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                                                                                                                           M I N U T E S

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

2003-05-26

Meeting No. 5

 

Attendance

 

Chair:                  Councillor J. Virgilio

Members:            Reg. Councillor T. Wong

                           Councillor A. Chiu

                           Councillor G. McKelvey

                           Councillor E. Shapero

Others:                Reg. Councillor B. O'Donnell (2:40pm)

                           Reg. Councillor F. Scarpitti

                           Councillor S. Daurio (1:55pm)

                           Councillor J. Heath

                           Mayor D. Cousens (1:25pm)

 

J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer

C. Conrad, Town Solicitor

J. Sales, Commissioner of Community

        and Fire Services

J. Baird, Commissioner of Development         Services

A. Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate

        Services

M. Turner, Commissioner of Strategy,

        Innovation and Partnerships

A. Brown, Director of Engineering

P. Loukes, Director of Operations &

        Asset Management

S. Chait, Director, Economic Development

S. Laing, Acting Director of Human

        Resources

P. Ingham, General Manager of Operations

A. Mukherjee, Manager, Transportation/

        Engineering

P. Watts, Manager of Development

        Engineering

J. Bosomworth, Senior Project Coordinator

M. Iyamu, Traffic Coordinator

L. Fernandes, Transportation Engineer

D. Porretta, Engineering Technician

D. Smarrelli, Engineering Technician

J. Kee, Committee Clerk

 

 

The Transportation Committee convened at the hour of 1:10 p.m. with Councillor J. Virgilio in the Chair.

 

 

            DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST

 

None declared.

 

 

 

 

 

1.         MR. ARTHUR FREEMAN - PARKING ON
            HOLSWORTHY CRESCENT (5.12.4)

 

Members had before them the staff report dated October 28, 2002 and the Council Extract dated November 12, 2002 indicating that in response to a petition from residents of Holsworthy Crescent, Council had approved an amendment to the Parking By-law (#336-88) for a parking prohibition on Holsworthy Crescent.

 

Mr. Arthur Freeman, 6 Holsworthy Crescent, was in attendance and spoke in objection to the amendment to the Parking By-law, prohibiting parking on the north side of the south leg of Holsworthy Crescent.  He made reference to a petition dated March 28, 2003 with 14 signatures requesting Council to reverse its decision.

 

Ms. Renee Kleiman, of 5 Holsworthy Crescent, also spoke in objection to the parking prohibition, and made reference to her letter dated March 26, 2003, written to Councillor Shapero.

 

Mr. Steve Pandi, 4 Holsworthy Crescent, was in attendance and spoke in support of the parking prohibition. 

 

Ms. Dorothy Camilleri, 3 Holsworthy Crescent, was in attendance and referred to her letter to Councillor Shapero in support of the parking prohibition, dated April 14, 2003.  Copies of photographs of the area were presented for the information of Committee.

 

Ms. Mahia Sohali, 8 Holsworthy Crescent, was in attendance and spoke in support of the parking restriction.

 

Ms. Sonia Elias, 10 Holsworthy Crescent, was in attendance and advised that additional parking is required on the street and asked that the decision be reversed.

 

Mr. Brad Taylor, 9 Holsworthy Crescent, was in attendance and spoke in objection to the parking restriction.

 

The Chair presented a letter dated May 26, 2003 from Ms. Stella Taylor, 15 Holsworthy Crescent,

 

The Manager, Transportation/Engineering clarified a number of issues raised, and following some discussion, Committee agreed that the parking prohibition would remain in place on the north side, with the exception that parking would now be permitted between #8 and #10 Holsworthy Crescent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**Moved by Councillor G. McKelvey

Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong

 

That the Council Extract of November 12, 2002 and staff report dated October 28, 2002 be received;

 

And that the following deputations in objection to the parking prohibition on Holsworthy Crescent, be received:

            Mr. Arthur Freeman, 6 Holsworthy Crescent

            Ms. Renee Kleiman, 5 Holsworthy Crescent

            Ms. Sonia Elias, 10 Holsworthy Crescent

            Mr. Brad Taylor, 9 Holsworthy Crescent

 

