MINUTES
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE
2008-01-22
Meeting No. 2
All
Members of Council
Development
Services Economic
Development
Chair: Chair: Regional Councillor T. Wong
Vice-Chair: Councillor J. Webster Transportation Issues
Chair: Regional Councillor G. Landon
PART A
Presentations, Major Studies, and Issues Agenda
*10:00 a.m. – Council Chamber
Attendance
|
Councillor A. Chiu
|
J. Livey, Chief Administrative
Officer
J. Baird, Commissioner of
Development Services
A. Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate
Services
A. Brown, Director of Engineering
C. Conrad, Town Solicitor
V. Shuttleworth, Director of
Planning and Urban Design
A. Tari, Committee Clerk
|
The Development Services
Committee convened at the hour of 10:02 a.m. in the Council Chamber with Councillor
J. Webster in the Chair. Regional Councillor G. Landon assumed the Chair
for Transportation Item, No.4.
DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
None disclosed.
1. DEVELOPMENT
SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
- December 11, 2007, Part A (10.0)
Minutes
Moved by Regional Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
That the
minutes of the Development Services Committee meeting, Part A, held December 11,
2007, be confirmed.
CARRIED
2. REGION
OF YORK
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS (10.0)
Mr. Alan Brown, Director of Engineering, introduced representatives
from the Region of York in attendance to provide an overview of the Region’s
transportation and transit strategy, the results from community meetings that
have taken place relative to Region of York Environmental Assessments for regional
roads, as well as the next steps to be considered.
Mr. Dino Basso, Region of York, advised the Committee that the Region
is aware of the concerns raised by Markham
residents with respect to traffic congestion, and transportation issues, and in
regard to the impacts of proposed road widening. He indicated the Region is eager to gather
and consider additional community feedback and to address specific concerns.
Mr. Stephen Collins, Region of York, delivered a PowerPoint
presentation on Transit Supportive Roads in the context of the Region’s overall
transportation, transit and travel demand management strategy.
There was considerable discussion regarding the proposed road widenings,
High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) designated lanes, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), Light
Rail Transit (LRT), Yonge Subway (and the costs associated with each of these). The Committee discussed the following issues:
- Changes in
public policy and transportation strategy since 2002
- VIVA bus
ridership
- Options for
transit system integration
- Issue of
total travel time
- Impacts of
and alternatives to the road widenings
- How to
encourage constituents to get out of their cars and use public transit
- How to give
public transit a competitive advantage over single occupancy vehicles
- Need for EA’s
to respond to issues and concerns brought forward by the public
- Steeles
Avenue and whether the City of Toronto
will commit to widening it
- The need to
coordinate overall transportation improvements with the City of Toronto
- The full
impact of transportation options and changes on the existing residents
- Climate
change and peak oil
- Parking Lots
at transit hubs
- Need for
creativity and innovation solutions
The Committee thanked all the representatives from the Region of York
for their presentation and expressed a desire to continue to work with the
Region to develop a Transportation Strategy that will integrate automobile,
transit, cycle and pedestrian travel across the Region. Future community information meetings in Markham
(February and March 2008) were discussed.
There was discussion on the need for a Transportation/Transit summit
along the lines of the Growth Summit sponsored by the Ministry of Public
Infrastructure Renewal (PIR) in 2007.
The Mayor supported this proposal and indicated the need to coordinate
with the Province of Ontario,
Metrolinx, the Region and other key stakeholders.
Moved by Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones
That the presentation by the Region of York providing an update on the
Environmental Assessments completed to date and the steps taken to deal with
local concerns, be received;
That the Region of York Staff be invited to the
Town of Markham Council meeting on January 22, 2008 to present the Region of
York Environmental Assessment presentation;
Moved by Councillor J. Virgilio
Seconded Councillor E. Shapero
That the Town of Markham pursue a Transportation/Transit
Summit, in coordination with the Province of Ontario, Metrolinx, the Region of
York and other key stakeholders, to discuss transportation, public transit
issues and infrastructure requirements within the Greater Toronto Area.
CARRIED
3. INTERNAL
PROPERTY STANDARDS BY-LAW (10.0)
Presentation
Moved by Regional Councillor J. Heath
Seconded by Regional Councillor G. Landon
That the presentation by staff regarding the Internal
Property Standards By-law, be deferred to a future meeting.
CARRIED
4. HIGHWAY
404 MID-BLOCK CROSSING
BETWEEN MAJOR MACKENZIE DRIVE
AND
ELGIN MILLS ROAD (5.10)
Presentation
Mr. Martin Scott, McCormik Rankin Corporation, provided a presentation
on the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment for the proposed Highway 404
Mid-block Crossing. The mid-block crossing will connect Leslie Street to Woodbine Avenue.
This crossing is designed to facilitate future traffic movements over Highway
404, and implementation can be timed to meet demand.
Ms. Helen Roman-Barber, representing the Cathedral
Community, addressed the Committee with respect to the proposed Highway 404
Mid-block Crossing. She indicated she is
opposed to the proposal and believes the proposed Mid-block crossing would detract
from the distinctiveness and vibrancy of the Cathedral Community. Ms. Roman-Barber advised that she has
obtained a signed petition from the Cathedral residents in opposition to the
proposal.
The Committee requested that a copy of the petition be
submitted to the Clerk’s Department.
There was
considerable discussion surrounding the estimated cost to construct the Highway
404 Mid-block Crossing and whether such expenditure is warranted. The Committee suggested reviewing existing
and future deficiencies within the corridor (including traffic flow, storm
water treatment, visual appearance, pedestrian features, property access and
transit) while minimizing the impacts on the natural and built environment. Staff advised the EA process reviews all
factors including need, alternatives, impacts and cost/ benefit. Additional traffic numbers can be provided to
the Committee. Staff also advised that
consideration needs to be given to the protection of the required property at
this time, through development approvals to avoid having to acquire the land at
a future date. Examples were given of
similar situations where lands were not originally protected leading to later
retrofits (e.g. Rodick, Birchmount, Highway 404 flyover north of Highway 7).
Ms. Elizabeth Sawicki, Monarch Corporation, stated
that they are awaiting Council’s decision and are aware that if the Town does
proceed with the crossing, Monarch will work with the Town of Markham on the
technical details. A decision needs to
be made in order to allow lands in the area to be released for development.
Moved by Councillor Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Councillor D. Horchik
That the presentation by staff regarding Highway 404
Mid-Block Crossing between Major Mackenzie Drive and Elgin Mills Road, be
received;
That the second Public Consultation Centre be
deferred; and,
That Staff prepare a recommendation report for the
Development Services Committee meeting on February 5, 2008 that includes
detailed traffic forecasts, a cost benefit analysis, and comment on timing of
release of lands for development.
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor E. Shapero
Seconded by Regional Councillor G. Landon
That all future Staff reports include how many
cars will be generated from a proposed development application.
CARRIED
5. IN CAMERA ITEM (5.10)
Moved by Regional Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu
That Development Services Committee resolve into an in
camera session to discuss the following confidential matter:
(1) LITIGATION
MATTER REGARDING
DONALD COUSENS PARKWAY
CARRIED
Moved by Regional Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Heath
That the Committee rise (2:44 p.m.)
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
The Development Services
Committee meeting adjourned at the hour of 2:45 p.m.