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                                                                                                                           M I N U T E S

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

2002-10-28

Meeting No. 9

 

Attendance

 

Chair:                  Councillor J. Virgilio

Vice-Chair, Transportation:

Members:            Regional Councillor T. Wong

                           Councillor E. Shapero (9:20am)

                           Councillor A. Chiu

                           Councillor G. McKelvey

Other:                  Reg. Councillor B. O'Donnell

                           Councillor J. Heath

                           Councillor D. Horchik

 

J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer

M. F. Turner, Commissioner of Development

           Services

J. Baird, Acting Commissioner of            Development Services

J. Sales, Commissioner of Community and

           Fire Services

A. Brown, Director of Engineering

A. Mukherjee, Manager, Transportation/

           Engineering

J. Kee, Committee Clerk

 

 

The Transportation Committee convened at the hour of 9:05 a.m. with Councillor J. Virgilio in the Chair

 

 

            DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST

None

 

 

            REQUESTS FOR IDENTIFICATION OF DEPUTATIONS

            REGARDING MATTERS ON THIS AGENDA

 

Mr. Sony Hakkim, Milliken resident, advised that he wished to speak regarding the proposed location of the Milliken GO Station.

 

 

 

1.         MILLIKEN GO STATION (5.10 & 5.14)

 

Mr. Bob Boyle, Go Transit, was in attendance, and gave a power point presentation on the proposed relocation of the Milliken GO Station, resulting to numerous problems associated with the Station's current location.  He advised that GO Transit is presently negotiating the purchase of a six (6) acre piece of property in the City of Toronto (Scarborough), south of Steeles Avenue, and east of Redlea Avenue. The property would accommodate up to 500 parking spaces; with access off of Redlea Avenue.

 

 

 

 

Members raised some concerns, including: the location of additional signalization on Steeles Avenue at Redlea Avenue; potential fare structure adjustments; GO Station spacing; and connecting bus routes with York Region Transit and Toronto Transit Commission.

 

Mr. Sony Hakkim, Milliken resident, was in attendance and expressed his objection to the proposed location of the Milliken GO Station, and suggested that a more appropriate location, to benefit the residents of Milliken, would be in the Kennedy Road and Denison Street area.

 

Moved by Councillor G. McKelvey

Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong

 

That the presentation by Mr. Bob Boyle, Go Transit, regarding the Milliken GO Station, be received;

 

And that GO Transit be requested to support the Town of Markham's position for the installation of traffic signals on Steeles Avenue at the Pacific Mall Driveway and Redlea Avenue intersection;

 

And that staff be directed to request York Region Transit to ensure that there is unfettered access to the proposed Milliken GO Station, and also request GO Transit's support of this position.

CARRIED

 

 

 

2.         HIGHWAY 407 AT MARKHAM ROAD
            INTERCHANGE ILLUMINATION STUDY (5.10)

 

Mr. Alan Brown, Director of Engineering, advised that the report being presented this date was to address the complaints that had been received from the residents on Rouge Haven Way, Charlotte Angliss Road and Schouten Crescent.  A further report on the effects of high mast lighting in other areas would be presented to Committee at a future date.

 

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Councillor J. Heath

 

*That the report entitled "Highway 407 and Markham Road Interchange Illumination Study", dated April 2002, as prepared by Lumentech Engineering Inc. be received by Council;

 

And that the 407/ETR highways be requested to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      1.   Install 80-degree shields on the high mast lights located in the northeast quadrant of the interchange.

      2.   Monitor in conjunction with the Town, the effectiveness of the 80-degree shield installations and if required, place similar shields on the remaining high mast lights located within the interchanges northwest, southwest and southeast quadrants as part of subsequent maintenance activities scheduled for early 2003.

      3.   Replace the three conventional luminaires at the westbound 407/Markham Road ramp terminal with flat glass.

 

And that the Town replace six conventional luminaires along the east and west side of Markham Road, located north of the 407 west-bound off ramp interchange with flat glass at a total estimated cost of $3,000.00 to be funded through Fire and Community Services Commission, 2003 Operation & Maintenance Budget;

 

And further that the residents of Rouge Haven Way, Charlotte Angliss Road and Schouten Crescent, be so advised.

CARRIED

 

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*Amended by Council at its meeting held November 13, 2002 to add the following clause:

 

And further that staff be directed to report to the Transportation Committee on the evaluation of light pollution in other areas of Highway 407, including Helen Avenue, other areas where Highway 407 abuts residential development, and the Leslie Street area.

 

 

 

3.         TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE
            ELGIN MILLS ROAD AT 9TH LINE (5.17)

 

Moved by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell

Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong

 

That the Region of York's request for the temporary closure of Elgin Mills Road east of the 9th Line be approved subject to the following conditions:

 

  • The closure must be in effect only from 9:00 pm Friday evening to 6:00 am Monday morning
  • A traffic control plan and a detour route signage plan be prepared by the Region of York and submitted to the Town for approval prior to the closure of the road

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • A notice of road closure is to be prepared by the Region of York and circulated to all emergency services, school boards and residents along Elgin Mills Road from 9th Line to Reesor Road a minimum of 2 weeks in advance of the proposed closure.
  • The notice of road closure is to be placed in the local newspaper for 2 consecutive weeks prior to the date of the proposed road closure.

