Electronic Development Services Committee Meeting Minutes

Meeting Number 20

Tuesday, October 12, 2021 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 Khalid Usman
• Councillor Isa Lee

Regrets

• Councillor Amanda Collucci

Staff

• Andy Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer
• Arvin Prasad, Commissioner, Development Services
• Claudia Storto, City Solicitor and Director of Human Resources
• Stephanie DiPerna, Director, Building Standards
• Christina Kakaflikas, Acting Director, Economic Growth, Culture & Entrepreneurship
• Frank Clarizio, Director, Engineering
• Biju Karumanchery, Director, Planning & Urban Design
• Joel Lustig, Treasurer
• Ron Blake, Senior Development Manager, Planning & Urban Design
• Francesco Santaguida, Assistant City Solicitor
• Graham Seaman, Director, Sustainability & Asset Management
• Sabrina Bordone, Senior Planner, Central District
• Loy Cheah, Senior Manager, Transportation
• Regan Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage
• Darryl Lyons, Manager, Policy
• John Yeh, Manager, Strategy & Innovation
• Marg Wouters, Senior Manager, Policy & Research
• Hristina Giantsopoulos, Election & Committee Coordinator
• Laura Gold, Council/Committee Coordinator
• Mary-Jane Courchesne
• Patrick Wong, Senior Natural Heritage Planner
• Emily Irvine, Special Projects Coordinator
• Evan Manning, Heritage Planner
• Eddy Wu, Director of Environmental Services

​Alternate formats for this document are available upon request

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

In consideration of the ongoing public health orders, this meeting was conducted electronically to maintain physical distancing of participants. With the passage of the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act, 2020 (Bill 197), municipal Council Members are now permitted to meet remotely and count towards quorum.

The Development Services Committee meeting convened at 9:05 AM with Regional Councillor Jim Jones in the Chair for all items on the agenda.

Committee recessed from 12:14 – 1:00 PM.

2.

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST

There were no disclosures of pecuniary interest.

3.

APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

3.1

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES – SEPTEMBER 27, 2021 (10.0)

• Moved by Councillor Alan Ho
  Seconded by Councillor Karen Rea
  1. That the minutes of the Development Services Committee meeting held September 27, 2021, be confirmed. 
  Carried

4.

DEPUTATIONS

There were deputations for the following item:

• 9.2 - Supplementary Report: City of Markham Comments on York Region's Growth Forecast and Land Needs Assessment to 2051 (10.0)

Note: refer to item 9.2 for more information on the deputations.

5.

COMMUNICATIONS

There were written submissions for the following items:

• 1 – Monitoring Growth in the City of Markham – Performance Indicators (10.0)
• 2 - Supplementary Report: City of Markham Comments on York Region's Growth Forecast and Land Needs Assessment to 2051 (10.0)

Note: refer to items 9.1 and 9.2 for more information on the written submissions.

6.

PETITIONS

There were no petitions

7.

CONSENT REPORTS - DEVELOPMENT AND POLICY ISSUES

7.1

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES – SEPTEMBER 14, 2021 (10.0)

• Moved by Councillor Andrew Keyes
  Seconded by Councillor Khalid Usman
  1. That the minutes of the Development Services Public Meeting held September 14, 2021, be confirmed.
  Carried

7.2

HERITAGE MARKHAM COMMITTEE MINUTES – SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 (16.11)

• Moved by Councillor Andrew Keyes
  Seconded by Councillor Khalid Usman
  1. That the minutes of the Heritage Markham Committee meeting held September 8, 2021, be received for information purposes.
  Carried

7.3

INFORMATION REPORT THIRD QUARTER UPDATE OF THE STREET AND PARK NAME RESERVE LIST (10.14, 6.3)

• Moved by Councillor Andrew Keyes
  Seconded by Councillor Khalid Usman
  1. That the report titled ‘Information Report Third Quarter Update of the Street and Park Name Reserve List’, dated October 12^th, 2021, be received;

  2. That Council approve the revised Street and Park Name Reserve List set out in Appendix ‘A’ attached to this report.

  3. And that Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
  Carried

7.4

HERITAGE DESIGNATION BY-LAW AMENDMENTS, LEGAL AND PROPERTY DESCRIPTIONS (16.11)

Committee consented to this item being placed on the October 13^th, 2021 Council Agenda.

