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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Advisory - 2002-11-14 DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES November 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: Doug Hoch, Marty Schreiter, Glen Woolner, Sally Gunz, Anita Petsche-Good, Const. Mark Neill, Mike Peng Others Present: David Corks, Michele Hodgins = = APPROVAL OF AGENDA On motion by D. Hoch it was resolved: "That the agenda for the November 14, 2002 meeting be accepted." APPROVAL OF MINUTES A change to the minutes should reflect that in item #6 Downtown Up-Date, that Urban Strategies will be the contact point for all submissions and questions for the development of the Centre Block. On motion by M. Schreiter it was resolved: "That the minutes from the October 10, 2002 meeting be accepted." REVIEW OF DAC GOALS 2002 D. Corks reviewed and up-dated on the progress of the Downtown Advisory Goals for 2002. · City Incentives - staff are presently working on a new and improved incentives program for the entire city. These will give development incentives for the restoration of brownfield and architectural or historical buildings. A residential incentive of some form is also being looked at. · Communications - the City has improved their communication relationships with the media, we are more careful in what our press releases say, and the media seems to be more positive in their reporting of downtown issues. · Community Centre - presently, there is a process underway to look at a mixed-use Community Centre in the downtown, several groups are looking for space. = · Lodging Houses - staff are presently meeting with a working group on the lodging house issue. · Outreach - community outreach activities that bring people into the downtown, this is part of our Strategic Plan, with a focus on the Centre Block which will have a development that will bring more people into the downtown. CURA has conducted several surveys at various downtown events to find out how, why, what brings them to the downtown. The results are still pending from those surveys. · Planning- as discussed in the Incentives section. · Policing - the downtown has seen improved relationships with the police, the police have more of a presence in the downtown than in the past. · Property Standards - will look for J. Given and S. Turner to speak to DAC regarding Lodging House issues. · Retail - we are always looking for retail partnerships for the downtown. A form of retail will definitely be required for the redevelopment of the Centre Block. Staff has joined the Canadian Restaurant Association, hoping to attract some chain restaurants to the downtown. · Schools-this is an ongoing issue. · Social Agencies- this is an ongoing issue. · Traffic- staff are working with the Region on the Victoria St. corridor widening, enhancing the entrance into downtown. Also, the Region's proposal for the new Light Rapid Transit system would also help bring more people into the downtown. Overall, how did we do? Councillor Smola said the Committee did a good job in bringing issues to Council. He also commented on the Social Issues Committee that M. Schreiter started (as part of a DAC initiative) was very good. We've seen more staff participation and money put towards downtown issues this past year. Council is very appreciative of our efforts. KDBA UP-DATE · Holiday season is upon us, and Santa's coming! The KDBA has been busy in decorating the downtown with 180 Christmas trees in planters and 110 cedar boughs on light poles. · Christkindl Market will be extended to 4 days this year, with a Wednesday opening 4-8 p.m. for downtown employees/retailers to encourage them to come see this event first. Thursday will be the opening for the general public and the event will run through to Sunday. Should be another successful year. Bus trips coming in, as far away as Barrie. · A. Petsche-Good and M. Schreiter attended a meeting regarding the school closing issue. Further meetings will be held in February and March with the chance for delegations to speak at these meetings to the school boards. At this meeting, they discussed the importance of KCI's positioning in relation to the downtown and how important it is to keep this school going. (see attached newspaper articles on school closings) Jazzy Fashion fundraiser was successful in that it raised over $5,000 for CARDS (Citizens Action to Restore Downtown Schools). KDBA has already received requests for funds from Eastwood and KCI. 5. DOWNTOWN UP-DATE · The Public School Board offered to meet again with DAC and the KDBA and this offer was accepted by the members. David will arrange a meeting to co- incide with either the next DAC or KDBA regular meetings. · The City has begun advertising for Expressions of Interest for development of the Centre Block (see attached). Staff expect to know by the spring who will be developing the block and what their plans are. · We want your opinion on mixed use corridors (see attached). An open house will be held on November 27th at Victoria Park Pavilion at 7:00 p.m. to discuss uses for the Queen St. S. corridor. