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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Advisory - 2001-04-12DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE (Note: Any Attachments can be viewed in the Economic Development Division) April 12, 2001 The Kitchener Downtown Advisory Committee me on this date, under the chairmanship of Councillor Christina Weylie, with the following members present: David Corks, Fred Bishop, Tom Brennand, Donna Kuehl, Howard Marr, Mike Peng, Anita Petsche-Good, Howard Rotberg, Con Papenhuyzen, Debbie Schlichter, Marty Schreiter, Denise Strong, Peggy Walshe, Mike Nagel Others: Larry Masseo, Stephen Gardiner 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA – April 12, 2001 Chairman Weylie suggested putting new business items on the next month’s agenda. If the matter is of a time-sensitive issue, we may want to conduct a separate meeting from the regular DAC meetings. A motion we made to approve the agenda for the meeting of April 12, 2001. Moved by:Marty Schreiter Seconded:Denise Strong CARRIED 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – March 8, 2001 A motion was made to approve the minutes from the meeting of March 8, 2001. Moved by:Howard Marr Seconded:Fred Bishop CARRIED Chairman Weylie commented that the special meeting held by DAC for the proposed school closings was well attended. The Board of Education was very pleased with the presentation and would like to come back later in the fall to up-date the Committee on the progress of this issue. Chairman Weylie also asked whether anyone DAC member signed up for the Sharing Ontario’s Urban Neighbourhood 2001 symposium in Hamilton on May 5-6. Although no one has signed up for it, we thought it would be good for a member from DAC to attend this seminar and bring back information. Fred Bishop advised that there is a member from the Safe City Committee that is going, and hopefully he can bring back information and brief us on the seminar. 1 3. COMMERCIAL POLICY REVIEW Larry Masseo gave a presentation on the Commercial Policy Review (see attached New Commercial Policy Structure). Larry’s presentation reads as follows: THE DEPT. OF BUSINESS AND PLANNING SERVICES HAS BEEN CONDUCTING A REVIEW OF THE CITY’S COMMERCIAL POLCIES OVER THE COURSE OF THE PAST 2 YEARS. THIS REVIEW WAS INITIATED IN RESPONSE TO SEVERAL APPLICATIONS FOR MAJOR NEW RETAIL USES IN AREAS THAT DID NOT PERMIT THOSE USES. TO ASSIST STAFF IN CONDUCTING THE STUDY, ROAL LePAGE STRATEGIC ADVISORY SERVICES AD THE PLANNING PARTNERSHIP WERE RETAINED. THE CONSULTANTS PREPARED A STUDY ENTITLED THE “COMMERCIAL POLICY REVIEW STUDY”, WHICH WAS ADOPTED BY CITY COUNCIL IN NOVEMBER 1999. PRIOR TO CITY COUNCIL ADOPTING THE COMMERCIAL POLICY REVIEW STUDY, A NUMBER OF SPECIFIC ISSUES WERE RAISED BY THE COMMERCIAL INDUSTRY. THESE ISSUES WERE NOT RELATED TO THE OVERALL CONCEPT OR DIRECTION OF THE POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS BYT RATHER SPECIFIC IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES. TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES DURING DETAILED POLICY DEVELOPMENT, AN IMPLEMENTATION WORKING GROUP WAS FORMED TO ASSIST STAFF. THIS GROUP CONSISTED OF A NUMBER OF PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE LOCAL MARKET AS WELL AS PLANNING STAFF FROM THE REGION OF WATERLOO AND THE CITIES OF WATERLOO AND CAMBRIDGE. THE MEMBERS INLCUDED: PETER BENNINGER OF COLDWELL BANKER/PETER BENNINGER REALTY TOM BRENNAND FROM THE CITY’S DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE ADRIAN CONDRAD OF THE CORA GROUP KEVIN CURTIS FROM THE REGION OF WATERLOO MICHELL DES ROSIERS OF THE DGF GROUP OF COMPANIES SUCH STUDIES WILL ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS ON THE OVERALL PLANNED COMMERCIAL STRUCTURE OF THE CITY AND WHERE APPROPRIATE, OF THE STRUCTURE OF NEIGHBOURING CITIES. 2 COMMERCIAL POLICY REVIEW cont’d. THESE POLICIES WERE TABLED WITH CITY COUNCIL IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR. AT THAT TIME, COUNCIL ACCEPTED THE POLICES AND DIRECTED STAFF TO UNDERTAKE A BROAD CONSULTATION WITH COMMERCIAL PROPERTY OWNERS PRIOR TO HOLDING THE FORMAL PUBLIC MEETING AND FINAL APPROVAL. IT IS INTENDED THAT THE PROPOSED POLICIES WILL BE FURTHER REFINED OVER THE NEXT TWO MONTHS AS A RESULT OF INPUT FROM THE INDUSTRY CONSULTATION. DURING THIS TIME, STAFF WILL MAKE ANY REQUIRED REVISIONS TO THE PROPOSED DESIGNATIONS, FINALIZE THE POLICIES AND ADDRESS SPECIFIC IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES. WE INTEND TO COMPLETE THIS PROCESS EXPEDITIOUSLY SO THAT THE FINAL PROPOSED POLICIES CAN BE CONSIDERED BY CITY COUNCIL IN JUNE OR JULY OF THIS YEAR. UPON ADOPTION BY CITY COUNCIL, STAFF W