Development Services Committee Meeting Minutes

Meeting Number: 25

Monday, November 27, 2023 at 10:00 A.m. - 3:00 P.m.

Live streamed

Roll Call

• Mayor Frank Scarpitti
• Deputy Mayor Michael Chan
• Regional Councillor Jim Jones
• Regional Councillor Joe Li
• Regional Councillor Alan Ho
• Councillor Keith Irish
• Councillor Ritch Lau
• Councillor Reid McAlpine
• Councillor Karen Rea
• Councillor Andrew Keyes
• Councillor Isa Lee

Regrets

• Councillor Amanda Collucci
• Councillor Juanita Nathan

Staff

• Andy Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer
• Arvin Prasad, Commissioner, Development Services
• Trinela Cane, Commissioner, Corporate Services
• Morgan Jones, Commissioner, Community Services
• Claudia Storto, City Solicitor and Director of Human Resources
• Joseph Silva, Treasurer
• Bryan Frois, Manager of Executive Operations & Strategic Initiatives
• Giulio Cescato, Director of Planning & Urban Design
• Frank Clarizio, Director, Engineering
• Stephanie DiPerna, Director, Building Standards
• Alice Lam, Director, Operations
• Mark Visser, Senior Manager, Financial Strategy & Investments
• Loy Cheah, Senior Manager, Transportation

​Alternate formats for this document are available upon request

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

INDIGENOUS LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We begin today by acknowledging the traditional territories of Indigenous peoples and their commitment to stewardship of the land. We acknowledge the communities in circle. The North, West, South and Eastern directions, and Haudenosaunee, Huron- Wendat, Anishnabeg, Seneca, Chippewa, and the Mississaugas of the Credit peoples. We share the responsibility with the caretakers of this land to ensure the dish is never empty and to restore relationships that are based on peace, friendship, and trust. We are committed to reconciliation, partnership and enhanced understanding.

Development Services Committee convened at 10:02 AM, with Regional Councillor, Jim Jones presiding as Chair for all items on the agenda.

2.

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST

There were none disclosed.  

3.

APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

3.1

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES - NOVEMBER 14, 2023 (10.0)

• Moved by Councillor Isa Lee
  Seconded by Councillor Andrew Keyes
  1. That the minutes of the Development Services Committee meeting held on November 14, 2023, be confirmed.
  Carried

4.

DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

5.

COMMUNICATIONS

• Moved by Mayor Frank Scarpitti
  Seconded by Councillor Keith Irish

  That the written correspondence from Angela DeGasperis be received.

  Carried

6.

PETITIONS

There were no petitions. 

7.

CONSENT REPORTS - DEVELOPMENT AND POLICY MATTERS

7.1

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES – OCTOBER 24 AND NOVEMBER 7, 2023 (10.0)

• Moved by Councillor Karen Rea
  Seconded by Councillor Reid McAlpine
  1. That the minutes of the Development Services Public Meetings held October 24 and November 7, 2023, be confirmed.
  Carried

7.2

HERITAGE MARKHAM COMMITTEE MINUTES – OCTOBER 11, 2023 (16.11)

• Moved by Councillor Karen Rea
  Seconded by Councillor Reid McAlpine
  1. That the minutes of the Heritage Markham Committee meeting held October 11, 2023, be received for information purposes.
  Carried

7.3

VARLEY-MCKAY ART FOUNDATION OF MARKHAM MINUTES – OCTOBER 16, 2023 (16.0)

• Moved by Councillor Karen Rea
  Seconded by Councillor Reid McAlpine
  1. That the minutes of the Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham meeting held October 16, 2023, be received for information purposes.
  Carried

7.4

CYCLING AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE (CPAC) MINUTES – SEPTEMBER 21, 2023 (16.34)

• Moved by Councillor Karen Rea
  Seconded by Councillor Reid McAlpine
  1. That the minutes of the Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (CPAC) meeting held September 21, 2023, be received for information purposes.
  Carried

7.5

RECOMMENDATION REPORT, COMMENTS ON BILL 139, LESS RED TAPE, MORE COMMON SENSE ACT, 2023 – PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE ONTARIO HERITAGE ACT AND REGULATION (16.11)

