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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDAC 2011-03-10DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES March 10. 201'! Ci of Kitchener The Downtown Advisory Committee met this da#e, Chaired by Mark Garner with the following members in attendance: Alan Doherty, Aaron MacFarlane, Cameron Deerlove, Glenn Scheels, Michael Falcone, Amin Gilani, Tania Benninger, Lisa Polonoski, Cory Grossman The following members were absent: Bryan Larkin, Jamie Yantzi, Don Zehr, Councillor -Dan Glenn-Graham, Councillor Frank Etherington, and Lawrence McNaught Staff in attendance: Sandy Curzon, Siivia Di Donato, Brandon Sloan, Tina Malone- Wright, Steve Allen, Kim Feere, and Tracey DeVi11e Discussion Items 1. Minutes 8~ Committee U dates 1.1 A royal of Minutes On mo#ion by Michael Falcone, seconded by Glenn Schells the minutes of February 10, 2011 were approved. 1.2 Economic Devela meat Adviso Committee EDAC members reviewed the Economic Development Strategy. 1.3 Safe & Health Adviso Committee Kitchener Business Improvement Area (BIA) and the Crime Prevention Council (CPC) both provided an orientation presentation of their organizations. 1.~4 Arts & Culture Adviso Committee Arts sustainability fund was a one time grant, it is going to be asked that it be a yearly grant. They set up the priority schedule for the next two years, and the sub committees that will be working on what. 2. New Business 2.1 Official Plan Brandon Sloan, Manager Long Range Planning and Tina Malone-Wright, Sr. Planner provided an overview of the City's Official Plan; in particular, the focus was on the downtown. He advised that DAC will be asked to participate in the review and provide comments surrounding the recommendations. Committee members agreed that they would be interested in forming a subcommittee to review the draft document and provide comments. The following feedback was received: Downtown. design districts can be limiting if the terms and names are somewhat inaccurate -for example the Warehouse District when this was an area of industrial area. On the other hand they can be used to draw attraction to the area. There are struggles in terms of land use planning and the best use for the downtown that is why it is so important to have the feedback from the committee to assist in determine districts, building heights etc., to allow for a wider range and flexibili#y. What is the timing for this document? • It is a 20 year plan, with room for adjustment due to a review every 5 years. This document will coincide with the Region's plan. Both the Regional and City plans will be valid until 2029. The City plan will allow far more flexibility in the downtown. Is there is a conflict at all between the city and the region, do you have the regional plan in your hands to work from to help guide you in the right direction? • We think so, the Region's Official Plan is not overly specific in terms of the downtown core - it is mostly left up to the individual cities. How do the districts align with urban design and developing consistency? • Since these are so close together there are opportunities. There is a need to identify in the official plan what the guidelines are. 2.2 Halls Lane Reconstruction Steve Allen, Director Engineer Design & Approvals provided a high level overview of the project, including timing, garbage, and access. Questions: What are you doing with respect to lighting and pedestrian rnavement? • Engineering has completed a review of the existing lighting, using some past studies on target levels of lighting we have tried to achieve that -issues -where do you put lights, the narrowness of the lane etc., what we have done is identify areas and spoke to property owners, we have improved it but we may not have been able to achieve the exact level. Where the lane is used for pedestrian levels, we are going to ensure that they are clearly marked for safety reasons. What has the reaction from the businesses been like? • Parking and deliveries have been ~a concern for the business owners but there is work being done to figure out how to coordinate and accommodate business owners. 2.3 Other Business DAC members requested that a future meeting include a tour of The Hub. Glenn Scheels offered to host a future meeting at the office of GSP Group as well. 3. Adjournment On motion by Lisa Polonski, seconded by Cory Grossman the meeting adjourned for a tour of City Centre condominiums at 5:40 p.m.