Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Action - 1993-04-01DAC\1993-04-01 KITCHENER DOWNTOWN ACTION COMMITTEEKITCHENER DOWNTOWN ACTION COMMITTEE April 1, 1993April 1, 1993 The Kitchener Downtown Action Committee met this date under the Chairmanship of Alderman Bryan Stortz with the following members present: David Ryan, Gerry Graham, Rudy Koop, Alderman Mark Yantzi, Dale Bilton, Cam Costley, Nancy Brawley and Brian Hunsberger. Others PresentOthers Present:: Sam Klapman, Bin Newell, Jim Witmer, Theresa Schumilas, Tom McKay, Nancy Hackett and Trudy Bricker. 1.New MemberNew Member Alderman Stortz introduced a new member, Mr. Dale Bilton and asked Mr. Bilton to give the Committee members a little of his background. Mr. Bilton advised he is Manager of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce at the corner of King and Queen Streets. He is a member of the K.D.B.A. as a Director and is interested in continuing his involvement in the City. 2.Livable Cities Conference - CharlestonLivable Cities Conference - Charleston Alderman Stortz reported he recently attended a Livable Cities Conference in Charleston, South Carolina. He advised of a program entitled "Weed and Seed" which is a comprehensive program addressing youth and drug-related crimes. A four square mile drug zone in Charleston is the target area of this program. This is a Federally funded program and 17 American cities are involved. As the name of the program denotes the initiative behind this is to the pull the weeds and cultivate the seeds Alderman Stortz went on to explain the goals, and objectives of the program. 3.Victoria School Dwelling UnitsVictoria School Dwelling Units Alderman Stortz advised that on a tour this week of the building, it was reported that all market value units are rented and a waiting list is on file. Tom McKay stated there is a message in this that should get out. There is a desire in the community for market value housing in the core. It may also be a good idea to obtain a social and economic profile on those who are living at the Victoria project. 4.Healthy CommunitiesHealthy Communities Kitchener Downtown ActionKitchener Downtown Action- 87 - CommitteeCommittee Alderman Stortz asked Theresa Schumilas, Director of Planning and Healthy Lifestyles for the Regional Health Unit, to continue her presentation on the topic of Healthy Communities which was discussed at last months meeting but due to time constraints was not completed. He asked Ms. Schumilas to continue providing information on how the City of Kitchener can proceed toward creating a healthy community. Ms. Schumilas noted an important step would be to hold a visioning workshop which would be broadbased and invitational. Those taking part in a workshop should be a cross section of participants (those who agree on what has been done to date as well as those who do not). She suggested that the topic not be limited to drugs but to think more broadly about who and what makes a healthy community and what the players in the community feel the problems are. A facilitator should be invited and the focus should be on what they see their neighbourhoods to be in 10 years, 5 years, etc. An Action Plan, outlining the results of the workshop and Task Force should be set up to initiate concerns issues and concerns raised. It was pointed out that a Vision Workshop was organized by this Committee in 1990. A follow-up should now be arranged and address issues covering a broader base. Mr. McKay noted that community visioning has been done over the last 10 years in Kitchener, it just hasn't been packaged under one umbrella. Some discussion took place on what constitutes a Healthy Community and at what point the community is declared self sufficient. Ms. Schumilas reported that one indication of an unhealthy community is the birth weight of an infant child and teen pregnancies. She advised that at a large seminar she attended recently lack of parks, transportation, recreation facilities, etc was not the main concern of the participants but family stress the main factor. A meshing of what people want to what is being offered is needed. Communication is the key to keep the commuity involved in finding out what is needed or lacking. There should also be more advertising of what is available in the community. Theresa Schumilas advised she is aware of some communities who have had individuals write stories (uncensored) about what they have accomplished in their community and what they did to make it happen. These stories were then compiled in booklet form. It was concluded that the first step has been taken, the Vision Workshop in November, 1990 and now the hard issues which were not addressed at the first workshop should be addressed. A list of problems and solutions noted at the last workshop should be compiled. A positive starting point is needed and then move ahead by building on success achieved from the 1990 meeting. 5.5.Approval of AgendaApproval of Agenda A committee quorum was now in attendance. Kitchener Downtown ActionKitchener Downtown Action- 88 - CommitteeCommittee On motion by Dale Bilton Seconded by David Ryan it was resolved:it was resolved: That the Kitchener Downtown Action Committee Agenda of April 1, 1993, be accepted. 6.Approval of MinutesApproval of Minutes On motion by Cam Costley Seconded by Nancy Brawley it was resolved:it was resolved: That the minutes of the Kitchener Downtown Action Committee of March 4, 1993, be accepted. 