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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Advisory - 2002-02-14 DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 14~ 2002 CITY OF KITCHENER The Downtown Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:05 p.m., Chaired by Councillor John Smola, with the following members present: Joan Euler, Anita Petsche-Good, Sally Gunz, Howard Marr, Marty Schreiter, Councillor Christina Weylie, Mike Peng. Others present: David Corks, Michele Hodgins 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA - February 14, 2002 It was noted to add to the agenda: MEETING TIME/DAY 2. APROVAL OF MINUTES - January 10, 2002 On motion by Sally Gunz - it was resolved: "That the minutes from the January 10, 2002 meeting be accepted." 3. ELECTION OF CO-CHAIR Sally Gunz expressed an interest in becoming Co-Chair of the committee. On motion by Councillor Weylie - it was resolved: "That Sally Gunz be appointed the Co-Chair of the Downtown Advisory Committee." 4. APPOINTMENT TO SAFE & HEALTHY COMMUNITIES COMMITTEE At last meeting, Doug Hoch had expressed an interest in sitting on this Committee. On motion by Councillor Smola - it was resolved: "That Doug Hoch be appointed DAC's representative to sit on the Safe & Healthy Communities Committee." 5. APPOINTMENT TO EDAC It was noted that Councillor Weylie is the Co-Chair of this committee. It was also explained to Committee members that the EDAC Committee (Economic Development Advisory Committee) involves members from the business community throughout the entire City of Kitchener. On motion by Councillor Weylie it was resolved: "That Joan Euler be appointed DAC's representative to sit on EDAC." 6. MEETING TIME AND DATE Committee members discussed meeting dates and times and all members agreed that Thursday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. is a suitable time for all members to meet. Further discussion regarding the next meeting to take place during March break, whether to reschedule it or not. The Committee decided to keep the meeting as already planned for March 14th. 7. DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT TEAM UPDATE (Staff & KDBA) · Celebrating Our Success event on February 26th at The Walper Terrace Hotel is coming up, we hope to see all Committee members at this event. Nomination forms and invitation have been sent out. Theme of the event this year is "The Stars Are Out", should prove to be an exciting night. · KDBA has hired Nora Martin as the Marketing Coordinator and Nancy Finkel is the New Business Liaison staff. With these two appointments, the staffing compliment at the KDBA is now complete. · The block next door is major focus for Council and city staff. 96-98 King St. is no longer part of the city's holdings due to the recent transactions that have taken place. The demolition of Tommy's Place and the Lyric Nightclub are scheduled to take place in April and will be transformed into a green space parkette and parking area for the interim use. Staff have planned stakeholders meetings, public tours and meetings to find out what the public and stakeholders want developed for the block next door. Already a number of developers are looking at the various sites in the block next door. Staff are looking at an incremental approach to developing the block, one building to be redeveloped at a time. Proposed uses for the buildings are a mixed use - office and/or residential. The Forsyth building itself is deteriorating rapidly, not sure if it can be saved. · Howard Marr asked about patios with licensed bars, if they will be allowed this year, as we have seen problems in the past with them. David replied that they will be allowed but licenses are based on complaints, if they don't have any complaints, they can get a permit. "WHAT DO YOU THINK OF MY PATIO" signs will be posted for patios with phone numbers to call for complaints · Landscape plans for demolition area of the Lyric and parking area off of Duke are in place. With up-scaling our downtown properties, the less desirable businesses might not be able to afford to stay in the downtown, hopefully this will be the long-term solution. · New parking garage will be unveiled at Council on February 18th the proposal of having retail incorporated in the design. Construction is scheduled to start in the spring. Approximately 500-520 spaces are planned in the 5 story structure at Charles and Benton Streets. · Heartwood Place (charitable organization creating affordable housing) has purchased the Rugged Comfort building on Gaukel St. 33 units are planned for the building. · Peter Martin, from 20 King St., will be opening a new restaurant next to TD Canada Trust building at 41-45 King St. W. 7. NEW BUSINESS/AGENDA ITEMS · Committee members discussed good uses and bad in the blocks downtown and what Tony Di Battista owns and his change of business practices. Sally Gunz encouraged staff to watch what he does and hope he doesn't open undesirable businesses. Marty Schreiter explained that Tony now sits on the KDBA board and he'll get much encouragement and influence from board members and city staff on what good things he can do with his businesses. · Discussed having a strategic plan for DAC, similar to what Safe & Healthy Communities Committee is doing. ACTION: David will investigate what their strategic plan is and report back and/or arrange for next meeting to discuss in detail. · Discussions ensued regarding the role of the Downtown Advisory committee. Councillor Weylie said that Council would like the group to give them advice on various issues based on their collective expertise. Although some staff information needs to be given to the Committee, the real need is feedback from the community to Council. It was decided to follow the lead of the Safe and Healthy Communities Committee and have someone work with the group to set goals and objectives for the coming year. The Committee suggested this be the topic of the March 14th meeting. · Discussion then turned to the topic of the provision of social services in the downtown. The committee generally agreed that while these individual agencies provide a needed service, the location of these uses in too close a proximity to each then creates undue pressure on the immediate neighbourhood. It was felt that a distance separation or other form of geographic spread be applied so as not to impact and create an imbalance in the host neighbourhood. On motion by Howard Marr it was resolved: "That City staff be directed to deal with the issue of over concentration of social services in the Inner City and Downtown both immediately, and through a long term planning solution." and "That City staff be directed to work with the Region of Waterloo to provide possible alternative housing options for other areas of the Region." Further discussions took place regarding forming a sub-committee to discuss and provide possible solutions to the over concentration of social services in the downtown. On motion by Marty Schreiter it was resolved: "That DAC create a sub-committee to examine and report as to the inter-relationship of Downtown and Inner City social services to business development. That the sub-committee recommendations be brought back to the DAC for approval, and that Marty Schreiter head up this sub-committee." Upon this appointment, Marty would like DAC members to approve any suggestions Marty has this sub-committee, he is looking to have a good balance of individuals represented. 8. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m. 4 LIST OF ATTACHMENTS 1. DTS report 02-042 Downtown Advisory Committee's concerns regarding the over concentration of social services in the Inner City and Downtown.