MINUTES
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES PUBLIC MEETING
JUNE 16, 2009 - 7:00 p.m.
Council
Chamber
Meeting No. 9
All
Members of Council
Development
Services
Chair: Councillor J. Webster
Vice-Chair: Councillor D. Horchik
Attendance
|
Councillor A. Chiu
Regrets
|
J. Baird, Commissioner of
Development Services
D. Cheng, Senior Planner
G. Day, Planner
B. Karumanchery, Senior Development
Manager
R. Kendall,
Manager, Central District
S.
Campbell, Senior Planning Zoning and Special
Projects
V. Shuttleworth, Director of
Planning and Urban Design
A. Brown, Director of Engineering
A. Tari, Committee Clerk
|
The Development Services Public
Meeting convened at 7:00 PM in the Council Chamber with Councillor
J. Webster in the Chair.
DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
Regional Councillor Gordon Landon disclosed an interest with respect to
Item #3, as his son works for that Company and did not take part in the
consideration or discussion of or vote on the question of the approval of such
matter.
1. TOWN
INITIATED ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT
RECOGNIZING LEGAL
NON-COMPLYING LOTS,
BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES AND
THOSE RESULTING
FROM LAND ACQUISITIONS (10.5)
Report By-law
Mr. Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services advised that the
subject of the Public Meeting this date was to consider a Town-wide Zoning
By-law Amendment recognizing legal non-complying lots, buildings and structures
and those resulting from land acquisitions.
The Committee Clerk advised that 19 notices were mailed out on May 27, 2009 and notice was published
in the Markham Economist and Sun, and Thornhill Liberal on May 28, 2009.
The Committee suggested that the staff presentation be presented at the
June 23, 2009
Council meeting.
There were no comments from the audience with respect to this
application.
Moved by Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Councillor D. Horchik
1) That the Development Services Commission Report dated May 5,
2009 entitled “Town-Initiated Zoning By-Law Amendment Recognizing Legal
non-complying Lots, Buildings and Structures and Those Resulting from land
Acquisitions”, be received; and,
2) That the Record of the Public Meeting held on June 16, 2009,
with respect to the proposed Town-wide Zoning By-law Amendment, be received;
and,
3) That the proposal by the Town of Markham to amend By-laws 1229,
1507, 1767,1914, 2053, 2150, 2237, 2284-68, 2325-68, 2402, 2489, 2551, 2571,
2612, 11-72, 122-72, 77-73, 83-73, 119-73, 151-75, 88-76, 127-76, 250-77, 145-78,
162-78, 163-78, 184-78, 72-79, 91-79, 118-79, 134-79, 153-80, 165-80,
72-81,90-81, 108-81, 193-81, 209-81, 221-81, 28-82, 194-82, 196-82, 47-85,
304-87, 242-90, 19-94, 177-96, 28-97 and 2004-196, as amended, be approved; and
further,
4) That the proposed Town-wide Zoning By-law Amendment, be enacted
without further notice.
CARRIED
2. HAMLET
OF VICTORIA SQUARE
LAND USE REVIEW – UPDATE
REPORT
(PR 07 127443
& OP 09 113402) (10.0)
Report Attachment
Mr. Baird advised that the subject of the Public Meeting this date was
to consider a Town initiated amendment to the Official Plan to establish revised land use policies
and design criteria for Victoria Square.
The Committee Clerk advised that 166 notices were mailed on May 27, 2009, and notice was
published in the May 28, 2009
edition of the Economist & Sun and the Thornhill Liberal. Eight written submissions were received
regarding this proposal.
Staff gave a presentation regarding the Town initiated amendment to the
Official Plan for the Hamlet of Victoria Square and advised that they are not
proposing any amendment to the Zoning By-law.
Ms. Elena Bevilacqua, Cesaroni Holdings, addressed the Committee
regarding the Town initiated amendment to the Official Plan for the Hamlet of
Victoria Square and spoke in general support, but objected to the proposed
restriction on restaurant use.
Mr. Matthew McKinlay, 10823 Woodbine Avenue, addressed the Committee
with respect to the Town initiated amendment to the Official Plan for the
Hamlet of Victoria Square and spoke in opposition insofar as the proposed
restrictions do not go far enough. He indicated
the following concerns with any permission for commercial uses: potential increase in traffic; loss of green
space due to increased parking surfaces; light pollution and noise pollution.
The Committee discussed the benefits related to amending this Official
Plan such as restricting a number of uses that are currently permitted. The Committee advised that staff will
continue to work with the Ward Councillor and Community to further refine the
permitted uses.
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor D. Horchik
That the eight written submissions be received.
CARRIED
Moved by Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Councillor D.
