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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCompass Kitchener - 12-07-11COMPASS KITCHENER MINUTES December 7, 2011 – 4:00-6:00 Conestoga Room, KITCHENER CITY HALL Present: Theron Kramer Kim Knowles Holly Duff Tristan Wilkin Chris Hyde Chris Kopar Sarah Marsh Diana Bumstead James HoweSue Morgan Guests: Cory Bluhm Mark Garner Sandy Curzon Staff: Shelley Adams Jenn Grein Regrets: David Yoon Hanan Mohamed The Compass Kitchener Advisory Committee met on this date, commencing at 4:05 p.m. Theron welcomed all members to the meeting. 1. Approval of Minutes ? The minutes from November 2nd were approved. Moved by Chris Hyde, Second by Holly Duff. 2. Downtown Strategic Plan Cory Bluhm, Manager of Downtown, joined Compass Kitchener to present on the Downtown Strategic ? Plan. He introduced himself, Mark Garner, Director of the BIA, and Sandy Curzon, Downtown Service Administrator. This team has been working on the Downtown Strategic Plan, gathering feedback on the direction of the Downtown for the future. He started by outlining some of the great things that have happened in the last 8 years in the downtown ? core. Using a map, he provided a description of the downtown, the greater downtown and the outlying downtown including population numbers and highlighting some of the key features currently found in each of the areas. A secondary map outlined the properties owned by the city in the downtown area. Although the city may not have budget to invest heavily in the downtown, they do have assets, partnerships with developers may allow for future growth and development. Further clarification was provided, the maps shown do not actually cover the full business improvement area covered by the Downtown Kitchener BIA. Questions/Comments: Considering the relationship between the Downtown Strategic Plan and the Official Plan in progress, how ? does this apply to the location of the current bus terminal? Cory speculated they may suggest mixed use, and provided reasons for this. He also indicated that everything feeds back to the official plan. What is the plan for surface parking? Any reduction of surface parking would be phased over a number ? of years and be related to supply and demand. In addition, parking can be considered in any partnerships entered to ensure parking is built into future development. Is there any opportunity to upgrade King between Frederick and the market so it fits the same style of the ? rest of King St Downtown? Cory indicated they have heard this request from many, however it’s a difficult request to tackle since that space was just refinished one year prior to the rest of King’s transformation. A few questions from Cory, the committee circled the table with responses: 1. What’s the one thing you like best about Downtown? Fountain/Ice Rink, Festivals, streetscape extension of public space, openness of the change from ? Frederick to Victoria, sidewalks and lighting for accessibility, diversity of people, stores with windows to look in. 2. Is there something that you wish you could change? Fill in sections of street that aren’t as nice looking, more diversity of shops, grocery store, more ? restaurants open late at night, higher caliber of stores and increased feeling of safety, extension of work on King to the Market, more public art, movie theatre (similar to the Princess), draw families to the downtown core, more child friendly facilities, break down the border between the west and east parts of December 7, 2011 CITY OF KITCHENER - 2 - King and turn market section into successful area, parking on market day, address financial inclusion, limit the number of cheque cashing stores, do something more effective with the beach volleyball space. 3. What brings people to live downtown? Transportation Hub, the Tannery and similar innovation developments, casual dining, many festivals, the ? universities and the option to live close to where you work/attend, arts and culture scene including Centre in the Square, Victoria Park especially the new beautiful entrance, charm of the neighbourhoods, continued investment, green space, being close to everything and a good overall feeling. 4. What would you change to bring more people to live in the core? Build up the joining streets to King, grocery store, more feet on the street, change in the perception of ? safety, current housing/residential units do not reflect people the city is trying to attract (families), synergies throughout the length of king, more business development and opportunities to assist people with living and working in the same neighbourhood, more green space and/or fountains, corner parkettes, elementary school in the downtown, later evening things to do other than pubs, more public art. Committee’s additional comments: It would be great to see some of the more run down spaces cleaned up – business space that may be in ? transition or otherwise. This may be a great opportunity for display of art. Does the city take an active role in planning for groups and individuals that are marginalized in our ? community? Many staff are involved in committees to ensure this is considered and supported, whether it be through grants, participation or otherwise and focus on resolving issues before they grow. A variety of people in our downtown is absolutely an asset! People have repeated this feeling throughout ? the consultation and staff agree. Next steps – Cory and team will be consolidating all of the feedback received and will summarize. This ? data will be interpreted and the team will begin to consider what can be accomplished over the next few years. As this strategy is developed, Cory will provide updates to Compass Kitchener. 3. Update on Strategic Plan Timing Shelley updated with committee on the change in timelines for the Strategic Plan. ? The group developing drivers is having a difficult time arranging drivers within the WHO model as ? suggested by Compass Kitchener at the last update. The team is working to draw a picture that will clearly explain the connections. Shelley will forward a draft Strategic Plan to Compass Kitchener and the group will discuss and provide ? th feedback at the January 4 meeting. 4. January Meeting Given the timelines for the Strategic Plan and the planning of the All Committee meeting, January’s ? meeting will proceed. 5. CK Advisory Committee Gathering th February 11 9:30-11:00 has been booked for the annual Compass Kitchener Advisory Committee All ? Committee Gathering. The group discussed the focus for the meeting, splitting time 30 minutes for updates from committees (a. ? report back on the work plan and the connections each committee made with other advisory committees as determined at the last CK All Committee meeting, and b. report on the direction of the committee for the next year), 30 minutes for the update on the Strategic Plan, and finally, 30 minutes for the report card piece. The group agreed it would be great to keep the session interactive – this encourages involvement and keeps people engaged throughout the meeting. One suggestion was made to do the update from committees ‘ignite style’. Further, the group considered sharing the report card info with each of the advisory committees via e- ? mail. December 7, 2011 CITY OF KITCHENER - 3 - With International Volunteer Day just two days earlier than our committee meeting, Janice Ouellette, Coordinator of Volunteer Resources joined the meeting and thanked everyone for volunteering and making a difference in our community. 6. Sub Committee Meeting The sub committees met following the meeting. Brief notes attached. Civics101.docVoter Turnout.doc 7. General Business No general business at this time. ? Meeting adjourned at 5:55. Next meeting: January 4, 2011 Conestoga Room – Kitchener City Hall Attendance: Compass Kitchener Attendance 11-12.xls