• Moved by Councillor Andrew Keyes
  Seconded by Councillor Khalid Usman
  1. That the staff report entitled “Heritage Designation By-law Amendments, Legal and Property Descriptions”, dated October 12, 2021, be received;

  2. That the heritage designation by-laws for the following municipal property addresses be amended to reflect their current property and legal descriptions:
     1. 33 Artisan Trail (formerly 10372 Woodbine Ave.)
     2. 37 Artisan Trail (formerly 10271 Woodbine Ave.)
     3. 99 YMCA Boulevard (formerly 7996 Kennedy Rd.)
     4. 819 Bur Oak Avenue (formerly 9483 McCowan Rd.)
     5. 226 Edward Jefferys Avenue (formerly 9462 Hwy. 48)
     6. 2 Alexander Hunter Place (formerly 31 Helen Ave.)
     7. 2665 Bur Oak Avenue (formerly 7006 16^th Ave.)
     8. 1 Kalvinster Drive (formerly 6937 Hwy. 7)
     9. 28 Pike Lane (formerly 9451 9^th Line)
     10. 527 William Forster Road (formerly 8882 Reesor Rd.)
     11. 128 Harbord Street (formerly 4672 Kenney Road)
     12. 10000 Kennedy Road (formerly Part of Lot 20, Concession 5)
     13. 11 Tannis Street (formerly 9765-9767 Kennedy Rd.)
     14. 3 Tralee Court (formerly 4077 Major Mackenzie Dr.)
     15. 6888 14^th Avenue (formerly 7166 14^th Ave.)
     16. 6890 14^th Avenue (formerly 7124 14^th Ave.)
     17. 15 Bewell Drive (formerly 7449 9^th Line)
     18. 70 Karachi Drive (formerly 7555 Markham Rd.)

  3. And that Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

  Carried

8.

REGULAR REPORTS - TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUES

8.1

TOWARDS A GREATER GOLDEN HORSESHOE TRANSPORTATION PLAN – DISCUSSION PAPER (5.14)

Arvin Prasad, Commissioner of Development Services, advised that the Ministry of Transportation released the “Towards a Greater Golden Horseshoe Transportation Plan” discussion paper in June 2021. Comments from the public and stakeholders were request by August 28, 2021. Staff provided preliminary comments prior to the deadline. Formal comments will be submitted to the Ministry of Transportation after Council provides its feedback on the preliminary comments and discussion paper.

Frank Clarizio, Director of Engineering, provided a presentation that :

• Provides an overview into the Province’s development of the Greater Golden Horseshoe Transportation Plan (GGHTP); and
• Highlights the vision for mobility outlined in the recently issued Discussion Paper as well as some initiatives and concepts on the goals for the transportation plan; and
• Identifies staff’s recommendations for consideration by the Province’s along with the identification of the next steps in the process

The Committee provided the following feedback on the discussion paper and staff’s preliminary recommendations:

• Suggested that transit communities/corridors need to be planned simultaneously with transit lines;
• Noted that new transit technology should be explored, such as driverless subways or buses;
• Discussed the growth of Markham Centre versus the growth of Vaughan Centre;
• Supported the Bradford By-pass, which will link Hwy 400 with Hwy 404;
• Suggested that HWY 407 could be subsidized rather than building Hwy 413;
• Suggested truck platoons should not be permitted on regional or local roads in Markham;
• Expressed concern that the Provincial deadline for municipal comments on the “Towards a Greater Golden Horseshoe Transportation Plan “discussion paper was set in August when most Councils are on summer recesses;
• Suggested Markham’s hamlets should be protected (Locust Hill, Main Street Markham, and Main Street Unionville);
• Suggested that funds for transit infrastructure should be prioritized over funding for others types of transportation infrastructure;
• Noted that more infrastructure supporting electric vehicles is required, and that there should be targets set with respect to increasing the use of electric versus gas vehicles;
• Noted that transportation improvements/investments need to correspond with where growth is occurring;
• Expressed concern that the widening of Markham Road from Major Mackenzie to Elgin Mills will create more traffic on Main Street Markham;
• Suggested that Markham Road should be made narrower from HWY 7 to Major Mackenzie;
• Recognized that the Province is taking feedback from all stakeholders;
• Discussed the widening of Bayview Avenue and Leslie Street;
• Suggested that infrastructure that supports active transportation needs to be considered when planning transit stations to discourage the use of the automobile;
• Emphasized that the Province will need to establish ways to fund the Greater Horseshoe Transportation Plan;
• Noted that Traffic Demand Management plays an important role in reducing traffic congestion in Markham;
• Suggested that the City should have a shuttle bus service;
• Supported the development of the 407 Transitway;
• Suggested the City needs to make better use of under utilized roads, like the Donald Cousens Parkway.

Staff provided clarification on inquiries from the Committee and noted that the current proposal is a concept plan. Staff also advised that it is important to emphasize in Markham’s comments to the Province that the Markham-Richmond Hill transit hub prioritized as a higher order transit node.

