HomeMy WebLinkAboutEcon Development - 2003-04-23ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
April 23, 2003
11:00 am- 1:00 pm
Conestoga Room, Main Floor, Kitchener City Hall
Attendance:
Glenn Scheels
Mayor, Carl Zehr
Peter Benninger
Peter Cook
Joan Euler
Paul Kuntz
Lawrence Bingeman
Shawky Fahel
Staff: George Borovilos
Carla Ladd
Regrets:
Scott Baird
Councillor, Berry Vrbanovic
Hans Pottkamper
Ray Robinson
Manfred Conrad
Mike Sully
Henrik Noesgaard
Councillor, Christina Weylie
Jane Jantzi
Jeff Willmer
Councillor, John Smola
1. Approval of Minutes of March 26th , 2003
Minutes of March 26th, 2003 were approved as written.
Moved by Shawky Fahel
Seconded by Manfred Conrad
Carried
2. Downtown Development
Frank Pizzuto presented an overview of the Downtown Strategic Plan. Specifically he
highlighted the following:
a. The fundamental principles behind the Downtown Strategic Plan;
b. The new strategic directions being planned for Downtown;
c. The City Centre Vision in relation to the four blocks and the Gaukel corridor;
d. The Value of Investing in our Downtown; and
e. The Downtown in a Regional Context.
Mr. Pizzuto also indicated that the City has led by example. In 2002 -- 2003 there has
been approximately $32 million of public investment in Downtown Development
projects. In the period from 2002 - 2004, private Construction Value of Permits private
have totaled $11.5 million.
Mr. Pizzuto also explained that as part of the Downtown plan new private investment
incentives will be developed and continued co-ordination and focus on our
programming efforts will be emphasized.
Mr. Pizzuto concluded by indicating that the Market construction schedule has been
revised. It is anticipated that a soft opening will occur in early January and Spring will
be the official new opening. Residential sales have started in the back portion of the
development.
3. New Business
a. Heritage Tax Incentives
Leon Bensason provided the committee with an update and report on the program.
He indicated that Council passed the program. Out of the three eligible properties,
one property was designated. He also explained, that the program will be reviewed
on annual basis. Staff will be making a presentation to Regional Staff in May, to
encourage the establishment of a by-law at the Regional level.
A discussion followed Mr. Bensason's overview with respect to 72 Victoria Street
South. Although the property was eligible, the owner declined participation. They
cited that the Heritage Easement would restrict tenant/mortgage agreements and
renewals. In addition, the easement stays in perpetuity with the title of the property
even if Council decides not to renew the program in a given year.
b. Employment Lands
Glen Scheels indicated that a number of discussions have taken place with respect
to Employment Lands. These discussions have involved CTT, Communitech, the
Chamber and Directors of Economic Development. A number of points have been
raised, namely, is there enough employment lands available in the options outlined
in the Growth Management Strategy given the historical land absorption. Carla
Ladd indicated that a re-evaluation of the existing land inventory has been
determined as the next step to evaluate this situation.
Hans Pottkamper spoke before Council on this issue and encouraged Kitchener to
be an active lead participant in the discussion.
c. Children's Museum Tour
Joan Euler requested that the next meeting end at 12:30 for a tour of the Children's
Museum. Committee agreed.
EDAC Minutes
April 23, 2003
d. Resignation
Mike Sully indicated that this would be his last meeting of EDAC. He is relocating to
Vancouver. Committee thanked him for his participation and wish him well in his
future endeavours.
Meeting called to adjourn at 1:00p.m.
Moved by: Hans Pottkamper
Seconded by: Ray Robinson
Carried
George Borovilos, Recording Secretary
Economic Development Advisory Committee
Next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, May 28'u, 2003
11:00am- 1:00pm
Conestoga Room, Main Floor, City Hall
Kitchener
EDAC Minutes
April 23, 2003