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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Advisory - 2000-09-14DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE Thursday, September 14, 2000 The Kitchener Downtown Advisory Committee met this date under the Vice- Chairmanship of Trudy Beaulne, with the following members present: Councillor Karen Taylor-Harrison, Tom Brennand, David Corks, Molly Green, Doug Hoch, Donna Kuehl, Mike Peng, Anita Petsche-Good, Howard Rotberg, Denise Shelbourne, Brenton Toderian, Ruth Tomlinson, Peggy Walshe, Barry Zehr, Michele Hodgins Others:Zyg Janecki, David Ryan Regrets:Nancy Brawley, Regis Coladipietro, Chris Cowie, Mary Drandzyk, Howard Marr, Denise Strong, Councillor Mark Yantzi 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA It was moved that the agenda for the September 14, 2000 meeting be accepted. Moved:Tom Brennand Seconded by:Anita Petsche-Good CARRIED 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was moved that the minutes from the July 13, 2000 meeting be accepted. Moved by:Brenton Toderian Seconded by:Tom Brennand CARRIED 3. LODGING HOUSES – ZYG JANECKI Zyg Janecki, a Planner from Business & Planning Services, appeared before the Committee to once again discuss the issue of lodging houses. Zyg went on to explain that the City’s Municipal Plan provides the following policy: “The City recognizes the existence of a need for lodging houses, garden suites and residential care facilities and supports the integration of these housing types at appropriate locations in all residential areas.” The example of OASIS lodging house was used, stating it has 10 or 11 lodging units, a general kitchen facility and separate bathrooms that are commonly 1 LODGING HOUSES – ZYG JANECKI cont’d shared; this would resemble the typical lodging house. Maps were handed out showcasing the downtown and the inter-city Secondary Plan Community areas that allow for lodging houses (see attached maps). Lodging houses are permitted in 14 of 45 zoning categories. Lodging houses are required to be registered with the Clerks Department in order to be legal, licensed lodging houses, however, not all lodging houses are registered and legal. In order for lodging houses to be legalized, they must comply with rules and regulations, inspections need to be done, etc. and once all requirements are met, then the license is issued (see attached Rules for Lodging Houses). Group homes are permitted in 19 of the 45 zoning categories, and have similar requirements as lodging houses. There is a difference in the definition of group homes (see attached definition). Zyg showed a map showing the various sites for group homes (see attached map). There is a distance separation factor involved for group homes, of which there are approximately 35 group homes located throughout the city, which limits certain areas in the city where these can be located. Several questions were asked regarding lodging houses, they are as follows: Howard Rotberg noted an apparent discrepancy between the Municipal Plan definition of lodging houses and the Zoning By-Law 85-1. The Municipal Plan indicates “… supports the integration of these housing types at appropriate locations in all residential areas” and in the by-law it restricts lodging houses in some areas. Howard’s question was whether there is a plan to implement the Municipal Plan to permit lodging house in all residential zones. Zyg replied that in the zoning by-law, various uses are not permitted in every zone. Lodging houses are permitted throughout the city. Lodging houses are permitted in several residential zones and some commercial and downtown zones. Although the central part of the city provides for more opportunities to have lodging houses because of the housing styles, lodging houses are also permitted in newer areas of the city, in the higher order residential zones and are favourably looked upon although there is little interest in building them there by the private sector. Howard pointed out that the R1, R2, and R3 zones should also allow these uses. Doug Hoch said he has concerns with the registration/licensing concept of lodging houses. It appears that only 15 lodging houses are registered compared to almost 100 that are in existence. Zyg replied that the City is only aware of 15 lodging houses, and there may be more. However, buildings may appear to be similar yet be used as single detached dwellings, duplexes, triplexes, with unrelated people living as one household. In reply to another question, inspections are done on a yearly basis. 