Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCompass Kitchener - 2005-03-02 COMPASS KITCHENER COMMITTEE MINUTES March 2, 2005CITY OF KITCHENER The Compass Kitchener Committee met this date, commencing at 4:00 p.m. Present: Don Bourgeois, John Hall, Glen Woolner, Trudy Beaulne Staff: Shelley Adams, Carla Ladd, Rosemary Pitfield, Barb Wagner Guest: Cory Bluhm, City of Kitchener Regrets: Pat Doherty, Paul Royston, Trudi Bunting Minutes from the February 16, 2005 meeting were distributed for review. 1. Adaptive Reuse Incentive Program Cory Bluhm attended to give an overview of the proposed Adaptive Reuse Incentive Program. Adaptive Reuse is the change of a use of a property from industrial or civic uses (firehalls, churches, schools) to residential or office use. The Municipal Plan supports adaptive reuse for the economic value of increasing tax assessment, increased neighbourhood investment and assessment and clustering. The origins of the adaptive reuse incentive program commenced with the City approaching the development industry to get their feedback on conversion of older buildings to office and residential space. There are currently incentives offered in the downtown such as reduction of development charges or incentives for initiatives such as heritage projects or managing brownfields. The area of focus for the adaptive reuse incentive program would be central neighbourhoods, not just the downtown. The Planning Division is preparing a report to Development & Technical Services Committee for late March or early April this year and are currently gathering information and advice on issues, rather than formal recommendations from the advisory committees. Adaptive reuse is designed to encourage intensification and re-urbanization now, rather than in 5-10 years when the LRT line is established and when longer term demographic change may provide a greater demand for alternate housing. It is hoped that this incentive program will launch the loft marketplace now, establish a supply and an “urban” lifestyle, while promoting the desirability of living in central neighbourhoods. Developers who consider adaptive reuse projects face a number of challenges. Project costs are unpredictable and there may be delays associated with neighbourhood concerns. Cory provided some alternatives for an incentive program outlining the costs/benefits of each proposed model. COMPASS KITCHENER COMMITTEE MINUTES March 2, 2005CITY OF KITCHENER - 6 - There are several options, including: 1. do nothing 2. provide support for everything including waiving development charges, application fees and the downtown TIF (Tax Incremental Financing, the difference between the pre-development taxes and the post-development taxes) 3. develop a new TIF which defers development charges 4. one time grant per unit (Cambridge is currently offering a $1,000 one time grant per unit) It was noted that the Region does not have legislative authority to offer incentives as they don’t provide community improvement plans. There are meetings underway with the Province to provide amendments to allow the Region to participate in incentive plans. Trudy noted that affordable housing is at odds with residential adaptive reuse expressing the belief that additional resources should be targeted to affordable housing, not all focused for profit housing. Carla clarified that affordable housing is targeted where best used, which is in new construction. It was expressed that adaptive reuse is proactive and that the values represented are good values which fit into the community. A public education process providing information to residents on intensification would be useful at the front end of the planning process. There is a philosophical change in support for intensification projects, however most residents say they support intensification until it affects them directly. The Environics survey will help with the education process. Cory welcomed feedback on the adaptive reuse incentive program proposal. 2. Environics Project – Draft Communications Plan Rosemary Pitfield provided an outline of the draft communications plan for the Environics project to date. Proposed communication strategies include: 1. The envelope for the initial letter will read “A special request from Mayor Carl Zehr” 2. Plans to engage the media to talk about the questionnaire 3. ‘Your Kitchener’ newsletter will be used throughout the process – an article was published in the March/April issue 4. Media Conference – there was some discussion regarding the information to be released at the media conference including a discussion relating to releasing the Environics survey. The media conference will cover the methodology, what Compass Kitchener hopes to achieve and an overview of the selection process. An information piece will be prepared to hand out to the members of the media at the conference. 5. Shelley will confirm the translation services through the multicultural centre. 6. A “hot button” on the City of Kitchener website to provide a link to Environics 7. Suggestion to go to local high schools and doing a short presentation to Grade 12 classes to engage youth. Youth will also hear about the survey through coverage at The Beat radio station The communications plan to publicize the results of the surveys will include speaking tours for each Ward and the seniors centres. This will allow for feedback and questions to help the community understand the results and as well as communicate the better understanding of the community that COMPASS KITCHENER COMMITTEE MINUTES March 2, 2005CITY OF KITCHENER - 7 - the City has gained through the project. ‘Your Kitchener’ will be used throughout the process and the media will be a partner. 3. Environics Project – Final Questionnaire Review Shelley distributed the timeline, draft letter and draft questionnaire for review. The timeline will be finalized once timing on the date of the preliminary letter to participants is decided upon. 4. Action Items Comments relating to the Adaptive Reuse Incentive Program should be directed to Cory * Bluhm, Planning Division, City of Kitchener Changes to questionnaire and letter to be provided to B. Wagner as soon as possible following * the meeting to be communicated to Environics. S. Adams and R. Pitfield will finalize the timeline with Environics. * 5. Adjournment Meeting adjourned 5:55 p.m.