Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Advisory - 2001-01-11DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE January 11, 2001 The Kitchener Downtown Advisory Committee met this day under the chairmanship of Councillor Christina Weylie, with the following members present: Councillor Berry Vrbanovic, David Corks, Fred Bishop, Chris Cowie, Doug Hoch, Donna Kuehl, Howard Marr, Mike Peng, Anita Petsche-Good, Howard Rotberg, Denise Shelbourne, Debbie Schlichter, Marty Schreiter, Denise Strong, Karen Taylor-Harrison, George Boroviols, Brock Stanley, Michele Hodgins, Tim Fox, Catherine Heal Others:June Koppeser, Gary Melanson, Sgt. Dave Mathes, Tony DiBattista, Darryl Moore, John Clinckett Regrets:Councillor John Smola, Trudy Beaulne, Tom Brennand, Neil Carver, Mary Drandzyk, David Ryan, Peggy Walshe, Barry Zehr Councillor Christina Weylie welcomed everyone to today’s meeting and asked that we introduced ourselves, for those of us who are new to this Committee. Councillor Weylie also expressed the need to start these meetings on time, and asked for our co-operation in this regard. 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Councillor Weylie asked that we add “Streamlining” to the end of the agenda, time permitting. A motion was made to approve the agenda for the meeting of January 11, 2001. Moved by:Anita Petsche-Good Seconded by:Fred Bishop CARRIED 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES No changes were made to the minutes. A motion was made to approve the minutes from the December 14, 2000 meeting. Moved by:Marty Schreiter Seconded by:Denise Shelbourne CARRIED 1 3.METROPOLIS PATIO LIQUOR LICENSE EXPANSION David Corks explained the process to approve liquor licenses in the downtown. The Liquor License Application Review Committee, comprising of staff from the City and KDBA review all applications and make their recommendations to the City Finance & Administration Committee. This Committee then makes a recommendation to Council whether or not to object to the issuance of a license to the Provincial approval authorities. This process was followed for the Metropolis patio license extension and Finance and Administration supported the recommendation to object to the application. An objection has been filed with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission. However, Finance and Administration left the door open for the applicant to bring a more complete plan back to the Committee for reconsideration. Finance and Administration indicated that they would only reconsider the application if Darryl Moore and property owner, Tony DiBattista attended DAC to advise the members of their plans for the complete Metropolis and fire site complex. Tony DiBattista, Darryl Moore and John Clinckett, the project architect gave the following presentation to the Committee. Darryl Moore's presentation is attached to the minutes. He stated that the Metropolis would be reduced to one level of the Metropolis building operating two nights a week with the capacity reduced from 1600 to 1100. The ground floor would be a pub style restaurant open for lunch and closing at 11:00 p.m. The patio in question would serve the pub only and not be accessible for nightclub patrons. The patio would be flanked on either side by new retail and office buildings fronting onto King Street. A smaller building to the east would be built immediately with a larger office building to the west adjacent to Petsche Shoes is waiting for a major tenant to commit before timing is announced. The Committee had several questions for the DiBattista Group; Councilor Berry Vrbanovic asked which portions of the development will be happening first. Tony DiBattista explained that they would start developing with a smaller building on the left portion of the fire site, hopefully by September. The other building on the right side would be developed depending on the tenant, and the size of this portion could be scaled down, depending on the tenant preference. Anita Petsche-Good asked if the proposed restaurant would be an upscale facility. Darryl answered that it would and added that a tobacco shop and gift shop are planned tenants for the smaller building. Anita also asked if there is the possibility that a Zappers style arcade could go in there? Tony replied that as a last resort that could happen, but they want to stay with the gift shop idea. Tony also went on to explain that they have received a lot of interest from retailers for this proposed new building laid out in affordable units of 3-400 sq. ft. per unit. Tony also reported that the outside patio of the Metropolis would be closed during the winter months, and would be contained by a 42" fence. 2 METROPOLIS PATIO LIQUOR LICENSE EXPANSION cont’d. Howard Marr asked how they are marketing the new buildings. Daryl explained that they are working with a prospect major tenant for the proposed building on the right, and that they would want some type of signature signage on the building. Howard also asked if there would be access to the roof of these buildings and the answer was no. Sgt. Dave Mathes asked about the liquor license, what type of business they expect to attract during the day and at night. Darryl explained that they want to develop the lunch time office based business and an upscale after work business and dinner business, offering affordable dishes. The other new high-end restaurant tenant in the smaller easterly building would go for the higher-end market. Sgt. Mathes expressed concerns for the patio late night business and suggested it would have to be monitored closely, and suggested a closing time of 11 p.m. should be maintained strictly. Darryl emphasized that they are to stay away from the nightclub atmosphere in the restaurant, and that they want to cater to casual diners including the theatre crowd. Denise Strong commented that King St. Trios (former downtown restaurant next to City Hall) was not successful for lunchtime business, and asked how can they