HomeMy WebLinkAboutBusiness & Ind - 1995-06-15BIAC\1995-06-15
PRESENT:
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMM/TTEE
M/NIXFES
THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 1995
Mike Hiscott (Chah'), Carl Zehi; Richard Lewchuk, Dan Beach, Elliott
Currie, John Tibbits, Atso Saarkoppel, Councillor Tom Galloway, Tito
Guglielmi, l,inda Kieswetter, and Wayne Hussey
ALSO PRESENT: Brock Stanley, and George Borovflos
RECORDER: Sandy Curzon
1. Minutes of May 11, 1995
Minutes of May llth were approved and adopted
Huron Environmental Area
Brock Stanley, Assistant General Manager, Department of Planning & Development
presented to Committee an overview of the Huron Environmental Area Study. In 1991 City
Council adopted in principle to preserve the Huron Park Environmental Area~ An Adjacent
Land Use Study was done by Geomatics International to determine the land uses adjacent to
the proposed park which would include the impact from residential properties within 300
meters of the Park
Several recommendations were identified which included rezoning of all lands covered by
Interim Control By-Law No. 93-199 from Business Park Zone (B-l) to restricted Business
Park Zone (B- 9).
John Tibbits entered meeting
A hst of potential prohibited uses such as an asphalt paving plan~ and the manufacturer of
organic chemicals, paints and varnish were identified as uses that could not be adequately
mitigated or they used chemicals with pm$istent and/or intense odour~ It was noted that
from the original list of prohibited uses, metal stamping and machining were stricken from
the list and are now acceptable use~
Initially the study was specifically dh'ected toward the impact of industrial use~ However,
adjacent uses, including the proposed residential development could have potential impacts on
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES
ecological functions These impacts would have to be adch'essed at the subdivision, site plan
and building per, nit approval stages to deal with matters of ground water recharge,
sto~nwater managemen~ non-native plants, etc. It was evident that the residential and
business owners would require education on the impacts associated with the land uses
~V[r. Stanley asked Committee for their input by September 6, 1995 to the Recommendations
as set out in the PD9529 Report prior to it being presented at a Pubhc Meeting scheduled for
September 18, 1995.
Committee fielded questions on the Study including the costs involved in re-charging water
supply in a natural way. It was noted that a local planning company has offered 'in kind'
their expertise to undertake a research study that would have cost the City in upwards of
$15o, ooo.
~VL Hiscott asked that this item be placed on the July 13, 1995 meeting of the Business and
Industry Advisory Committee for further consideration and that ~Vh'. Stanley provide a new
map to identify streets affected by the area prior to the report being dist~qbuted for further
consideratio~ ~VL Hiscott thanked ~Vh'. Stanley for his presentatio~
B. Stanley and Councillor T. Galloway left the meeting.
3. Semi-Annual Report
~VL Hiscott appeared before City Council on June 5, 1995 to present a verbal semi annual
report on the activities of the Business & Industry Advisory Committee. ~V[r. Hiscott
requested that Council recognize the Committees pro-active stance on economic development
issues and that the Advisory Committee be advised in the early stages which issues would be
considered by Council
4. Reports
George Borovilos reviewed in brief the Indust~qal Land Study, Non-Residential Development
Charges, and PI'operty Tax Comparison~ He indicated several areas in the reports that
pertained to the City of Kitchener and how the City compares to other municipalitie~ In
order to put the Development Charge report into perspective, ~Vh'. Borovilos was asked to find
Economic Development Division
June 15, 1995
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES
out how the other municipahties hsted in the report~ handled the development charges ie
were they buried in the taxes When discussing PI'operty Tax Comparisons it became
apparent that the City of Kitchener's rates were competitive within the Regio~ However, the
report did not include business tax which in most cases is 5070 of the Realty Taxes
The perception of the City of Kitchener is that we are a 'high priced' area to set up a business
This perception brought a lengthy dl~ussion on how to change this perception ie
decrease/~reeze taxes A declaration will be (h'afted for Committee's review on the concerns
dlseusse& This matter will be discussed at the July 13, 1995 committee meeting (see attached
5. Economic Development Activities
George Borovilos brought to Committee's attention the articles that were included in theh'
agenda package as interest items
a)
b)
c)
d)
0
Facts & Figures brochure
Downtown Statistical package
Home Page- going hve in August 1995
KDBA Facade PI'ogram - ie Oktobe~est office
Passport to Success - Wayne Hussey updated Committee on the second Passport to
Success which is an initiative by Oktobe~est Inc. the Cities of Kitchener and
Waterloo and local sponsor~ The event will run October llth and 12th which
includes tours and a breald'ast hosted by the sponsor~
Meeting adjourned l:05pm
Next Meeting: Thursday, July 13, 1995
11:00 mm. - 1:00 p.m.
Council Lounge, ~nd Floor
Kitchener City Hall
June RI, 1995
DRAFT DECLARATION FOR BUSINESS & INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
TO BE DISCUSSED JULY 13, 1995
Economic Development Division
June 15, 1995
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES
The Kitchener Business and Industry Conn~fittee is concerned with the long term
economic viability of om' connntmity due to the negative impact of om' high business
and residential ta~xes. We call upon aH levels of government that are included in
the municipal taxx bills to review theh' level of ta~xation in the context delivery of
services and the economic viability of om' connntmity.
As an advisory Conu~fittee, it will be om' task to review provisions of services and the
costs of the services provided in view of om' conununity's long term economic
survival. We will be in contact with aH levels of local government to review the
impact of the ta~xation levels, the services provided and the processes used to provide
the services by each body.
Economic Development Division
June 15, 1995