FEBRUARY
8, 2011 - 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
MINUTES
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE
Meeting No. 5
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
|
John Livey, Chief Administrative
Officer
Jim Baird, Commissioner of
Development Services
Brenda Librecz, Commissioner of
Community Services
Catherine Conrad, Town Solicitor
Murray Boyce, Senior Policy
Coordinator
Alan Brown, Director of Engineering
Teema Kanji, Senior Project
Coordinator
Biju Karumanchery, Senior
Development Manager
Richard Kendall, Manager, Central
District
Tim Lambe, Manager, Policy and
Research
Kitty Bavington, Council/Committee
Coordinator
|
The Development Services
Committee convened at the hour of 9:07 a.m. in the Canada Room with Regional
Councillor Jim Jones in the Chair.
DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
Councillor Valerie
Burke disclosed an interest with respect to in-camera item # 1 (relating
to litigation or potential litigation) by nature of a family member owning a
business in the area; she left the room (at 11:12 a.m.) during the discussion and did not
take part in the discussion of this matter.
1. DEVELOPMENT
SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
- January 25, 2011, Part
A (10.0)
Minutes
Moved by: Councillor Alex Chiu
Seconded by: Councillor Howard Shore
That the
minutes of the Development Services Committee meeting, Part A, held
January
25, 2011, be confirmed.
CARRIED
2. MARKHAM'S
AFFORDABLE AND
SPECIAL NEEDS HOUSING STRATEGY
(10.0)
Presentation
Mr. Murray Boyce, Senior Policy Coordinator, Town of Markham, and Ms.
Jodi Ball, SHS Consulting Inc. made a presentation regarding Markham's
Affordable and Special Needs Housing Strategy.
The presentation gave an overview of the purpose of, and approach to
completing the Town’s Affordable and Special Needs Housing Study, and shared
the key findings and housing actions outlined within the recommended policy framework.
The objectives are to maintain a high quality of life, a vibrant local economy,
and a healthy community, which requires a range of housing options. The Town
currently has limited housing options for low and moderate income households.
Partners in the strategy include the Town of Markham, York Region,
Federal and Provincial governments, the non-profit sector and the private
sector. Although Markham has taken a supportive position on achieving
affordable housing objectives, the Region of York is designated by the Province
as Service Manager for housing, responsible for policy, planning, financial
management and service delivery. Within
this senior government context, in 2003, Council adopted a strategy for
affordable housing that defined an advocacy/partnership, policy and financial
role for the Town. In 2009, SHS Consulting was retained to review the Town’s
current role, assess its current relevance, and put forth recommendations for a
new policy framework which responds to current senior government policy,
initiatives and targets.
Mr. Boyce explained the policy context with respect to key
Provincial legislation, York Region policies and initiatives as well as
key Town of Markham existing and proposed policy including the Endorsed Growth
Alternative to 2031, the Greenprint Community Sustainability Plan and the
Diversity Action Plan.
The crucial part of the project is defining “Affordable Housing”.
According to the Provincial Policy Statement, affordable in Markham means:
a) In the case of ownership housing, housing for which
the purchase price of the dwelling unit results in annual accommodation costs
not exceeding 30% of gross annual household income for low and moderate income
households (i.e. households in the lowest 60 percent of the income
distribution). In Markham, this is households earning less than $103,000 per
year (approx. 46,000 households); and
b) In the case of rental housing, a unit for
which the rent is at or below the average market rent of a unit in the regional
market area. In Markham, this is households earning less than $40,000 per year
(approx. 15,000 households).
In both instances, Markham households should not be exceeding 30% of
their gross annual income on ownership or rental housing.
The Committee discussed the variations in applying the Provincial
definition of affordable ownership housing vs. affordable rental housing to various
municipalities both within and outside of York Region.
Ms. Ball explained the study approach, the study process, consultation
strategy, stakeholder meetings, the draft framework report, and key findings.
The housing goals were outlined, and the recommendations arising from the Study
were described in detail regarding Policy Development, Financial Incentives,
Advocacy, Developing Partnerships, and Education.
At a stakeholder workshop in May 2010, Markham’s housing partners
collectively set a direction for housing in Markham by identifying a community
vision statement: “To support the social and economic vitality of the Town of
Markham through the facilitation and provision of a range of housing options
(by type, tenure, and affordability) for Markham residents and workers
throughout their lifetime in order to sustain a more complete community.”
The Committee noted that the Town has already done much towards support
of affordable housing, and should be considering innovative options, that build
on the record of successful record of partnerships and financial incentives to
this date. Staff agreed to provide an
appendix to the Feb 22, 2011 Staff Report containing the 2003 recommended
strategy and a summary of the initiatives and accomplishments by the Town of
Markham since the strategy was adopted by Council.
There was considerable discussion on the percentage of households
choosing to spend more than 30%. The Markham housing continuum was explained
regarding the demand and supply, categorized by income, affordable housing cost
and available housing. Staff responded
to questions concerning funding from the senior levels of government, ensuring
that updated assessment information is used, the use of second suites, and
financial incentives for the housing industry. Staff was requested to add
consideration of new immigrants to the diversity equation; to provide
information on what constitutes the poverty line; and to provide further
statistics, where possible, for households spending more than 30% of their
income on housing.