ILL BEGIN THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING ENTIRELY NEW IMPLEMENTING ZONING CATEGORIES TO REPLACE THE EXISTING.ZONING. AT THAT TIME, THE MAJORITY OF THE VERY DETAILED, PROPERTY SPECIFIC ISSUES WILL BE ADDRESSED. Peggy Walshe commented that landscaping in terms of parkettes, etc. seems to be absent in these areas and feels that it is a vital aspect of these developments. Larry replied that the emphasis on new structures would be the form of development, how it will look, how it will fit in with other buildings in the neighbourhoods, etc. Its something we try to negotiate with the developers through the site plan process, sometimes it is successful, sometimes not. Donna Kuehl suggested that the site plan should conform to policies in the heritage district, as we would want to preserve the different styles. Howard Rotberg indicated that we should have medium to higher density forms of housing in the downtown. Limit floor space ratio for mixed use on the fringes of downtown. We need higher densities on the fringes of the downtown, feels 2% is too small. Larry replied that high density is not necessarily the answer, but get people into the downtown neighbourhoods. Look at more medium to low density which can work with surrounding neighbourhoods and works/fits in better. Howard disagreed and feels that we need high density in the downtown to provide the people to support the infrastructure and services planned around the new market, etc. 3 Con Papenhuyzen commented that the new large campuses (i.e. big box style stores) that are planned, seems to suck the life out of the downtown. Larry explained that the big box style of stores is going to happen anyway, and restricting COMMERCIAL POLICY REVIEW cont’d. them doesn’t protect the downtown. He feels we need to balance the opportunity of retail, allowing all forms throughout the city. Planning for them will address transit access, design stands, etc. Fred Bishop asked if public art could in any way be incorporated into the landscaping plans. Larry stated that the City has urban design guidelines, but does not put any firm requirements in the official plan. Howard Marr commented on restrictions on plans, and asked if there is the elimination of red tape or any way to speed up the application process, etc.? Larry replied that it is the City’s intent to become more proactive in allowing development to occur, but that there still would be some red tape, i.e. Site Plan Review. Howard further asked what incentives were offered for the downtown section and do the development charges change in the new plan? Not yet. The City will continue with the community improvement plan for the downtown, as well as the safety program, lighting in downtown and urban renewal, all will continue. Marty Schreiter asked why would someone choose to go outside of the downtown, and how do we entice them to come into the downtown or steer more development into the downtown? Parking is the big problem in locating in the downtown, and outside of the downtown there is easier access to parking. Howard Marr continued to comment that anyone new coming into the downtown the City would have to provide parking for them. As parking can be a costly issue, we need to provide more parking garages. Is the market area taking into account the high density housing. Larry commented that yes, an analysis of land uses and housing of surrounding areas will be done. Larry continued that they hope to bring the proposed policies before Council as an amendment this summer. At this point, the Department is targeting a June or July completion date. Can this come back with updates before it goes to council? Yes. Mike Nagel asked whether the plan includes CEPTED, crime prevention through environmental design? Larry responded that the proposed policies do not directly address CEPTED matters, but they are implemented through the Site Plan Approval process. 4 Marty Schreiter emphasized that our downtown is different than Fairview Park Mall, we are unique in they types of stores we have and the overall look of the downtown. Marty asked whether we could be colour-coded differently from Fairview Park Mall COMMERCIAL POLICY REVIEW cont’d. area on the map? Larry agreed that that was a good idea and would differentiate between the two. Denise Strong asked if there are any incentives for subsidizing bus passes to larger companies, etc. to help bring the people into the downtown? David Corks replied that the City is addressing this issue, and one recommendation is a Transportation Demand Management who would work with large companies to encourage using the transit system or car-pooling. 