HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2005-10-06
KPL/CENTRE BLOCK PROJECT COMMITTEE MINUTES
October 6, 2005 City of Kitchener
KPL/Centre Block Project Committee met this date, commencing at 8:30 a.m., Chaired by Carla Ladd
with the following members present: Hans Pottkamper, Rosemary Pitfield, Hans Gross, Marty Schreiter,
Rod Regier, Craig Robson, Silvia Wright, Ann Wood (on behalf of Sonia Lewis), Bruce MacNeil, Larry
Gordon, and Sandy Curzon
Approval of Minutes
1.
On motion by: Hans Pottkamper, it was resolved that the minutes of September 29, 2005 be
accepted.
2.Centre Block Components
2.1 Rating of City’s Objectives
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Committee discussed the draft objectives for the redevelopment of Centre Block. The
Library will provide a separate list of rated objectives.
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Both the Library’s and Centre Block’s lists of rated objectives will be incorporated into
the Terms of Reference document.
Action:
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C. Ladd, H. Pottkamper, H. Gross, C. Robson and R. Regier will meet to review and
complete the list of objectives to be discussed further at KPL/Centre Block Project
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Committee meeting of October 20
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KPL to provide their ‘essential list’ for discussion at a future meeting
3.Kitchener Public Library
3.1 Project Updates
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KPL are fine tuning their presentation in preparation for a public open house on
Thursday, October 13, 2005 @ 6:30 p.m., main branch. For further input, the
information provided at the open house will be made available to the public on KPL’s
website following the open house
4.Other Business
4.1Parking Study
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Geri Kozorys-Smith & Jennifer Ip of Marshall Macklin Monaghan and John McBride,
Director of Traffic & Parking were present today to answer questions relating to the
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presentation made to Committee by Mr. McBride on September 29.
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Mr. McBride clarified that the 380 additional parking spaces recommended in the
Parking Feasibility Study report did not include the 230 spaces required by the Library.
However, the 380 spaces did include the requirement for parking for the residential and
commercial use for both the Forsyth and Mayfair buildings.
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It was further determined, since the City is not responsible for providing parking for
residential/commercial development, that the number of parking spaces for public use
only on Centre Block would be 197 spaces.
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The Study determined that the peak demand period for public parking is weekday
afternoons, therefore making surplus parking available during the evenings and weekends
which could accommodate the library during its peak time period of weekdays between
6-8pm and Saturday 11-4pm.
KPL/Centre Block Project Committee Page 1 of 2
Minutes: October 6, 2005
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Suggested alternatives to building more parking in the downtown included eliminating
subsidized parking; provide subsidized transit passes; and raise current parking rates.
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C. Robson stated that while these measures would assist in long term parking solutions,
there is still a short term need for parking spaces.
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Mr. McBride commented that of the 12,000 employees in the downtown, a substantial
number of them have subsidized parking provided by their employer - including The
Record, Stantec, and Manulife
Action:
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Parking requirements, which will be decided by Council in the coming months, will be
included in the Terms of Reference for Centre Block development
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KPL to determine their parking needs weekdays between 1-3pm.
4.2Expanding Site Boundary
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R. Regier brought forth a proposal of extending the boundary of the Centre Block site to
include a portion of Young Street.
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Mr.Regier felt that by closing a portion of Young Street it could provide development
flexibility by connecting the existing City Hall parking garage to that of parking on the
Centre Block site. This would also provide underground pedestrian access from the
Centre Block site to City Hall
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To be considered as part of the site in the RFP, Committee will need to investigate the
feasibility of closing Young Street at King Street.
Action:
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Staff to investigate the feasibility of such a proposal which will require further direction
from City Council
4.3Next Meeting
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Committee agreed, due to a significant number of Committee members that are not
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available, that the meeting of Thursday October 13 be cancelled.
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Next scheduled meeting will be Thursday October 20 at KPL from 8:30am-10:30am
Action:
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S. Curzon to have the meeting cancellation posted on the City’s website
Meeting was adjourned at 10:00 am
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Meeting for Thursday, October 13 has been CANCELLED
Next Scheduled Meeting:
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Thursday, October 20 – KPL Main Branch Schneider Room
85 Queen St.N.,(rear entrance)
8:30am – 10:30am
KPL/Centre Block Project Committee Page 2 of 2
Minutes: October 6, 2005