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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDev & Tech Svcs - 2005-09-26 DEVELOPMENT & TECHNICAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 26 2005 CITY OF KITCHENER The Development and Technical Services Committee met this date, commencing at 6:35 p.m. Present: Councillor C. Weylie - Chair Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors J. Smola, B. Vrbanovic, G. Lorentz, J. Gazzola and M. Galloway Staff: C. Ladd, Chief Administrative Officer G. Stewart, General Manager of Development & Technical Services P. Houston, General Manager of Financial Services & City Treasurer L. Lynch, Manager of Engineering Infrastructure J. Witmer, Director of Building J. Willmer, Director of Planning J. McBride, Director of Transportation Planning R. Shamess, Director of Engineering H. Gross, Director of Project Administration & Economic Investment D. Gilchrist, Committee Administrator 1. INSTAllATION OF PEDESTRIAN LIGHTING IN THE DOWNTOWN - VICTORIA STREET RECONSTRUCTION Mr. L. Lynch advised of the difficulty recently experienced with the Region of Waterloo regarding the installation of pedestrian level lighting on Victoria Street. He noted the installation of pedestrian lighting for the phases of the Victoria Street reconstruction has always been included in the plans. Further, the need for and endorsement of pedestrian lighting in Downtown Kitchener has been included in many of the City planning documents, and the Pedestrian Charter. The Region has been aware of the intension of installing this lighting for a long time, and has ever voiced their disagreement until now. Mr. Lynch requested the Committee's support for pedestrian lighting on Victoria Street and that Council approach the Region in this regard. He also asked for direction as to whether the contractor should continue to install the duct work and bases for the poles, as has always been intended. Mayor Zehr commented that the installation of pedestrian lighting in the Downtown is in keeping with the City's overall policies to transform it into a more pedestrian friendly environment. He advised he will immediately address this matter with the Region. He recommended that staff continue with the installation of the duct work and bases, but not order the lighting at this time. On motion by Councillor J. Smola - it was resolved: "That the City of Kitchener supports the installation of pedestrian lighting on Regional Roads in Downtown Kitchener, as identified in the report titled 'On Lighting Downtown', dated April 1998; and, That staff continue to install the duct work and pole bases for pedestrian lighting on Victoria Street to support the future installation of pedestrian lighting in the spring of 2006; and further, That the Region of Waterloo be so advised." 2. DTS-05-164 - Bill 124 PREPAREDNESS The Committee was in receipt of Development and Technical Services Department report DTS- 05-164, dated September 13, 2005, regarding Bill 124 Preparedness. Mr. J. Witmer presented the staff report, and noted it has been determined through the study undertaken, that the additional staff being requested are required to meet the new time lines in the legislation. He advised the technical staff to be hired must be able to do inspections as well as plans examination to accommodate fluctuating activity levels. Mr. Witmer emphasized the additional costs for this increased staffing level will be funded through the Building Enterprise and not through the tax levy. In conclusion, he noted that pre-budget approval is required as staff need to be in place and trained prior to the January 1, 2006 deadline in the legislation. DEVELOPMENT & TECHNICAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 26. 2005 - 98- CITY OF KITCHENER 2. DTS-05-164 - BILL 124 PREPAREDNESS (CONT'D) Mayor Zehr noted the increase in staff will not result in an increase in the levy; however, he noted these people will still be City of Kitchener employees, and questioned what will happen when/if the economy enters a downward cycle. Mr. Witmer responded that a portion of building permit revenues is deposited into a reserve fund to address downturns in the economy. He also noted that the work generated by a building permit can last for 1-3 years. If the downturn lasts for any length of time, consideration would be given to not filling any vacant positions. Mr. Witmer then advised that the study undertaken to date does not include an examination of the timing for building permits for commercial, industrial and multi-residential projects. Mr. Witmer was directed to provide the following information to Council, prior to the October 3, 2005 Council meeting: (a) details of the $436,206 expenditure; and (b) anticipated revenues to be deposited into the reserve fund over the next 5 years. On motion by Mayor C. Zehr - it was resolved: "That the Building Division be given pre-budget approval to hire the additional resources to a maximum of 7 full time equivalents, as identified in Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-05-164, to satisfy the Corporation's new obligations under the Building Code Act and Ontario Regulations #305/03." 