Development Services Committee Minutes

Meeting Number 10

Monday, June 08, 2020 at 9:30 A.m. - 1:00 P.m.

Live streamed

Roll Call

• Mayor Frank Scarpitti
• Deputy Mayor Don Hamilton
• Regional Councillor Jack Heath
• Regional Councillor Joe Li
• Regional Councillor Jim Jones
• Councillor Keith Irish
• Councillor Alan Ho
• Councillor Reid McAlpine
• Councillor Karen Rea
• Councillor Andrew Keyes
• Councillor Amanda Collucci
• Councillor Khalid Usman
• Councillor Isa Lee

Staff

• Andy Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer
• Arvin Prasad, Commissioner, Development Services
• Trinela Cane, Commissioner, Corporate Services
• Brenda Librecz, Commissioner, Community & Fire Services
• Claudia Storto, City Solicitor and Director of Human Resources
• Bryan Frois, Chief of Staff
• Brian Lee, Director, Engineering
• Christina Kakaflikas, Acting Director, Economic Growth, Culture & Entrepreneurship
• Biju Karumanchery, Director, Planning & Urban Design
• Ron Blake, Senior Development Manager, Planning & Urban Design
• Ronji Borooah, City Architect
• Loy Cheah, Senior Manager, Transportation
• Don De Los Santos, Markham Small Business Centre
• Richard Fournier, Manager, Parks & Open Space Development
• Brad Roberts, Manager, Zoning and Special Projects
• Francesco Santaguida, Assistant City Solicitor
• Scott Chapman, Election & Council/Committee Coordinator
• Hristina Giantsopoulos, Election & Council/Committee Coordinator

​Alternate formats for this document are available upon request

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

In consideration of the ongoing state of emergency surrounding the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the emergency public health orders issued by the Government of Ontario, this meeting was conducted electronically to maintain physical distancing among participants.

The Development Services Committee meeting convened at the hour of 9:32 AM with Regional Councillor Jim Jones presiding as Chair.

Development Services Committee recessed at 11:29 AM and reconvened at 11:50 AM.

Councillor Amanda Collucci arrived at 9:43 AM.
Regional Councillor Jack Heath left the meeting at 12:19 PM.

2.

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST

Councillor Reid McAlpine declared a conflict of interest on item 10.1 (Celebrate Markham Grant Program Funding Approvals and Annual Program Review) as he has incurred expenses related to the planning and preparation of the 2020 Unionville Festival by the Unionville Festival Board.

3.

APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

3.1

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES – MAY 25, 2020 (10.0)

• Moved by Regional Councillor Jack Heath
  Seconded by Deputy Mayor Don Hamilton
  1. ​That the minutes of the Development Services Committee meeting held May 25, 2020, be confirmed.
  Carried

4.

DEPUTATIONS

Deputations were made for the following item:

9.2 - Traffic Operational Changes in Response to COVID-19

Refer to the individual item for the deputation details.

5.

COMMUNICATIONS

Communications were submitted for the following item:

9.2 - Traffic Operational Changes in Response to COVID-19

6.

PETITIONS

There were no petitions.

7.

CONSENT REPORTS - DEVELOPMENT AND POLICY ISSUES

7.1

PRELIMINARY REPORT, NEAMSBY INVESTMENTS INC., APPLICATIONS FOR AN OFFICIAL PLAN AMENDMENT AND A ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT TO PERMIT ANCILLARY RESTAURANT USES

WITH A MAXIMUM GROSS FLOOR AREA OF 15 % OF THE FOUR EXISTING INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS LOCATED AT 1181-1271 DENISON STREET (WARD 8), FILE NO. PLAN 20 106679 (10.3, 10.5)

• Moved by Deputy Mayor Don Hamilton
  Seconded by Councillor Isa Lee
  1. That the report titled “PRELIMINARY REPORT, Neamsby Investments Inc., Applications for an Official Plan Amendment and a Zoning By-law Amendment to permit ancillary restaurant uses with a maximum Gross Floor Area of 15 % of the four existing industrial buildings located at 1181-1271 Denison Street (Ward 8), File No. PLAN 20 106679”, be received.
  Carried

