Development Services Public Meeting Minutes

Meeting Number: 11

Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 7:00 P.m. - 9:00 P.m.

Live streamed

Roll Call

• Mayor Frank Scarpitti
• Deputy Mayor Michael Chan
• Regional Councillor Jim Jones
• Regional Councillor Joe Li
• Councillor Alan Ho
• Councillor Ritch Lau
• Councillor Reid McAlpine
• Councillor Karen Rea
• Councillor Andrew Keyes
• Councillor Amanda Collucci
• Councillor Juanita Nathan
• Councillor Isa Lee

Regrets

• Councillor Keith Irish

Staff

• Stacia Muradali, Manager, Development - East
• Laura Gold, Council/Committee Coordinator
• Stephen Lue, Senior Manager, Development
• Brashanthe Manoharan, Planner II
• Deanna Schlosser, Senior Planner

​Alternate formats for this document are available upon request

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

The Development Services Public Meeting convened at 7:05 PM with Regional Councillor Joe Li in the Chair.

2.

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST

There were no disclosures of pecuniary interest.

3.

DEPUTATIONS

Deputations were heard with the respective item.

4.

REPORTS

4.1

PUBLIC MEETING INFORMATION REPORT, IBI GROUP APPLICATION FOR OFFICIAL PLAN AMENDMENT AND ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT TO PERMIT A 6-STOREY COMMERCIAL SELF-STORAGE FACILITY WITH AT-GRADE FLEX-OFFICE SPACE AT

191 MCNABB STREET (WARD 8), FILE NO.: PLAN 22 120692 (10.3, 10.5)

 

The Public Meeting this date was to consider an application submitted by IBI Group on behalf of Denison Self-Storage.

The Committee Clerk advised that 61 notices were mailed on May 31, 2023 and a Public Meeting sign was posted on May 30, 2023.  There were no written submissions received regarding this proposal.

Stephen Lue, Senior Manager, Development, introduced the item.

Brashanthe Manoharan, Planner II, gave a presentation regarding the proposal, the location, surrounding uses and outstanding issues.

Zhu (Harry) Qianqiao, Arcadis, provided a presentation on the proposed development.

There were no comments from the audience with respect to this application.

The Committee questioned if there would be enough parking with the reduced parking ratio, and if anything potentially dangerous was permitted to be stored at the facility.

Mr. Qianqiao advised that only the parking ratio for the storage facility is being reduced, as this type facility has a low parking requirement.  On a busy day, there may be 15 appointments to access the storage lockers. The Owner, Shawn Shanmuganathan, advised that there are strict provisions regarding what can be stored in the lockers (i.e. no explosives/flammable items) and that it will be included in the lease agreement . The types of customers that rent a storage locker varies, but may include students, small e-commences businesses, or people living in small spaces.

• Moved by Councillor Isa Lee
  Seconded by Councillor Reid McAlpine
  1. That the “PUBLIC MEETING INFORMATION REPORT – Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment applications to develop a 6-storey commercial self-storage facility with at-grade flex-office space (Ward 8), (File No. PLAN 22 120692) at 191 McNabb Street, submitted by IBI Group be received;
     
     
  2. That the Record of the Public Meeting held on June 20, 2023, with respect to the proposed applications for Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment submitted by IBI Group for 191 McNabb Street (File No. PLAN 22 120692), be received;
     
     
  3. That the applications by IBI Group for the proposed Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment (File No. PLAN 22 120692), be referred back to staff for a report and a recommendation;
     
     
  4. And that staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
  Carried

4.2

PUBLIC MEETING INFORMATION REPORT, EASTSIDE CHEVROLET GMC BUICK LTD., APPLICATION FOR OFFICIAL PLAN AMENDMENT AND ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT TO PERMIT A 35-STOREY MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT CONSISTING OF

618 RESIDENTIAL UNITS AND 2,820 M² (30,354 FT²) OF MOTOR VEHICLE SALES, RETAIL AND OFFICE USES AT 8435 WOODBINE AVE (WARD 8), FILE No.: PLAN 23 114260 (10.3, 10.5)

 

The Public Meeting this date was to consider an application submitted by the Biglieri Group, on behalf of Eastside Chevrolet GMC Buick Ltd.