expect to survive? The DiBattista group stressed the affordability of their rent resulting in reasonable prices. Their confidence has increased due to the Manulife expansion, new theatres and Children’s Museum. They want to establish the integrity of a new restaurant. Denise noted that affordable prices can bring in a not-conducive clientele, and asked how will they handle that. Darryl explained that there are provisions in the Liquor Licensing Act to refuse service and include rules regulating clothing, that patrons must order food, etc. The Committee also learned that that Metropolis nightclub entrance would be at the rear of the patio, therefore taking lineups off the main portion of King Street. Darryl also explained to Anita information pertaining to the capacities of the patio, restaurant and nightclub as it relates to the license application. In addition, Darryl stated that from his experience from concerts, not many would be congregating outside to smoke at any one time, perhaps a constant number of 15-20 people at any given time. He added that security staff would be at entrances at all times during nightclub operating hours. He also stated that the patio would allow smoking but be closed at 11:00 p.m. along with the restaurant and not accessible to the nightclub patrons. Marty Schreiter pointed out that the plans were much improved from when first presented and that the presenters continue to forge a positive trust relationship with business community, since this has not been present in the past. Darryl responded that they want to continue dialogue with the police, City and KDBA staff as well as the public. He welcomes their questions and involvement. 3 METROPOLIS PATIO LIQUOR LICENSE EXPANSION cont’d. Karen Taylor-Harrison said she encourages open communications, but still leery due to past reputation. Councillor Berry Vrbanovic pointed out a difference on the plans and cautiously supported the revisions proposed. He clarified that the restaurant name would be the King Street Pub and Grill. He asked for alternatives if the venue doesn't work, Darryl said they’d try a different market and change venues and food styles. He asked if the patio creates problems as seen in the past, are the owners willing to let the patio license operate only for a limited time. The response was this was not possible due to the investment needed up front to make the operation successful. After some minor clarification and questions, Howard Rotberg put forth the following resolution: That DAC give preliminary support to the proposal for the redevelopment by the DiBattista Group of the Metropolis site, conditional upon suitable conditions being placed in the liquor license or in a condition precedent agreement to same, to assure us that the verbal operational, design and license capacity proposals made in today's presentation (01/11/01), will be legally implemented, and conditional upon the proponents demonstrating that it's other downtown properties can be properly managed. Moved by:Howard Rotberg Second by:Karen Taylor-Harrison CARRIED The next step for the DiBattista Group is to present their proposal to the KDBA th Board of Directors' next meeting on January 16 2001 at the Four Points Sheraton. 4. UPDATE BY DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT TEAM (City and KDBA) Good news, there has been no retail closings in the downtown, which can § sometimes happen after Christmas. Ziggy’s will be opening toward the end of January. § McDonald’s restaurant has opened at Market Square. § th KDBA are doing their Strategic Plan, starting January 26 . § Lots of snow has fallen – the city is working on removing if from the § downtown. Still working on the garbage problem in the downtown. § 5. NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATION UPDATE Civic Centre N.A.Donna Kuehl reported that they are fundraising for a new flagpole. 4 6. HOMELESSNESS UPDATE Catherine Heal gave an update on the Community Homelessness Working Group. Deborah Wallace, Director, Regional Homelessness Unit, Ontario Group, and Ross Tayler, Director, HRDC Kitchener attended the Working Group meeting on January 10, 2001. During this meeting, Mr. Tayler and Ms. Wallace offered the community the flexibility to apply the fund region wide if the Community Homelessness Working Group indicates in the Community Homelessness Plan that this approach will better serve the needs of the community. In response to a question from Deb Schlichter, Catherine reported that a second call for Letter of Intent would be sent out in order to open the program to all agencies in the region. Councillor Vrbanovic asked about the reason for the earlier decision to limit the th fund to the City of Kitchener, Catherine said that during the January 10 meeting, Ms. Wallace explained that background data was collected on three demographic indicators–population, vacancy rate and income level. For this community, data was collected for the Kitchener Census Metropolitan Area. Recognizing that the available fund was small relative to the magnitude of the homelessness problem, it was hoped that by concentrating the fund on cities with higher needs, better results would be accomplished. 7. NEW BUSINESS th Councillor Weylie advised the Committee that at the February 8 meeting we would be having speakers from the Community Health Centre. Councillor Weylie also proposed that we streamline the meetings wants to keep the meetings running on time, with a prompt start time of 8:30 a.m. She also suggested that there always be a representative from the Neighbourhood Associations and the required KDBA reps. (5). We will discuss having a proxy able to vote at these meetings and to make sure everyone is aware of the voting process and dates of meetings. Fred Bishop asked if we could put chess tables on the next agenda. A motion was made to close today’s meeting. Moved by:Fred Bishop Seconded by:Denise Shelbourne CARRIED LIST OF ATTACHMENTS 1. Metropolis Report – The King Street Business Court 5