HomeMy WebLinkAboutEcon Development - 2000-04-26EDA\2000-04-26
Economic Development Advisory Committee
April 26, 2000
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Council Caucus Room, 2na Floor, City Hall
Attendance:
Staff.'
Delegation:
Regrets:
Glenn Scheels
Mike Sully
Hans Pottkamper, Chair
Paul Britton
Lawrence Bingeman
Peter Benninger
Henrik Noesgaard
Jane Jantzi
Ray Robinson
Councillor, Christina Weylie
George Borovilos
Carla Ladd
Terry Boutilier
Kathy Bissell
Brock Stanley
Jeff Willmer
Patricia Bacon
Recording Secretary: Sandy Curzon
Victor Labreche, Planning & Engineering Initiatives
Tom Richardson, Sullivan Mahoney
Mark McSporan, Franchise Owner (McDonalds Restaurant)
Shawky Fahel
Manfred Conrad
Mayor, Carl Zehr
Terry Flynn
Councillor, Tom Galloway
1. Approval of Minutes of March 22I'a , 2000
Minutes of March 22, 2000 were approved as written.
Moved by Peter Benninger, Second by Glen Scheels, Carried.
2. Drive Throughs
Mr. Tom Richardson spoke on behalf of his clients the TDL Group (Tim Hortons), Wendy's
Restaurants, Country Style Donuts, McDonalds, Ontario Restaurant Association, and Twin
Corp. (Pizza Hut, KFC, Taco Bell) with respect to the regulation and prohibition of drive -
through facilities. Mr. Richardson expressed concern of the frustration his clients have had
with city staff over various issues relating to drive-throughs as well as the serious impact on
existing franchise owners. It was felt that there was some discrimination directed at drive -
through restaurants because of traffic volume. It was noted that 30-60% of his clients gross
sales are via their drive-through facilities. Prohibition could therefore mean the difference
between a viable and a non-viable business.
On behalf of his clients Mr. Richardson made a formal request to Committee:
"That the Economic Development Advisory Committee recommend to the City's
Business and Planning Services Committee and to Council that staff be instructed (a)
to remove the prohibitions of drive-thrus in the proposed by-law; and b) to work with
the industry and affected property owners to develop alternative or additional
regulations and guidelines for each of the "Downtown" and "Suburban" Areas."
Mr. Victor Labreche addressed Committee giving examples of design concepts for various
downtowns where drive-throughs have been implemented. Mr. Labreche also provided
aerial photographs of Downtown Kitchener indicating sites where drive-throughs meet
today's regulations on zoning by-laws.
Mr. Mark McSporan of McDonalds was in attendance today to speak to Committee of his
personal concerns with the report. Mr. McSporan began his McDonalds franchise in 1983
and now finds himself in non-compliance and is concerned not only with the loss of revenue,
which represents 50% of his business, but more importantly with the effect it will have on
growth, job creation and unemployment. Aside from difficulty he will face in obtaining
financing for major renovations he advised that the loss of his drive-through would make his
restaurant non viable financially.
Mr. Jeff Willmer gave a brief background as to Council's mandate with respect to drive-
through facilities. Council passed a resolution on June 21, 1999 directing staff to consult
with representatives of the business community, neighbourhood associations, etc. on matters
relating to proposed zoning amendments and proposed design standards for drive-through
facilities. This resolution was the result of problem sites where there were on-going conflict
between the operations of drive through restaurants and neighbouring residential uses, or
recurring incidents of stacking lanes extending back onto the public roadways. In addition,
inconsistency between the zoning by-law and the official plan, not only within the downtown
but also along the King Street corridor became evident. Staff then began defining areas
which drive-through facilities would not be appropriately permitted.
After a lengthy discussion, Committee put forth the following recommendation to City
Council:
That the Economic Development Advisory Committee recommends to Council that
staff be directed to use regulation and not prohibition to govern drive-throughs in the
entire City including access and use limitation on key pedestrian corridors including
King Street in the downtown and that all existing drive-through sites be legally
grandfathered.
Moved by Ray Robinson; Seconded by Paul Britton - Carried
(with two members opposing)
Committee is concerned that prohibition, while potentially justified in specific instances, will
create a negative perception and may also run counter to public needs. The use of reasonable
regulation, including the elimination of access to/from King Street in conjunction with
streetscape supportive redevelopment zoning/uses, will create a much more positive
atmosphere in the general business community. Also, egress issues should require that
connection to a 2-lane city street be available in most cases.
3. Industrial Land Strategy Study Update
As a follow-up to March 20th meeting, Mr. Boutilier reviewed the three phases to bring the
sites identified to a developable state. Phase ! - approximately 100 acres in Huron Business
Park would satisfy the immediate needs up to the next three years. Phase II, an additional
200 acres along Victoria Street North would be developed over the next 3-5 years and Phase
IH - approximately 700 acres would satisfy long term needs beyond the Phase H horizon.
With Phase ! underway, the emphasis has been placed on Phase II, the lands west of Victoria
Street and the Grand River. These lands are 3-5 years of being developed due to
infrastructure issues related to servicing. It was estimated that the cost could be $6-10
million
There are currently two major studies on the Victoria Street lands:
> Shirley Avenue Extension - a study conducted by McCormick Rankin to find the best
location for the alignment and preliminary design for the extension of Shirley Avenue.
At this time two options are available a) a subway under the track, or b) an at-grade
crossing with enhanced signals.
> Sanitary Servicing - a three month investigation by Earth Tech for the Township of
Woolwich to assess the capacity of Montgomery Trunk. This study is being conducted to
determine if there is enough capacity.
Mr. Boutilier and other members of City Staff met to discuss the various funding options
available. Three options are available
> The City pays out of the Capital Budget/Development Charge Fund
> Landowners front-end the cost
> City front-ends and collects as development proceeds
Also in Phase III, Mr. Boutilier suggested that staff will proceed with designation of lands at
Bleams & Westmount as part of the West Side Municipal Agreement. It was suggested that
the City of Kitchener facilitate discussions with land owners to determine their intentions of
the lands north of Victoria Street.
4. Highway #7 Extension
Mr. Stanley reviewed the Special Council minutes of April 10, 2000 as they relate to the
recommendations put forward by the Environmental Committee and the Economic
Development Advisory Committee which is attached. City Council did not send forth a
formal recommendation to the Ministry of Transportation since they (MTO) have not set a
date for final recommendations. Committee will be kept inform once a date is set.
5. Auditorium Master Plan
Due to time restraints, this item has been deferred to the next meeting of May 24th, 2000
6. Directors Report
> Mr. Borovilos gave a brief overview of his Divisions projects
7. Other Business
Paul Britton - Call Centre - regional stance, concern that EDAC was not asked for input;
perception
Lawrence Bingeman -pole transformer vs City owned, service response
Moved by Ray Robinson, Second by Paul Britton. Carried
Meeting adjourned at 1:25 p.m.
Next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, May 24, 2000
11:00 a.m. - l:OO p. m.
Conestoga Room, 1st Floor, City Hall