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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBusiness & Ind - 1996-05-09BIAC\1996-05-09 BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES THURSDAY, MAY 9, 1996 PRESENT: Mike Hiscott (Chah'), Carl Zehi; Elliott Currie, Bob C~ickshank, Jeff iV[orris, John Hoffman, Larry BlundelL Elliott Currie, Councillor Chiqstina Weylie, and liim Cowan ALSO PRESENT: Valerie Gibanl~ Jane Jantzi, Sybil l%'enette, George Borovilos, David Corks, Nancy Brawley and Brock Stanley RECORDER: Sandy Curzon 1. Downtown Development Team Members of the Downtown Development Team presented a verbal report on the results of the team's efforts as they relate to initiatives set out in the Mayor's Task Force Report. Sybil l%'enette indicated that the City is experiencing renewed interest in the downtown with 60 new businesses, reducing the vacancy rate from 3670 to 317~ The majority of these businesses were the entertainment and food industry. The night clubs and restaurants opening up are not only bringing employmenl~ but PEOPI,E back to the downtov¢~ It was estimated that as many as 17,000 patrons visit the downtown dmqng the evening hours~ Current prospects include McDonalds and a womans apparel shop. Of the new companies that have moved into the downtown, the quahty of the most of new businesses is higher than those which left. The investment of these new companies indicate that they plan to be here for a long time. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES Of the 38 businesses that have left the downtown, Committee asked if exit interviews had been conducted as to why they left downtown Kitchener. M~ lqYenette indicated that even though there was no formal survey done, most of the businesses that closed either went bank~q~pt~ owners reth'ed, or could not afford the lease rate~ Of the small independent businesses that closed in 1995, most were older retailers that reth'ed their busines~ M~ lqYenette did say however, that of the businesses that moved elsewhere reasons were of safety/security, larger facilities required or relocating to their customer base (ie Knarr Jewellers and Janet Lynns). It was suggested that a survey of aH exiting businesses would help the development team with their retention/att~'action initiative~ M~ l~'enette inlbrmed Committee that a 'hit hst' of potential businesses has been provided by the retail consultant for the development team~ These businesses will be receiving a letter signed by the Mayor inviting them to consider Kitchener as alternate locatiom A personal follow-up by the development team would then occur. There is also a t~'affic study/pedest~qan coun~ currently underway. The study will be split into four time periods the early morning, noon, late afternoon and evening. The development team was asked what events were planned, ff any, to &'aw people into the downtow~ Nancy Brawley, F~xecutive I)irector of Downtown Business Association indicated that together with the Parks and Recreation department and the newly hh'ed events co- ordinator 465 events took place including fund raisers in the downtown in 1995. Ongoing events such as Canada Day, Oktobe~est~ Festival of the Night~ annual Chtqstmas hghting, etc. continue to grow in popularity. Other updates included the Market Village sale to a company that plans to convert the buildings into restaurant~ The idea is to create an exclusive outdoor food patio in the village setting by offe~qng various style restaurants to choose fron~ M~ lqYenette thanked Committee for their comments/suggestions and encouraged them to provide future feedback Economic Development Division May 9, 1996. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES Huron Natural Area Brock Stanley, Assistant General Manager, Department of Planning & Development reviewed the background of the Huron Natural Area report as it relates to deletion of certain uses within the ParlL Last year Nh'. Stanley appeared before Committee to identify potential uses of the Huron Business ParlL In Ap~ql 1996 deletion of 19-13 current uses within certain BI zoning areas were identified. Council asked that existing owners be asked about the deletion of uses F~xisting businesses could be affected by these deletions and as the City sold the property it could become a sensitive issue. Alternate ways of deleting some of the uses from the zoning by-law would be required. ~Vh'. Stanley suggested that the next step would be to di'aft a letter that would go out to the existing businessesA'esidents of the area asking how the deletions would affect them~ The B-3 uses were expanded to allow for free-standing offices It was mentioned however, that an opportunity remains for the addition of uses at the same time the deletions are being recommended. Currently there is no restaurant facility in the Business Park, and the hot dog vendor who began operating this sp~qng has reported doing an excellent trade. As the zoning has been in place for 10 years, it would seem logical to review the relevance of uses at this time. As of July 1st 1996, new legislation will require ta~ck diqvers to be ding/alcohol tested on a regnlar basis Typically, these facilities would be set-up in medical offices in urban areas Due to the nature of the trncking industry it was felt by staff that trncks travelling on inter- city routes would be hazardous and noxious and therefore staff is recommending this use for the Huron Business ParlL Currently, medical offices are not a pe~nitted use within the Huron Business Park and in order to keep a physician on staff for testing purposes, a family practice for that physician would need to operate at the same time. ~Vh'. Stanley was asked to provide a &'aft letter for review by Committee at its meeting of June 13tl~ Economic Development Division May 9, 1996. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES Minutes of March RI, 1996 Minutes of March 9L 1996 were approved and adopted J. Jantzi gave an update on the recommendation made by Committee on BLS~s Offer to Purchase. Canada's Technology Triangle Review V. Gibaut gave Committee an update on the CT~ restmctu~qng proposal prepared by David Creech, CAO, City of Guelp]~ She asked the Committee for its input on rewording of the Future Dh'ections section of the report. It is proposed partnership be estabhshed to take Cl~ to the next level Economic Development Activities a) b) c) e) that a Plqvate/Public Sector Staff discussed potential land sales in caucus with Committee. Staff are in receipt of two offers to purchase which will go to the Planning and Economic Development Committee on May 13th and to Council May 2lst. On Ap~4l 99th, Council passed two land sales totalling appro×imately 9 acre~ One to MSD M~hine Tool lot 130 site D and Highland Metal lot 130 sites A & B. The st~qp malls within the Huron Business Park are beginning to fiji up. The cost of rental is up to $4. per square foot. Staff are negotiating with Maple Leaf Foods (Canada Packers) to develop theh' land for trucking terminals~ The elocab building is now occupie& Economic Twinning with Karshq~he, Germany is progressing. Several Kitchener business owners have been assisting in this initiative including the Oktobe~est office. A report is expected to go to PED on June 10tk Economic Development Division May 9, 1996. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES 5. Other Business V. Gibaut introduced a letter to the Chamber of Commerce of Kitchener-Waterloo on behalf of CT~ asking for support in establishing a demonstration project for the Canada Community Investment Plan (CCq]P) in the CT~ area~ This program will assist communities to identify growing companies and link them with sources of risk capital The Government of Canada is sohciting proposals from community groups to establish demonstration projects to deliver this project~ The Chambers of Cambridge and Guelph will also be asked to submit a proposal The deadline for proposals is May 15, 1996. Meeting adjourned 1:00 pm Next Meeting: Thursday, June 13, 1996 11:00 am - 1:00 pm City of Kitchener, Council Caucus Room City Hall, ~nd Floor Economic Development Division May 9, 1996.