 

And that an exemption to the Town's Noise Control By-Law 218-89 to extend the hours of work for the construction of the sanitary sewer crossing the Elgin Mills Road intersection be approved for a two day period extending from Friday evening at 7:00 pm to Sunday morning at 7:00 am on specific dates to be determined to the satisfaction of the Director of Engineering;

 

And that the Region of York be requested to undertake a well monitoring program to determine the impact of construction on wells and address mitigating measures in the event that wells in the area are adversely impacted by the sewer construction to the satisfaction of the Director of Engineering;

 

And that the Region of York be requested to send out a supplementary notice to potentially impacted residents on wells in the Town of Markham, (area bounded by the York Durham Line and the northerly limit - one lot north of 19th Avenue), advising that the issue of dewatering is also to be discussed at the Public Information Meeting to be held on Wednesday, November 6, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. at the Markham Civic Centre, regarding the 16th Avenue Trunk Sewer;

 

And that the Region of York be requested to provide information at this Public Information Meeting on the reasons for the adverse impact on the wells in the area, in addition to providing information on the results of recent hydro geological studies;

 

And further that the Region of York also be requested to provide such information to the abutting municipalities.

CARRIED

 

Moved by Councillor J. Heath

Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero

 

*That the Region of York be requested to hold a separate Public Information Meeting concerning the tunnelling issue related to the construction of the 16th Avenue trunk sewers.

 

CARRIED

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*Amended by Council at its meeting held November 13, 2002, to read as follows:

 

And that the Region of York be requested to hold a separate Public Information Meeting concerning the tunneling issue related to the construction of the 9th Line sewer north of Major Mackenzie.

 

 

4.         ADDITIONAL SCHOOL CROSSING GUARD
            AT FONDA ROAD/GOLDEN AVENUE (5.12)

 

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell

 

That the Human Resources Department be authorized to provide a second school crossing guard for the intersection of Fonda Road and Golden Avenue on a temporary basis;

 

And that the crossing guard service be discontinued upon installation of traffic signals planned for the 2003 Capital Budget.

CARRIED

 

 

 

5.         HOLSWORTHY CRESCENT PARKING PROHIBITION (5.12.4)

Moved by Councillor E. Shapero

Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu

 

That the report entitled "Holsworthy Crescent Parking Prohibition" be received;

 

And that Schedule 1 of Parking By-law 336-88 be amended to include  "No Parking" prohibition on the north side of the south leg of Holsworthy Crescent, from Waggoners Wells Lane to a point 60 meters east of Waggoners Wells Lane;

 

And that the amending by-law be approved;

 

And that the Roads Department be directed to install the appropriate signs upon approval of the amending by-law.

CARRIED

 

 

 

6.         YORK RAPID TRANSIT PLAN
            ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT STRATEGY (5.14)

 

Moved by Councillor G. McKelvey

Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero

 

That the York Rapid Transit Plan, Environmental Assessment Strategy Report No. 6 of The Rapid Transit Public/Private Partnership Steering Committee, be received;

 

 

 

 

 

And that the Council of the Town of Markham fully supports and endorses the streamlined parallel Region/local municipalities review and approval process to facilitate an accelerated Environmental Assessment (EA) process;

 

And further that the Region of York, City of Vaughan, Town of Richmond Hill, Town of Aurora, Town of Newmarket and the Rapid Transit Public/Private Partnership Steering Committee be so advised.

CARRIED

 

 

 

7.         TRAFFIC CONCERNS - 16TH AVENUE BETWEEN
            MCCOWAN ROAD AND MARKHAM ROAD (5.14)

 

Councillor G. McKelvey presented a communication from Mr. Jim Dibblee, 34 Foundry Crescent expressing concerns regarding the increasing volume and speed of traffic along 16th Avenue between McCowan Road and Markham Road.

 

Moved by Councillor G. McKelvey

Seconded by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell

 

*That the email correspondence from Mr. Jim Dibblee, 34 Foundry Crescent, expressing concerns regarding the increasing volume and speed of traffic along 16th Avenue between McCowan Road and Markham Road, be received;

 

And that the Region of York be requested to conduct a traffic signal warrant study of 16th Avenue, between Markham Road and McCowan Road, and a report be presented to the next meeting of the Transportation Committee to be held on November 25, 2002, such report to include options relating to the installation of traffic signals in this area.

 

CARRIED

 

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*Amended by Council at its meeting held November 13, 2002, to add the following clause:

 

And further that appreciation be forwarded to the Region of York for undertaking this project.

 

 

 

 

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8.         STATUS - WOODBINE AVENUE AND
            HIGHWAY 407 INTERCHANGE (5.10)

 

As Mr. Bob Stephenson, Ministry of Transportation, had been unable to attend this meeting of the Transportation Committee; Alan Brown, Director of Engineering, updated Committee on the status of the Woodbine/Highway 407 Interchange.  Copies of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Transportation, 407 ETR, Ontario Realty Corporation and the Region of York for the opening of the eastbound Highway 407 ramp to Woodbine Avenue, and a draft resolution were distributed for consideration.