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend. · The conversion of the Arrow Shirt Factory on Benton Street to residential requires a Municipal Plan and Zone change approval. The public process has begun to allow the addition of a four-story addition as well as a Phase two which includes more parking and a free standing apartment building. · Children's Museum is planning on opening September 26, 2003. · Stantec is moving into their new premises at Market Square on Monday, November, 18th with 250 people coming to the downtown. The KDBA and City staff will be there to welcome them. · Unwanted land use in the downtown - a first draft, is complete and the committee will be brought up to date on this soon. · Region may be changing their mind on the Water Tower issue and keep it for a few more years. It turns out that the cost of restoration may be lower than the cost of demolition. 6. EDAC UP-DATE Joan Euler was unavailable for an up-date at this time. 7. SAFE & HEALTHY COMMUNITIES UP-DATE · The Waterloo Regional Police gave a presentation regarding their integrated model of community mobilization. A draft form was presented describing its various components of intervention, post-intervention, renewal/recovery and prevention and their connectiveness as undertaken by citizens, police and involved agencies at the neighbourhood level to reduce or eliminate further criminal activities. D. Hoch suggested they could attend DAC at some point in the future to give their presentation. · M. Tilson, Youth Coordinator for the City gave a presentation regarding peer mentoring for youth ages 14-17 year olds. Programs will be set in place for = = teens to participate, helping them to resolve conflicts or disagreements through peaceful means is just one of many topics discussed. J. Dean informed the Committee of the Lighten Up Campaign. This program encourages neighbourhoods to turn on their outdoor lights to help make for a safer community. ARTS & CULTURE UP-DATE · Lucille Bish, Director of Community Services, Region of Waterloo and Regional Councillor, Jean Haalboom, attended the ACAC meeting to make a presentation and to gather feedback regarding the Arts, Culture and Heritage Master Plan. How do municipalities work with the Region on the Master Plan - discussion. · DAC has requested that Isabella Stefanescu make a presentation to their committee in the new year regarding the live/work space. · Don Chapman, Special Events Co-ordinator, reported on events in the downtown - what's working, expansion, etc. · ACAC members viewed the downtown vision video. Concern that arts and culture is not being showcased enough. · A request was made to the Heritage Committee by members of the Cedar Hills Neighbourhood Association who want to preserve the water tower on St. George Street as part of the city's history. ACAC members felt that they require more information before endorsing this request as a resolution. · Theatre & Co was nominated for an Urban Design Award. Lots of industries were give awards. Consideration was given to those who can't provide landscaping or parking - how to recognize them. Need a special award for streetfront. NEW BUSINESS/AGENDA ITEMS · Committee members asked for a clear definition of the downtown corridor boundaries at our next meeting. · Committee members discussed forming a sub-committee involving J. Given (Planning, S. Turner - Enforcement) to deal with the lodging house issue in the downtown. It was decided to wait for our new Committee members to join before forming this sub-committee. · Committee members asked about the 3 buildings on the Centre Block that are scheduled for demolition, how long will it take? D. Corks explained that the asbestos is being pulled out now and demolition should start quickly. The parking lot pavement is being laid, and sewer/drainage systems have been installed to avoid flooding in this area. Arrangements are being made to save the CP brick sign. The decision for the demolition of the remaining buildings is to make it a more marketable site. · D. Hoch reported that the Civic Square chess program report went to Community Services Department (see attached). The program was very successful once again, running for 5 months at City Hall, with over 10,000 participants, and a chess master as this year's co-ordinator. The City, KDBA and K-W Chess Club partnered on this program, and are looking for help again next year from these partners. Committee members were informed of the new members for DAC 2003. Committee members briefly discussed the letter to the editor (see attached) in the November 13th edition of the K-W Record, regarding school closings and core values and felt that a rebuttal should be sent to the K-W Record. It was decided that a letter would be sent on behalf of DAC, signed by DAC's co- chairs and the KDBA. 10. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m. LIST OF ATTACHMENTS 1. School Closing Newspaper Articles 2. Expressions of Interest for Downtown Centre Block 3. Mixed Use Corridor Open House 4. Civic Square Outdoor Chess Program 2002 report 5. Editorial on School Closings and Core Values