The Committee Clerk advised that 40 notices were mailed on May 31, 2023 and a Public Meeting sign was posted on May 26, 2023.  There was 1 written submissions received regarding this proposal.

Stephen Lue, Senior Manager, Development, introduced the item, and clarified that the development proposal is not located within the Markham Centre Secondary Plan Area.

Deanna Schlosser, Senior Planner, gave a presentation regarding the proposal, the location, surrounding uses and outstanding issues.

Michael Testguzza, The Biglieri Group Ltd., provided a presentation on the proposed development.

The following deputation was made on the proposed development

Al Moolani, resident that lives north east of the subject lands, expressed the following concern regarding the proposed development: the height and density of the proposal; the traffic the proposal will create at an already busy intersection (especially on the weekends); that the existing infrastructure cannot handle such a massive development; that that there is not enough school, parks, and recreational facilities to support the new residents; and that the proposal does not respect the existing residents. Mr. Moolani advocated for Council to make a fair and reasonable decision regarding the proposed development.

The Committee provided the following feedback on the proposed development:

• Questioned if there are existing car dealerships with residential units on top;
• Expressed concern that approving the proposed development may disrupt the Markham Centre Secondary Plan area, and that a mixed use proposal is being proposed on lands designated for employment uses;
• Expressed concern that there is no strategy/plan for Woodbine at this time and that approving the application would be spot rezoning;
• Questioned if the application could be put on hold until there is a strategy/ plan for the Woodbine Corridor;
• Suggested that the long-term implications of the application should be considered when staff bring forward a recommendation report to the Development Services Committee on the proposed development;
• Expressed concern that the existing road network could not handle the proposed development;
• Questioned why there is surface parking on greenway lands;
• Discussed why a City owned parcel of land was included in the proposed development.

The Architect of the Applicant provided several examples of Toronto car dealerships with residential units on top, noting examples on Avenue Road, and near Yorkdale Mall. The Architect noted that car dealerships with residential units on top typically have a smaller number of cars in their showroom, and most of the servicing of the cars is done offsite.

Mr. Lue advised that staff are still reviewing the application, and how it could impact the road network. Mr. Lue noted that there are future plans to extend Clegg Road, which will allow for this area to grow in the future. Mr. Lue explained that staff would have to look into why there is currently surface parking on greenway lands, suggesting that it may be a legal non conformity use.

• Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones
  Seconded by Councillor Isa Lee
  1. That the deputation by Al Moolani regarding, Eastside Chevrolet GMC Buick Ltd., Application for Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment to permit a 35-storey Mixed Use Development Consisting of 618 Residential Units and 2,820 m² (30,354 ft²) of Motor Vehicle Sales, Retail and Office Uses at 8435 Woodbine Ave. (WARD 8), FILE No. PLAN 23 114260”, be received; and,
  2. That the written submission by David Lamb regarding, Eastside Chevrolet GMC Buick Ltd., Application for Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment to permit a 35-storey Mixed Use Development Consisting of 618 Residential Units and 2,820 m² (30,354 ft²) of Motor Vehicle Sales, Retail and Office Uses at 8435 Woodbine Ave. (WARD 8), FILE No. PLAN 23 114260”, be received; and,
  3. That the report entitled “Public Meeting Information Report, Eastside Chevrolet GMC Buick Ltd., Application for Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment to permit a 35-storey Mixed Use Development Consisting of 618 Residential Units and 2,820 m² (30,354 ft²) of Motor Vehicle Sales, Retail and Office Uses at 8435 Woodbine Ave. (WARD 8), FILE No. PLAN 23 114260”, be received; and,
  4. That the Record of the Public Meeting held on June 20, 2023 with respect to the proposed Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment, be received.
  5. That the applications by Eastside Chevrolet GMC Buick Ltd. for a proposed Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment, (PLAN 23 114260), be referred back to staff for a report and a recommendation.
  6. That staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
  Carried

5.

ADJOURNMENT

Moved by Councillor Reid McAlpine
Seconded by Councillor Juanita Nathan

That the Development Services Public Meeting adjourn at 8:19 pm.

Carried