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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEcon Development - 2003-02-26ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES February 26, 2003 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Conestoga Room, Main Floor, Kitchener City Hall Attendance: Staff: Regrets: Councillor, Christina Weylie Mayor, Carl Zehr Peter Benninger Peter Cook Joan Euler George Borovilos Jeff Willmer Terry Boutilier Glenn Scheels Ray Robinson Scott Baird Councillor, Berry Vrbanovic Manfred Conrad Hans Pottkamper Jane Jantzi Councillor, John Smola Shawky Fahel Kathy Bissell Sandy Curzon Patricia Bacon Lawrence Bingeman Mike Sully Henrik Noesgaard Paul Kuntz 1. Approval of Minutes of January 22nd , 2003 Minutes of January 22nd, 2003 were approved as written. Moved by Hans Pottkamper Seconded by Jane Jantzi Carried Peter Benninger, who was absent for EDAC meeting of January 22, 2003, entered into a discussion about the Heritage Tax Incentive. Mr. Benninger expressed his disappointed that there was no motion or conclusion from EDAC on this topic. Concern was also raised about the lack of time that EDAC had to consider the proposal. Mr. Willmer understood Mr. Benninger's concern, however felt that the Heritage project, although it has been examined and assessed for some time, was not tabled at EDAC because it was a Heritage issue. It wasn't until Council requested EDAC's involvement, that it became an item of discussion. Timing became a concern due to the February deadline set out by the province. Mr. Willmer advised that the province would accept annual applications. It was suggested that rules of the program be submitted to EDAC members for future reference. An additional concern was also expressed that Committee is not listened to - that opinions are already made prior to Committee having the opportunity to provide input. Due to a lack of time and quorum, it was suggested that this issue be raised again at EDAC schedule meeting of April 23, 2003. 2. Brownfields Incentive Plan Terry Boutilier, Sr. Planner Project Co-ordinator was in attendance to present and review the Kitchener Brownfield Remediation Community Incentive Plan DTS-03-036. A Region of Waterloo Study prepared in 1995 identified 25 known contaminated properties and estimates another 250 potential contaminated sites. A complete Brownfield Inventory is not available due to limited access to information on contaminated sites In January 2002 a Brownfield Working Group, consisting of staff and members of the Environmental Committee and Economic Development Advisory Committee was struck. The main focus of this working group was to assist in the development of a Brownfield Remediation Program. Section 28 of the Planning Act has been used extensively by the City of Kitchener through Community Improvements. Through the urging of municipal representatives Section 28 has been reformed so that it can be useful in Brownfield remediation programs. The City of Kitchener's strategy to stimulate redevelopment of the Brownfield lands is to provide a financial incentive in the form of Tax Incremental Financing (TIF). TIF is defined as the difference between the current tax level of a property and the future tax level after redevelopment. After discussion EDAC requested that the following recommendation be put forward to the March 24, 2003 Development & Technical Services Committee. Recommendation That the City of Kitchener Economic Development Advisory Committee endorses DTS- 03-036, Kitchener Brownfield Remediation Community Improvement Plan, dated February 21, 2003. Motion by Shawky Fahel Seconded by Hans Pottkamper Carried Mr. Boutilier was congratulated on a job well done. EDAC Minutes February 26, 2003 3. Growth Management Strategy Jeff Willmer, Director of Planning requested Committee's input to the preparation of a staff report on The Regional Growth Management Strategy. Mr. Willmer indicated that staff's report would have built-in flexibility and adaptability in order to ensure that the Region is prepared to meet the community's immediate and long-term needs. A sub-committee of EDAC representatives met with the Greater K-W Chamber to discuss the proposed Regional Growth Management Study. Jeff Willmer provided Committee with an update on the findings and asked for their endorsement. Phase I examined growth concepts which led to a number of preliminary preferred concepts. Regional Council approved the concepts in principle in March 2002, thus leading to Phase II. Phase II summarizes a balanced approach which provides a range of options to manage growth ie moderate re-urbanization to intensive re-urbanization. After a lengthy discussion EDAC requested that the following recommendation be included in the staff report to council on the Region of Waterloo Growth Management Strategy Initiative - Phase II Strategy Development: Recommendation: That the Economic Development Advisory Committee supports in principle the moderate re-urbanization option. Moved by Shawky Fahel Seconded by Hans Pottkamper Carried 4. Shirley Avenue Industrial Lands George Borovilos advised Committee that the road extension is currently being resolved. He requested two volunteers from EDAC to meet and discuss zoning and marketing of the Shirley Avenue lands. EDAC volunteers include Hans Pottkamper, Jane Jantzi and Peter Benninger. 5. New Business None EDAC Minutes February 26, 2003 Meeting called to adjourn at 1 :lOp.m. Moved by: Jane Jantzi Seconded by: Councillor John Smola Carried Sandy Curzon, Recording Secretary Economic Development Advisory Committee Next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, March 26, 2003 11:00am- 1:00pm Conestoga Room, Main Floor, City Hall Kitchener EDAC Minutes 4- February 26, 2003