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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEcon Development - 2000-09-06EDA\2000-09-06 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES September 6, 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 Paul Britton Shawky Fahel Henrik Noesgaard Glenn Scheels Jane Jantzi Councillor, Christina Weylie Ray Robinson Scott Baird George Borovilos Brock Stanley Terry Boutilier Recording Secretary: Sandy Curzon Manfred Conrad Mike Sully Mayor, Carl Zehr 1. Approval of Minutes of June 28, 2000 Minutes of June 28, 2000 were approved as written. Moved by Jane Jantzi, Seconded by Brock Stanley, Carried. 2. Water Resources Protection Strategy George Borovilos advised Committee that over 900 letters have been sent to businesses, realtors and developers advising them of the proposed Regional Policy Plan Amendment. There are 25-30 business representatives expected to attend the public meeting September 7, 2000. Some of the main concerns owners have raised are related to their existing property rights, expansion and future disposal of lands. Some Committee members expressed concern that the proposed amendment could mean a decrease in land value of current and future lands for sale. Committee then discussed further implications the proposed amendment could place on resale value and the risk factor should the landowner/company not conform to environmental policies (groundwater contamination). Several Committee members pointed out that most company owners act responsible and are already taking measures to protect the ground water, some of who have received awards for such practices. Committee then collaborated on several questions that they felt would express their concerns to the proposed amendment: 1. What alternatives are being considered? 2. A clear definition of 'manufacturing sector' is needed? 3. Regional status on DPS? 4. Is moving the wells an option being considered? 5. Is there a cost benefit analysis of moving the wells? 6. Define Best Management Practices (BMP) and Environmental Systems (EMS)? Management Action: Hans Pottkamper to facilitate the September 7th meeting and that George Borovilos to ask questions on behalf of EDAC. 3. Industrial Land Strategy Study Terry Boutilier, Sr. Planner presented Committee with an overview of the 'Draft' Industrial Land Strategy Study dated September 1, 2000. Mr. Boutilier began his study in the fall of 1999, with the primary objective to determine the future land requirements to accommodate the City of Kitchener's immediate and long-term needs in order to provide for continued economic growth. Today's presentation is an accumulation of the efforts of the Vision Committee, a sub-committee of EDAC, and staff of the Business & Planning Services Department, City of Kitchener. Mr. Boutilier provided a summary of as follows: 1. Five reasons for a long-term supply of industrial land Employment opportunities Economic spin-offs Broaden the local tax base Provide land for local businesses to expand Attraction of new industry brings economic strength to community 2. Land Needs can be broken down into the following three categories: Immediate - years 2001 and 2002 Intermediate - years between 2002 and 2010 Long Term -land required beyond 2010 Historical Absorption, Employment Projection and Private Sector Projections are three methods used to determine the annual amount of land required accommodating future growth. It is estimated that an average of approximately 27 net acres/year or 576 gross acres to the year 2016 will be required. 3. Land Supply 1% vacancy rate according to Whitney & Company's 2000 Annual Report 1.67% vacancy rate according to CB Richard Ellis currently we have approximately 182 hectares (450 acres) of land available, designated in the Municipal Plan for Business Park or Industrial use which are appropriately zoned and considered developable over the next 10 years of the 450 acres, there are 156 acres immediately available (2000) No additional lands are planned beyond 2010 4. Recommended Land Supply Strategy Objective is to supply an on-going minimum inventory of 72 gross acres An additional 576 gross acres to the year 2016 Determine the method of financing to bring future lands to market Three alternatives in providing additional lands from 2002-2010 include: i) Do nothing - business attraction will diminish (attraction) and existing businesses wanting to relocate will do so in other jurisdictions; ii) Advance the scheduling of Shirley Avenue - Lackner Boulevard Extension from 2006 installation to 2001 and; iii) Revise the financing strategy and scheduling of Middle Strasburg Trunk Sewer (advance funding) Two alternatives in providing additional lands from 2010 to 2016 include: i) rely on current timing and financing of Middle Strasburg Trunk Sewer ii) consider lands adjacent to the Waterloo Regional Airport Committee congratulated Mr. Boutilier on an excellent report; his commitment to the project was sincerely appreciated. It was determined that approximately 50% of the lands discussed in the report are of the S2 sensitive area - as they relate to the ground water protection strategy study. Committee then discussed the findings of the report and determined that: report clearly shows need for future industrial land the 'do nothing' approach is not an option Airport lands, currently within Township of Woolwich, will satisfy long term needs and should be developed. An engineering study will be required to get cost estimates for these lands clarified that there are approximately 175 developable acres of land on Shirley Avenue- Victoria Street North short term - Shirley Avenue - immediate intermediate term - south-west lands - Bleams & Westmount, however these lands are not yet designated and would require the City to expedite the process long term - airport lands - within the next 5 years would be optimistic Action: Staff report to be prepared for Planning & Economic Development Committee for October 16th, 2000 and to include an executive summary highlighting the alternatives. RECOMMENDATION: That the City advance the scheduling of Shirley Avenue - Lackner Boulevard extension with the Capital Budget Forecast from 2006 to 2001/2002. Moved by Paul Britton Seconded by Peter Benninger Carried That the outstanding deferrals relating to the Westside (Bleams/Fischer Hallman) lands be resolved as soon as possible such that the lands south of Bleams Road and West of Fischer Hallman are designated for industrial development purposes. Moved by Paul Britton Seconded by Jane Jantzi Carried That the City work with affected property owners in order to expedite necessary easements to facilitate the extension of the Strasburg Trunk Sanitary Sewer. Further that the City explore options together with property owners such that the construction of the trunk sanitary sewer may be expedited. Moved by Paul Britton Seconded by Scott Baird Carried That the Region consider the designation of lands around the Waterloo Regional Airport for industrial purposes as part of the Regional Plan Review and in the event this process is delayed that the Region be requested to initiate a Regional Plan Amendment no later than June 2001. Moved by Paul Britton Seconded by Brock Stanley Carried It was noted that Mr. Lawrence Bingeman abstained from votinq on the above recommendations. 4. New Business None Meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m. Moved by Jane Jantzi, Seconded by Scott Baird. Carried Sandy Curzon, Recording Secretary Economic Development Advisory Committee Department of Business & Planning Services Next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, September 27th, 2000 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Conestoga Room, 1St Floor, City Hall