And that the following deputations in support of the parking prohibition on Holsworthy Crescent, be received:

            Mr. Steve Pandi, 4 Holsworthy Crescent

            Ms. Dorothy Camilleri, 3 Holsworthy Crescent

Ms. Mahia Sohali, 8 Holsworthy Crescent

 

And that the following correspondence from residents, distributed by Councillor Shapero, be received:

            original petition with four (4) signatures of September, 2002

            petition dated March 28, 2003 with fourteen (14) signatures

            letter from Ms. Dorothy Camilleri dated April 14, 2003

            letter from Howard and Renee Kleiman dated March 26, 2003

 

And that the letter dated May 26, 2003 from Mrs. Stella Taylor be received;

 

And that the parking prohibition remain on the north side of the south leg of Holsworthy Crescent, from Waggoners Wells Lane, with the exception that parking be reinstated between #8 and #10 Holsworthy Crescent;

 

And that the appropriate signage be moved accordingly.

CARRIED

 

NOTE: Committee did advise the residents that if there is any abuse of the parking on Holsworthy Crescent, or if any complaints are received, Town staff will be directed to install additional restrictions.

 

________________________________________________________________

 

**Amended by Council at its meeting held June 10, 2003 to add the following Clause:

 

            "And that, in the event of any abuse of the parking exception between No. 8 and

No. 10 Holsworthy Crescent, staff be authorized to reinstate the "No Parking"

restriction."


 

2.         APPROVAL FOR NEIGHBOURHOOD TRANSPORTATION 
            COMMITTEE 2003 TRAFFIC CALMING (5.12)

 

Mr. Joseph Gioia, 47 Hemlock Drive, was in attendance, and spoke in objection to the installation of speed humps in the Town of Markham.  He also stated that he believed that the notification process currently being followed by Town staff in accordance with the Class Environmental Assessment was unfair.

 

**Moved by Councillor J. Heath

Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu

 

That the deputation by Mr. Joseph Gioia, 47 Hemlock Drive, in objection to the installation of speed humps in the Town of Markham and to the notification process followed by Town staff in accordance with the Class Environmental Assessment, be received;'

 

And that Council approve construction of the following traffic calming projects for the 2003 Traffic Calming Programme:

 

Table 1: TRAFFIC CALMING PROJECTS FOR APPROVAL

COMMUNITY

WARD

STREET NAME

NO. OF DEVICES

Thornhill

1

Henderson Avenue, in its entirety**

3

 

2

Simonston Boulevard, west side of Don Mills Road

4

Unionville

3

Main Street Unionville, From Hwy 7 to Carlton Rd

2 (5)

 

6

John Button Boulevard, in its entirety

8

Markham Village

4

Cairns Drive, in its entirety and Raymerville Drive, from Cairns Drive to Stone Mason Drive

6

 

5

Larkin Avenue, from Mint Leaf Gate (west side) to Fincham Avenue (north side) and Fincham Avenue, from Wootten Way North to 9th Line

7

Milliken Mills

7

Elson Street and Featherstone Avenue, in their entirety

7 (12)

 

8

Mallory Avenue and Teddington Avenue, in their entirety

5

( ) – DENOTES NUMBER OF DEFERRED TRAFFIC CALMING DEVICES TO THE 2004 PROGRAM.

 

And further that the construction of traffic calming measures on portions of Main Street Unionville, Elson Street and Featherstone Avenue be phased over the years 2003 and 2004 to maintain the 2003 budget of $300,000.

CARRIED

 

___________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

**Amended by Council at its meeting held on June 10, 2003 to amend Clause 2, as follows:

 

Thornhill

1

Henderson Avenue, in its entirety John St. to Glen Cameron Road

3

 

And to add the following additional Clauses:

 

"And that all nineteen (19) traffic calming measures for Milliken Mills be completed in 2003 with costs to be upfronted from the general rate stabilization fund, and that they be considered the 2004 traffic calming measures;

 

And that all seven (7) traffic calming measures for Unionville be completed in 2003;

 

And that the additional Unionville neighbourhood traffic calming measures be considered the 2004 traffic calming measures."

