HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-09-22
DOWNTOWN ACTION & ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
September 22, 2016 City of Kitchener
The Downtown Action & Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:00
Present: Erin Atchison; Craig Beattie; Andre Chin; Jessica Kropf; Christine Michaud;
Brian Santos; Mallory Wheldon; Don Zehr; and Linda Zensner
Staff: C. Bluhm, Manager of Downtown Development
E. Rumble, Downtown Marketing & Program Co-ordinator
M. Grau, Downtown Development Officer
S. Curzon, Committee Administrator
K. Feere, Manager Kitchener Market
N. Goss, Sr. Planner
Committee members were reminded that the current term for DAAC ends November 30,
th
2016. Deadline to reapply (online) is Monday September 26 @ 5pm.
1. Comprehensive Review of Zoning ByLaw (CRoZBY)
In June, Natalie Goss, Sr. Planner introduced a draft of the new zoning by-law. The
current by-law was developed in 1985. Committee reviewed the proposed zoning uses of
ing & Parking
regulations.
Bonus Regulations:
New regulations are proposed that would enable additional density in return be
positive benefits to the community
Subject to meeting certain criteria, a development could receive additional density -
from 3.0 to 6.0
The list of community benefits include, but not limited to, affordable housing, new
residential downtown, high quality urban design & architecture, public art,
transportation demand management techniques, LEED certified buildings and food
stores.
Comments:
Community needs an opportunity to voice their concerns
3 to 6 not enough for most major devlepoments
Vast majority of applications downtown will want greater density to be successful
Parking Regulations:
Minimum parking rates are proposed to be reduced for the majority of land uses and
would vary by location i.e. PARTS or mixed use areas
Parking maximum rates are also proposed as well as bicycle parking rates and electric
vehicle parking
2. Kitchener Market Strategy
K. Feere, Market Manager presented the Kitchener Market Strategy. Some interesting
statistics about this 60,000 sq.ft. city-owned facility include:
Built in 2004, the Market welcomes 650,000 visitors annually
Saturday market visitors has increased by 15% since 2012
Rentals, cooking classes and international events have grown by 205%
Lunchtime traffic has increased 310%
A year-long public consultation included over 3,000 participants. A comprehensive
approach using social media, idea boards, on-the-street interviews, digital survey, etc.
was undertaken as well as various stakeholder groups from across the region. Below are
some of the findings of the study:
connects people, creates experiences and
build relationships
Parking dissatisfaction
Offer a weekly market
Transparency around origin of the food
Animate the piazza
Improve street presence in the district
From this, three themes/goals emerged:
1. Support a Vibrant Food Culture
2. Grow and strengthen the role as an Urban Public Market
3. Become a catalyst for the food industry
If Kitchener were to revisit the Wednesday market, it would not be before the LRT is
completed. Ideas include a pop-up markets, such as the one done during the month of
June 2016 in Carl Zehr Square or partner with the City run events or the BIA. It was
oth Thursday and
Saturday market.
It was resolved that:
The Downtown Action & Advisory Committee supports the direction of the 2016
Kitchener Market Strategy as presented September 22, 2016.
Carried
:
Next Steps
Kitchener Market Strategy will be presented to Kitchener Council on Monday, October
3, 2016.
3. Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 5:40
S. Curzon
Committee Administrator