HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Advisory - 2003-03-13DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
March 13, 2003
CITY OF KITCHENER
The Kitchener Downtown Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:07 p.m.,
chaired by Sally Gunz, with the following members present: Councillor John Smola,
Denis Pellerin, Anita Petsche-Good, Mark Stranz, Cynthia Ramon-Cano, Sam Head,
Nathan Hallman, Chris Farley, Doug Hoch
Staff: Michele Hodgins, George Borovilos, Tony Konstantinidis, Catherine Heal
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA - March 13, 2003
An amendment was made to the agenda to add a presentation on the Centre
Block by George Borovilos, Economic Development.
On motion by J. Euler
it was moved:
"That the agenda for the March 13, 2003 meeting be accepted."
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - February 13, 2003
A. Petsche-Good made a correction to the minutes of February 13 regarding the
spaghetti dinner for King Edward School. The event was held at KCI, not King
Edward.
S. Gunz wanted clarification that under item #10 ARTS & CULTURE UP-DATE,
the naming of La Marche was not a criticizim on behalf of DAC.
On motion by N. Hallman
it was moved:
"That the minutes from the February 13, 2003 meeting be accepted with
the above mentioned correction/clarification."
3. PARKING SUPERVISOR - Tony Konstantinidis
T. Konstantinidis, Supervisor of Parking introduced himself to the Committee and
explained he handles parking issues/needs for the City of Kitchener. He is
located on the 7th floor at City Hall, and if anyone has any questions or concerns,
please contact him @741-3400, ext. 3218.
Currently, 2-hour, free, on-street parking is available in downtown Kitchener.
These free parking spots are intended to service visitors making short duration
trips to the downtown. A. Petsche-Good asked if the maximum deposit could be
extended to 3 hours to allow visitors a longer stay without having to redeposit
money into the meters. T. Konstantinidis explained that some metered parking
lots will be modified to allow a maximum deposit of 3 hours instead of 2 hours.
A new parking map identifying these lots will be available soon.
4. CENTRE BLOCK- George Borovilos
G. Borovilos, Director of Economic Development, gave a PowerPoint
presentation of a conceptual approach to development of the Centre Block,
as proposed by the Centre Block Steering Committee, (please see the attached).
He outlined the process that led to this concept. Urban Strategies was retained
by the City of Kitchener to structure and manage a two-stage proposal call for the
Centre Block. The firm recommended that the process be formally discontinued
because the proposal call did not generate any submission that met the
requirements set out in the first stage of the proposal call process. The Steering
Committee concurred with this recommendation.
As a result, the Centre Block Steering Committee, consisting of lay members Ray
Robinson, Hans Pottkamper and Craig Robson, and city staff proposed an
alternative development concept based on a lead tenant, namely the library.
This information was tabled March 3, 2003 at Council. Council directed the
Steering Committee to come back with a proposed work plan and development
options by March 24, 2003, including the approach regarding the feasibility of a
library as a proposed tenant for the Centre Block.
The following are comments/questions from Committee members:
Q. Why was the project shifted from being a commercial venture to a public
space venture?
A. The applicants had to follow strict requirements for submitting their
proposals. Twenty-five (25) people picked up proposal documents; however,
only 4 were actually submitted. Many different factors came into play when
submitting proposals, e.g., parking concerns, cost implications, City's
involvement in the project(s). As a result, the lack of private sector interest
generated the concept of a public sector involvement in the form of a possible
lead-tenant, the library.
Q. How will the privately owned lands be incorporated into the project?
A. The block could be broken down into development phases, ensuring that
we develop complimentary businesses throughout the block. In terms of the
privately owned lands, their redevelopment will be contingent upon what
develops in and around them, potential acquisition by development interests,
and other possibilities which emerge.
· S. Gunz's expressed concern about tearing down buildings instead of reusing
them, and urged staff to find other uses for the buildings.
Q. Parking will always be an issue for new developments downtown, when
does staff say enough is enough? A. Financial realities will dictate what
developments require parking. Using parking as a catalyst in a partnership is
a way to minimize the risks of the developer and reduces the level of
commitment costs to the City.