4. UP-DATE BY DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT TEAM (City and KDBA) · Music video being shot in town (The Proclaimers). The production company has, so far, dropped over $11,000 into the community, through hotels, catering, rental equipment, etc. · Forsyth residential model unit is scheduled to open at the end of May and an open house is planned to tour the model suites. It will be converted into half condo and half rental units, with a total of approximately 60 units. · The City is looking at interim uses for their King St. properties. Looking at a group of artists for one unit and want good retail for other units. If anyone has suggestions for these areas, please contact David Corks or Marty Schreiter. · Resolution from DAC for land-use study around the new market, council did pass the resolution, removed the word immediately, but will be reviewing the study in the near future. · The consultant for new market will have their report ready at the end of the month and will present it to council. · Improvements to Gaukel St. have been put off for a few years, but hopefully will be working on this in the near future. The Bullas Nudes are still a factor in this, however, a new location is needed for them, due to hydro issues. · Spring cleaning is happening in the downtown. Hiring panhandlers to clean certain areas of the downtown, cleaning windows, ect. Dealing with hot-dog stands and patios and how they can be better run. th · KDBA Annual General Meeting April 19, 7:30 a.m. at the Walper Terrace Hotel. 5 th · 5-star program being introduced April 19 after the KDBA Annual Meeting. The program will focus on how you can help clean up the downtown, recycling, UP-DATE BY DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT TEAM (City and KDBA) cont’d. cleaning up. The KDBA plans to distribute brooms to retailers in the downtown to get them involved. · Stores – looking at attracting different stores into the downtown. Some expression of interest from chocolate and antique dealer. Marty Schreiter suggested if anyone sees any store that is of interest, that would benefit to being in our downtown, get their business cards and David and/or Marty can contact them to encourage a relocation to downtown Kitchener. · Benches – the KDBA and the City are looking at beautifying the downtown, and how benches can be put to better use in areas in the downtown. · Safety – the KDBA is working on getting more of a police presence in the downtown and Cedar-Hill area. With more Neighbourhood Watch programs and the street ambassadors/street cleaners in the downtown, they can serve as eyes and ears for the police and help in reporting problems to the police. · Community mobilization of the police – police are visiting more neighbourhoods and are moving into problem neighbourhoods. This is having an impact on some of the problem areas, and residents are happy to see the police patrolling their areas. 5. NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATION UP-DATES Auditorium There have been several meetings with Auditorium staff and the police regarding problems with parking at auditorium. Over the next 2 years, changes will take place regarding the parking and th Ottawa St. entrance. Next meeting is planned for May 15 at 7:00 p.m. at the auditorium. Arts CommunityArts Awards held at the Walper Terrace Hotel last week went well. Theatre & Company’s new theatre is coming along fine, with a grand opening planned for September. Civic CentreAhrens and College Streets are under construction with street updates, i.e. lighting/streetscapes. The Neighbourhood Assoc. raised $500 to replace the flag at Hibner Park and will put the new flag up on Victoria Day, and will be working with Community Services Dept. for this event. 6 6. NEW BUSINESS · Anita would like the All-Ages Dances be put back on for future agenda item, with problems in the past and the most recent problem in Waterloo. Need to look at this again before the start of summer when these types of dances escalate. · Opening/Celebration event – Betty Thompson Youth Centre amalgamated with Lutherwood - CODA, April 12 11:30 – 12:30. · Further discussions on the proposed school closing meeting took place, and it was suggested we should form a sub-committee to do a research of families that are moving into the downtown neighbourhoods, etc. Howard Rotberg and Anita Petsche-Good volunteered to do this and Anita said she would contact Lorna Ferguson to assist. A motion was made to adjourn the meeting. Moved by:Tom Brennand Seconded by:Howard Marr CARRIED LIST OF ATTACHMENTS 1. New Commercial Policy Structure/Map 2. Special Meeting of DAC – April 5, 2001 3. Long-range Pupil Accommodation Plan – Secondary 4. Letter from Claudette Bradshaw – SCPI Funding 7