MARCH 8, 2011 - 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

MINUTES

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE

All Members of Council

Development Services                                               Economic Development

Chair:                      Regional Councillor Jim Jones                                Chair:                      Councillor Carolina Moretti

Vice-Chair:              Councillor Don Hamilton                                       Vice-Chair:              Councillor Alex Chiu

                                                                                                                Transportation Issues

                                                                                                                Chair:                      Regional Councillor Gord Landon

                                                                                                                Vice-Chair:              Councillor Alan Ho

 

PART B

Report Agenda

9:00 a.m. – Canada Room

 

 

Attendance

Deputy Mayor Jack Heath Regional Councillor Jim Jones Councillor Valerie Burke Councillor Howard Shore Councillor Don Hamilton Councillor Alan Ho Councillor Logan Kanapathi Councillor Alex Chiu   Regrets Mayor Frank Scarpitti Regional Councillor Gord Landon Regional Councillor Joe Li Councillor Carolina Moretti Councillor Colin Campbell

Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services Andy Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services Alan Brown, Director of Engineering Stephen Chait, Director, Economic Development Catherine Conrad, Town Solicitor Huyan Hare, Senior Economic Development Officer Christina Kakaflikas, Senior Business Development             Officer Biju Karumanchery, Senior Development Manager Brian Lee, Senior Manager, Development Engineering             and Transportation Kitty Bavington, Council/Committee Coordinator

 

The Development Services Committee convened at the hour of 9:05 a.m. in the Canada Room with Regional Councillor Jim Jones in the Chair.  Councillor Alex Chiu assumed the Chair for Economic Development item No. 8 and Councillor Alan Ho assumed the Chair for Transportation Development item # 9.

 

 

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST – None Declared

 

 

1.         TRANSPORTATION ISSUES 2010-2014 (5.10)

            Presentation

 

Alan Brown, Director of Engineering, provided an update on significant transportation issues during this term of Council, with respect to issues, timing and next steps. Staff clarified the   provincial, regional and municipal jurisdictions for the projects, and reviewed the strategies and policies in place.

 

The Committee had lengthy discussions on several issues. Staff will be making a follow-up reports and presentation for each item in the near future.

 

Comments, questions and responses included:

-         The timeframe for completion of the Yonge Street Subway is approximately nine to ten years, depending on funding sources. Contributions from federal, provincial, and regional levels were discussed.

-         What development is proposed in Vaughn, west of Yonge Street? Funding should be a priority for this intensification corridor.

-         If there is a potential to extend the Yonge Street Subway north of the Richmond Hill station to take advantage of the opportunity for intensification, a preliminary study should be prepared and the lands protected.

-         What options have been identified for the realignment of the Langstaff Mobility Hub?

-         The grade will be raised for the John Street GO Station and it was noted that noise attenuation for the Bala rail line is an important issue for the residents of the area.

-         The East Markham Mobility Hub will be integrated with Viva and the transit system for the Bur Oak and Unionville lines along Highway 407. An interim Viva terminal will be located at Hwy 7 but will ultimately connect at 407. Staff will check on the status and time frame for this.

-         The components of the Hub should be studied together. Staff will be reporting back on the scope of the study.

-         It was recommended that areas around the transit/rail stops such as Bur Oak/Unionville line and 407/Leslie Street be planned early, to prepare ahead.

-         The Pacific Mall and Market Village area also requires an integrated, transit-dependant development approach.

-         The Parking Advisory Committee is working on parking strategies, and a workshop will be held with Development Services Committee in the near future. Pay parking in the parking structure at East Markham may be considered.

-         Staff was requested to provide statistics showing the effectiveness of the commuter options programs (Transportation Demand Management) and how long they have been in existence, particularly for the Guaranteed Ride Home and 50% Transit Discount options.

-          It was questioned if the Elementary School Travel Plan is under the jurisdiction of  Regional School Boards or the Town. Staff explained the purpose of the strategy is to alleviate traffic congestion around the schools. Staff will provide more information.

-         With respect to the Sustainable Travel Choices Study by York Region, the Committee questioned if 16th Avenue, Bayview Avenue, and Kennedy Road would be widened. Staff will be bringing forward this issue to the Committee for discussion, prior to the study being undertaken.

-         It was recognized that the proposed widening of Bayview Avenue is a contentious issue with the residents, as it is not sustainable and the area is prone to flash floods.

-         The Committee requested the status of the three crossings over Highway 404, north of Highway 7, and of the exit ramps from Highway 407 at 9^th Line, and at Leslie Street.

-         Staff advised that a proposed exit ramp from Highway 404 at John Street had been considered previously but was not pursued. Councillor Howard Shore requested copies of background studies.

-         The widening of Steeles Avenue east of Markham Road and installation of traffic lights at Steeles Avenue and 9^th Line have been approved, and staff will provide an update on scheduling. Delays are due to the issue of ownership and capital/maintenance cost sharing between York Region and Toronto. It was noted that correspondence from Toronto referred to the road as a “minor arterial road”.

-         The 9^th Line is not named consistently along its length and staff advised this will be corrected once Donald Cousens Parkway is completed.

-         With respect to the Environmental Assessment for the Cycling, Pathways and Trails Master Plan, clarification must be made that Milne Park is not part of Rouge Park.