Discussions continued regarding bringing density into the downtown in areas of
development through the school board relocating to St. Mary's High School site,
the adult learning centre at St. Jerome's, and potential residential developments.
There was a discussion on the need for research on the demographics of the
downtown neighbourhoods and an inventory of existing housing types.
C. Farley put forth the following motion:
"To direct staff to explore a demographic profile of the existing downtown
neighbourhoods and examine relationships between existing communities
and of current or future market needs as it relates to major developments
in the downtown."
The Chair suggested that the Committee accept the motion in principal in draft
form, and that staff and some Committee members would fine-tune the motion
and include it in the minutes. Committee members agreed in principle with the
motion with the understanding that the wording would change.
Subsequent to the meeting, the motion was revised by Sally Gunz, Co-Chair, for
purposes of clarification and is as follows:
"Staff be directed to work with DAC to prepare a report on the inter-
relationship of existing downtown residential communities and the City's
proposed developments in Centre Block and elsewhere. In particular, the
report will evaluate and describe:
1. the natural, life cycle shifts of occupants between condominium/
apartment dwellings and residential, family type homes.
2. whether the reputation and "in fact"/"actual" quality of residential
communities abutting the downtown core impacts new commercial and
residential developments in the downtown.
3. how the mix in types of housing providers in the downtown and
immediately surrounding areas impacts proposed future commercial and
residential developments in the downtown.
FA(~ADE IMPROVEMENT- Chris Farley
At the December 2002 meeting, C. Farley was appointed to explore ideas on
improving facades in the downtown. C. Farley reviewed a report prepared by
Nicholas Hill Architect/Planner in June 1987 on the King Street Fa~;ade Plan.
The main goals of the report was 1 ) to improve the appearance of individual
buildings on King St., and 2) to coordinate building improvements to create a
unified and distinctive streetscape.
The following recommendations were suggested in the King Street FaCade Plan:
· to conserve and enhance the original historic faCades
· to clean and repair the original wall fabric
· to maintain the original window opening
· to maintain the original historic fabric, including mouldings, brackets,
piers and panels, roof cornices and drip mould
· to remove, over time, signage on upper faCades
· to ensure the new faCades compliment the original scale, height and
fabric of traditional faCades
· to coordinate the improvement of upper faCades to achieve a unified
streetscape composition
C. Heal distributed a list of existing tools for faCade improvements and control
(see attached), outlining current initiatives related faCade improvements. This list
is provided so that committee members could have a brief understanding of past
and current initiatives.
C. Farley thinks that the above recommendations have been implemented over
the last 15 years. The projects that C. Heal outlined on her list have achieved
the first six recommendations; however, the last recommendation of coordinated
improvement of upper faCades to achieve a unified streetscape composition has
been less effective, especially in the area of signage. The report does make
reference to signage:
Signage: "Random placement and sizes of signage is not conducive to a
quality commercial visual environment. (Therefore) over time, all signage
on upper faCades be removed and located in the traditional sign fascia
above the storefront. Creative, carefully placed signs sensitive to the
style and material of the faCade above, as well as to neighbouring
faCades."
Further, given the City of Kitchener is making significant changes in the Centre
Block, it should be noted that "building faCade in coordination has been
considered an important element as opposed to a number of unrelated designs...
the approach with block coordination, (paint colours, awning, signage and upper
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faCade treatment) has created a more distinctive and element streetscape
evolves.
C. Farley recommends that the plan completed in 1987 be reviewed by a larger
group (2-3 people, along with City staff assistance) to investigate, what, if
anything can be done with working towards coordination of building faCades,
signs, awnings and cornices in an attempt to create a more distinctive and
element streetscape. The front block that could or should be tackled is the
Centre Block, when several projects will be completed in the next few years.
J. Euler and G. Woolner offered to work with C. Farley on a sub-committee to
investigate what more can be done in unifying and coordinating new
developments, e.g., the Centre Block.
