The Public Meeting this date was to consider an application submitted by Malone Given Parsons.
The Committee Clerk advised that 173 notices were mailed on September 20, 2023 and a Public Meeting sign was posted on September 18, 2023. There were 16 written submissions received regarding this proposal.
Stephen Lue, Senior Manager, Development, introduced the item.
Rick Cefaratti, Senior Planner, gave a presentation regarding the proposal, the location, surrounding uses and outstanding issues.
Lincoln Lo, Malone Given Parsons, provided a presentation on the proposed development. Mr. Lo advised that based on early estimates the proposed new employment district will create approximately 3300 jobs. Mr. Lo provided a brief overview of the proposed road network.
The Committee provided the following feedback on the proposed development:
- Supported the need for deletion of the Secondary Plan requirement;
- Suggested building a higher density industrial complex to maximize the use of the prime land if the City’s Official Plan permits for greater height on the subject lands;
- Expressed mix emotions that the prime land was being used for industrial purposes;
- Staff were requested to look into whether multi-storey factory buildings would be permitted on the subject lands;
- Suggested that the development proposal should include restaurant establishments for the future employees;
- Questioned if Richmond Hill and York Region have/will be consulted on the proposed development;
- Discussed the parking type (surface parking) and the size of the industrial buildings being proposed;
- Noted the importance of being considerate to the local businesses that have operated in the area for sometime;
- Suggested that the development proposal include protected bike lanes;
- Advised that residents have a lot of invested interest in this development proposal due to the size and prime location of the land;
- Requested that the Applicant work with staff to ensure that the development proposal does not conflict with the pick-up and drop-off of students from the schools located in the area;
- Discussed the proposed changes to the road network to support the proposed development;
- Suggested that Staff should look at infrastructure improvements needed to support this project, including road access;
- Noted that the local businesses do not support Renfrew Drive opening up onto 16th Avenue;
- Questioned if York Region Transit would add additional services to this area;
- Advised that this is a preliminary report and that no decisions will be made at today’s meeting;
- Noted that it is extremely unlikely that the Buttonville Airport will reopen once closed.
The following deputations were made on the proposed development:
Fredrick Woo provided a deputation in support of the proposal, but provided some feedback. Mr. Woo noted that residents should not have to pick-up the tab for road improvements required to support the project. Mr. Woo noted that he does not support the monotonous towers being built on Highway 7 East. Mr. Woo Suggested that Markham needs to work with Richmond Hill on the residential tower height in the area. Mr. Woo noted infrastructure improvements, such as new hospitals, long term care facilities, and schools will be needed to meet the future population in the area and that existing taxpayers should not have to pay for this infrastructure. Mr. Woo suggested that infrastructure improvements to this area should start being built today.
Alex Abdulnour, Peoples Christian Academy (PCA), advised that the PCA has been seeking approval to build a relief layby driveway on the frontage of the school to support the ongoing development of the school and to relieve traffic on Renfrew during pick-up and drop-off times. Mr. Abdulnour expressed concern that the school’s driveway plans may need to be significantly changed if the development proposal was approved as proposed. Mr. Abdulnour explained that having large trucks on Renfrew Drive would create traffic safety concerns for the school, as large trucks may interfere with the schools proposed new driveway plans.
Simon Yee, Arcadis Group, Urban Planner, representing the Peoples Christian Academy (PCA), highlighted the schools concerns regarding the proposed development, including: traffic safety for the school staff and students during drop-off and pick-up times; that Renfrew Drive will be used as a service driveway; that the development proposal does not fit the character of the area, as none of the other business have loading docks facing Renfrew Drive; that two industrial complexes with front loading stations are being proposed to be built across the street from PCA’s proposed driveway; that Renfrew Drive is proposed to be widened to accommodate the development proposal and that this will interfere with PCA’s proposed driveway plans. Mr. Yee requested that Council reconsider the widening along the east side of Renfrew Drive to permit for the much needed PCA driveway. Mr. Yee suggested that the proposed development should have proper landscaping, and that the proposal has lots of room for improvement.
Tristen Poon suggest that there should be a secondary plan for this area. Mr. Poon had the following questions and suggestions pertaining to the project:
- Questioned if the pathways included in the site plan are considered to be multi use pathways, as he would like to see people biking to work, but not travelling aside large trucks;
- Suggested that extending Allstate Parkway does not support service planning, as Allstate is closer to the highway and employees would still have a long way to walk to work;
- Questioned if YRT would be providing express bus service from Finch Station and/or Richmond Hill Centre for the 3,000 plus employees proposed to work in the industrial complex;
- Questioned if there would be a direct exit from the industrial complex onto 16th Avenue;
- Suggested the exit on Renfrew Drive be placed on Valleywood Drive instead to provide a more direct route for the trucks;
- Suggested that the development proposal should include restaurants for the employees;
- Suggested that a park should be included in the proposal;
- Imagined extending the Ontario Line to this development proposal, maximizing the land use by adding some housing, and putting parks on top of the warehouses to make it an enjoyable place to live and work.
Daniel Cooper, Principal, J. Addison Private School, advised that the school is located at 2 Valleywood Drive, but that there entrance/exit is located on Renfrew Drive. Mr. Cooper’s greatest concern was the impact the proposed development would have on traffic safety on Renfrew Drive and on Valleywood Drive, specific concern was with the types of vehicles that will se the road, such as large trucks and construction vehicles. Mr. Cooper was most concerned with the safety of his students, but also expressed concern that having a large industrial complex right next to his school would deter parents from sending their children to their private school.
Ronald Manddowskyn spoke in opposition of the proposed development for the following reasons: the impact it will have on the road network; that there are two schools nearby that do not fit well with an industrial complex; Renfrew Road is a local road that should not be used for large trucks; there is an opportunity to build a mixed use development on the subject lands; some or all of the lands could be used for a park; the building proposed in block 8 is not appropriate in the proposed location.
Vladimir Efmov expressed concern that one story buildings were being built on prime land, suggesting that this is inefficient use of the land. Mr. Efmov suggested that land should be used for other uses, as there is already lots of industrial building south of Highway 7 in this area. Mr. Efmov suggested building one eleven story building and if success build another one.
Staff and the Applicant provided the following responses to inquires from the Committee and deputants:
Clement Messere, Manager of Development, West District, advised that the applications have been circulated to the Ministry of Transportation, York Region and Richmond Hill for comment.
Stephen Lue, Senior Manager, Development, advised that residents concern will be looked at during the review of the site plan.
Mr. Lincoln clarified that there will be minimal truck traffic on Renfrew Road, as most of the truck traffic will routed through the Allstate parkway extension. Mr. Lincoln further noted that the Valleymede Overpass over Hwy 404 is no longer included in York Region’s Official Plan. Mr. Lincoln explained that an industrial complex generates significantly less traffic than a mixed use development. Mr. Lincoln advised that York Region Transit will not add a bus stop until the density comes to an area. Mr. Lincoln suggested that the buildings could be more than one story. Mr. Lincoln advised that Cadillac Fairview plans on being a good neighbour to the existing local businesses, noting that buildings proposed on Renfrew Road would look similar to the structures already located on the street.