Brian Titherington, Director of Transportation and Infrastructure, York Region, also responded to inquiries from the Committee.

The Committee suggested that additional discussions take place prior to the submission of the City's formal comments and that this be referred back to a future Development Services Committee to provide staff with the opportunity to refine the recommendations to include the Committee’s comments.

The Committee requested that the following be incorporated into the resolution being sent to the Province:

• That Markham Council strongly support the prioritization, and acceleration of the HWY 407 Transitway and that the Province explore options to deliver this project, including public / private partnerships.
• That the Province leverage and increase the capacity of the GO rail transit to dramatically increase the capacity of the Go Lines.
• That the Province integrate and plan for the connection of the Havelock line station(s) (Rouge National Park, and/or 407 or Donald Cousens Parkway stations) to leverage the rail that is in this area.
• That the Province be involved in providing financial support in relation to the implementation of higher order and interregional transit systems.
• That Markham applaud the Province of Ontario for creating the Greater Horseshoe Plan, and that the plan be fully funded to ensure that essential infrastructure is built in a timely manner that is connected to the Greater Golden Horseshoe’s growth.
• That Markham supports connecting the orbital line, Pearson Airport, and the 407 Transitway.
• That the growth in the Greater Golden Horseshoe be linked to transit line investment.
• That the Province leverage the capacity of all GO transit lines in the Greater Golden Horseshoe to support growth.
• That truck platooning be restricted from any regional or local roads in Markham.
• That the province protect established hamlets in Markham (Locust Hill, Main Street Markham, Main Street Unionville).

• Moved by Mayor Frank Scarpitti
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Jack Heath

  The Committee referred this item to a future Development Service
  Committee meeting.

  1. That the staff report entitled “Towards a Greater Golden Horseshoe Transportation Plan – Discussion Paper” dated September 27, 2021 be received; and

      

  2. That Council support the visions and short-term actions proposed in the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) discussion paper entitled “Towards a Greater Golden Horseshoe Transportation Plan” and the following directions that are part of the proposed 2051 Greater Golden Horseshoe Transportation Plan (“GGHTP”) within the discussion paper:
     • Elevating the Markham-Richmond Hill Centre node to a higher level at par with the Union Station and Pearson Airport nodes as GGH-level Conceptual Transit Hubs;
     • Exploring a new east-west, cross regional connection (the “Cross Rail” line) between Burlington and Oshawa (including Markham) that connects existing GO Lines;
     • Exploring a new transit loop (the “Orbital Line”) that extends and connects the Ontario Line to new major transit hubs where regional services connect, including at Markham-Richmond Hill Centre and Pearson Airport; and

        

  3. That, as part of the “Getting people moving on a Connected Transit System” pillar of the proposed 2051 GGHTP:
     1. the Province and Metrolinx give priority to formalizing the proposed status of the Markham-Richmond Hill Centre node and implementing plans and policies for the transit infrastructure and services connecting to the Markham-Richmond Hill Centre node, through updates of the Provincial Growth Plan and Metrolinx Regional Transportation Plan;
     2. the Province enhance the GO rail network in York Region to support two-way urban rapid transit service and evaluate the opportunity to provide quicker service times than 15 minutes, and invest in new station locations on the Stouffville line at Denison Street and Major Mackenzie/Markham Road to support creation of complete communities;
     3. MTO identify in the proposed GGHTP preferred transit network, a Leslie Street Bus Rapid Transit line (from Steeles Avenue to Major Mackenzie Drive), with an extension along Woodbine Avenue via Major Mackenzie Drive, to service the significant employment development planned within the Markham Innovation Exchange district; and

         

  4. That, as part of the “Enhancing Capacity and Performance on Congested Roads” pillar of the proposed 2051 GGHTP,
     1. the Province include short term goals and actions to maximize capacity of the existing road and highway infrastructure through innovative techniques and latest traffic control technologies to utilize off-peak lanes for peak period travel, prior to investing in new Provincial roads and highways;
     2. the Province expand highways at strategic locations such as widening Highway 7 from Donald Cousens Parkway to York Durham Line and Highway 48 from Major Mackenzie Drive to Bloomington Road; and

         

  5. That the comments in this staff report be forwarded to MTO as the City’s formal comments on the “Towards a Greater Golden Horseshoe Transportation Plan” Discussion Paper; and

      

  6. That a copy of this report be forwarded to the Region of York; and further

      

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

      

  Referred

9.