KDBA UP-DATE
· KDBA's annual meeting has been set for March 26, 2003 at the Four Points
Hotel at 8:00 a.m. with a key-note speaker from the Retail Council of Canada.
All are welcome to attend.
· The entire "Save Our Downtown Schools Campaign" fund has been granted.
This fund helps off-set the costs of the individual campaigns.
· KDBA's 2003 budget has been approved by its Board of Directors and
forwarded to the City's Clerks office for Council approval. Continuing this
year is the KDBA's commitment of advocacy and leadership on a number of
key corporate projects with the City of Kitchener, in addition to a wide variety
of membership service/programs/promotions and marketing campaigns.
· Gearing up for a very busy and exciting events schedule in partnership with
the City of Kitchener. Preparing for the Market District in extending the Multi-
Cultural Festival in Victoria Park for two days located within the District itself.
· Planning a larger scale spring clean-up in conjunction with the City and the
retail membership.
· Continuing to support the chess program.
· The Kitchener Downtown Community Collaborative is presently reviewing a
draft Terms of Reference document that is hoped to be approved by all
members at the April 8th meeting. To be discussed is a site that has been
found for serious consideration for the Job Caf~ and Out Reach Program
location. However, the Collaborative will choose the host organization before
this project proceeds. M. Schreiter anticipates the April meeting will have
sufficient decision-making completed to brief DAC in much greater detail.
DAC members are welcome to attend the April meeting, please contact M.
Schreiter.
DOWNTOWN UP-DATE - Catherine
· Two public design workshops had been held in February and March for
Market Lane reconstruction. Property owners, business owners and
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neighbourhood representatives were invited to provide their input on design
issues, challenges and concepts. Over 30 people attended each session.
The next step is to come up with design alternatives. We hope to start some
of the basic construction this summer.
· University of Waterloo students are looking for participants in their "Imaging
Downtown Kitchener" project. Participants will be asked to assemble their
mental image of Downtown Kitchener from a series of photographs provided,
and then answer a series of interview questions about their image. This is an
interesting project. The whole process is expected to take approximately 1.5
hrs.
· Council approved a new heritage tax rebate. The City is exploring other
financial incentives regarding brownfield and residential developments.
· The Adult Education Centre is now in operation at the old elementary St.
Mary's school, bringing a wide variety of people to the downtown.
· Interior work is now being done at the Regency Towers (QueenANeber St.).
Tenant recruitment has started. The developer is aiming to have the first 8
floors ready for occupancy in June this year.
· The City hopes to complete the Victoria Park entrance feature at Gaukel and
Joseph St. by Oktoberfest.
· Kaufman building redevelopment will offer a combination of office and
residential and is aiming for occupancy in 2004.
EDAC UP-DATE- Joan Euler
· EDAC received a presentation by T. Boutilier regarding a Brownfield study.
If anyone would like a copy of the report, please contact M. Hodgins.
SAFE & HEALTHY COMMUNITIES COMMITTEE UP-DATE - Doug Hoch
D. Hoch reported that there was nothing of relevance to report to this Committee.
ARTS & CULTURE COMMITTEE UP-DATE - Denis Pellerin
· Michael Ambedian, an artist working in Kitchener, has been chosen for this
year's artist in residence
· The Governor's House & Gaol has been confirmed for the Doors Open tour
on September 20th, with 5 other sites recommended.
NEW BUSINESS/AGENDA ITEMS
The state of the campaign to save KCI was discussed with S. Gunz and D.
Pellerin reporting on key meeting times. There was discussion as to whether
someone should appear on behalf of DAC before the Board. It was agreed
that D. Pellerin would register for both the March and April meetings but that
the person presenting at the April meeting in particular might change.
D. Pellerin reported that signs are available from KCI next week, once
students have assembled them. S. Gunz sought and received permission
from the Committee to distribute a fundraising form electronically to the group.
12. ADJOURNMENT
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m.
LIST OF ATTACHMENTS:
1. Centre Block Proposal (PowerPoint presentation)
2. Facade Improvement Program List
fa~;ade
~rovement list for ¢t