MARCH
1, 2011 - 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
MINUTES
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE
Meeting No. 7
All
Members of Council
Development
Services Economic
Development
Chair: Regional Councillor Jim
Jones Chair: Councillor Carolina
Moretti
Vice-Chair: Councillor Don Hamilton Vice-Chair:
Councillor Alex Chiu
Transportation Issues
Chair: Regional Councillor Gord
Landon
Vice-Chair:
Councillor Alan Ho
PART A
Presentations, Major Studies, and Issues Agenda
9:00 a.m. – Canada Room
Attendance
|
Councillor Alex Chiu
Regrets
|
John Livey, Chief Administrative
Officer
Jim Baird, Commissioner of
Development Services
Brenda Librecz, Commissioner of
Community Services
Ronji Borooah, Town Architect
Alan Brown, Director of Engineering
Catherine Conrad, Town Solicitor
Biju Karumanchery, Senior
Development Manager
Kitty Bavington, Council/Committee
Coordinator
|
The Development Services
Committee convened at the hour of 9:05 a.m. in the Canada Room with Regional
Councillor Jim Jones in the Chair.
DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
None Declared
1. DEVELOPMENT
SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
- February 8, 2011, Part A
(10.0)
Minutes
Moved by:
Councillor Alex Chiu
Seconded
by: Regional Councillor Joe Li
That the
minutes of the Development Services Committee meeting, Part A, held February 8,
2011, be confirmed.
CARRIED
2. DEPUTATIONS, ITEM # 9, IN-CAMERA
A LITIGATION OR POTENTIAL
LITIGATION MATTER (10.3, 10.5)
The Committee consented to receive deputations
regarding the in-camera item, # 9 on the agenda.
R.A. James, a member of the Shops on Steeles Working
Group, spoke of the extensive work done by the group in trying to reach an
acceptable compromise. He expressed opposition to the current development
proposal.
Gerald Dinner, President of the German Mills
Residents’ Association and member of the Shops on Steeles Working Group, spoke
in opposition to the proposal, stating concerns for traffic gridlock and the
impacts to the neighbourhood. He noted appreciation for the cooperation of
Council members, staff, and consultants.
Karen Cilevitz, representing the Willowdale North East
Neighbourhood Association, spoke in opposition to the proposal and stated
concerns for traffic congestion.
Moved by: Councillor Alex Chiu
Seconded by: Councillor Logan Kanapathi
That the deputations by R.A. James, Gerald Diner, and Karen
Cilevitz, in opposition to the Shops on Steeles development, be received.
CARRIED
3. PAN
AM GAMES UPDATE (6.0)
This item was postponed to General Committee on March
7, 2011.
4. VIVANEXT
HIGHWAY 7 RAPIDWAY UPDATE
(5.14)
Presentation
Mary-Frances Turner, Vice-President, York Region
Rapid Transit Corporation gave a presentation to update the Committee on
the VivaNEXT - Highway 7 Rapidway. The team members were introduced: Dale
Albers, Paul May, and Kathryn Webber.
Ms.
Turner displayed visualizations of the future vision of rapid transit corridors
and centres, and explained the federal, provincial, York Region, and Toronto
funding components of the 100 km rapid transit project. Structural and design
features of the rapidway lanes, intersections, and stations were illustrated.
The Highway
7 construction phase will involve five stages over the next three years,
beginning in the spring of 2011 with completion in early 2014.
Mr.
Albers outlined the communications plan, acknowledging the disruptions that may
occur and the importance of keeping the public informed. The plan includes the
appointment of a community liaison specialist to interact with businesses and
residents along the construction route.
Discussions included updates on the Yonge Subway extension and funding
issues, the progress on the Steeles Avenue Station and the East Don River
Bridge, and the status of related studies.
The alignment of the 407 ramp at the Langstaff station was confirmed.
Ms.
Turner and staff responded to questions and comments from the Committee:
-
non-reflective glass and other
measures will be used at the stations to deter bird strikes;
-
accessibility and CNIB standards
for colour contrast requirements have been maintained on the buses to
accommodate the visually-impaired;
-
irrigation for landscaping
maintenance is expensive and is only useful for the first couple of years;
-
bike paths will be included along
most of the route and bike stands will be provided;
-
the method of physical separation
for the bike lanes has not be determined;
-
far-side stations at intersections
will use traffic light controls to accommodate drop-off and pick-up;
-
construction will occur in overlapping
segments;
-
state-of-the-art electronics
systems will be used;
-
the Yonge Street Streetscape plan
will be incorporated once the plan is completed.