 

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Other issues considered by Transportation Committee on May 26, 2003:

 

 

 

3.         YORK REGION TRANSIT PLAN
            UPDATE ON ROUTE/STATION OPTIONS (5.14)

 

Ms. Mary-Frances Turner, Executive Co-ordinator, York Region Rapid Transit Corporation, and Mr. Lynton Erskine, Environmental Assessment Co-ordinator, York Consortium 2002, were in attendance to update Committee on the status of the York Region Transit Plan.  The presentation included information on the Environmental Assessment for Yonge Corridor/Thornhill; the Environmental Assessment for Markham North/South Corridor; the Environmental Assessment for the Highway 7 Corridor, including the Vaughan North/South Link; the status of funding; and the Quick Start Program.

 

Committee requested that the following issues of concern relating to the York Region Transit Plan be forwarded to the Region of York as soon as possible:

 

            - burial of hydro lines

            - size of sidewalks

            - width of road lanes

 

Moved by Councillor G. McKelvey

Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu

 

 

 

 

That the presentation by Ms. Mary-Frances Turner, Executive Co-ordinator, York Region Rapid Transit Corporation, and Mr. Lynton Erskine, Environmental Assessment Co-ordinator, York Consortium 2002, on the status of the York Region Transit Plan, be received.

CARRIED

 

 

 

4.         REALIGNMENT OF TRAFFIC OPERATIONS TO
            ENGINEERING - CORE SERVICES (7.0 & 5.12 & 5.0)

 

Mr. Alan Brown, Director of Engineering, made a presentation on the decision to align Traffic Operations with Engineering/Development Services.

 

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong

 

That the presentation by the Director of Engineering regarding the realignment of Traffic Operations to Engineering/Development Services, be received.

CARRIED

 

 

 

5.         UNIONVILLE COMMUNITY COALITION
            UPDATE (10.8 & 3.3 & 5.14)

 

Mr. Lloyd Fernandes, Transportation Engineer, presented an overview of the items to be discussed with the Unionville Community Coalition at the meeting to be held on May 28, 2003.  Items include: purpose of the Coalition; review and prioritization of issues and processes; neighbourhood traffic calming plan; and costs, resources and time frame.

 

Moved by Councillor G. McKelvey

Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu

 

That the presentation of Mr. Lloyd Fernandes, Transportation Engineer, regarding the update on the Unionville Community Coalition, be received.

CARRIED

 

 

 

6.         HIGHWAY 48/MAIN STREET
            TRANSFER OF JURISDICTION (5.10 & 13.2.7)

 

Mr. Alan Brown, Director of Engineering, provided a brief overview of the proposal to commence negotiations with the Ministry of Transportation on the transfer of Highway 48, from 16th Avenue to the Markham By-Pass, to the Town of Markham.

 

 

Committee suggested that the matter be deferred, and requested that staff provide the following information at the next Transportation Committee meeting scheduled for June 23, 2003:

 

            - traffic projections for Highway 48/Main Street;

            - traffic counts for the intersection at Major MacKenzie Drive and Highway #48;

            - confirmation of Markham By-Pass completion date (either 2004 or 2005)

 

**Moved by Councillor J. Heath

Seconded by Regional Councillor F. Scarpitti

 

That the matter relating to the transfer of jurisdiction of Highway 48/Main Street Markham, between 16th Avenue and the Markham By-Pass be deferred and referred to the meeting of the Transportation Committee, scheduled for June 23, 2003;

 

And that staff be requested to provide information on the following matters:

            - traffic projections for Highway 48/Main Street;

            - traffic counts for the intersection at Major MacKenzie Drive and Highway #48;

            - confirmation of Markham By-Pass completion date (either 2004 or 2005)

 

CARRIED

___________________________________________________________________

 

 

**Amended by Council at its meeting held on June 10, 2003 to add the following to

Clause 1:

 

            "and to the next meeting of the Main Street Markham Committee";

 

 

 

7.         HIGHWAY 407 ETR - EAST PARTIAL EXTENSION/
            MARKHAM BYPASS INTERCHANGE (5.10)

 

Moved by Regional Councillor T. Wong

Seconded by Regional Councillor F. Scarpitti

 

That the letter dated April 8, 2003 from SNC-LAVALIN Engineers & Constructors advising that the firm has been retained by the 407 ETR to undertake the detail design for a partial interchange between Highway 407 East Partial Extension and the Markham By-pass. be received.

