HomeMy WebLinkAboutEcon Development - 2000-09-27EDA\2000-09-27
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
September 27, 2000
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Conestoga Room, Main Floor, City Hall
Attendance:
Staff:
Regrets:
Hans Pottkamper, Chair
Peter Benninger
Lawrence Bingeman
Shawky Fahel
Glenn Scheels
Jane Jantzi
Mayor, Carl Zehr
George Borovilos Brock Stanley
Terry Boutilier
Recording Secretary: Sandy Curzon
Manfred Conrad
Mike Sully
Ray Robinson
Henrik Noesgaard
Councillor, Christina Weylie
Paul Britton
Scott Baird
1. Approval of Minutes of September 6th, 2000
Minutes of September 27th, 2000 were approved with the following changes
Page 4 - Recommendations #1 should read "That the City ... with the
Budget Forecast from 2006 to 200112002
Capital
Moved by Jane Jantzi, Seconded by Peter Benninger, Carried.
2. Water Resources Protection Strategy
On September 25, 2000 a Staff Report on the Draft Regional Official Policies Plan
Amendment - Regional Groundwater Protection Strategy went before the Planning
& Economic Development Committee which addressed concerns/issues surrounding
the amendment to regulate new non-residential development near municipal
groundwater supplies to ensure the protection of a safe and adequate water supply.
In the absence of a Development Permit System (DPS), municipalities will be faced
with making decisions which will affect both industry and groundwater protection.
The philosophy of having a one-permit system in place, approvals would be quicker
and more straightforward. It was noted that there has not been any consideration of
alternative means to achieve the same result in protecting groundwater supply
without rezoning existing industrial properties.
By a show of hands, Committee agreed to support the Staff Report as it stands. The
position of staff and EDAC has been a two-part recommendation to the Region:
i) implement amendment as it relates to underveloped, non-zoned lands; and
ii) revise approach to protect existing industries
On October 3rd Regional Planing & Culture Committee will address this report at a
Public meeting. George Borovilos has been asked to represent the Economic
Development Advisory Committee at this meeting.
3. Industrial Land Strategy Study
The Final Report on Industrial Land Strategy will be available and distributed to
Committee and City Council on October 6th. It will then be presented to the Planning
& Economic Development Committee October 16th along with a staff report outlining
the recommendations of Committee as approved September 6th. It will then go to
City Council October 23rd for final recommendation.
Discussion then centred on who is going to sell and market the lands. Who will front
end the cost for infrastructure - if done by the landowner/developer, a credit is
usually applied. In the case of Shirley Avenue/Lackner Boulevard, the developer is
responsible for the infrastructure and the City for the forcemain and pump.
The Capital Budget for 2002-2007 has a variety of projects listed and it will be up to
the new Council to decide which ones get priority, a task that will not be easy. The
question of which project will expedite growth for the City should be reviewed when
looking at the Capital Budget.
Another meeting with property owners is required to discuss options/joint venture in
brining lands on stream.
Action: Review Capital forecast once approved in January 2001 and make
recommendations to City Council
4. Future Directions
Revisit the Downtown - what's going right and what's not - successes and
failures
Adaptive Reuse sites being developed or in the process i.e. 72 Victoria Street
and Forsyth Building
Brownfields
5. New Business
In June of this year, Terry Boutilier was asked to speak to the Canadian Urban
Institute about Kitchener's Adaptive Re-Use Program. He has been asked by the
Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) to join a Steering Committee to assist
them with the same subject. There have been some recent moves by the Province
and the Federal Government to stimulate development of Brownfield sites. It was
noted that the push from the Province is largely due to Toronto's bid for the 2008
Summer Olympics. Tony Clement, Minister of Municipal Affairs & Housing
announced the appointment of an Advisory Panel to examine the question of
Brownfields and put in place recommendations to get the lands developed.
On September 21st Mr. Boutilier was given an opportunity to speak to the Advisory
Panel. He offered three areas of suggestions for the Panel's consideration.
i)
the need for a new piece of legislation - municipalities currently use Section
28 of the Planning Act which deals with the registered owner of the land
simplify the process
revisit the concept of 'one who pollutes should pay' - In Kitchener, we deal
with two kinds of Brownfields - factory sites which are remnants of industrial
revolution and gas station sites from the 50's, 60's and 70's
The Advisory Panel's timetable for their draft report has been moved up to October
20th. Emphasis will be placed on liability, legislation and financing.
Committee agreed that this would be an ideal activity by revisiting Adaptive Reuse
sites in Kitchener. Mr. Boutilier was commended for representing the City at the
Conference and on the Advisory Steering Committee.
Meeting adjourned at 1:12 p.m.
Moved by Peter Benninger, Seconded by Shawky Fahel. Carried
Sandy Curzon, Recording Secretary
Economic Development Advisory Committee
Department of Business & Planning Services
Next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, October 24th, 2000
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Conestoga Room, 1St Floor, City Hall