 

Moved by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell

Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero

 

That the following recommendation of the Transportation Committee be referred to Council for consideration at its meeting on October 29, 2002:

 

"That the Director of Engineering's update on the status of the Woodbine Avenue/Highway 407 interchange, be received;

 

And that the Director of Engineering be authorized to sign the October 25, 2002 Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Transportation, 407 ETR, Ontario Realty Corporation and the Region of York for the opening of the eastbound Highway 407 ramp to Woodbine Avenue;

 

And that the Town of Markham's modified conceptual plan for the Woodbine Avenue/Miller Avenue/Burncrest Drive interchange be endorsed;

 

And that staff be authorized to close up and transfer the surplus Miller Avenue and Burncrest Drive rights-of-way in exchange for the rights-of-way for the new road alignment;

 

And that the Ministry of Transportation and 407 ETR have advised that the 407 eastbound ramp to Woodbine Avenue will be opened no later than December 31, 2002;

 

And that Markham Council urgently seeks the assistance and attention of the Honourable Norman Sterling, Minister of Transportation, and the Honourable David Tsubouchi, M.P.P. Markham, to ensure every effort is made by the Ministry of Transportation, 407 ETR and Ontario Realty Corporation to open the southbound Woodbine Avenue to westbound Highway 407 ramp at the earliest opportunity;

 

*And that the Honourable David Tsubouchi, M.P.P., Markham, and Mr. Bob Stephenson, Manager, Strategic Highways Management Office, Ministry of Transportation, be advised accordingly."

CARRIED

 

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* Amended by Council at its meeting held October 29, 2002 to read as follows:

 

And that the Honourable Ernie Eves, Premier of Ontario, the Honourable David Tsubouchi, M.P.P., Markham, and Mr. Bob Stephenson, Manager, Strategic Highways Management Office, Ministry of Transportation, be advised accordingly.

 

 

 

9.         RAPID TRANSIT UPDATE (5.14)

 

Mary-Frances Turner, Commissioner of Development Services, was in attendance and presented a brief update on rapid transit.

 

Moved by Councillor G. McKelvey

Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero

 

That the presentation of Mary-Frances Turner, Commissioner of Development Services, regarding rapid transit, be received.

CARRIED

 

 

 

10.       STEELES AVENUE/PACIFIC MALL TRAFFIC SIGNAL (5.14)

 

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell

 

That the following recommendation of the Transportation Committee be referred to Council for consideration at its meeting on October 29, 2002:

 

"Whereas the Town sent a September 25, 2001 resolution to the City of Toronto supporting the installation of traffic signals on Steeles Avenue at the Pacific Mall Driveway and Redlea Avenue intersection;

 

And whereas the site plans and access arrangements for Pacific Mall and Market Village were approved based on the signalization of Redlea Avenue;

 

And whereas the City of Toronto recently approved the installation of temporary traffic control signals at Canadian Tire's east entrance on Steeles Avenue;

 

Now therefore be it resolved that the City of Toronto be advised that the Town strongly objects to signals at Canadian Tire, and requests installation of traffic control signals on Steeles Avenue at Redlea Avenue/Pacific Mall driveway as originally planned.

 

 

 

And further that it be resolved that both the Region of York and GO Transit be requested to support the Town of Markham's position in this matter;

 

And further that it be resolved that Regional Councillor Tony Wong be requested to make a deputation to the City of Toronto Council regarding this issue."

CARRIED

 

 

 

11.       REGION OF YORK - TRAFFIC SIGNAL
            WARRANT POLICY (5.12 & 13.4)

 

Moved by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell

Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong

 

That the Engineering Department report dated October 28, 2002 entitled "Region of York Traffic Signal Warrant Policy", be received;

 

And that the Engineering Department review with the Region of York and other area municipalities the Traffic Signal Warrant Policy and report back to Committee.

CARRIED

 

 

 

12.       PETITION RE PROCTOR AVENUE
            TRAFFIC CONCERNS (5.12)

 

Mrs. Marion Matthias, 33 Colborne Street, Thornhill, was in attendance, with respect to traffic concerns relating to Henderson Avenue and Clark Avenue in Thornhill.

 

Moved by Councillor E. Shapero

Seconded by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell

 

That the petition letter dated October 22, 2002 from Ms. Alda Da Silva, 84 Proctor Avenue, with respect to traffic concerns on Proctor Avenue, be received and referred to Community Services Commission staff for report back to Transportation Committee;

 

And that the deputation by Mrs. Marion Matthias, 33 Colborne Street, Thornhill, with respect to similar traffic concerns on Henderson Avenue and Clark Avenue, be received.

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13.       TRAFFIC CALMING - WINDRIDGE DRIVE
            RESULTS OF RESIDENT SURVEY (5.12)

 

Moved by Councillor G. McKelvey

Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu

 

That the letter and resident survey sent by email from residents of Windridge Drive, requesting traffic calming speed humps be received and referred to Community Services Commission staff for report back to Transportation Committee.

CARRIED

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The Transportation Committee meeting adjourned at the hour of 11:10 a.m.

 

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