7.2

INFORMATION REPORT, CITY INITIATED TEMPORARY USE ZONING BY-LAWS TO PERMIT EXTENDED OUTDOOR PATIOS AND OUTDOOR DISPLAY AND SALES AREAS FILE: PR-20-115253 (10.5) 

It was requested that staff investigate and report back at the statutory public meeting on options and requirements for facilitating outdoor restaurant and retail spaces along Main Street Markham, including the potential temporary closure of parking spaces between curb extensions and the use of outdoor barbecues.

• Moved by Councillor Karen Rea
  Seconded by Mayor Frank Scarpitti
  1. That the report titled “INFORMATION REPORT, City Initiated Temporary Use Zoning By-laws to permit extended outdoor patios and outdoor display and sales areas”, be received.
  Carried

8.

REGULAR REPORTS - DEVELOPMENT AND POLICY ISSUES

8.1

RECOMMENDATION REPORT DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND FINANCING OF THE PARK IN THE GALLERIA DEVELOPMENT BY TIMES GROUP (6.3)

Arvin Prasad, Commissioner, Development Services, and Biju Karumanchery, Director, Planning & Urban Design, introduced the item and provided members of Development Services Committee with an overview of the staff report.

• Moved by Councillor Isa Lee
  Seconded by Deputy Mayor Don Hamilton
  1. That the report dated June 8, 2020 to Development Services Committee, titled ‘Design, Construction and Financing of the Park in The Galleria Development by Times Group’ be received; and,
  2. That Council approve the request by Times Group to finance the cost of design, construction, and contract administration of this park identified as Plan 65M-3226, Part 1 of Part of Block 45 (0.41 ha/ 1.01 ac) in draft plan of subdivision 19TM-96008, subject to the conditions identified in Attachment A; and,
  3. That Council authorize the reimbursement the cost of design, construction, and contract administration of this park up to a maximum of $419,271.77; and,
  4. That Council authorize the execution of an agreement by the Mayor and Clerk for the construction and reimbursement the cost of design, construction, and contract administration of this park; and further,
  5. That staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
  Carried

9.

REGULAR REPORTS - TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUES

9.1

ROYAL ORCHARD BOULEVARD RAMPS JURISDICTIONAL TRANSFER (WARD 1) (5.10)

Brian Lee, Director, Engineering, introduced the item and provided members of Development Services Committee with an overview of the staff report.

• Moved by Councillor Keith Irish
  Seconded by Deputy Mayor Don Hamilton
  1. That the Report entitled “Royal Orchard Boulevard Ramps Jurisdictional Transfer (Ward 1)” be received; and

  2. That The Regional Municipality of York (“York Region”) be requested to initiate the transfer of jurisdiction process of the Royal Orchard Boulevard ramps at Bayview Avenue to the City in accordance with the Regional Road Assumption Policy; and

  3. Staff be directed to report back on work with York Region staff to identify the necessary steps including legal, financial, environmental and operational actions to effect the transfer of jurisdiction of the Royal Orchard Boulevard ramps at Bayview Avenue to the City; and further

  4. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
  Carried

9.2

TRAFFIC OPERATIONAL CHANGES IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 (5.10)

Peter Miasek, resident, addressed the Committee in regard to the staff report and requested that the Committee consider potential opportunities to enhance the City's permanent active transportation infrastructure and network, as well as potential opportunities to implement additional measures for quiet street initiatives on Unionville Main Street and other areas in Markham. 

Steven Glassman, resident, addressed the Committee in regard to the staff report and requested that the Committee consider potential opportunities to enhance the City's permanent active transportation infrastructure and network, as well potential opportunities for street sharing and quiet street initiatives in Markham.

David Rawcliffe, resident, addressed the Committee in regard to the staff report and presented a proposal for a self-guided "Villages and Valley" walking and cycling loop route utilizing existing roads, cycling facilities, and trail infrastructure.  