3. DTS-05-160 - FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SHORT AND LONG TERM PARKING SOLUTIONS FOR DOWNTOWN KITCHENER The Committee was in receipt of Development and Technical Services Department report DTS- 05-160, dated September 21, 2005, regarding a feasibility study for the development of short and long term parking solutions for Downtown Kitchener. Ms. G. Kozorys-Smith, Marshall Macklin Monaghan, attended this meeting to present the "Feasibility Study for the Development of Short and Long Term Parking Solutions for Downtown Kitchener", prepared by them on behalf of the City of Kitchener. Members of the Committee were provided this date with hard copies of this presentation. The outcomes of the study recommend both short and long term solutions to the current parking shortage in the Downtown. The short-term solution, to address the parking shortage over the next 5 years, is: to build an above ground parking structure, containing approximately 380 spaces, on the property bounded by Charles Street West, Water Street South, Francis Street South and Halls Lane, and to build an underground parking structure, containing approximately 380 spaces on the Centre Block, with these spaces to be in addition to any spaces required by the development to take place on that site. The long-term solutions, 5 t010 year timeframe, recommended by the study are: strongly promoting and encouraging other modes of travel which could include: subsidizing transit passes, increasing parking rates, and discontinuing any parking subsidies. A further long-term solution could be consideration of additional parking structures. Questions were raised by the Committee as to the net costs per parking stall, as identified in the presentation, and was advised that for those sites where there is existing publicly operated parking, the loss of existing parking revenues has been included in the net cost. With respect to the evaluation of alternative sites, Ms. Kozorys-Smith advised that the evaluation criteria, including costs, were not weighted. In considering the sites listed in the study, she suggested that although other sites may be less costly than those recommended, it does not make sense to construct parking in areas of the Downtown where there is no demand for such a facility. With respect to public input for this study, Mr. McBride advised the study was presented to the Downtown Advisory Committee in September, to which 60 to 70 people, who are major stakeholders in the Downtown, were invited. This presentation was also given to the Centre DEVELOPMENT & TECHNICAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 26. 2005 - 99- CITY OF KITCHENER 3. DTS-05-160 - FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SHORT AND LONG TERM PARKING SOLUTIONS FOR DOWNTOWN KITCHENER (CONT'D) Block Steering Committee. Councillor Vrbanovic suggested there is merit in obtaining broader public input. Questions were raised about the amount of revenues for the Parking Enterprise, and the dependency on the tax base. Mr. McBride advised parking fees pay 100% of the operating costs of the Parking Enterprise, and any revenue surplus has been allocated to general revenues. Ms. Houston was directed to provide Council members with the amount of subsidy received by the Parking Enterprise from the tax levy. A discussion took place regarding the zoning by-law requirements for parking in the Downtown. Information provided by the study shows that given the current peak demand, one parking space per 53 sq. m. for all commercial uses combined is needed; whereas the by-law only requires one space per 69 sq. m. for new office floor space, and one space per 95 sq. m. for new retail floor space. Mr. Will mer noted the Downtown is in transition. A few years ago, the City could not attract business to the Downtown, so a decision was made to require no parking for existing buildings. Now the environment has changed. He questioned the best approach to this changing environment, should it be to provide for the current demand for parking or to encourage other modes of travel. Councillor Lorentz noted Mr. M. Conrad, Cora Group, was in attendance, and referred to an e- mail received from him by members of the Committee. In his e-mail, Mr. Conrad referred to letters received from the City committing to provide 200 parking spaces in close proximity to his developments in the east end of Downtown. Mr. McBride noted that the parking needs of Stantec Consulting, located at Market Square, have been met. As well, the City has constructed the parking garage at the New Kitchener Market, so there have been a number of changes in terms of demand and supply in the east end. He asked the Committee to defer its consideration of the staff recommendation to the October 1 ih meeting to allow him an opportunity to discuss this matter with Mr. Conrad. Mr. Conrad addressed the Committee advising that they were always counting on parking being located at King Street East and Benton Street. If the City does not supply the parking as promised he could loose his major tenants, who have been promised this parking will be provided. He suggested he would be willing to discuss a partnership arrangement with the City. He requested that the City live up to its commitment. Mr. McBride suggested the following order of events: staff meet with Mr. Conrad and hold a public open house, prior to October 17, 2005; staff will present a report to this Committee on October 1 ih, and seek direction to proceed to the next steps; business cases for each chosen site will then be prepared for consideration by Council; Council to give direction as to whether it wishes to proceed with construction of any of these parking garages; and, financing of Council's chosen options to be approved through the capital budget process. Councillor Gazzola was of the opinion that business cases for the two recommended sites need to be prepared prior to seeking public input, as the public needs to have this important information. Ms. Ladd suggested this matter has to be approached in stages: prior to the October 1 ih Development and Technical Services Committee meeting, staff will meet with the Cora Group, and obtain public input as to their preferred 2 or 3 sites. Staff will report on the discussions and public input at the October 1 ih meeting, and will seek this Committee's direction, then a business cases and budgets for the chosen sites will be considered by Council through the capital budget process. DEVELOPMENT & TECHNICAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 26. 2005 4. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m. - 100- CITY OF KITCHENER D. Gilchrist Committee Administrator