• Moved by Councillor Karen Rea
  Seconded by Councillor Reid McAlpine
  1. That the Staff report, dated November 27, 2023, titled, "Recommendation Report, Comments on Bill 139, Less Red Tape, More Common Sense Act, 2023 – Proposed Amendment to the Ontario Heritage Act and Regulation”, be received; and,
  2. That the City of Markham does not support the proposed changes to Section 33 of the Ontario Heritage Act concerning individually designated properties occupied by buildings used for religious practices; and,
  3. That this report be forwarded to the Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism as the City of Markham’s comments on Bill 139 (Schedule 14); and further,
  4. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
  Carried

7.6

MEMORANDUM, GREENBELT STATUTE LAW AMENDMENT ACT, 2023, BILL 136, PROVINCIAL PROPOSAL TO RETURN LANDS TO THE GREENBELT (10.0)

• Moved by Councillor Karen Rea
  Seconded by Councillor Reid McAlpine
  1. That the November 27, 2023 memorandum titled “Greenbelt Statute Law Amendment Act, 2023, Bill 136, Provincial proposal to return lands to the Greenbelt” be received.
  Carried

8.

PRESENTATIONS - TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE MATTERS

8.1

VIA HIGH FREQUENCY RAIL PROJECT- STATION STRATEGIC BUSINESS CASE (5.14)

Arvin Prasad, Commissioner, Development Services, introduced the item and advised that this report will provide an overview of the strategic business case for a rail station, as part of the VIA Rail's High Frequency Rail concept, to be located in Box Grove, Markham.  He indicated that this report highlights the strategic and economic benefits to the City and the surrounding region and that it was prepared with the support of York Region.    

Loy Cheah, Senior Manager, Transportation introduced, Patrick Miller, of the Steer Group, who presented the VIA High Frequency Rail Project- Station Strategic Business Case, for Box Grove station.   

The Committee thanked staff and Mr. Miller for attending the meeting and discussed the following in relation to the presentation:

• That Box Grove is a good location to facilitate linkages to other transit routes and destinations within Markham, York Region, and Toronto such as the University of Toronto, and York University;
• That the opposition of a Pickering airport strengthens the case for a Box Grove station;
• Concerns related to developable land and dedicated parkland in the area;
• Concerns with development constraints surrounding the local national park ;
• That the 407 connection is necessary to create a more accessible network;
• The speed in which trains on the High Frequency Rail network will travel;
• The number of trains travelling on this route per day and how connections will be facilitated;
• The expected timing of project initiation and completion;
• Consideration to include multiple stations in Markham to assist in connecting other cities, to  mitigate against traffic congestion, and to support population growth; and,
• That the fare price should be affordable to attract users and deter the use of cars.

• Moved by Mayor Frank Scarpitti
  Seconded by Councillor Andrew Keyes
  1. That the report entitled “VIA High Frequency Rail Project - Station Strategic Business Case” and presentation be received; and,
  2. That the City of Markham endorses the VIA High Frequency Rail Project – Station Strategic Business Case and the Box Grove Station location with all of its benefits from transit linkages, access to tourism destinations across the region, and economic development activity; and,
  3. That Staff engage the VIA HFR project office to present and submit the strategic business case that supports Box Grove as the preliminary preferred station location; and further,
  4. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution. 
  Carried

9.

REGULAR REPORTS - TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE MATTERS

9.1

CITY OF MARKHAM ROAD SAFETY PLAN - TERMS OF REFERENCE (5.12)

Arvin Prasad, Commissioner, Development Services, indicated that this report provides an overview of the City of Markham Road Safety Plan - Terms of Reference, and that it includes the overall objectives, key deliverables and scope of work needed to develop the plan.  He further indicated that this report will also be part of the York Region Traveler Safety Plan that will proactively address traffic concerns across the City and Region. 

Loy Cheah, Senior Manager, Transportation, provided additional background information and noted that once the York Region Travelers Safety plan is completed, the City can proceed with its own plan. 