2 LODGING HOUSES – ZYG JANECKI cont’d Mike Peng asked if there is co-operation between fire department and city staff, informing of the lodging houses that aren’t registered. Zyg explained that we have compared lists, and found that they have only 2 or 3 different addresses than what the Planning Department has. Usually the fire department finds out quite by accident if there is a lodging house, by responding to a call or by general inspections. Donna Kuehl asked if the rooming and lodging house definitions are inter- changeable? Zyg replied that they are to some degree. Rooming houses usually have the owners residing in the same building. Our zoning by-law does not have a definition for a rooming house. Donna then asked that if the city is encouraging lodging houses and whether they should be registered and licensed. Zyg replied we do encourage this form of alternative housing. We don’t know where lodging houses exist, and information is needed by residents. Will letters be sent to neighbours advising of lodging house applications? Zyg replied that if a lodging house is to be located on a property and is not permitted, a re-zoning is required and property owners in the area are notified. If zoning permits lodging houses, then there is no notification to the residents. She also thought it would be a good idea to put something in neighbourhood newsletters advising of rules and regulations for lodging houses. Zyg replied we could do this. Further discussions took place on how the City finds out about these houses, usually by complaints that come in. Donna felt that there is a gap between what’s actually out there and what we know about. Barry Zehr commented that from a police perspective, there is a lot of lodging houses out there that is not registered and the City doesn’t know about. BK- Compliance Committee (consisting of police, fire and property standards staff) meets to discuss various issues concerning lodging houses. The question was asked that if someone doesn’t meet the property standards required of lodging houses, what can the City legally do to put a halt to its existence? Zyg replied that the City would meet with the owner to try and get the problems rectified, and if unsuccessful, then legal action would be taken if they did not cease use. In reply to informing the community, a neighbourhood newsletter would be a good way to inform the residents. Anita Petsche-Good asked about the distance separation factor and Zyg advised that R5 restricts lodging houses every 400 metres. How does this differ from other zones? Zyg replied that residential zones R7,8,and 9 are geared for high- rise apartments because of land value. Zyg noted that there is no maximum of the number of people in a lodging house, as long as zoning regulations are met. Discussions took place regarding a house in her neighbourhood and that she should call Zyg and request an investigation. 3 LODGING HOUSES – ZYG JANECKI cont’d Molly Green expressed concern on lack of distance separation. Why are there no restrictions? Why can’t we go door to door and be proactive and check the downtown area, we want to promote healthy, active living in the downtown and don’t want problem housing. Zyg advised that if restrictions of distance separation were provided, then there would be a limit to the number of lodging houses in downtown and be contrary to the intent of the Municipal Plan & Housing Policy of encouraging various forms of housing. We can’t go door to door because we don’t have the rights to go into everyone’s dwellings, and that we would require additional staff. Bad properties would be identified by complaints and investigated. In reply Zyg noted that up to a maximum of 3 unrelated people can live in a household in any type of dwelling unit. The Committee considered whether to have another meeting to consider items such as enforcement, unrelated people living in the same place, information to be handed out. Donna Kuehl asked if lodging/rooming houses are permitted side by side, and Zyg replied they are permitted beside each other in all permitted zones except the R5 zone, which has the distance separation factor. Karen Taylor-Harrison noted that enforcement of lodging houses is a nightmare, a very big job. She stated that we really need to have a discussion about how to handle these problems. It was also stated that we should look at the philosophy of this type of housing. Possibly the November meeting could be set aside for discussions. 4. FARMER’S MARKET – DAVID CORKS There is lots of excitement surrounding the news of the moving, and improving the new farmer’s market. The City will soon be hiring a consultant to conduct a survey of the public to find out what kind of new market is wanted and how it should be run. It was noted that there is a need for a grocery store style shop in the downtown and we could do this with the market being held 6 or 7 days a week. This process should start in the new year. David also mentioned the existing Tom Catz Bar will be coming down soon. It was also suggested that the consultant should come back to this Committee for our ideas and in-put in to the new farmer’s market. 5. UP-DATE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT TEAM (City and KDBA) · A tender has been accepted for the Governor’s House and Gaol, a $1 million project to save and protect the exterior of the buildings. 