Mount Pearl Mayor Dave Aker presented his annual economic outlook to members of the Mount Pearl Paradise Chamber of Commerce earlier this month. The Mount Pearl Soccer Hut had a full house for the event. Among those on hand were, starting in the back row, from left: chamber president Colleen Glynn, councillor Bill Antle, Mayor Aker, councillors Isabelle Fry and Jim Locke, Paradise councillor Glen Carew, and Justin Locke of TD Bank, which was the sponsor of the event. In the front row are Mount Pearl North MHA Lucy Stoyles and the chamber’s executive director Wanda Palmer. Submitted photo
By Chad Feehan / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Mayor Dave Aker addressed the Mount Pearl Paradise Chamber of Commerce and the business community at large earlier this month in a speech that presented his, and the city’s outlook for the year ahead.
“The future of the city is something we must carefully and strategically consider,” Aker said.
Recapping some of the city’s recent accomplishments, such as the ongoing construction of a new community centre, selecting a consultant for the North of Topsail Road development, and renewing the municipal plan, Aker said the City has accomplished 90 per cent of the action items in the first year of its strategic plan.
As part of the revamping of the Municipal Plan, the City is recreating development regulations to help foster housing and business opportunities. Zoning for higher densities, infill development, and redevelopment will be looked at, as well as public transit, public parking, construction restrictions, and the provision of “people-centric” spaces.
“We are hearing from many of you that you have spatial limitations on your lots,” Aker said. “We want to make sure the future of the city matches your needs.”
Regarding the City’s initiative to attract and retain businesses and people, the Mayor acknowledged the lack of full-service restaurants in Mount Pearl and council’s plans to address it. By commissioning a market study, the City will seek to understand the landscape of the restaurant industry in Mount Pearl, and identify the demand, opportunities, and potential sites for prospective businesses. Lastly, it will promote the attraction of such businesses.
“We want to do as much of the work as we can to attract prospective restaurant owners,” Aker said. “We know our city is primed for another full-service restaurant and we will take the lead and do whatever we can to make it happen.”
Aker cautioned the intention is to complement existing restaurants, as opposed to creating more competition for them.
Focus on the city centre was also highlighted, with Aker pointing out the need for improved signage and new investments to create public spaces aimed at recreation and relaxation, retail sector growth, and promotion of “more active modes of transport.”
Aker spoke of creating a “people place” in the city centre by promoting mental and physical health, social, cultural, and economic enrichment, and the creation of new opportunities in commerce, recreation, and entertainment.
“The city of Mount Pearl has been planned from the outset,” Aker said. “We understand that people-centric design is key to fostering quality public spaces.”
The city’s extensive trail network is also coming in for attention. Following last summer’s successful mobile kiosk pilot project on Forest Avenue, which featured local treats, and the award winning T’Railway Sundown Series, which showcased musical acts, the mayor announced a plan to develop a second kiosk for the area.
“By clustering retail spaces together, we can create a destination for visitors and residents alike,” he said. “By capitalizing the appeal of our trails, we bolster the economic vitality of our city, benefiting businesses across various sectors and enriching the overall community experience.”
Aker also highlighted the creation of a new trail on the north side of the Waterford River. The design of the trail will begin this year. The work will be done with community partners including the Rotary Club of Waterford Valley.
“If you own property on the north side of the Waterford River, we want to work with you to make a new trail connection a reality,” said the mayor.
Addressing the business sector, Aker noted the City’s $5,000 tax incentive was limited to the craft, retail, and technology sectors. Now, it's making the incentive available to any new business that has opened within the designated city centre area within the last three years in an expansion of its scaled tax program.
The City is also talking to provincial and federal officials to “understand what types of opportunities lie in the supply and service chain” for renewable energy in the hopes of attracting investment to the city.
“There’s no city better equipped to help than right here in Donovan’s business park in Mount Pearl,” he said.
The mayor also touched on the $6.1 million the federal government announced earlier this year to boost housing construction in Mount Pearl. To promote high density residential development, he said, the City is working on incentives to reduce the cost of permit fees, and $500,000 has been dedicated to incentives that support development.
Some 2,000 homes are set to see construction over the next 10 years.
Developers will now have a single point-of-contact with the City, with the newly established economic development and housing team led by manager of economic development and housing Jeremy Schwartz.
“Whether it’s a question on permits, or implementing process improvements, we will remove red tape so you can focus on what's important,” Aker said.
Speaking of permits, they are about to get a little less tangly, with online permit facilities allowing for applications and tracking of approval processes.
Aker said more announcements on incentive programs will be announced in the coming months.
“Solving the housing challenge will be accomplished through collaboration between all levels of government and the private sector,” he said.
