HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-01-23 EDAC Minutes
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
January 23, 2019 City of Kitchener
The Economic Development Advisory Committee met on this date, commencing at 11:00 a.m.
Members: Anthony Zammit, Barclay Whittaker, Councillor Bil Ioannidis, Councillor Dave
Schnider, Jason Malfara, Councillor Margaret Johnston, Mark Bingeman, Sandra
O’Hagan, Shirley Madill
Staff in attendance: Brian Bennett, Chloe Howell, Chris Farrell, Cory Bluhm, Lauren Nelson,
Guests: Jaclyn Rodrigues, Committee Administrator, Legislated Services, City of
Kitchener
Margaret Love, Manager Service Coordination & Improvement, Development
Services, City of Kitchener
Information Items:
1) Advisory Committee Procedure Training: J. Rodrigues
Outlined advisory committee roles, responsibilities, meeting procedure, code of conduct and conflict
of interest.
Action: Chloe to send out terms of reference and code of conduct.
2) Chair and Vice-Chair Selections: J. Rodrigues
Formal training for Chair and Vice-Chair February 11, 2019 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Chair: Mark Bingeman
Vice-Chair: Barclay Whittaker
3) DSD Review: Margaret Love
One of GM Justin Readman’s first year priorities
Enhancing efficiency and accountability; taking a coordinated approach to development
Currently in the detailed planning phase: establishing a shared vision and establishing the
scope for review
Anyone interested in asking questions and sharing ideas can contact Margaret at:
margaret.love@kitchener.ca
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
January 23, 2019 City of Kitchener
Discussion Items
4) Future of Retail
Broke into two groups for discussion based on the following questions:
a) With changing consumer purchasing behaviours, like online shopping, how might we envision
Downtown retailing in the future?
b) How might the City support businesses in responding to the increased emphasis on experiential
retailing/experience-based businesses?
c) What research/data do we need to make more informed decisions on future retail trends/space
needs/supports?
d) What do you imagine the future shopping experience to be (urban and suburban) and what
amenities might be included?
Group 1:
a) Façade improvements, creative themes, promotional programs aside from events
b) Bike friendly movement, pop ups, simplifying – no red tape, permit process, animate Downtown
c) Who is coming Downtown? What level of effort to get there? Research, retail sales data, busy
times data, create retail lunch and learns. Find out what millennials want for the space. Go out
and get the information: door knocking, online surveys.
d) Urban hop-on hop-off LRT for free, better cars and bikes parking, concierge service, King Street
closed to traffic in the summer. Downtown entertainment facility, entertainment – more parks,
water features.
Group 2:
a) Remove barriers, how do people get Downtown, business hours (especially Sundays) is this a
density issue?
b) Incentivize lower sq ft rates, encourage subdivision of space – animate space, liquor licensing
more flexible will encourage movement, shop local theme – how do we keep emphasizing it?
c) Densification, how many people, when will units be populated? What are Downtown residents’
interests, demographics? What sectors want to come Downtown?
d) Social spaces, pedestrian focused, places to gather, walkability, clustered together. Is
Downtown too big? Too broad? Too many audiences? Should we get more specific?
Meeting adjourned at 1:00 p.m.
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