A concern
was expressed that it is still difficult to reach the transit route from other
locations. Staff are working on this issue and will provide an update at a future
meeting.
Alan
Brown, Director of Engineering advised that Metrolinx will be making a presentation
to the Committee on March 22, 2011 to provide an update. Staff will be
reporting on related financial and other issues in April, 2011.
Considerable discussion involved burying the hydro wires
and the prohibitive costs involved, and it was agreed to pursue this aspect through
the CAO’s office or other appropriate avenue.
The
Committee complimented the VivaNEXT team on its comprehensive public outreach
program.
Moved by:
Councillor Don Hamilton
Seconded
by: Councillor Logan Kanapathi
That the presentation provided by Mary-Frances Turner, Vice-President, York
Region Rapid Transit Corporation regarding VivaNEXT - Highway 7 Rapidway
Update be received; and
And that the opportunity to bury Hydro lines along
Highway 7 be pursued further.
CARRIED
5. NOISE
EXEMPTION FOR
KENNEDY ROAD WATERMAIN
CONSTRUCTION (2.10)
Presentation
Mr. Brian
Wolf, Region of York, gave a presentation regarding the Noise Exemption for the
Kennedy Road Watermain Construction project. Mr. Wolf providing an overview of
the project, which runs along Kennedy Road from the Milliken Reservoir to Major
Mackenzie Drive. Work will commence in March, 2011 with anticipated completion
in June 2012.
Mr. Wolf
discussed traffic management plans and general principles that will be
utilized, such as lane shifting, overnight crossing of local roads, and noise
exemptions. Mr. Wolf provided assurances that one-laning will not occur during
rush hours.
The communication
plan includes notice to all adjacent businesses and residents, a public
information meeting to be held March 22, 2011, advertisements in local newspapers
and on Town and Region websites, and electronic sign boards. The Committee
requested the notice include the reasons behind the construction.
Harry
Persaud, Project Manager, was introduced. It was noted that a construction
contractor emergency contact will be available 24/7.
Moved by:
Councillor Alex Chiu
Seconded
by: Councillor Don Hamilton
That the presentation provided by Mr. Brian Wolf,
Region of York regarding Noise Exemption for Kennedy Road Watermain
Construction be received.
CARRIED
6. EAST
PRECINCT MOBILITY HUB (5.14)
Jim Baird,
Commissioner of Development Services, introduced David Jansen of Adamson
Associates Architects, and Michael Morrisey of Morrisey Consulting, and gave a
brief explanation of the project. The Committee received a copy of the
presentation entitled “Markham Centre/Markham Live Site Optimization Study”
dated March 1, 2011, by Adamson Associates Architects.
Mr.
Jansen gave a presentation outlining the study area for the Markham Live Feasibility
Study and displayed the land use concept plan. He identified the Markham Live
and CSIO blocks, road patterns, and transit routes, and presented the preferred
option for street and block patterns, incorporating proposed transit routes and
stations. By raising the grade for transitways, the lower sections can be used
for parking and retail components, to maximize land use.
Discussions
included the exposure to Hwy 407 and the opportunity for increased density
adjacent to the CSIO blocks. The next steps are the precinct planning process
and public consultation.
Staff
provided an update regarding the Environmental Assessment for the Highway 407
ramp alignment and advised that the Minister of Transportation has undertaken
to add wording to the EA to accommodate the preferred alignment. It has not
been finalized at this point, but staff are of the understanding that it will
be acceptable to Markham.
The
Committee thanked Mr. Jansen and Mr. Morrisey for the presentation, and
expressed appreciation to Regional Councillor Jim Jones for spearheading this
project.
The Committee
endorsed the master concept plan and revised road alignment presented this day,
and endorsed proceeding with the Markham Centre Mobility Hub/East Precinct Plan
process.
Moved by:
Councillor Don Hamilton
Seconded
by: Councillor Alex Chiu
That the presentation provided by David Jansen of
Adamson Associates Architects and Michael Morrisey of Morrisey Consulting
regarding the East Precinct Mobility Hub be received; and
That the Markham Centre Mobility
Hub/East Precinct Plan process proceed, based on the master plan concept and
revised road alignments as endorsed on March 1, 2011.
