelberg, Townships of Wellesley and Woolwich
Ross Kelterborn indicated a request has been received from Stemmler Meats to extend the roadway improvements on Lobsinger Line down to Lot 3037 to accommodate a new development.
Dave Kramp, Project Manager, indicated staff received the request yesterday and have not had sufficient time to consider all the implications of the request. He also indicated the request will be reviewed in more detail through the site plan approval process.
MOVED by W. Roth
SECONDED by J. Haalboom
THAT the Regional Municipality of Waterloo approve the plans for roadway improvements on Lobsinger Line as described in Report E-04-088.1, dated November 2, 2004, and amend Traffic and Parking By-law 00-032, as amended, upon construction of the improvements to reflect:
a) a reserved lane for bicycles and horse-drawn vehicles on both sides of Lobsinger Line from a point 230 metres west of Arthur Road to a point 370 metres east of Mary Street;
b) “No Parking Anytime” on the north side of Lobsinger Line from 230 metres west to 150 metres west of Arthur Road;
c) “No Parking Anytime” on the north side of Lobsinger Line from Arthur Road to 50 metres east of Arthur Road;
d) “No Parking Anytime” on the north side of Lobsinger Line from 130 metres east of Arthur Road to 45 metres west of Mary Street;
e) “No Parking Anytime” except Sunday 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., on the north side of Lobsinger Line from 45 metres west of Mary Street to 340 metres east of Mary Street;
f) “No Parking Anytime” on the north side of Lobsinger Line from 340 metres east of Mary Street to 370 metres east of Mary Street;
g) “No Parking Anytime” on the south side of Lobsinger Line from 230 metres west of Arthur Road to 370 metres east of Mary Street;
AND THAT staff report back to Committee regarding the request from Stemmler Meats for an extension of the road widening through to Lot 3037 to accommodate a new development
AND FURTHER THAT construction of the Lobsinger Line Improvements be deferred to 2006 as detailed in Report E-04-088.1.
CARRIED, as amended
d) E-04-149 Amendment to the Consulting Services Agreement for the Construction of New Well K19 and Watermain to Glasgow Street, City of Kitchener
MOVED by K. Seiling
SECONDED by J. Haalboom
THAT the Regional Municipality of Waterloo approve an amendment to the existing Consulting Services Agreement with Stantec Consulting Ltd. to include additional design, contract administration and construction inspection services required for construction of new well K19 and the watermain to Glasgow Street in the City of Kitchener for an upset fee increase of $113,548 plus applicable taxes.
CARRIED
TRANSIT SERVICES
e) E-04-129 Woolwich Transit Inc. (Kiwanis Transit) Rural Service Area Specialized Transit Service Agreement and Lease
MOVED by B. Strauss
SECONDED by W. Roth
THAT the Regional Municipality of Waterloo enter into documentation confirming agreement with Woolwich Transit Inc. (operated as Kiwanis Transit) to provide Specialized Transit Service to the service areas of Woolwich, Wellesley and Wilmot Township for the calendar years 2004, 2005 and 2006 ending December 31, 2006, and to enter into documentation confirming agreement for the companion Vehicle Lease with Woolwich Transit Inc. for the calendar years 2004, 2005 and 2006 ending December 31, 2006, as detailed in Report E-04-129 dated November 2, 2004 and on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Commissioner of Transportation and Environmental Services and the Regional Solicitor.
CARRIED
TRANSPORTATION
f) E-04-151 Public Information Centre for Traffic Operational Review at the Intersection of Lobsinger Line/Hergott Road, Township of Wellesley
Received for Information.
WATER SERVICES
g) E-04-142 St. Agatha Water System Study, Class Environmental Assessment Process and Cost Recovery
Reg Russwurm, Senior Planning Engineer gave a brief overview of the report and responded to questions pertaining to the cost sharing and up-front fees, future liability with the assumption of the private water systems and steps to be taken to reduce nitrate levels.
MOVED by W. Roth
SECONDED by C. Zehr
THAT the Regional Municipality of Waterloo propose to the property owners serviced by the Sararas and Swartzentruber Water Supply Systems in the Village of St. Agatha, Township of Wilmot, that upgrade costs and an up-front fee of $5,000 per service connection be collected prior to the assumption of the systems by the Regional Municipality of Waterloo.
CARRIED
T. Schmidt introduced Nancy Kodousek, Manager of Water Operations. He indicated she is responsible for the day to day operations on all the water facilities within the Region and has recently been named a Board Member of the Walkerton Clean Water Centre.
JOINT REPORT
h) P-04-121 Regional Growth Management Strategy Implementation: Building Vibrant Urban Spaces
Received for Information.
REPORTS – PLANNING, HOUSING AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
COMMUNITY PLANNING
i) P-04-115 Regional Growth Management Strategy Implementation: Preparing A New Regional Official Policies Plan
Larry Kotseff, Commissioner of Planning, Housing and Community Services provided an update on the new legislation introduced in the Provincial Legislature related to the “Greenbelt” and “Places to Grow” initiatives.
Kevin Curtis, Manager, Policy Planning indicated completion of the new Regional Official Policy Plan is expected to coincide with completion of the Higher-Order Transit System Environmental Assessment process and therefore, these two complementary items may be considered together by Regional Council as part of a larger Regional Growth Management Strategy implementation package.
Received for Information.
j) P-04-116 Brownfields Regulation 153/04
Committee members discussed the importance of pursuing financial incentives for brownfield developments.
Received for Information.
k) P-04-117 Monthly Report of Development Activity for September 2004
MOVED by W. Roth
SECONDED by C. Zehr
THAT the Regional Municipality of Waterloo accept P-04-117, Monthly Report of Development Activity for September 2004, dated November 2, 2004.
CARRIED
COMMUNITY SERVICES
l) P-04-118 Building Permit Activity, January to June 2004
Lucille Bish, Director of Community Services gave a brief overview of the report and responded to questions.
Received for Information.
TRANSPORTATION PLANNING
m) P-04-119 Naming of Westmount Road in the City of Waterloo
MOVED by K. Denouden
SECONDED by B. Strauss
THAT the Regional Municipality of Waterloo approve the following with regard to Westmount Road, in the City of Waterloo and detailed in Report P-04-119, dated November 2, 2004:
a) Name the newly constructed road between Columbia Street and Northfield Drive (Regional Road #50), Westmount Road;
b) Number the newly constructed road between Columbia Street and Northfield Drive, Regional Road #50; and
c) Direct the Regional Clerk to advertise the proposed road name and numbering in accordance with the Municipal Act.
CARRIED
INFORMATION/CORRESPONDENCE
a) Ontario Ministry of the Environment, October 13, 2004 re Walkerton Clean Water Centre: News Release and Media Backgrounder received for information.
OTHER BUSINESS
a) J. Haalboom noted an exceptional example of integrating new and old architectural design with a townhouse development in close proximity to an old teacher’s college in Regina.
ADJOURN
MOVED by J. Haalboom
SECONDED by K. Denouden
THAT the meeting adjourn.
CARRIED
COMMITTEE CHAIR, J. Wideman
COMMITTEE CLERK, K. O’Kane
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