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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Action - 1993-05-27DAC\1993-05-27 KITCHENER DOWNTOWN ACTION COMMITTEEKITCHENER DOWNTOWN ACTION COMMITTEE May 27, 1993May 27, 1993 The Kitchener Downtown Action Committee met this date under the Chairmanship of Alderman Bryan Stortz with the following members present: G. Graham, K. Simoneau, D. Ryan, M. Morissetti, L. Ferguson, C. Costley, N. Brawley, and R. Braun. Others PresentOthers Present:: S. Klapman, J. Witmer, N. Voll, C. Ladd, G. Nixon, V. Gibaut, P.Saunders and R. Lorentz Alderman Stortz introduced and welcomed Mr. Ron Lorentz, Constituent Assistant to Will Ferguson. Mr. Lorentz will sit in on the committee meetings as an observer but it was also suggested by Alderman Stortz that should he have some suggestions regarding a topic being discussed he would be most welcome to make his views known. 1.Summer in the CitySummer in the City Alderman Stortz introduced Natasha Voll, who is covering for Gina Holstead, Supervisor, Arts, Culture and Special Events in the Parks and Recreation Department while on maternity leave. Natasha Voll reported on some exciting arts, culture and special events planned for this summer downtown. These include a music fest, which is being offered in conjunction with the Waterloo Arts Council and is expected to attract 2,000 spectators to the island in Victoria Park, July 25th. Plans to celebrate the opening of the new Kitchener City Hall are well underway. An Art Tour for Wednesday, June 23rd. The tour will include an overview of art in other municipalities, a walking tour of artwork in the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and downtown Toronto. There will be a cost for transportation and lunch. Anyone interested in participating in this tour can contact Natasha Voll at 741-2388. The purpose is to provide an awareness of how to implement art in our community and ways in which we can sponsor public art in our community. She welcomes any suggestions the Committee may have toward the success of these events. 2.Opening RemarksOpening Remarks Alderman Stortz was very happy to announce that Council unanimously approved the additional funding of $250,000. from existing City Reserve Funds to the Facade Program. He reported this has given the spark needed for market village to start work with improvements such as, lighting, planting, and signage. There has also been some interest in renting some homes along Duke Street for an art gallery and a Community Health office. Other good news to report was the opening of the North American Trust and the marvellous job they have done is decorating and maintaining the decor of the Walper. The upper floors have been converted to suites and there are plans for a pub in the basement. The Kitchener Downtown ActionKitchener Downtown Action- 101 - CommitteeCommittee Immigration office will open there on August 1st. A passport office will open on the 5th floor of the Canada Trust Building, 305 King Street West and this will generate 20,000 customers per year downtown. There are plans in the works to convert the old Sauders Store into a restaurant. The Victoria School will hold its grand opening June 26th with tours of the housing units and the community centre. All in all exciting news downtown. 3.Approval of AgendaApproval of Agenda On motion by Robert Braun Seconded by Karen Simoneau it was resolved:it was resolved: That the Kitchener Downtown Action Committee agenda of May 27, 1993 with the addition of Downtown Issues, be accepted. 4.Approval of MinutesApproval of Minutes On motion by Lorna Ferguson Seconded by David Ryan it was resolved:it was resolved: That the minutes of the Kitchener Downtown Action Committee of April 29, 1993, be accepted. 5.Stage 6 of the Comprehensive Zoning By-lawStage 6 of the Comprehensive Zoning By-law Carla Ladd, Principal Planner in the Department of Planning and Development was in attendance to provide the committee with the process and aspects of Stage 6 of the Comprehensive Zoning By-law. She explained Stage 6 deals with the inner city area which affects approximately 13,000 properties and involves the creation of new zones for this area along with the development and review of eight inner City Secondary Plans and establishment of three new Secondary Plans for "King Street East - Area 2", Mill Courtland Woodside Park" and "North Ward". Ms. Ladd assured the Committee these plans will be made consistent with one another keeping in mind each area is unique. It was reported that 11,500 letters were mailed to property owners in May which outlined the intent and an invitation to attend one of the scheduled Open Houses. The first Open House which was held Wednesday, May 26th at the Victoria School Community Centre did not generate a lot of activity. It was noted, however, that as a result of the circulation, there has been a constant stream of inquiries and the response has been positive to date. The public process will continue until the Fall of 1993 and barring appeals Kitchener Downtown ActionKitchener Downtown Action- 102 - CommitteeCommittee to the Ontario Municipal Board it will proceed to City Council in November. The Committee then entered into a short period of questions and answers where Ms. Ladd explained the proposal by Bayview and C.P. for the Knell lands on Victoria Street. She also explained the rationale used for determining the designations proposed in the Civic Centre Area. This was based on a study done approximately one year ago by the Housing Division for the Municipal Housing Statement. It was pointed out that in no cases will the zoning detract the stability of a neighbourhood. With regard to a concern of density on Irvin Street, Ms. Ladd reported she is prepared to meet with the Neighbourhood Group to discuss their concerns. The Committee thanked Ms. Ladd for her presentation and was advised if there are any questions they can be directed to Carla Ladd, Principal Planner at 741-2325, Lucy Cianciolo, Planning Assistant at 741-2323 or Rob Morgan, Senior Zoning Officer at 741-2734. 6.Vision Conference "Building on Successes"Vision Conference "Building on Successes" Alderman Stortz reported a sub-committee comprised of himself, Alderman Mark Yantzi, David Ryan, Gerry Graham, Nancy Brawley, Karen Taylor-Harrison have met to plan a follow-up to the 1979 Vision Conference. He reported the main thrust will be "Future Vision for Downtown-2016". The date has been set for November 5th and rooms have been booked in the new City Hall for the conference. The Committee talked about a format for the conference and it was suggested it will be community as well as organization based. The sub-committee is struggling with how to incorporate the Healthy Community aspect into the conference. A starting point could be to look at, and find out what the concerns in the community are. These concerns would be discussed and after the conference proceed with enactment of solutions. The sub-committee will meet again in two weeks. Note: Subsequent to this meeting a date has been scheduled for the Vision Conference Sub- Committee for June 10th commencing at 9:30 a.m. in CR 6, Kitchener City Hall. 7.Downtown IssuesDowntown Issues Alderman Stortz reported there seems to be a general feeling of malaise by the business and retailers downtown. He would like to discuss some options to change the attitude of doom and gloom and focus on the good things that are beginning to happen in the downtown core. Kitchener Downtown ActionKitchener Downtown Action- 103 - CommitteeCommittee The Committee noted the following: -look ahead not back -keep reminding people of the positive things that are happening downtown -look at things that can be achieved and get on with it -advertise the pros in the neighbourhood newsletters -invite someone from the business program at Wilfrid Laurier University to investigate areas that business or retailers may wish to explore. It was also suggested the committee meet informally over lunch and examine ways to change the attitude. There are still areas downtown that are not fully accessible and possibly a downtown tour in wheelchairs should be done again. 7.National Access Awareness National Access Awareness Paula Saunders reported the week of May 31st is National Access Awareness Week. A barbecue in Victoria Park, Sunday May 30th from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. is planned as a kick- off to the week. 8.Next MeetingNext Meeting The next Kitchener Downtown Action Committee meeting is scheduled for June 24, 1993 at 8:30 a.m. in CR4, Kitchener City Hall. 9.AdjournmentAdjournment On motion the meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m. Gayle Redgwell, Secretary Kitchener Downtown Action Committee Kitchener Downtown ActionKitchener Downtown Action- 104 - CommitteeCommittee