Horchik
1) That the Development
Services Commission report dated June 2, 2009, entitled “Hamlet of Victoria
Square Land Use Review – Update Report” , be received; and,
2) That the Record of the
Pubic Meeting held on June 16, 2009, with respect to the proposed amendment to the Official Plan
to establish revised land use policies and design criteria for Victoria Square,
be received; and further,
3) That staff be directed to
prepare a recommendation report for the application to amend the Official Plan
to establish revised land use policies and design criteria for Victoria Square.
CARRIED
3. ANAGNI
HOMES LTD.
REQUEST TO AUTHORIZE A PUBLIC
MEETING
FOR A ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT
AT THE
NORTHWEST CORNER OF HIGHWAY 48
AND EDWARD JEFFREYS AVENUE ZA
09-114211 (10.5)
Memo Report Attachment
Mr. Baird advised that the subject of the Public Meeting this date was
to consider an application submitted by Anagni Homes Ltd. for a Zoning By-law
Amendment to permit a mixed use residential development and grade related
townhouses at the north west corner of Edward Jeffreys Avenue and Markham Road
(Highway 48) (ZA 09-115049).
The Committee Clerk advised that 118 notices were mailed on May 27, 2009, and a Public Meeting
sign was posted on May 26, 2009. Six written submissions were received
regarding this proposal.
Staff gave a presentation regarding the proposal, the location,
surrounding uses and outstanding issues.
There was discussion with respect to improving transit services within
this area and the GO Transit proposal for the GO Train to become all day
service.
There was discussion regarding the differences between the previously endorsed
2008 site plan for 260 apartment units in two buildings with retail/commercial
uses at grade and this current proposal.
The previous proposal also entailed future mid rise buildings adjacent
to the low density neighbourhood to the west.
Staff pointed out that there is no change in floor space index and that
the overall density has not increased. An
advantage of the revised proposal is that the tower buildings would be located
on Highway 48, with low rise townhouses adjacent to the existing neighbourhood.
Mr. Clifford Korman, Kirkor Architects, delivered a PowerPoint
presentation regarding the Anagni Homes Limited proposal at the northwest
corner of Highway 48 and Edward Jeffreys
Avenue. He
advised that there will be a greater set back from the single family homes that
will provide additional separation between this development and the existing residential
areal. It was noted that this
development would be developed in phases.
Mr. Korman also advised that they are committed to a minimum LEED Silver
certification.
Mr. Chung Fai Lai, 6 Hammersly
Blvd., addressed the Committee with respect to the
Anagni Homes Limited proposal and spoke in opposition. He is concerned that there has not been
enough public consultation for this proposal.
Mr. Richard Gilmore, 11
Hammersly Blvd., addressed the Committee regarding
the Anagni Homes Limited proposal and spoke in opposition. He distributed copies of a report and
presentation from October 18, 2005
titled “Highway 48: 16th Avenue
to Major MacKenzie Drive”
and suggested that the recommendations in this study be considered for this
application. Mr. Gilmore believes that there is not a sufficient buffer area
between this proposal and the existing residential community, and that the
proposed building heights are too high. He
is requesting that this application be refused.
There was discussion regarding the access points into this proposed
development. The Committee suggested
that a traffic study should be completed.
The Ward Councillor advised that two Public Information Meetings were
held with respect to this proposal (November 24, 2008 and January 8, 2009).
She advised the residents that if the buildings are only 10 storeys in
height that they would be built much closer to the existing residences where
the currently proposed buildings would be built closer to Highway 48.
Staff indicated that several details such as building and podium
heights are still being worked out with the applicant and that all those
details will be included in the recommendation report. An area traffic study is also underway.
Moved by Councillor C. Moretti
Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu
That the six written submissions be received.
CARRIED
Moved by Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti
1) That the report from the Development Services Commission dated
June 16, 2009 entitled “Preliminary Report, Anagni Homes Limited, Application
for Zoning By-law Amendment to permit a mixed use residential development and
grade related townhouses at the north west corner of Edward Jeffreys Avenue and
Markham Road (Highway 48), File Number ZA
09-115049” be received; and,
2) That the Record of the Public Meeting held on June 16, 2009, with respect to the
rezoning application submitted by Anagni Homes Limited for Zoning By-law
amendment, be received; and further,
3) That staff be directed to further review
and evaluate the application by Anagni Homes Limited and report back to the
Development Services Committee.
CARRIED
4. NINTH
LINE DEVELOPMENTS LTD.
AND HUMBOLD PROPERTIES LTD.
NORTH OF CASTLEMORE AVENUE
SOUTH AND WEST OF DONALD
COUSENS PARKWAY
GREENSBOROUGH COMMUNITY
APPLICATION FOR ZONING BY-LAW
AMENDMENTS
(ZA 08 127255) (10.5)
Report Attachment
Mr. Baird advised that these applications are for minor technical
amendments.
