HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Advisory - 2006-05-11DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
May 11, 2005
City of Kitchener
The Kitchener Downtown Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:05 p.m.,
Chaired by Doug Hoch with the following members present: Councillor John Smola, Councillor
Christina Weylie, Frank Wolf, Jamie Hill, Glen Woolner, Shelley Gibbs, Chris Reid, Marty
Scheriter, Phong Tran, Markus Stranz and Jason Lane
City staff present include: Silvia Wright and Tracey DeVille
1. Business Arising
1.1 Talent Attraction: Building the Knowledge Economy
Ms. Silvia Wright, Manager, Downtown Community Development, provided the Committee with
a presentation, which was previously presented to Council, outlining the Downtown Monitoring
Report and the Downtown Strategic Plan.
Ms. Wright advised the Committee she is looking for input on the strategic plan update, noting
that it is time to revise.
Ms. Wright provided an update on the strategic plan, summarizing the main points of the action
items. She noted the success of the incentive programs, urban design and streetscape as well
as the business community /cluster strategies. She also provided updates on security and
comfort initiatives, noting the involvement from KDBA.
She asked the Committee on how to maximize the strategic plan, looking at the economy
change.
Ms. Wright provided a presentation on Talent Attraction and noted the following things should
be considered when attracting young professionals:
^ Most look for a place to live first then look for employment
^ Look for a more sensitive work environment
^ More diverse workplace
^ Thick labour market with entrepreneurial friendliness
^ Wireless downtown
^ Neighbourhood support for stable communities
^ Vitality importance - `what is there to do in this town after 5:00'
^ Galleries, music, theatre, unique restaurants, outdoor cafe's, evening entertainment
The current trend shows that most residential sales within the downtown core are 25 to 35 year
old single professionals.
Questions were raised regarding the implementation of a wireless downtown and Ms. Wright
noted that the Market is currently wireless, but that more work needs to be done to get the
remainder of the downtown wireless as well.
Page 1 of 3
DAC Minutes
May 11, 2006
1.2 Urban Design Guidelines Update
Mr. Ryan Mounsey, Senior Planner, provided the Committee with an update on the Urban
Design Guidelines. He discussed the guidelines of other communities, noting what worked for
those communities and what did not. He advised that the need to understand where the City is
going is essential to a successful urban design guideline. The importance of monitoring and
refining the guideline is essential in keeping it current. Some things to keep in mind are as
follows:
^ An incentive program for altering the urban design -having flexibility within the plan
^ The City can show leadership within the guidelines, which would inspire others to do the
same
Mr. Mounsey advised that the Urban Design Guideline will really set the tone of Kitchener and
the following months will truly show the difference in the downtown core.
The Committee suggested that the need for having the sense of vision is important. It was
noted that the integration with the lighting issues are starting to be seen now, and the impact
that Culture Plan II will have on the downtown core.
2. Approval of Minutes
On motion by, Glen Woolner
It was resolved:
"That the minutes of April 13, 2005 be approved"
3. Appointments
Doug Hoch provided the new members with a background on the reason for having a
representative on the other Advisory Committees and suggested that the new members think
about the current openings that we have.
• 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.
Discussion took place regarding some of the issues that are being discussed at the other
committee meetings. Mr. Denis Pellerin advised that the Arts & Culture Advisory Committee
is currently working on the ASAP -Available Space Arts Project. He advised that they
currently have 10 spaces and are looking for more. He noted that this project is an excellent
use of space for vacant and occupied store fronts in the downtown core.
Glen Woolner advised the Committee that the Economic Development Advisory Committee
has been supporting the Corporate Visitation Program that is currently underway with the
Page 2 of 3
DAC Minutes
May 11, 2006
Economic Development Division. He advised that the program is going very well and the
local business owners are providing excellent feedback.
4. New Business
Discussion took place surrounding the current Centre Block issue and the decision that is
going to be made at the March 20, 2006 Council meeting.
It was decided that the Committee put forward the following recommendation to Council
regarding the Centre Block project:
"That the Downtown Advisory Committee reaffirms that the library be a key
consideration of the development of Centre Block in principle; and,
That the Downtown Advisory Committee suggests that the Kitchener Public Library
represent its justification and their vision on a more public basis."
The recommendation was voted on and carried unanimously.
On motion, the meeting was adjourned at 6:05 p.m.
Next Meeting: Thursday, April 13 - 4:00 pm - 6pm Conestoga Room, Ground Floor
City Hall
Page 3 of 3
DAC Minutes
May 11, 2006