The Committee discussed the following relative to the staff report:

• Proposed implementation costs of the two temporary bike lane projects;
• Leveraging existing roads, cycling facilities, and trail infrastructure to enhance and promote active transportation routes and opportunities;
• Education and enforcement of cyclist behaviour and speeds on multi-use pathways to ensure pedestrian safety;
• Leveraging parking lots at municipally-owned facilities to provide dedicated cycling spaces;
• Exploring opportunities to provide additional cycling spaces through temporary weekend closures of local roads such as Enterprise Boulevard with regard to potential impacts to local businesses and services;
• Exploring opportunities for additional walking and cycling loop routes in the Thornhill and Milliken communities;
• Additional strategies for accommodating cyclists on busy streets; and,
• Continuing to explore opportunities and strategies to enhance the City's active transportation network through the Active Transportation Master Plan.

• Moved by Mayor Frank Scarpitti
  Seconded by Councillor Reid McAlpine
  1. That the Report entitled “Traffic Operational Changes in Response to COVID-19” be received; and,
  2. That the deputations of Peter Miasek, Steven Glassman, and David Rawcliffe be received; and,
  3. That the communications submitted by David Rawcliffe, Peter Miasek, Elisabeth Tan, and Steven Glassman be received; and,
  4. That Council approve a traffic management pilot project to restrict access to local traffic only on Main Street Unionville between Fred Varley Drive and Carlton Road until October 31, 2020 in consultation with the Unionville Business Improvement Area (UBIA); and,
  5. That Council endorse the Villages and Valley Walking and Cycling Loop proposal and direct staff to proceed with its implementation in consultation with the relevant ward councillors; and,
  6. That Council endorse the closure of Enterprise Boulevard from Andre de Grasse Street to Main Street Unionville on weekends to provide additional space for cycling and direct staff to proceed with its implementation in consultation with Downtown Markham business owners; and,
  7. That staff be directed to explore additional opportunities for similar walking and cycling loop routes and potential weekend street closures for cycling activity in Thornhill and Milliken Mills; and,
  8. That staff be directed to explore opportunities to establish designated cycling spaces at municipally-owned facilities; and,
  9. That Council approve the preliminary budget for implementing the Main Street Unionville No Through Traffic pilot project estimated at $10,000; the Villages and Valley Walking and Cycling Loop estimated at $6,000; weekend closures of Enterprise Boulevard (costs to be determined); and other opportunities for loops and cycling spaces (costs to be determined), to be funded from account #640-101-5699-20032 Active Transportation Awareness Program to a maximum of $65,000; and further,
  10. That staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
  Carried

10.

REGULAR REPORTS - CULTURE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ISSUES

10.1

CELEBRATE MARKHAM GRANT PROGRAM – APRIL 1, 2020 – MARCH 31, 2021 (2020-21)

FUNDING APPROVALS AND ANNUAL PROGRAM REVIEW (10.16, 7.6)

• Councillor Reid McAlpine declared a conflict on this item. (He has incurred expenses related to the planning and preparation of the 2020 Unionville Festival by the Unionville Festival Board.)

Arvin Prasad, Commissioner, Development Services, introduced the item.

Don De Los Santos, Manager, Markham Small Business Centre, provided members of Development Services Committee with an overview of the staff report, outlining funding recommendations for applications submitted for the Celebrate Markham Grant Program 2020-2021 funding cycle.

There was discussion regarding the proposed funding allocation criteria for programs and events switching to virtual delivery in light of the ongoing public health emergency. There was also discussion regarding conditions and requirements that must be satisfied by organizers prior to the approval and release of Celebrate Markham Grant Program funds.

There was further discussion regarding the proposed extension of the project outcome and financial reporting deadline for programs, projects, and events held in previous years for which grant funding was previously approved but not yet disbursed. It was suggested that staff, in coordination with the Mayor's Office, conduct a final round of outreach to the applicable program, project, and event organizers prior to the proposed deadline extension to determine eligibility for previous and future Celebrate Markham Grant Program funding cycles.