The next steps involve submission of a Staff Report, including the
Consultant’s technical reports and the recommended Policy Framework, to
Development Services Committee on February 22, 2011. The staff report will include recommendations
for staff to review the consultant's recommended policy framework and report
back to the Committee on a draft Strategy, including recommendations to address
public input and participation in the review of the Strategy, and a work
program to develop a plan, in collaboration with the Region of York and other
key stakeholders, to implement the actions outlined in the draft Strategy.
In addition to the Affordable and Special Needs Housing Strategy, staff
will continue to complete additional work underway on a Shared and Supportive
Housing Study, Community Infrastructure Guidelines and the Financial Incentives
Study, in support of the development of new Official Plan policies.
The Committee thanked staff and the consultant for their work on this
issue.
Moved by: Councillor Logan Kanapathi
Seconded by: Councillor Howard Shore
That the presentation provided by Ms. Jodi Ball, SHS Consulting Inc.
and Mr. Murray Boyce, Senior Policy Coordinator, Town of Markham, regarding
Markham's Affordable and Special Needs Housing Strategy be received.
CARRIED
3. NEW
MARKHAM OFFICIAL PLAN (10.0)
Presentation
Mr. Tim Lambe, Manager, Policy and Research, Town of
Markham, gave a presentation regarding
the new Markham Official Plan, and updated the Committee on the Growth Strategy
and the background for the new Official Plan.
Staff reviewed the legislated requirements to review the Official Plan
every five years, as well as to bring it into conformity with the Region of York
Official Plan. An overview was provided on
provincial, regional and local policies that will be integrated into
the Official Plan, such as the Growth Management Strategies, Integrated Leisure
Master Plan; Markham 2020 Economic Competitiveness Strategy; Greenprint Sustainability
Plan; Transportation Strategic Plan; Master Servicing Study; Diversity Action
Plan; Town-wide Greenway System; Natural Heritage Network and Greenbelt; Agriculture
Lands; Small Streams Study; Employment Land Strategy (Phase 1); Framework for
an Intensification Strategy; and Affordable Housing Strategy, etc.
Markham growth is forecast as follows:
-Residents: 303,000 in 2009;
421,000 by 2031
-Jobs: 160,000 in 2009;
240,400 by 2031
Key Principles of Markham’s Growth:
-Environment First
-Support for Agriculture
-Community Building
-Marketability and employment
-Sustainable Development
Staff noted the media recognition of Markham’s approach to planning new
communities.
Extensive public consultation has already been held on growth planning
involving the individual studies, and will continue throughout this project.
For the benefit of new Council members, staff reviewed intensification
targets and identified boundary policies that have been endorsed. A concern
was expressed that the proposed extension of the urban area, forming part of
the growth alternative endorsed by Council in 2010, is not sustainable.
For the benefit of new Council members, staff reviewed intensification
targets and identified boundary policies that have been endorsed. A concern was expressed that the ambitions for
growth are not sustainable.
The next steps will be for staff to report to Development Services
Committee on February 22, 2011 regarding the program to prepare a new Official
Plan, and the Special Meeting of Council will be held on April 12, 2011 to receive
submissions regarding possible revisions to the Plan.
Moved by: Regional Councillor Gord Landon
Seconded by: Regional Councillor Joe Li
That the presentation provided by Mr. Tim Lambe, Manager,
Policy and Research, Town of Markham regarding New Markham Official Plan be
received.
CARRIED
4. BOX GROVE COLLECTOR
ROAD
LAND ACQUISITION - HIGHWAY 407
TO BOX GROVE BY-PASS (5.10,
8.6)
Report Attachment
A Attachment
B Attachment
C
The
Committee directed that this matter go forward to Council on February 8, 2011.
Moved by:
Regional Councillor Gord Landon
Seconded
by: Councillor Logan Kanapathi
1) That the staff report entitled “Box
Grove Collector Road Land Acquisition - Highway 407 to Box Grove By-pass”,
dated February 08, 2011, be received; and,
2) That the Town of Markham reimburse the
Region of York for the additional cost of land acquisition in the amount of $215,520
from the Engineering Department Capital Account # 083-5350-7071-005 to be
funded from the Town Wide Hard Development Charges Reserve; and,
3) That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized
to execute any agreements or financial arrangements with the Region of York and
Box Grove Developers required to give effect to this resolution to the
satisfaction of the Chief Administrative Officer, Town Solicitor and Town
Treasurer; and further,
4) That Staff be authorized and directed
to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
5. IN CAMERA ITEM (10.0)
Moved by: Councillor Carolina Moretti
Seconded by: Councillor Colin Campbell
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 Carolina Moretti
Seconded by: Councillor Colin Campbell
That the
Committee rise from the in-camera session (11:25 AM).
CARRIED
NEW BUSINESS
6. NOTIFICATION SIGNS (10.0, 2.16)
A Committee member requested
that the issue of development notification signs, with respect to location and
wording, and the notices that are provided, be revisited in the future as a
workshop.
ADJOURNMENT
The Development Services
Committee meeting adjourned at 11:30 AM.
Alternate formats for this document
are available upon request.