REGULAR REPORTS - DEVELOPMENT AND POLICY ISSUES

9.1

MONITORING GROWTH IN THE CITY OF MARKHAM - PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (10.0)

Arvin Prasad, Commissioner of Development Services, introduced the item, advising that the report provides the annual results of performance indicators that measure and track the progress of policy objectives in the City’s Official Plan. It also provides input into further policy review and development, and assists in monitoring growth targets.

John Yeh, Manager, Strategy & Innovation provided a presentation entitled “Monitoring Growth in the City of Markham - Performance Indicators”.

• Moved by Regional Councillor Jack Heath
  Seconded by Councillor Isa Lee
  1. That the written submission by Valerie Burke on “Monitoring Growth in the City of Markham - Performance Indicators” be received; and,
  2. That the staff report entitled, “Monitoring Growth in the City of Markham - Performance Indicators” dated September 27, 2021, be received; and further,
  3. That staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

      

      

  Carried

9.2

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT: CITY OF MARKHAM COMMENTS ON YORK REGION’S GROWTH FORECAST AND LAND NEEDS ASSESSMENT TO 2051 (10.0)

Arvin Prasad, Commissioner of Development Services, introduced the item, advising that the report provides supplementary growth forecast analysis regarding the York Region Proposed Growth Forecast to 2051 and updated recommendations regarding Markham comments on the Region’s forecast to 2051.

Marg Wouters, Senior Manager of Policy & Research, provided a presentation on the Supplementary Report: City of Markham Comments on York Region’s Growth Forecast and Land Needs Assessment.

The following deputations were provided relative to the staff report:

Claudio Brutto, representing the owners of 10936, 10992, 10994, 11022, 11248-11264 and 11288 Kennedy Road, spoke in support of the staff recommendation as it protects the Almira community, the Al Hussain Mosque and Cemetery, the Baptist Church and Cemetery, and environmental features in the area. Mr. Brutto further advised that the staff recommendation also addresses safety concerns with respect to commercial vehicles being used in a residential area, and potential land conflicts.

Joseph Tsang, Association of Central Markham Residents (ACMR), spoke in regards to the importance of intensifying Markham Centre to ensure housing remains affordable for future generations, and to support the development of a downtown in Markham. Mr. Tsang supported more retail and office buildings in Markham Centre to make it more of a destination.

Peter Miasek, representing the Unionville Residents Association, advocated for a 60 % intensification rate for Markham, suggesting that density in existing centres and corridors should be increased to limit urban expansion.  Mr. Miasek advised that having a higher intensification rate will help address environmental, and transit concerns.

Committee provided the following feedback relative to the staff report:

• Discussed setting a 60% intensification rate;
• Recognized that the intensification rate that Markham approves would be a minimum target;
• Suggested that Markham should grow in areas where transit is being planned (i.e. areas where new GO stations are being planned);
• Discussed the density of the expansion lands beyond the urban boundary, and possibly permitting a greater variety of housing types on these lands to permit for slightly denser new developments in the urban expansion area (i.e. permitting duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes to be built);
• Suggested that the City needs to find ways to encourage the intensification of the employment lands;
• Noted that the City should understand the environmental impacts of expanding the urban boundary;
• Noted that various housing types are needed to support affordable housing, as condominiums are more expensive to build per square foot;
• Suggested that Council needs to better understand what each intensification rate means prior to making a decision on the matter.

Committee referred the remainder of the discussion to a Special Development Services Committee meeting to be held on Monday, October 18, 2021, and directed staff to compare two different intensification rates for Markham (e.g., a 55% versus a 65% intensification rate).

 

• Moved by Mayor Frank Scarpitti
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Jack Heath

  Committee consented to referring the following motion to an October 18, 2021 Special Development Services Committee meeting:

  1. That the staff report entitled “Supplementary Report: City of Markham Comments on York Region’s Growth Forecast and Land Needs Assessment to 2051” dated October 12, 2021 be received; and, 
  2. That Markham Council defer any comments on the preferred growth scenario until York Region completes its analysis of other intensification scenarios (as per the September 16, 2021, York Region Council motion) and any follow up that results from the Special Regional Council Meeting being held on October 21^st, 2021. And That Markham Council urges Regional Council to analyze Regional scenarios where the derived intensification rate for Markham is at  60, 65, and 70%.
  3. That Markham staff work with the Region to confirm the location of lands to be included in an urban area expansion in Markham; and,
  4. That any whitebelt lands in Markham that are not needed to accommodate 2051 growth not be designated as ‘Future Urban Area’, but rather maintain a non-urban (agriculture or similar) designation in the Regional Official Plan and Markham Official Plan; and,
  5. That the Region’s proposed employment area expansion lands be reconfigured to exclude the Almira hamlet as shown in Attachment 2 to this report; and, 
  6. That the Region’s Transportation Master Plan Update consider the option of maintaining the current 2-lane cross-section for 19th Avenue through the Almira hamlet; and,
  7. That the Region’s Transportation Master Plan Update explore the opportunity for higher order transit and expansion of the Frequent Transit Network to service the proposed expansion lands in north Markham; and, 
  8. That this report and associated Council resolution be forwarded to York Region as Markham Council’s comments on the proposed 2051 forecast and land needs assessment; and further,
  9. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
  Referred
• Moved by Regional Councillor Jack Heath
  Seconded by Deputy Mayor Don Hamilton
  1. That the deputation by Claudio Brutto, representing the owners of 10936, 10992, 10994, 11022, 11248-11264 and 11288 Kennedy Road, Joseph Tsang, and Peter Miasek, representing the Unionville Residents Association, regarding the “Supplementary Report: City of Markham Comments on York Region’s Growth Forecast and Land Needs Assessment to 2051” dated October 12, 2021, be received; and further,
  2. That the written submissions by Claudio Brutto, representing the owners of 10936, 10992, 10994, 11022, 11248-11264 and 11288 Kennedy Road, and Peter Miasek, representing the Unionville Residents Association, regarding the “Supplementary Report: City of Markham Comments on York Region’s Growth Forecast and Land Needs Assessment to 2051” dated October 12, 2021, be received.
  Carried

9.3

PRELIMINARY REPORT W GARDEN CORPORATION APPLICATIONS FOR DRAFT PLAN OF SUBDIVISION AND ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT TO PERMIT THE PHASE 1 DEVELOPMENT CONSISTING OF 95 TOWNHOUSE UNITS AT 186 OLD KENNEDY ROAD AND 31 AND 51 VICTORY AVENUE (WARD 8)

FILE NOS. SU/ZA 18 149630 (10.7, 10.5)

 

Arvin Prasad, Commissioner of Development Services, advised that this is a Preliminary Report for Applications for Draft Plan of Subdivision and Zoning By-Law Amendment submitted by W Garden Corporation to permit the Phase 1 development of 95 townhome units at 186 Old Kennedy Road, and 31 and 51 Victory Avenue (Ward 8).

Mallory Nievas, Weston Consulting, representing the applicant, provided a presentation on the proposed development.

Sabrina Bordone, Senior Planner, Central District, advised that a Statutory Public Meeting for the proposed development will be held on a date to be determined prior to end of this year.

The Committee provided the following feedback on the proposed development:

• Questioned if the proposed development will include purpose built rental and affordable housing;
• Applauded improvements being made to Milliken Secondary Plan Area, and requested an update on the status of developments being proposed in this area;
• Questioned if the proposed development will include enough visitors parking spaces;
• Suggested that the City should start encouraging applicants to provide underground parking in dense townhome complexes;

Mr. Prasad suggested that a Milliken Mills Sub-Committee meeting be held to provide Committee with an update on the status of the Milliken Centre Secondary Plan.

Ms. Bordone advised that staff will be speaking with the applicant in regards to the possibility of including affordable housing in the proposed development. Ms. Bordone confirmed that the applicant currently has a parking deficiency and that it will need to be addressed through the review of the applications.

• Moved by Councillor Isa Lee
  Seconded by Councillor Khalid Usman
  1. That the report titled “PRELIMINARY REPORT, W Garden Corporation, Applications for Draft Plan of Subdivision and Zoning By-law Amendment to permit the Phase 1 development consisting of 95 townhouse units at 186 Old Kennedy Road and 31 and 51 Victory Avenue (Ward 8), File Nos. SU/ZA 187 149630”, be received; and further,
  2. That staff proceed to hold a Statutory Public Meeting and further that a Milliken Mills Sub-Committee meeting be held to update the Committee on the overall status of the Milliken Centre Secondary Plan.
  Carried

10.

MOTIONS

There were no motions. 

11.

NOTICES OF MOTION

There were no notices of motion.

12.

NEW/OTHER BUSINESS

There was no new or other business.

13.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

There were no announcements.

14.

CONFIDENTIAL ITEMS

The Committee did not resolve into a confidential session. 

The item was deferred to an upcoming Development Services Committee meeting.

14.1

DEVELOPMENT AND POLICY ISSUES

14.1.1

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

15.

ADJOURNMENT

• Moved by Councillor Alan Ho
  Seconded by Councillor Reid McAlpine

  That the Development Services Committee meeting adjourn at 3:28 PM

  Carried