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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEcon Development - 2000-01-26Economic Development Advisory Committee January 26, 2000 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Pipe Room, 6th Floor, City Hall MINUTES Attendance: Hans Pottkamper, Chair Councillor Christina Weylie Brock Stanley George Borovilos Mike Sully Ray Robinson Glenn Scheels Councillor Tom Galloway David Corks Peter Benninger Lawrence Bingeman Shawky Fahel Recording Secretary: Linda Thompson Presenters: Victor Labreche, Member of the Regional & Municipal Affairs Committee, Chamber of Commerce Steven Gadbois, Chair of the Regional Municipal Affairs Committee, Chamber of Commerce Patti Jameson, Tim Hortons Mark Bodrug, Tim Hortons Terry Boutilier, City of Kitchener Patricia Bacon, City of Kitchener Regrets: Manfred Conrad Scott Baird Terry Flynn Henrik Noesgaard Paul Britton 1. Approval of Minutes of December 22, 1999 · Minutes of December 22, 1999 were approved as written. Moved by Shawky Fahel, Seconded by Mike Sully. Carried. o Chamber of Commerce Delegation - Victor Labreche Chair welcomed and introduced Victor Labreche who was attending to speak to the matter on Drive-Thrus. Victor is a member of the Regional and Municipal Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Commerce and wanted to bring to this Committee the Chamber's viewpoint on some of their concerns regarding Drive-Thrus. Victor Labreche introduced Mark Bodrug, Project Manager, Planning and Development, for Tim Hortons. Mark Bodrug was attending to give us industries perspective for his employer - Tim Hortons. · Glenn Scheels questioned if there was a report distributed regarding Drive-Thrus which these reps were speaking to. It was confirmed that a report had not yet been distributed, however, a working group (made up of industry/businesses and City Staff) had been working for the past few months on a draft report and that this report would be circulated in February to EDAC members. Drive-Thrus would be an item on the February 23 EDAC Agenda. · Victor Labreche advised that the Chamber wanted to ensure that the businesses/industries affected by the new Drive-Thru policies/procedures (once approved by Council) had their concerns addressed and best interest at heart and wanted to ensure they had a say prior to the report being written. Victor also expressed the Chambers' concern that to date there have been no problems with the present policies regarding drive-thrus, therefore, why change something that is working fine. · Councillor Weylie mentioned that this issue came up a few years ago with Taco Bell ~ Westmount and Victoria. At the time there were some concerns over stacking, traffic, noise, etc. that were raised by her and staff were asked to look into resolving some of these concerns. Councillor Weylie expressed that some of these problems still exist with certain drive-thrus. · Victor Labreche reconfirmed that he was here on behalf of the Chamber and advised by Hans Pottkamper to speak to the issue - give background and points of concern. Victor Labreche further confirmed that the Chamber really got involved in this issue initially through the Ontario Restaurant Association. · Victor Labreche pointed out that the Chamber clearly felt that staff was directed to take a look at the regulations and design standards and not prohibition of drive-thru facilities · Patricia Bacon advised that on Wednesday, February 2, 2000 in the Heritage Room, Main Floor, City Hall a general public meeting will be held from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. regarding drive-thrus. · Victor Labreche also added that their meetings with staff have been very positive and progressive (constructive) · Victor Labreche further acknowledged that to the best of the Chamber's knowledge this is the first time ever in Ontario for prohibition of Drive-Thrus · Victor Labreche also commented that he felt if the Working Group and Staff had only to deal with regulations and design standards this project would no longer be an issue - prohibition is the item not being resolved and this whole issue has been going on for over two (2) years with no sign of resolution in sight. · Glenn Scheels asked if the Chamber was opposed to prohibition even if only to include the core. Victor Labreche confirmed that was correct. · Mark Bodrug reconfirmed that most of their meetings with City Staff have been very productive (issues regarding noise, vehicles, lighting, stacking, traffic, etc.) The main issues that his industry felt were concerns of Council could all be addressed, however, prohibition was new to their industry and not one they could sit back and agree on · Mark Bodrug also advised that there are a lot of opportunities downtown for Tim Hortons, however, this is not what City wants to consider. For Tim Hortons, this may be difference between economic feasibility or not (Mark Bodrug referred to many vacant sites with back alleys to allow for drive-thrus that could be cleaned up and used as access to Drive-Thru facilities Xteven Gadbois entered the meeting · Mike Sully commented that ifDrive-Thrus were allowed in the downtown, would this not create a huge traffic problem · Peter Benninger commented that he felt limiting it to downtown is quite good as he felt only thing to revitalize downtown could be residential and he could not see the two of as a good match · Hans Pottkamper, as Chair, gave the Chair role to Glenn Scheels and spoke to the matter as an employee of Canada Trust. Hans Pottkamper stressed that Chamber is not objecting to evolution of design and criteria in trying to anticipate operating problems with drive-thrus but rather prohibition. He further noted that many customers welcome the drive-thru banks (i.e. mothers with small children don't have to get out of car to do business, sense of security staying in the car, quick & easy to do banking, etc.) As a retailer, Canada Trust sees drive- thrus as an integral part of their delivery of service: customer friendly - it is a real delivery issue. Lawrence Bingeman entered the meeting. · Steven Gadbois, Chair of the Regional and Municipal Affairs Committee, introduced himself and acknowledged and agreed with Hans Pottkamper's comments. He reiterated that the Chamber did not like prohibition of drive-thrus in certain areas of the City. · Ray Robinson commented that by prohibiting drive-thrus downtown will take business out of the downtown · Shawky Fahel commented that we have to balance residential and commercial and not expect one to revitalize the downtown core (definitely both are needed) · Patricia Bacon provided some general comments on behalf of staff. She advised that the Working Group had realized