HomeMy WebLinkAboutEcon Dev Adv - 2005-10-26
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
October 26, 2005
11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Conestoga Room, Kitchener City Hall
Attendance: Peter Benninger, Lawrence Bingeman, Edward Brooker, Howie Budd,
Len Carter, Sunshine Chen, Adrian Conrad, Ian Cook, Bob Denton,
Kathy Durst, Mark Paleczny, Sherryl Petricevic Hans Pottkamper, Glen
Woolner, Donald Zehr, Councillor Christina Weylie, Councillor John
Smola.
Regrets: Kathy Durst, Len Carter, Dan Piedra
1. Welcome
Hans Pottkamper called meeting to order and thanked everyone for attending.
2. Review and Adoption of Minutes of September 28, 2005
There were no errors or omissions to the September minutes.
Moved by: Glenn Woolner
Seconded by: Edward Brooker
Carried
3. DAC (Downtown Advisory Committee) Chairman – Doug Hoch
Chairman Doug Hoch from DAC gave a brief commentary on the issues that parallel those of EDAC.
He suggested that perhaps DAC and EDAC could hold joint sessions, since some issues are being
discussed at each others meetings and reflect on both committees. It was discussed that if both DAC
and EDAC collaborate on specific issues, then perhaps there would be more of an impact when
presentation are made to the Region. A discussion followed and several EDAC members agreed that
this should be something that needs to be done. The minutes and agendas from both committees will
be made available to all members. Hans Pottkamper to contact Doug Hoch to discuss further.
4. Regional Vacant Land Inventory
Janice Given
gave a brief update on the land inventory issue. Both Janice and Jeff Wilmer are in
contact with Regional staff. The vacant land inventory was initiated in 2004 at the request from the
Prosperity Council and the KW Homebuilders Association.
It’s primary objective:
a) An inventory of all lands available to accommodate short and long term residential
and employment growth
b) Determine if the Regional Growth Management Strategy and Places to Grow
population forecasts can be accommodated within the Countryside line
c) establish justification for urban boundary expansions to accommodate future growth if
required
Secondary objectives included:
d) determine categories of land that need to be tracked to properly inform the decision-
making process
e) better understand the impact of shortages within selected categories
f) ensure all participants understand the short and long term planning and marketing
implications of land inventories
4. Regional Vacant Land Inventory continued….
The participants in this include the GRCA, CTT, Prosperity Forum Liaison Committee, Waterloo
Region Homebuilders Association and Area Municipalities – RGMS Implementation Coordinating
Committee (ICC) and EDO’s.
The report is to go to Regional Council on November 29, 2005. Two (2) meetings are scheduled
before completing the report that will go to the Regional Council.
Rob Morgan
then gave a brief overview of the lands available. A map was provided for all to see the
potential lands. The total acreage is still a work in progress, however they estimate that there is
approximately 85 acres readily available. EDAC would like to know what percentage of these 85
acres is available. There is some land not included as it has been set aside for the “Consolidated
Maintenance Facility) possibly on Strasburg Road. These however have not been finalized.
A lengthy discussion followed. These are some of the questions raised from this discussion.
1. As a committee, what do we want to do next.
2. Where do we go after inventory is published
3. What are we going to do when we run out of employment lands – we will run out – what do we
do – how much will it cost?
4. A letter to council needs to be done to bring on the discussion of the Breslau lands.
From item #4 listed above a motion was made: To start discussion of what needs to be done in
Breslau and move forward.
Moved by: Ed Brooker
Seconded by: Henrik Noesgaard
Carried
5. Business Visitation Program
A draft Automotive & Related Manufacturing business retention schedule was handed out at this
meeting. An endorsement was received from members to move ahead. More to come on this issue.
6. Other Business
motion that:
Lawrence Bingeman brought forward a The EDAC of Kitchener urge the Mayor to
include tourism, and the establishment of DMO (Destination Marketing Organization) at
Regional level at the forthcoming meetings, that will be held between the Mayors of the Region,
and the Regional Chairman, and further, this new Tourism initiative to be set up to be industry
driver.
Moved by: Lawrence Bingeman
Seconded by: Glenn Woolner
Carried
Meeting terminated at 1:05 p.m.
_______________________________
Bernadette Lowry, Recording Secretary
Economic Development Advisory Committee
rd
Next Meeting: November 23, 2005
11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Waterloo Region Small Business Centre – Training Room
Dates and Location of Future meetings:
December 14, 2005 To be announced