The Committee Clerk advised that 134 notices were mailed on May 27, 2009, and a Public Meeting
sign was posted on May 21, 2009. No written submissions were received
regarding this proposal.
Staff briefly explained the purpose of these amendments and stated
there are no outstanding concerns.
There were no comments from the audience with respect to this
application.
Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
Seconded by Mayor F. Scarpitti
1) That the report entitled “Preliminary Report, Ninth Line
Developments Ltd. and Humbold Properties Ltd., North of Castlemore Avenue,
south and west of Donald Cousens Parkway, Greensborough Community, Application
for zoning by-law amendments, File No.: ZA 08 127255”, dated April 21, 2009 be
received; and,
2) That the Record of the Public Meeting held
on June 16, 2009, with respect to the proposed amendments to Zoning By-laws
177-96, as amended, and 304-87, as amended,
be received; and,
3) That the application by Ninth Line
Developments Ltd. and Humbold Properties Ltd to amend Zoning By-laws 177-96, as amended, and 304-87, as amended, be
approved; and further,
4) That the proposed amendments to Zoning
By-laws 177-96, as amended, and 304-87, as amended, be finalized and enacted
without further notice.
CARRIED
5. TIMES
GROUP INC.
(FORMER LONSMOUNT LANDS)
SOUTH SIDE OF HIGHWAY 7,
EAST OF WARDEN AVENUE
REQUEST FOR A PUBLIC MEETING
TO BE HELD TO CONSIDER
APPLICATIONS FOR
DRAFT PLAN OF SUBDIVISION AND
IMPLEMENTING ZONING
(SU 07 133313 AND ZA 07
133350) (10.7, 10.5)
Report Attachment
Mr. Baird advised the subject of the Public Meeting this date was to
consider an application submitted by Times Group Inc. (former Lonsmount lands)
for draft plan of subdivision and zoning by-law amendment for the lands on the
south side of Highway 7, east of Warden Avenue (SU 07 133313 and ZA 07 133350). He indicated that there will be more
opportunities for public input and that this is only one step in the entire
process.
The Committee Clerk advised that 3,054 notices were mailed on May 27, 2009, and two Public Meeting
signs were posted on May 26, 2009. Nine written submissions were received
regarding this proposal.
Staff delivered a PowerPoint presentation providing a brief history of
Markham Centre and an overview of the evolving Provincial, Regional and
Municipal policies, as well as current studies underway in Markham Centre and
the applications submitted.
The Committee inquired about public input related to the building aesthetics. Staff advised that those details are dealt
with at the site plan process and that in this case the Markham Centre Advisory
Committee (made up with members of the public) is forwarded those details for
comments and input on a regular basis.
Staff also advised that the Ward Councillor frequently holds Public
Information meetings on new site plan applications.
There was discussion regarding the 1994 Duany Plan. Staff advised that the Duany Plan was a high
level conceptual plan and that the Precinct Plan is a much more detailed
plan. The Markham Centre Secondary Plan
establishes a process for Precinct Plans to determine details of height and
density, to the satisfaction of Council.
The applicant’s team of consultants, Jim Kirk, Malone Given Parsons;
Mr. Clifford Korman, Kirkor Architects & Planners; Mr. Paul Nodwell, Schollen
& Company and Mr. Mark Schollen, Schollen & Company delivered a detailed PowerPoint presentation
that outlined the evolution of the proposal, the elements of the plan, the proposed
landscape architecture and open space treatments and the sustainability
initiatives.
There was discussion regarding
the impact on traffic related to this proposal.
The Mayor pointed out that the Unionville Community will see
construction beginning in the Summer 2009 to double the GO Train tracks south of
Highway 7 leading to all day service. He
also spoke of the road network improvements (eg. Enterprise Drive and
Birchmount Road). The Mayor advised that
the vision for Markham Centre has always been to create a vibrant downtown area
that is supported by rapid transit. Staff
advised that in September 2009 there will be key transportation studies
presented to Committee which will affect this development.
Mr. Peter Swinton, PMG
Planning Consultants, on behalf of Aryeh Construction, addressed the Committee
regarding the Times Group Inc.’s proposal and spoke in support. He advised that they have worked jointly with
the Times Group in the preparation of the submission of the precinct plan. Mr. Swinton requested that the Public Meeting
for their proposal be held in early September 2009.
Mr. Richard Talbot, Unionville
Ratepayers Association (URA), addressed the Committee with a powerpoint
presentation with respect to the Times Group’s proposal and spoke in
opposition. He believes that the
proposal should follow the original vision for Markham Centre which suggested
building heights of mainly 6-8 storeys.