4 UP-DATE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT TEAM (City and KDBA) cont’d · The Goudies and King Centre names have been replaced by the Children’s Museum, Bramante Studios and Manulife Square. · Manulife is actively working at filling up Manulife Square, they are constantly growing, and will become even bigger. Already they are the largest employer in the downtown. · We hope to have news on the new courthouse for next meeting. · Ziggy’s Cycle will be opening up in November, · Urban Evolution signs will be out soon showing what will be developing in the downtown. · The Sky-dancer is here! Our downtown mascot, he’s 30’ high! We hope to have him in the Oktoberfest parade. We are currently taking him to schools for kids to enter a name contest. · Chess tables have been very successful (see attached staff reports). · Original City View and Block Talk came out last week. They look great! th, · The annual Jazzy Fashion fund-raiser will be held on September 20this is a charity fund-raiser for United Way. Tickets are $15 each and available at the KDBA. th · The KDBA boundary expansion meeting will be held on Sept. 14 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, everyone is welcome to attend. · The millennium mural will start on Monday at long last! There will be a live web-cam so everyone can watch it take shape! Brian Romenelli is the artist doing the mural with the theme being “Cherish the Past, Celebrate the Future”. The mural is expected to be completed in 6 weeks. th · Oct. 18 will be the next networking Social at Schreiter’s Home Furniting. This should prove to be another great evening. th · Sat., September 16 the Art-Works Festival will be held at Civic Square, it is a chance to see artists in action, as well, at the KOR Gallery kids will have a chance to paint hoarding panels for the Theatre & Co. construction site. · Graffiti busters will continue until it gets too cold! To-date,15 sites have been cleaned. · Finally, Molly bid farewell to our Committee. She will be leaving to go to Alaska next month! Molly expressed her extreme pleasure and gratefulness to have worked with such a wonderful group of people, and hopes that the success of downtown projects continues. Karen Taylor-Harrison then spoke on behalf of the Committee expressed our sentiments, that we will certainly miss her. It’s been a great privilege to work with Molly and a hearty thank you for the wonderful work she’s done. Howard Rotberg also complimented the rest of the City staff, politicians, Downtown Development Team for all the hard work that is being done in the downtown. 5 UP-DATE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT TEAM (City and KDBA) cont’d · Kaufman property – nothing new here. There have been 3 offers made, but nothing came of it. Downtown incentives are being offered for conversion of residential units. · Forsyth building is drying out. They are developing a model suite to show and start marketing the building for residential units. · Theatre & Co. are building a temporary home in the upper level of the th Farmer’s Market theatre, opening on Friday September 15. 6. NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATION UP-DATES rd Cedar HillThe 3 Friday of every month, a coffee house at the Mill-Courtland Centre will be operating. It will be an “open-mike” event, any singers, guitar players are welcome. This is a non-alcoholic event, cost is $3. Mt. Hope/BreithauptThis neighbourhood is very involved in lodging house problems, etc. Programs for fall are starting soon. For the movie nights, we have a new screen courtesy of City of Kitchener, and we’ve got an office at Breithaupt Centre! Going to develop a drop in centre for older kids. st Festival of Neighbourhoods will be October 1 from 1- 3 p.m. Contact Linda Pretty 741-2224 to register. 7. HOMELESSNESS UP-DATE The Federal government has money available for major centres with the greatest needs to help the homeless. Waterloo Region has applied for a share of this money and we should hear in the next few months if we will receive any help. 8. NEW BUSINESS · Howard Rotberg is part of a live-work space proposed development at King and Betzner St. There will be approximately 9 high-tech live-work units. For more information you can check out the web site at . www.e-live-work.com · There was a DAC sub-committee that met to discuss in general the problems with the All Ages Dances taking place in the downtown. A letter was written to the Alcohol & Gaming Commission requesting our own liquor license officer to help control these events. 6 NEW BUSINESS cont’d · The suggestion of arranging a half-day workshop with members from DAC and the Uptown Vision Committee to share concerns, ideas, etc. did not take place yet, and it was suggested we discuss this at a future DAC meeting. · Karen Taylor-Harrison said she attended a Community Exchange 2000 seminar, attended by Neighbourhood Associations, police forces and other services, discussing a wide range of problems happening in the cities’ downtowns. This would be something she could expand upon at a future DAC meeting. · Barry Zehr asked for our assistance in keeping his officers up-to-date on “good news”, what’s happening in the downtown. He feels that if his officers in the downtown know about up-coming events, new developments, etc., this would help with their inter-action with the public and businesses in the downtown. As his night shift officers are very busy, he feels if we gave him flyers, information items that he could post on their bulletin boards, this would be a great help. Meeting adjourned LIST OF ATTACHMENTS 1. Secondary Plan Zoning Maps 2. Rules for Lodging Houses 3. Downtown Lodging Houses memo/Zoning Categories 4. Staff Reports – Chess Tables 5. Let’s Talk About Poverty 6. Downtown Idea Exchange/Downtown Promotion Reporter 7