Update on Economic Development Plan Implementation Report to - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Update on Economic Development Plan Implementation Report to Council July 8, 2019

History Early 2016 ─ District establishes a direct municipal role in local economic development ─ New staff position created 2016 - 2018 ─ In-depth research on local economic issues ─ Examination of economic opportunities for West Vancouver ─ Preparation of Economic Development Plan ─ Stakeholder presentations and community engagement (OCP review) Early 2018 ─ Plan presented to Council Ongoing ─ Plan implementation Update on Economic Development Plan Implementation

Municipal Economic Development • Implementation: • One dedicated staff position reporting to CAO • Project support from staff in other Divisions • No operational budget other than salary • Key implementation actions have been supported through one-time funding initiatives Update on Economic Development Plan Implementation

Council’s Vision “Our goal is to make West Vancouver a complete community; and one that is livable, vibrant and inclusive .” “To accomplish this, we need to attract and inspire a full spectrum of people to live, play and work here. A vibrant economy, diverse housing choices, and exciting amenities consistent with the Official Community Plan are also part of Council’s vision.” Update on Economic Development Plan Implementation

Goals & Objectives for Local Economy Strategic Goal • Create vital and vibrant commercial centres Key Objectives • Develop Local Area Plans for Horseshoe Bay and the Ambleside Town Centre; • Implement the Economic Development Plan; and • Work in collaboration with the local business community on priorities such as parking, wayfinding, place-making, and improving the overall business mix. Update on Economic Development Plan Implementation

Economic Development Plan A. Vision, Leadership, and Partnerships B. Visitor Strategy C. Commercial Areas Strategy D. Emerging Opportunities Strategy Update on Economic Development Plan Implementation

Economic Development Plan A. Vision, Leadership, and Partnerships B. Visitor Strategy Update on Economic Development Plan Implementation

Regional Tourism Development Recommendations B-1 and B-3 • Sea-to Sky Priorities (March 2019) • Sustainable Tourism Council • Corridor wide welcome, safety and visitor education program • Tourism Acceleration Fund • Corridor wide research and data gathering to develop baselines; identify goals and prioritize opportunities to improve • Metro Vancouver (in process) Update on Economic Development Plan Implementation

Destination Brand and Marketing Plan Recommendations B-1, B-2, B-4, B-6, B-7, B-8, B-9, B-10, B-12 and B-19 • A community tourism brand supports our local tourism sector, and leverages investments by our partner DMOs • This Plan will… • Define our target visitor market(s) • Identify authentic local experiences • Provide a road map for launching our destination brand and our presence in the visitor market Update on Economic Development Plan Implementation

Visitor Experiences Recommendations B-2, B-3, B-4, B-17, B-18, B-19 and B-20 • What does West Vancouver have to offer? • Opportunities for visitor immersion in the arts, nature, outdoor recreation, community celebrations, and Indigenous culture • Authentic experiences for visitor immersion in local culture • Visitor itineraries (Cap U) (Completed Q2 2019) Update on Economic Development Plan Implementation

Community Wayfinding Recommendation B-11 • How to navigate West Vancouver? • Community Wayfinding Plan (2019 funding) • Comprehensive approach for integrated gateway signage, highway information, location of attractions and businesses, and public amenities, and navigating the community Update on Economic Development Plan Implementation

Visitor Accommodations Recommendations B-13 and B-15 Historic Precedents New Hotel Prototypes Update on Economic Development Plan Implementation

Boutique Hotel – Feasibility Recommendation B-13 • OCP Policy • Incentivize hotel development in Ambleside Town Centre • Analysis • Study to examine feasibility of hotel development in Ambleside (completion Q3 2019) • Would inform required land use and development incentives, and other pre-conditions for realizing visitor accommodations in the Town Centre Update on Economic Development Plan Implementation

Short-Term Vacation Rentals Recommendation B-15 At Present • Minimum rental term of 30 days • Spot rezoning required for shorter term rentals • No legal vacation rentals at present Staples House (1967) Proposed • Use Community Heritage Register to establish eligibility • ± 100 additions to Register (Q3 2019) • Rezoning of subject properties to permit vacation rentals Boyd House (1954) Update on Economic Development Plan Implementation

Economic Development Plan A. Vision, Leadership, and Partnerships B. Visitor Strategy C. Commercial Areas Strategy D. Emerging Opportunities Strategy Update on Economic Development Plan Implementation

Office Space • Feasibility Study • In conjunction with Boutique Hotel study, looking at potential for office development in Ambleside Town Centre • Would include both traditional office and ‘co - working’ models such as WeWork and Hive Update on Economic Development Plan Implementation

Ambleside Town Centre Recommendation C-3 • Business Recruitment • Determine an optimal retail mix to support a vibrant Town Centre; and to capitalize on public amenities, festivals, and destination branding • Identify the challenges to achieving this potential; develop strategies to enable successful business recruitment Update on Economic Development Plan Implementation

Ambleside Town Centre Recommendation C-3 • Discussion Paper • A common understanding of the Town Centre’s history, current issues and opportunities, and possible futures… • Provides valuable background for upcoming planning initiatives and associated community engagement. Update on Economic Development Plan Implementation

Key Learnings • Work to date on economic research and Plan development has resulted in:  Greater public awareness of local economic issues and opportunities  Positioning the local economy as one of five key themes of the new OCP  The development of myriad working partnerships  Advancement of key initiatives Update on Economic Development Plan Implementation

Recommendations • Moving forward…  Better integration of economic objectives with other District functions and services  Formal partnerships with external agencies for better alignment of mutual objectives, optimizing resources, and facilitating opportunities  Resourcing of municipal Economic Development role to support growth and diversification of the local economy  Creating a “Business Council” to champion local economic development  Regular updates to Council Update on Economic Development Plan Implementation

Thank You! Questions? Update on Economic Development Plan Implementation