Mr. Harry Eaglesham, URA,
addressed the Committee regarding the Times Group proposal and stated that the
URA has taken an official position in opposition to this application. Their two main reasons for opposition is that
they feel the application is inconsistent with the current Markham Centre plan
as outlined in Official Plan Amendment 21 and that the application should not
be advanced until the Town’s studies and plans are updated/completed. Mr. Eaglesham is requesting that the Town
expedite the various studies.
Mr. Victor Lind, on behalf of
Sheridan Nurseries, addressed the Committee regarding the Times Group
applications and stated concerns. He
indicated that the Time’s plan does not include a signalized intersection
somewhere between the property boundary of Times Group and Sheridan
Nurseries. Mr. Lind is requesting that
the installation of that intersection be expedited and that they do not want to
see any medians installed along Highway 7 in front of the Sheridan Nursery
lands.
Mr. Don Hamilton, URA,
addressed the Committee with respect to the Times Group’s applications and
spoke in opposition. He stated that he
would like to see buildings that would be compatible in size to the existing
Unionville Community.
Mr. Adam Poon, 175 Manhattan Drive, addressed the Committee regarding
the Times Group applications and spoke in opposition. He feels there is a need for better
accessible transit and an increase in sustainable initiatives.
Mr. Nalin Khasla, 42 Vasselle
Cresent, addressed the Committee with respect to the Times Group applications
and spoke in opposition. He believes the
Town studies should be completed before a decision for these applications.
Ms. Juliana Chan, 60 South Town Centre Blvd., addressed the Committee regarding
the Times Group applications and spoke in support.
The Committee thanked all the
residents for attending the Public Meeting and encouraged them to continue
their involvement during this process. The
Committee indicated that the Town is dedicated to providing a variety of
housing and always strives in achieving high-quality design and streetscape
with all their developments. The
Committee suggested considering the possibility of obtaining Andres Duany’s
opinion on the evolving Markham Centre.
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor J.
Virgilio
That the nine written
submissions be received.
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor J. Virgilio
Seconded Regional Councillor J. Jones
1.
That the report dated May 19,
2009 entitled “STATUS REPORT; Times
Group Inc. (former Lonsmount lands); South side of Highway 7, east of Warden
Avenue; Request for a public meeting to be held to consider applications for
draft plan of subdivision and implementing zoning” be received.
2.
That the Record of the Public
Meeting held on June 16, 2009,
with respect to the proposed draft plan of subdivision and implementing zoning
by-law amendments, be received.
3.
That staff be directed to prepare
a staff for report and recommendation in the context of the update to the
Markham Centre Secondary Plan and Markham Centre Transportation Update.
4.
That Staff be authorized and
directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
6. LASSETER
DEVELOPMENT INC.
SOUTHWEST CORNER OF MAJOR
MACKENZIE DRIVE
AND McCOWAN ROAD
(ZA 08 107108 & SU 09
115161) (10.5, 10.7)
Memo Report Attachment
Mr. Baird advised that the subject of the Public Meeting this date was
to consider an application submitted by Lasseter Development Inc. for a Zoning
By-law Amendment and Draft Plan of Subdivision to permit a 250 townhouse
development at the southwest corner of Major Mackenzie Drive and McCowan Road
within the Berczy Village Secondary Plan (ZA 08 107108 and SU 09 115161).
The Committee Clerk advised that 149 notices were mailed on May 27, 2009, and a Public Meeting
sign was posted on May 26, 2009. One written submission ws received regarding
this proposal.
Staff gave a presentation regarding the proposal, the location,
surrounding uses and outstanding issues.
The Committee thanked the
applicant for their revisions that addressed some previous concerns. The Committee requested that staff ensure
that the interface between this proposal and the existing development at Prince
Charles is compatible.
There were no comments from the audience with respect to this
application.
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones
That the correspondence from Gerard Pruchnicki, be
received.
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti
1) That the Development Services Commission report dated June
2, 2009,
entitled “Preliminary Report. Lasseter Development Inc. Applications for Zoning
By-law Amendment and Draft Plan of Subdivision to permit 250 townhouse
development at the southwest corner of Major Mackenzie Drive and McCowan Road
within the Berczy Village Secondary Plan (ZA 08 107108 and SU 09 115161)”
be received; and,
2) That the Record of the Public Meeting held on June 16, 2009,
with respect to applications by Lasseter Development Inc, for draft plan of
subdivision approval and implementing zoning by-law amendments, be received; and,
3) That upon completion of the review and evaluation by staff of
the proposal submitted by Lasster Development Inc., and if there are no
outstanding issues, the draft plan be forwarded for approval to the CAO in
accordance with the Delegation By-law 4-2000, as amended; and further,
4) That upon issuance of draft plan approval the implementing
zoning by-law be enacted without further notice.
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
The Development Services
Public Meeting adjourned at 10:55 PM.