CARRIED
7. MARKHAM
LIVE COMMITTEE MINUTES
- FEBRUARY 10 AND FEBRUARY 22,
2011 (16.24)
Feb 10 Minutes Feb
22 Minutes
Regional
Councillor Jim Jones, Chair of the Markham Live Committee, explained the
preliminary conceptual work that has been prepared. This stage of the project
will provide a site plan showing the lands containing the sports facility and
related uses for the subject blocks and surrounding uses, including road
patterns and preliminary drawings of interior space allocation.
This will
provide an illustrative conceptual package to demonstrate feasibility of the
plan for potential investors; however further work will be required to go
forward.
The final
product will be a realistic functional fit. Consultants are also preparing preliminary
costing, revenue generation, and naming rights potentials. The Committee
directed staff to obtain appropriate documentation from the consultants and review
the contracts to ensure the Town is getting value for money spent.
Moved by:
Mayor Frank Scarpitti
Seconded
by: Deputy Mayor Jack Heath
1) That the minutes of the
Markham Live Committee meetings held February 10 and February 22, 2011, be
received for information purposes; and,
2) That the following
recommendation from the Markham Live Committee meeting held on February 10,
2011 be endorsed:
“That due to time constraints and the specialized
nature of the work required, the Town, pursuant to section 7 1 (g) of the
Town’s purchasing by-law negotiate a contract for the supply of goods or
services without a competitive process “where it is in the Town’s best interest
not to solicit a competitive bid” and section 7 1 (h) which states “where it
necessary or in the best interests of the Town to acquire non-standard items or
Consulting and Professional Services from a preferred supplier or from a
supplier who has a proven track record with the Town in terms of pricing,
quality and services”, retain the following preferred suppliers at a cost of
$62,500, for an evaluation of the feasibility of the proposed Markham
International Sports Training Academy (MISTA):
Adamson (in progress) $ 30,000.
Cannon Design (in progress) $10,000.
Morrissey Consulting (in progress) $
5,000.
AJ Hooker – Quantity Surveyors $
5,000.
Lang Marketing Network –Naming Rights $ 7,500.
ASBell Consulting – Revenue, Operating Expense
analysis $ 5,000.”; and
3) That the following
recommendation from the Markham Live Committee meeting held on February 22,
2011 be endorsed:
“That in addition to the resolution of the Markham
Live Committee on February 10, 2011, the following additional preferred
suppliers costs of $20,000, for an evaluation of the feasibility of the
proposed Markham International Sports Training Academy (MISTA) be approved:
Adamson (in progress) $ 10,000.
Morrissey Consulting (in progress) $ 10,000.”; and
4) That Regional Councillor Joe Li and
Councillor Logan Kanapathi be appointed to the Markham Live Committee; and;
5)
That this matter be forwarded to
Council on March 1, 2011 for adoption; and further,
6) That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things
necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
8. NEW BUSINESS
CONSTRUCTION SIGNS (2.16)
LOCAL IMPROVEMENTS (5.6)
a)
CONSTRUCTION
SIGNS (2.16)
Councillor Howard Shore
advised of a resident’s concerns regarding old construction signs that have not
been removed, and Town work vehicles that pass by signs that have been knocked
over without stopping to fix them or notify the contractor.
Staff advised of Town
practices and policies regarding construction signs, and discussed the WeCare,
Contact Centre, and E3 initiatives with respect to responding to public
requests.
b)
LOCAL
IMPROVEMENTS (5.6)
Councillor Alan Ho
questioned if subsidies are available for local improvement costs with respect
to watermains. Staff will meet with the Councillor to discus policies, and will
assist in a communications plan to the community.
9. IN CAMERA ITEM (10.0)
Moved by: Councillor Howard Shore
Seconded by: Regional Councillor Gord Landon
That, in accordance with Section 239 (2) (e) of the Municipal Act, Development Services
Committee resolve into an in-camera session to discuss the following
confidential matter:
1) A litigation or potential litigation, including matters
before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board
CARRIED
Moved by: Councillor Howard Shore
Seconded by: Regional Councillor Gord Landon
That the
Committee rise from the in-camera session (1:15 PM).
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
The Development Services
Committee meeting adjourned at 1:15 PM.
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