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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Adv - 2005-10-13 DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES October 13, 2005 City of Kitchener The Kitchener Downtown Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:10 p.m., Chaired by Doug Hoch with the following members present: Glen Woolner, Jason Lane, Marcus Shantz, Jamie Hill, Denis Pellerin, Shelley Gibbs, Michelle Morissetti City staff present include: Silvia Wright, Tracey DeVille and Sandy Curzon Business Arising 1. 1.1 Downtown Lighting Glen Woolner advised the Committee that he spoke with Cory Bluhm, Planner and John McBride, Director of Transportation Planning regarding concerns with downtown lighting. Mr. Woolner noted that there is concern that the lighting within the downtown is insufficient and this issue should be addressed. The ideal situation would see more store front lighting to achieve a feeling of security while walking downtown in the evening. Some of the ways to achieve this would be: ? Ensure the right kind of light is installed ? Ensure the lighting is energy efficient ? Ensure and maintain a standard ? Shared cost (between the BIA and the City) on a foot frontage basis Mr. Woolner noted that early indication has shown positive support from City staff, Council and downtown business owners. Denis Pellerin asked for clarification on the Safe and Healthy Advisory Committee’s view on the lighting situation within the downtown core and it was noted that their view may be more towards lighting on the sidewalks and not necessarily store front lighting. Further discussion took place regarding the need for on- going maintenance and co-ordination with Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro. It was noted that a delegation will register to appear at the November meeting of the Safe & Healthy Advisory Committee. 1.2 Policy – Financial Incentives Silvia Wright provided the Committee with a final copy of the Financial Incentives Policy and report being heard at the October 17, 2005 Finance and Corporate Services Committee meeting. She noted that a new policy has been written to accommodate the changes and additions made to the program. She advised the Committee that the program will go into affect immediately after final approval of Council at their October 24, 2005 meeting. The Finance Department has advised that the funds available for 2005 can be combined with 2006; therefore, the first year of the program will have $400,000 in the budget and each year after will have an allowance of $200,000 per year. Page 1 of 3 DAC Minutes October 13, 2005 Ms. Wright highlighted the significant changes made to the incentives program, noting that each potential applicant will need to provide documentation from a financial institution validating their total debt service capacity, prior to approval. Discussion took place regarding the contents of the report and the policy. Concerns were raised regarding the application deadlines and the eligibility component of the Council policy. The Committee agreed to write a letter of support with the suggested changes to the Finance and Corporate Services Committee for the October 17, 2005 meeting. Recommendation: ‘To change the submission deadline from January 11, 2006 with the proposed notification date of February 15, 2006 to January 31, 2006 with a proposed notification date being February 28, 2006 - and - Council Policy I-35, combined Façade/Interior Loan/Upper Storey Renovation Program, Item 3.1.3, be amended to read: The proposed project’s total cost must be greater than $40,000 and create new self contained apartment style residential units with a minimum of 650 square feet in size per unit’ Action: Committee Administrator to draft a letter to the Finance and Corporate Services Committee, to be approved by the Co-Chair of the Downtown Advisory Committee, for submission to the October 17, 2005 Finance and Corporate Services Committee meeting. 1.3 Streetscape Silvia Wright provided an update on the status of the streetscape plans. The Committee agreed to support the work being done and asked that Larry Lynch be invited to the November meeting to provide the Committee with a detailed update. 1.4 Downtown Events The update on the Downtown Events was deferred to the November 8, 2005 meeting. 1.5 Liquor License Update The Committee discussed the current issues with patios and some confusion that may surround the approvals of Liquor License applications. The Committee agreed to form a working group to develop a rating scale process to ensure that a clear policy / procedure are put into place to avoid future problems. Page 2 of 3 DAC Minutes October 13, 2005 2. Approval of Minutes On motion by, Glen Woolner It was resolved: "That the minutes of September 8, 2005 be approved" 3. Appointments ? Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee Representative No nominations were put forward. It was noted that the request for appointment to the Committee will be on future agendas until such time that the position is filled. Updates from the Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee will be done through receipt of the minutes. Doug Hoch questioned the presentations by City staff need to be done at all advisory committee meetings, or if the Committee’s could work together to schedule joint meetings periodically through the year, in particular between DAC and EDAC. Discussion took place regarding the pros and cons of such a schedule with concerns that city staff may in fact benefit by providing presentations a number of times. It was noted that each Committee may feel more comfortable in their own setting to receive presentations and that time restraints may be a factor. Glen Woolner, representative on the Economic Development Advisory Committee, agreed to discuss this issue at their next meeting and report back to the Committee. 4. New Business A concern was raised regarding the presence of police within the downtown core. The Committee feels that the future development of the downtown would benefit from the creation of a permanent staff of police specifically for the downtown. Jim Jansen noted that an internal audit is currently being completed and he will discuss this issue with the appropriate Waterloo Region Police Services staff. On motion, the meeting was adjourned at 6:05 p.m. Next Meeting: Thursday, November 10 - 4:00 pm - 6pm Schamlz Room, 2nd Floor City Hall Page 3 of 3 DAC Minutes October 13, 2005