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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Adv - 2009-12-10 DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES December 10, 2009 City of Kitchener The Downtown Advisory Committee met this date, chaired by Glenn Scheels; with the following members in attendance: Alan Doherty, Councillor Christina Weylie, Denis Pellerin, Tamara Minns, Mark Garner, Don Zehr, Bernie Nimer, Mark Yantzi, and Councillor John Smola Staff in attendance: Silvia Wright, Cory Bluhm, Terry Boutilier, Kim Feere, Sandy Curzon, Rod Regier, Heather Holbrook, Discussion Items Minutes & Agenda Approval of Minutes Approved: On motion the minutes of November 12, 2009 were approved Advisory Committee Updates The following update on the Economic Development Advisory Committee: University of Waterloo student project presentation on the Mill- o Courtland Strategy The following Safe & Healthy Advisory Committee update was provided: KDBIA provided a presentation on the partnership with the o committee Festival of neighbourhood update o New Business 2.1 Economic Development Reorganization Rod Regier provided the committee with the overview of the Economic Development Reorganization. He advised that the last 4 months have been used to concentrate on the adjustment of the organization of the Economic Development team. He advised that Silvia DiDonato is now the Manager of Business Development and her background allows us to take business development to the next level and build clusters to the next level. Digital media and life sciences clusters are an extension of the work she has done to date. Valerie Machado will continue to work on the manufacturing clusters, in particular development of green energy. Terry Boutilier will also continue his work. Cory Bluhm has now taken on the role of Manager of Downtown for the next 12 months. Cory’s current position will remain vacant for one year while this assessment over the next 12 months helps us to align ourselves. Kim Feere will also take on additional responsibilities with recruitment of retail in the downtown. Life Sciences Incubator We have been working at a cluster strategy over the last few years with the School of Pharmacy and School of Medicine and we would use that as a launch pad for the industry in the downtown. We had anticipated that the School of Pharmacy would be running for 5 years before we saw spin off companies and it happened right away. This was something we were not prepared for. The concept of an incubator in the downtown is to support the faculty and students etc., they are complex and can be very expensive. We needed to figure out the demand and how much the demand was, what the economics of the project are and how to finance it. We had a market analysis done and it turns out there is demand they have several people looking for wet lab space we have 2 to 3 anchor tenants and there is a great business model for the partners to work on. We need to have a design, and plan to go after the partners in the federal government for funding. Since the opening of the school of pharmacy the feds have come to southern Ontario with the new economic development strategy. The committee provided the following feedback: What size facility are they looking for? The basic facility would be 60,000 sqft of building. 2.2 King Street Mixed Use Corridor: Heather Holbrook, Planner, provided the Committee with a presentation on the King Street Mixed Use Corridor. The Committee provided the following feedback / questions: Regarding the grandfathered zoning, if that use ends, will the new zoning then come into effect? - if they need to apply for an occupancy permit then yes If a land / building owner wanted to add to their building, what would be required? - A site plan would need to be completed to comply with the new zoning or you could choose to go through the Committee of Adjustment or a Zone Change application. What about the distinction between Waterloo and Kitchener? - The zoning does support that and a gateway. Cory Bluhm advised he will keep the Committee advised on the status. 2.3 Downtown Strategic Plan Progress Report Cory Bluhm provided the Committee with a progress report on the updates of the items identified. He informed the committee that some of the items require outside participants and those may take a little longer. These updates will be provided to the Committee on a monthly basis. What about the retail strategy? BIA is currently working with a consultant on Phase 1 of a retail attraction - strategy. A final strategy and implementation plan will likely come before DAC in 2010. Kim Feere will also take on additional responsibilities assisting with retail attraction in the downtown. 2.4 Civic District Urban Square Cory Bluhm provided an overview of the concepts and reminded that the link was sent out to the Committee. Mr. Bluhm advised he will take the comments back to the visioning committee The Committee provided a range of comments and preferences on the 3 designs. No clear preference among the group. Members commented on the need to consider: water features, outdoor seating, noise, traffic, public washrooms, etc. 2.5 Terms of Reference Review Lisa Polonoski advised that the committee had suggested changes to the Terms of Reference and those have been made. The Committee also suggested that a representative for Urban Design / Architecture be added. Tracey DeVille advised that a report will go to Council for final approval in early 2010. 2.6 Arts and Culture Advisory Committee At the last ACAC meeting, Nov. 17, it was noted that a joint meeting with the Downtown Advisory Committee and the Economic Development Advisory Committee should be organized to discuss the shared goals each committee shared. It was noted that the arrangements will be made and more information will be brought back to the committee. Project Updates: Rod Regier provided an update on the Kitchener Market. City Centre – working away with Andrin and the BIA around the opportunities that exist, a video is being considered, model will be open by august, condo sales in the region are going well Andrin is feeling good about it. Andrin has been measuring heritage buildings and drawings are being created. Recruitment of hotel operator is going to commence in the new year. Development agreement draft went to council and we are about to finish that. On motion, the meeting was adjourned.