7.New Official PlanNew Official Plan Ms. Bin Newell, Senior Planner, in the Planning and Development Department presented an overview of the City's new Municipal Plan and how it reflects a healthy community. She noted that long term intentions form this municipal plan. She covered the following areas: Intent of the PlanIntent of the Plan:: To create a healthy, safe and esthetically pleasing built community in which its residents can live, work, play and move around easily and in harmony with the environment. Legal Effect of the PlanLegal Effect of the Plan:: All Municipal By-laws must conform to the Plan. Old Versus New Plan:Old Versus New Plan: Old Old Plan Plan New PlanNew Plan -Land Use-Community Plan -Automobile Oriented-People Oriented -Regulatory-Directional MunicMunicipal Plan Structure:ipal Plan Structure: -Introduction and Principles -General Policies -Land Use Plan -Managing the Plan -Schedules Kitchener Downtown ActionKitchener Downtown Action- 89 - CommitteeCommittee General Policies - PrinciplesGeneral Policies - Principles -Sustainable Development -Efficient and Effective delivery of municipal and social services -Efficient and Effective growth management -Urban form rather than density -Flexibility and Interpretation rather than exclusion Policies Plan - ComponentsPolicies Plan - Components -Housing-Urban Design -The Economy-Natural Resources Management -Community and Social Services-Transportation -Health and Safety-Downtown -Conservation and Community Development Land Use Plan - PurposeLand Use Plan - Purpose To outline the desired future land use pattern and specify type and standards for development. Land Use Plan - ComponentsLand Use Plan - Components -Nodes and Transit Corridors -Land Use Districts Nodes & CorridorsNodes & Corridors Areas of the City identified for high intensity mixed-use development. Policies related to nodes and corridors over-ride other policies in the Plan. Managing the PlanManaging the Plan -Implementation Strategies -Coordinating role of the Plan -Review and Monitoring Implementation StrategiesImplementation Strategies -Financing -Staging of Development -Site Plan Control -Holding Provision -Bonusing Provisions Coordinating Role of PlanCoordinating Role of Plan -City Council -Planning and Economic Development -City Administration Kitchener Downtown ActionKitchener Downtown Action- 90 - CommitteeCommittee -Other Municipal Bodies -Other Public Agencies -Private Agencies Monitoring and ReviewMonitoring and Review The Committee then entered into a question and answer period with Ms. Newell. There was some question as to the intent of this Plan to maintain dwelling units in the downtown area. Ms. Newell advised this has been addressed with some high rise development occuring along the north side of Weber Street between Victoria and Queen Streets. She also noted a residential component will be encouraged above retail stores along King Street. The Ring Road Plan was discussed and it was pointed out this was a plan of the 60's when King Street was intended to become a pedestrian mall. People would park along the ring road and walk to the mall. From examples of other communities who initiated a ring road plan we now know this concept will not work. Ms. Brawley questioned how do we get things to happen as planned in the new Municipal Plan. Ms. Newell stated enforcement will be the key and also pointed out that results will be market driven. There was some concern expressed by Mr. Koop that no provision has been included for persons with disabilities in the Profile under Planning Principles. Ms. Newell advised the City has a commitment to accessibility for all people and will see that this is noted under the Profile for Planning Principles. It was reported that Secondary Plan reviews are tied to the old Official Plan but as part of the review will be mindful of the new Municipal Plan. When Secondary Plans are approved they will be included in the Municipal Plan. With regard to the review for the Central Frederick Secondary Plan it was requested this move ahead as quickly as possible as densities are a problem in this area. Ms. Newell reported there will be an opportunity for dialogue and discussion on this when the public meetings are held in June for the Zoning By-law. In closing Alderman Stortz invited the members to call Ms. Newell at 741-2716 if they have any concerns or questions. 7.PetitionPetition David Ryan advised he has a petition on the conclusions made with regard to the ethnic background connected with the drug trade in Kitchener. He invited those present to read the Kitchener Downtown ActionKitchener Downtown Action- 91 - CommitteeCommittee petition and support by signing if they wish. 8.Community CanvassCommunity Canvass Alderman Stortz reported the canvass held Saturday, March 27th regarding the Citizens on Patrol and Co-operation Information and Communication programs was extremely successful. He reported 3,000 homes were canvassed and the results were received by early Saturday afternoon. The responses from this canvass will be reviewed and acted upon. 9.Citizens on Patrol (COP)Citizens on Patrol (COP) Alderman Stortz also reported the Citizens on Patrol Program started Saturday night, March 27th and appeared to go well. 10.Cleanup Day - DowntownCleanup Day - Downtown Alderman Stortz put forth a suggestion for a drive by the community to clean up the downtown and area in the near future. He suggested flyers be made up announcing this event. Ms. Brawley advised she is aware of a Regional clean up day which she believes is sometime in May and the downtown area clean up could be tied in with that drive. Ms. Brawley noted she believed the Citizens Beautification Committee would have information in this regard. Alderman Stortz will contact this committee for the exact date of the clean up drive. 11.Garage SaleGarage Sale Alderman Stortz suggested consideration should be made on holding a garage sale in June. 12.KDBA ActivitiesKDBA Activities Ms. Nancy Brawley reported the Kitchener Downtown Business Association will be attending neighbourhood group meetings to promote activities sponsored by the KDBA this year. 13.Meeting Date ChangesMeeting Date Changes For the Committee's information the following meeting dates have been changed due to a conflicting meeting schedule of Alderman Stortz. New Meeting Date April 29th instead of May 6th May 27th instead of June 3rd Kitchener Downtown ActionKitchener Downtown Action- 92 - CommitteeCommittee October 28th instead of November 4th 14.AdjournmentAdjournment The meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m. Gayle Redgwell, Secretary Downtown Action Committee