There was a request for staff to provide members of Development Services Committee with an update on grant funds released for the 2020-2021 program funding cycle at a future date in 2020.

The following amendments were proposed in relation to Recommendation 10 in Attachment 1 of the staff report:

• Moved by Councillor Karen Rea
  Seconded by Councillor Andrew Keyes
  1. That any Celebrate Markham grant applicant that has not met the insurance/venue conditions and/or Project Outcome/Financial Report requirements for grants received or approved for programs/events/projects that occurred as part of the 2019-2020 Celebrate Markham Grant Program funding cycle be given a final deadline of September 30, 2020 to submit their insurance/venue and/or outcome/financial report documents as a condition of receiving any previously approved but not yet disbursed Celebrate Markham grant amounts and further as a condition of remaining eligible for any Celebrate Markham grant for the 2021-2022 and any subsequent program funding cycles; and,
  2. That any programs/events/projects that occurred prior to March 31, 2019 and for which Project Outcome/Financial Report requirements have not been fulfilled be deemed ineligible for any Celebrate Markham grant amounts previously approved but not yet disbursed. 
  Lost
• Moved by Councillor Alan Ho
  Seconded by Councillor Isa Lee
  1. That the report titled, “Celebrate Markham Grant Program – April 1, 2020 - March 31, 2021 (2020-21) - Funding Approvals and Annual Program Review” be received; and,
  2. That Council approve the recommendations of the Interdepartmental Staff Review Committee to fund 53 Celebrate Markham applicants, totaling $184,500, as included in Attachment 1 and identified in Attachments 2, 3, 4 and 5; and further,
  3. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
  Carried

11.

MOTIONS

There were no motions.

12.

NOTICES OF MOTION

There were no notices of motion.

13.

NEW/OTHER BUSINESS

13.1

PARKLAND UPDATE: HIGHWAY 7 (SOUTH SIDE) BETWEEN BIRCHMOUNT ROAD AND VERCLAIRE GATE (6.3)

Deputy Mayor Don Hamilton addressed the Committee and inquired as to the status of the dedicated park space to be developed along the south side of Highway 7 between Birchmount Road and Verclaire Gate. It was requested that staff look into and report back on this matter.

13.2

UPDATE ON FILM PRODUCTION STUDIO (10.16)

Deputy Mayor Don Hamilton addressed the Committee and inquired as to the status of the film production studio previously proposed to be established in Markham. Mayor Frank Scarpitti provided comments on this matter, and advised of interest expressed regarding Markham as a potential location for additional entertainment production operations.

13.3

ASSUMPTION OF PRIVATE ROAD: ALMA WALKER WAY (5.10)

Councillor Karen Rea addressed the Committee and requested that staff investigate and report back in September 2020 on the feasibility, requirements, and considerations of the City assuming ownership of the private road known as Alma Walker Way.

14.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

There were no announcements.

15.

CONFIDENTIAL ITEMS

Development Services Committee did not proceed into confidential session.

15.1

DEVELOPMENT AND POLICY ISSUES

15.1.1

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE CONFIDENTIAL MINUTES - MAY 25, 2020 (10.0) [Section 239 (2) (e) (f)] 

Development Services Committee consented to postpone consideration of this item to a future meeting.

15.1.2

ADVICE THAT IS SUBJECT TO SOLICITOR-CLIENT PRIVILEGE, INCLUDING COMMUNICATIONS NECESSARY FOR THAT PURPOSE; [SECTION 239 (2) (f)] LPAT – CADILLAC FAIRVIEW– BUTTONVILLE AIRPORT (8.0)

Development Services Committee consented to refer this matter directly to the June 9, 2020 confidential Council agenda for consideration.

16.

ADJOURNMENT

• Moved by Councillor Isa Lee
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Joe Li

  That the Development Services Committee meeting adjourn at 2:19 PM.

  Carried