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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBusiness & Ind - 1997-04-09BIAC\1997-04-09 BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 1997 PRESENT: Carl Zehi' (Chah'), l,inda Kieswetter, Atso Saarkoppel, Councillors Chiqstina Weyhe, Jake Smola and Berry Vrbanovic, Mayor Richard Chiqsty, The Horn Walter McLean, Terry Boutilier, Brian Page, William Sleeth, Valerie Gibaut and Jane Jantzi RECORDER: Sandy Curzon a) Minutes of March 19, 1997 Minutes of March 19, 1997 were approved and adopted b) Business Arising from Minutes C. Zehi' appeared before Planning & Economic Development Committee on behalf of BIAC at theh' meeting of Ap~ql 7, 1997 to reflect the comments made by members of Committee on the Kitchener-Waterloo and Guelph Chambers of Commerce 'Secu~qng our Future' report. Economic Development Activities P. Bluck, Manager of the Waterloo Regional Ah?ort has approached V. Gibaut on behalf of CiW to gain support for future growth of the airport~ There is a proposal by five owners to develop 'Grand River South Development' for residential purposes which could have an adverse effect on future growth of the airport~ V. Gibaut was asked if CiW would support an economic impact analysis for the airport~ V. Gibaut will ask P. Bluck and J. Willmer, City Planner to attend the May meeting to explain further. b) Thi'ee offers are being considered in the Lancaster Corporate Centre. If approved, all developable sites will be sold. One offer is an option on one parcel to develop it in phase~ These offers are currently being reviewed with the City Sohcitor and staff. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES c) Don Eastwood, former General Manager of Economic Development in Cambridge became the fhst PI'esident of Ci~AN, effective Ap~ql 7tl~ Nh'. Eastwood is tempora~qly utilizing space in the Regional office headquarter~ Bo Densmore has been appointed I)h'ector of Economic Development in Cambridge. Cl~ Annual Meeting, which Kitchener is hosting, is scheduled for Ap~ql 10t]~ This k the 10th Anniversary of ClX. V. Gibaut will become Chah' of CT~ Stee~qng Committee. e) V. Gibaut has been working with German business representatives and City staff in putting a Chtqskindlmarket in the Civic Cent~'e. The group will approach City Council for a $5,000 loan which will be matched by the private sector. This event k expected to run in conjunction with Oktober[est. 3. Team Canada Mayor Richard Chtqsty gave Committee an overview of his Team Canada t~'ade mission to Asia~ Along with Plqme Minister Jean Chretien and the ten PI'emiers, Mayor Chtqsty was joined by several local business leaders while representing another 93 Kitchener companies who indicated theh' interest in expanding in Asia~ While Canadian businesses like to sign cont,'acts Asian business people take time to develop personal relationships based on trust and loyalty. Mayor Christy indicated that patience; persistence; interpersonal relationships and flexibility were the four main ingredients to doing business in Asia~ The Asians talk about international business parks being the gateway to the whole of China~ while we talk about access to the 401. It k the Mayor's opinion that if local companies are willing to invest in the long term, there k potential in the Asia-Pacific marketplace. The City of Cebu with a population of 1.9 million is interested in forming an Economic Twinning with a Canadian City. This relationship is being fostered by the Federation of Canadian Municipahties (FCM), which would pay for exchange t~qp~ It has not yet been decided who would make this t~qp on behalf of the City of Kitchener. Economic Development Division April 9, 1997. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES L, Kieswetter thanked the Mayor on behalf of the University of Waterloo. She questioned what role, if any, would Canada's Technology Triangle play in the relationship. It was determined that it would be left up to Council to decide how to proceed and that it would be inappropriate for the Mayor to act on behalf of CTS. 4. Urban Design Guidelines T. Boutilier and members of his staff gave Committee an overview of the Urban Design Guidelines and Standards di'aft report and how they affect both pubhc and private development thi'oughout the City. These guidelines are intended to form the basis in ultimately developing a higher level of building and site design while maintaining flexibility. The purpose of the guidelines is to estabhsh design parameters the city wishes to achieve and a framework, contained in the Municipal Plan, for discussion between development proponents and the City. Signage was another area covered in the &'aft report~ The ultimate goal for Site Signage would be to ensure that exterior signage provides adequate communica-tion and enhancement of the streetscape. Building Signage goal is to integrate the signage with architectural design of the building. Feedback is required with respect to the abundance of existing portable signage, visibility, access and the impression the signage makes to the business community and its visitor~ One suggestion would be to reduce the number of signs allowe& Another area Nh'. Boutilier touched on was Downtown in relation to appropriate development and signage. The I)~'aft Report will ultimately affect all development whether its an expansion (pertains to the new portion only) or a new building. A lot of the standards set out in the report are ah'eady in place and are consistent with other municipalities across Ontario. Staff feel the document will help streamline the development proces~ As a service to industry, it was suggested that prior to development a meeting be an'anged to discuss all costs associated prior to proceeding, making it simple for busines~ Several key groups have been targeted for their input prior to its presentation to City Council in September 1997. Committee were asked for their written comments prior to their next meeting of May 15t]~ Economic Development Division April 9, 1997. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES 5. Other Business Walter McLean, Honorary Council for the Repubhc of Namibia asked Committee for theh' support in hosting eight delegates from Namibia~ The delegation wishes to meet with local businesses on economic linkages/trade opportunities in the mining, waste managemenL sewage, housing, elect~qcal, food processing, environmental enginee~qng and tourism industry. The City of Kitchener has just completed a five year relationship with Namibia which was not an economic initiative. Economic Development staff will assist Mr. McLean in organizing a reception hosted by the Mayor and City Council for Thursday, Ap~4l 24tl~ Because of theh' resources the University of Waterloo will be asked to become involved. Meeting adjourned at l:05pm Next Meeting: Wednesday, May 14, 1997 11:00 am - 1:00 pm City of Kitchener, Council Caucus Room City Hall, ~nd Floor Economic Development Division April 9, 1997.