Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutEDAC 2011-03-23ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES March 23 2811. Ci of Kitchener The Economic Development Advisory Committee met this date, Chaired by Councillor Paul Singh, with the following members in attendance: Councilor Bill loannidis, Councilor Scott Davey, Glenn Kehler, Amr Kebbi, Peter Benninger, Kelly Veira, Mark Bingeman, Dr. Takhar, Lisa Polanoski, Darrin Snider, Darren Shaw, Rebecca Short, Ashley Reid and Jeremy Auger Staff in attendance: Silvia Di Donato, Rod Regier, Brandon Sloan, Tina Malone-Wright, Sarah Longstaff and Tracey DeVille 1. Business Items 1.1 Approval of Minutes On motion, minutes from the February 23, 2011 meeting were moved by Peter Benninger and approved. Clarification was asked regarding the details of the minutes and Rod Regier advised that the minutes are not verbatim and written as an overview of the content of the meetings. He reminded the committee that ifi a member would like to be recorded as raising an issue they can but otherwise the minutes are intended as a summary of the meeting. 2. Nevar Business: 2.1 Official Plan Planning staff were in attendance and provide a brief presentation on the Official Plan review. The presentation provided background information on the projec#, how it has been developed in the past and the direction it will be going forward with. The presentation was followed by discussion and comments: Clarification was provided on how the sizing of office and retail is determined • Clarification was provided on how the numbers are determined for In terms of the number per hectare, where are these numbers generated and has the city looked to exceeding thane numbers? • It is something that is worth discussing as we plan our approach, there are opportunities in the core and there is an objective to have a balance between employment and residential, with the amount of development.happening in the core now, residential is taking a little longer to catch up. The committee discussed the matter of transit and had a discussion in regards to a joint meeting with the Downtown Advisory Committee (DAC) to hear from the Region on their plans as well as formulate a formal response to the region prior to their vote in June. Action: That staff prepare a joint mee#ing with DAC and EDAC on April 14, 2011. 2.2 Economic Development Strate Rod Regier provide an overview of where we are in the process of the discussion paper. He advised that the paper will be presented on Monday March 28, 20~ 1 at the Counci[ Strategy Session and that it will formally be presented to Council within 2 to 3 weeks after that, followed by a public engagement process including an online component, The goal is to have the document approved by June, allowing the summer for publication. A question surrounding the inclusion of tourism into the strategy was brought forward and staff advised that the discussion paper does have a focus on the city being a magnet far people, it will be supportive of a special events program that will attract people. 2.3 Round Table Discussion - Maior Factors Rod Regier asked the committee to participate in a round table discussion that would help frame the economic development strategy, what from their point of view are the major factors that are going to affect our urban economy over the next 5 years, what opportunities and chaAenges are present. ~ Cost of living expenses -food, energy, inflation. • We are still in a recession around the world and rive will need to depend on our local manufacturing and economy • Large scale projects should be done now and not wait far cost increases • Keep the commitment to our local produce supply, keep farm land + Focus on Brownfield policy and development to attract developers • Capitalize and leverage what we have, continue collaborating and working together more • Work together to make development an easier process • Look at zoning -for example places for health care facilities • Create a plan if there is a collapse of major local employers • Measure the success of EDIF • Retail attraction is key, market Kitchener so large US companies that are moving in notice us + Brand and marketing recognition on a larger scale -many don't know about us • Understand the demographics of who is moving where and why • Access to the- community -getting in and out of town • Policies can make business complicated, need far assisting business owners is important • Good momentum, need to keep going as far as the economy as a whole, focus on positive • Understand and support what immigration brings to our community The committee was advised that there will be another conversafion about this in May, and whether or not the paper included everything. Qnce the draft is complete, it will be sent to the committee members. On motion, the meeting was adjourned at 6:10pm