Justin Chin, Senior Traffic Engineer, presented the City of Markham Road Safety Plan - Terms of Reference, and identified the Request for Proposal (RFP) components to retain a qualified transportation engineering consultant that will complete a study and assist in the plan development.

The Committee suggested that as part of this plan, there be safety pilot projects initiated across the City on streets that have been identified as having had a high number of accidents and a high number of speeding vehicles prior to the completion of the study.  There was additional discussion regarding the use of round-a-bouts, dedicated cycling lanes, community safety zones, and the use of electronic speed enforcement and their associated costs.   

Staff commented that there is extensive investigation into potential safety measures and that they will be continue to investigate traffic calming and road safety concerns.   

The Committee requested that staff initiate a tight timeline for the consultant to undertake and complete the study, for example, by the end of 2024 or Q1 of 2025.  

• Moved by Mayor Frank Scarpitti
  Seconded by Councillor Karen Rea
  1. That the report entitled “City of Markham Road Safety Plan - Terms of Reference” and presentation be received; and
  2. That the following Terms of Reference for the development of the Markham Road Safety Plan be endorsed:
     1. Build on the outcomes of York Region’s Traveller Safety Plan and Markham’s Traffic Safety Audit to develop a Road Safety Plan that is tailored to the City of Markham; and,
     2. Develop and conduct a comprehensive stakeholder consultation plan to solicit public and stakeholder input and feedback throughout the development of the Road Safety Plan; and,
     3. Establish branding that is both specific for the City of Markham and complementary to the York Region Traveller Safety Plan to ensure consistent messaging is provided throughout the Road Safety Plan’s implementation; and,
     4. Complete a background review of relevant information, studies, and data to ensure the Road Safety Plan builds on previously completed work, is data-driven and evidence-based; and,
     5. Identify engineering and enforcement measures (safety tools) and assess their applicability, feasibility and effectiveness; and, 
     6. Review the City’s existing traffic calming policy, specifically as it pertains to vertical traffic calming measures such as speed humps/cushions and raised intersections; and,
     7. Develop a 5-year capital program which prioritizes the implementation of recommended measures; and,
     8. Develop a business case detailing the resource requirements (i.e. staff and financial) necessary to deliver and sustain the City’s Road Safety Program; and,
     9. Identify potential funding opportunities for the implementation of the Road Safety Program; and further,
  3. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
  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 resolved into Confidential Session at 12:04 PM. 

• Moved by Regional Councillor Joe Li
  Seconded by Councillor Isa Lee

  That, in accordance with Section 239 (2) of the Municipal Act, Development Services Committee resolve into a confidential session to discuss the following matters:

  Carried

14.1

DEVELOPMENT AND POLICY MATTERS

14.1.1

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES - SEPTEMBER 26, 2023 (10.0) [MUNICIPAL ACT, 2001, Section 239 (2) (e)]

The Committee confirmed the Confidential Development Services Committee Minutes of September 26, 2023.  

14.1.2

REQUEST FOR DIRECTION, ONTARIO LAND TRIBUNAL APPEAL BY CARDEA BAYVIEW VALLEY DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED, ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT APPLICATION TO PERMIT A DEVELOPMENT OF 10 THREE-STOREY

TOWNHOUSE UNITS AT 3 STEELE VALLEY ROAD (WARD 1) (10.5)

(LITIGATION OR POTENTIAL LITIGATION, INCLUDING MATTERS BEFORE ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNALS, AFFECTING THE MUNICIPALITY OR LOCAL BOARD;) [MUNICIPAL ACT, 2001, Section 239 (2) (e)]

The Committee consented to place this item on the November 29, 2023, Confidential Council Meeting Agenda for consideration.

 

Moved by Councillor Karen Rea

Seconded by Councillor Isa lee

That Development Services Committee adjourn from confidential session at 12:34 PM and not report out on any matter.

Carried

15.

ADJOURNMENT

• Moved by Councillor Karen Rea
  Seconded by Councillor Isa Lee

  That Development Services Committee adjourn from confidential session at 12:34 PM and not report out on any matter.

  Carried