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.         LETTER FROM BRYON WILFERT, M.P.
            FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTIONS
            TO GO TRANSIT AND YORK TRANSIT NETWORKS (5.14 & 13.2 & 7.0)

 

Moved by Regional Councillor T. Wong

Seconded by Regional Councillor F. Scarpitti

 

That the letter dated March 27, 2003 from Bryon Wilfert, M.P. Oak Ridges highlighting details of the $435 million that the Federal Government will contribute to GO Transit and the York Transit Networks, be received.

CARRIED

 

 

 

9.         CITY OF VAUGHAN - USE OF HYDRO
            CORRIDORS FOR RAPID TRANSIT (13.5.2 & 5.14 13.7)

 

Moved by Regional Councillor T. Wong

Seconded by Regional Councillor F. Scarpitti

 

That the letter dated April 17, 2003 from the City of Vaughan regarding the use of hydro corridor lands for rapid transit, be received.

CARRIED

 

 

 

10.       MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION -
407 ETR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
EASTERLY EXTENSION - TERMS OF REFERENCE
AND INDIVIDUAL ROUTE LOCATION EA (5.7 & 5.10)

 

Moved by Regional Councillor T. Wong

Seconded by Regional Councillor F. Scarpitti

 

That the letter dated May 7, 2003 from the Ministry of Transportation requesting the Town's involvement in the environmental assessment consultation process for the Highway 407 East extension, be received.

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.       MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION - HIGHWAY 407
            INTERCHANGES AT MARKHAM BYPASS AND
            NINTH LINE (13.2.7 & 5.10)

 

Moved by Councillor J. Heath

Seconded by Regional Councillor F. Scarpitti

 

That the letter from the Ministry of Transportation dated May 8, 2003 regarding Highway 407 interchanges at Markham Bypass and Ninth Line, be received and referred to staff to prepare a draft response to be considered at the Transportation Committee meeting scheduled for June 23, 2003.

CARRIED

 

 

 

12.       TRAIN WHISTLE NOISE - ASSESSMENT (2.10)

 

Moved by Regional Councillor F. Scarpitti

Seconded by Councillor J. Heath

 

That staff be requested to prepare a report regarding the process to be followed and costs associated with the review/assessment of the regulations relating to the sounding of train whistles at level crossings;

 

And that such report be presented to the Transportation Committee meeting scheduled for June 23, 2003, if possible.

CARRIED

 

 

 

13.       TRANSFER OF LANDS - "CEDARARENA"
            CEDAR GROVE COMMUNITY (6.4)

 

Mayor D. Cousens reported that the outdoor ice rink and parking lot of "Cedararena", on the east side of Reesor Road in the community of Cedar Grove, are in the process of being transferred to the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.  Some concern was expressed regarding this action, and Members were advised that the matter would be investigated further.

 

 

 

14.       GO TRANSIT - REQUEST TO EQUALIZE FARES
            MT. JOY, MARKHAM, UNIONVILLE (5.14.2)

 

**Members were advised that the parking lot at the Mt. Joy GO Station continues to have lots of room for cars, but the parking lots are overflowing at the Markham and Unionville GO Stations.

 

 

It was suggested that residents might not be using the Mt. Joy GO Station due to the fact that the fares from that location into the City of Toronto are higher than other Markham stations.  Mayor Cousens advised that a request would be directed to GO Transit that consideration be given to equalizing the fares across the Town of Markham.

 

_____________________________________________________________________

 

**Amended by Council at its meeting held June 10, 2003 to add the following sentence:

 

            "Staff was directed to report back on an evaluation of possible options."

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The Transportation Committee meeting adjourned at the hour of 3:50 p.m.

 

 

 

 

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