the differences between banks and restaurants and acknowledged that there will be some differences in how the two are handled. · Lawrence Bingeman asked what underlying problems were due to his absence at the start of the meeting. Noise, traffic movement, stacking, space, etc. were confirmed. He further questioned why this issue had come up if in fact there were no drive-thrus in the downtown now. Lawrence also questioned whether an economic impact study had been undertaken for this matter and Brock Stanley confirmed not. · Patricia Bacon commented that right now drive-thrus are defined and we need to be able to identify where and where not they are prohibited. At present, regulations do not allow for prohibition of drive-thrus there needs to be a zoning by-law. · Victor Labreche commented that if regulations are in place and everything seems to be working why change it - if problems not occurring and prohibition introduced, what next? - definitely a broad business concern. · Councillor Galloway mentioned that he thought that Council had directed staff to look at issue with respect to suburbs - not prohibition · Patti Jameson, Director, Corporate Communications, Tim Hortons, introduced herself and advised that it was their understanding as industry that they had addressed minor complaints that had been brought forward by residents/council etc. according to what had been brought forward by their operations division · Chair Pottkamper noted the extensive use of time for this issue and advised that this issue would be coming back to EDAC at their February 23, 2000 meeting and the discussions could continue at this time. He thanks Victor, Steven Gadbois and the reps from Tim Hortons for speaking to the matter. Councillor Weylie left the meeting. o Industrial Land Strategy Study · George Borovilos introduced Terry Boutilier and advised that he had been assigned to draft the Industrial Land Supply Strategy (ILSS) Background Report which was being presented for the first time to this Committee · Terry Boutilier advised that this project is a joint one between Economic Development Advisory Committee and the Department of Business and Planning Services · He stressed that EDAC will be an integral part of this process from here on in · Terry distributed a copy of the draft ILSS for everyone's information as well as a copy of his powerpoint presentation · Terry advised that Contribution to Community Costs was covered on pages 2-8 of the Report,//Vho's Our Customer was covered on pages 9 - 17 · Terry pointed out that 83% of our land sales are to current business (4 out of 5) · Inventory of Lands Currently Designated and Zoned for Business Park or Industrial Use if set out in Tables 18, 20 and 38 · There is presently 54 acres of municipal land available for sale (covers approx. 500,000 sq. ft.) · Sites with Less Certainty appear on Page 38 · Terry Boutilier explained the following abbreviations: MIC = Major infrastructure cost No San= No Sanitary Other = Gravel pits, etc. SIC = Some Infrastructure Costs · I4Zhere Should the Land Sites Be Located can be viewed on page 41 (# 1.-#5 Grand River South, #8-#10 Reichert Drive/New Dundee Road · Terry Boutilier identified a 600 acres site beside the airport (Pg. 55) and noted that this land was very flat, low costs to grade, not affected by any groundwater regulations, however, the area does not have sanitary capacity · In conclusion, Terry Boutilier noted that this report is not a public document and is only to be used by the Economic Development Advisory Committee members and planning staff · Councillor Galloway commented that if we are going to pursue the lands around the airport, we should definitely start communicating more with the Township of Woolwich to keep things above board · Hans Pottkamper advised that in meeting with Mayor Zehr a while back, Mayor Zehr commented that he would be bringing Mayor Strauss up-to-date on Kitchener's intentions and whether that has been done or not he was not sure · George Borovilos reinforced that short-term land strategy (i.e. Huron Road/Shirley Ave. extension) is also a part of this report although not a part of Terry's presentation · Ray Robinson commented on the charts on pages 4 through 6 and noted that Cambridge is definitely doing great business - according to this chart their tax base is split 50/50 with industrial & residential. Ray Robinson further noted that in order to compete with the likes of Cambridge, Kitchener must straddle the 401 and be very visible · Glenn Scheels commented that although we are looking at short-term land strategies, we should not neglect some of the long-term industrial lands and put more emphasis on larger picture and dove tail with other projects · George Borovilos advised that we need to form a working group/committee to identify the sites that have been developed and look at them in detail ie. Infrastructure costs, needs, timing, etc. · Amotionwas passed: "Presentation made with respect to the Industrial Land Supply Strategy Background Report be taken to Economic Vision Committee for evaluation with a preliminary presentation back to Economic Development Advisory Committee in one (1) month's time." Moved by Lawrence Bingeman, Seconded Glenn Scheels, Carried. Update on Highway 7 · Brock Stanley gave a brief update on Highway 7. He advised that he had attended a meeting this past Saturday, January 15, 2000. Participants at the meeting included MTO, City of Kitchener, residents of the area. At the meeting, a consultant took everyone through the process and highlighted the major changes to the Hwy. 7 plan. · Brock Stanley provided everyone with a copy of a letter from the consultant's McCormick Rankin Corporation which basically touched on the topics of Need and Justification, Transit, Alternatives on Existing Hwy.7 and modifications to the recommended alternative (in order to reduce impacts on wetlands). A copy of the plan was also distributed to members. · Brock Stanley advised that he would keep this Committee informed of any further meetings/discussions that have or will take place with regards to this issue. Compass Kitchener Linda Thompson advised that the deadline for submissions to Compass Kitchener must be completed on or before February 11, 2000 Each committee member was asked to complete the questionnaire and fax it back to Linda who in turn would summarize the comments as a group and share this summary with each member prior to submission to Compass Kitchener. 6. Director's Update · None 7. New Business · None Meeting adjourned at 1:10 p.m. Moved by Glenn Scheels, Seconded by Mike Sully. Carried Next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, February 23, 2000 at 11:00 t~m. in the Caucus Room, 2nd Floor, Cit~ Hall.