 

Staff will be reporting back to the Committee on the issues discussed, and will be providing further updates. The Steering Committee for the Town-wide Markham Transportation Master Plan will also be reporting.

 

Moved by: Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by: Councillor Valerie Burke

 

That the presentation provided by Alan Brown, Director of Engineering, regarding Transportation Issues 2010-2014 be received.

CARRIED

 

 

 

2.         DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
- FEBRUARY 22, 2011, Part B (10.0)

            Minutes

 

Councillor Alex Chiu

Councillor Don Hamilton

 

That the minutes of the Development Services Committee meeting, Part B, held

February 22, 2011, be confirmed.

CARRIED

 

 

3.         DEVELOPMENT SERVICES PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
- FEBRUARY 22, 2011 (10.0)

            Minutes

 

Councillor Alex Chiu

Councillor Don Hamilton

 

That the minutes of the Development Services Public Meeting, held February 22, 2011, be confirmed.

CARRIED

 

 

 

4.         HERITAGE MARKHAM COMMITTEE MINUTES
            - FEBRUARY 9, 2011 (16.11)

            Minutes

 

Councillor Alex Chiu

Councillor Don Hamilton

 

That the minutes of the Heritage Markham Committee meeting held February 9, 2011, be received for information purposes.

CARRIED

 

 

 

5.         MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE MINUTES
            - FEBRUARY 16, 2011 (16.39)

            Minutes

 

Councillor Alex Chiu

Councillor Don Hamilton

 

That the minutes of the Main Street Markham Committee meeting held February 16, 2011, be received for information purposes.

CARRIED

 

 

6.         REQUEST FOR DEMOLITION OF DWELLING
            11206 REESOR ROAD
            TRANSPORT CANADA (10.13)

            Report

 

The Committee questioned the support of Transport Canada for Markham’s heritage buildings. Staff advised that the Town has stated its preference for the buildings to be tenanted and maintained.

 

Moved by: Deputy Mayor Jack Heath

Seconded by: Councillor Don Hamilton

 

1)         That the staff report titled “Request for Demolition of Dwelling, 11206 Reesor Road” dated March 8, 2011, be received; and,

 

2)         That Council regrets the loss of the heritage dwelling at 11206 Reesor Road and reluctantly supports the demolition application; and,

 

3)         That Transport Canada (Pickering Airport Lands) be contacted and again reminded of Markham’s Council desire to have heritage buildings on the Pickering Airport Lands repaired, maintained and re-tenanted to preserve these local heritage resources as opposed to the abandonment, boarding and neglect of these buildings; and

 

4)         That this resolution be forward to Member of Parliament Paul Colandra, Oak Ridges-Markham; and further,

 

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

CARRIED

 

 

 

7.         PRELIMINARY REPORT – UPDATE
            FUNG LOY KOK INSTITUTE OF TAOISM
            378 STEELES AVENUE
            WEST OF LAURELEAF ROAD
            APPLICATIONS FOR A ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT
            AND SITE PLAN APPROVAL TO PERMIT A PLACE OF WORSHIP
            FILE NO.: ZA 08 125376 AND SC 08 125397 (10.5 AND 10.6)

            Report

 

The Committee discussed the proposed and permitted uses for the development, and noted a concern that the Tai Chi classes at the location will not be open to the public, which is contrary to the Town’s inclusiveness policy.

 

 

Moved by: Councillor Valerie Burke

Seconded by: Councillor Howard Shore

 

1)         That the staff report entitled “Preliminary Report – Update, Fung Loy Kok Institute of Taoism, 378 Steeles Avenue, West of Laureleaf Road, Applications for a Zoning By-law Amendment and Site Plan Approval to permit a place of worship” be received as input to the statutory Public Meeting scheduled for March 8, 2011.

CARRIED

 

 

8.         ISRAEL INVESTMENT ATTRACTION PROGRAM (10.16)

            Report  Attachment

 

Christina Kakaflikas, Manager, Special Projects, presented highlights of the Israel Investment Attraction Program. The purpose of the report is to request authorization for business travel to Israel from May 20-29, 2011 to participate in the ILSI Biomed conference in Tel Aviv to promote the Markham Convergence Centre to Israeli incubators, and to follow up on initiatives undertaken with Israel in 2010. Ms. Kakaflikas identified the members of the team who would be participating (estimated at 10-15), including government, business, and community representatives.

 

The Committee requested an updated list identifying the businesses and associations located within the Markham Convergence Centre.

 

It was suggested that Councillor Howard Shore, who speaks Hebrew and who has been to Israel, be added to the delegation. Councillor Shore agreed to participate.

 

The Committee questioned how the success of the trip would be measured. Stephen Chait, Director, Economic Development, discussed key performance indicators and the focus on promoting industry and global awareness of Markham’s Convergence Center and other initiatives. The specific objectives are: to gain a commitment from Israeli business community that the Markham Incubator is the primary launch pad for North America; to develop a preferential relationship with the City of Tel Aviv; and, to build a Markham and Israel team to engage academia, industry and business leadership.

 

The Committee suggested that it would be helpful to establish a protocol for choosing travel participants.

 

Councillor Shore was requested to contribute to the follow-up report from this mission, if he participates.

 

Staff confirmed that the additional participant will add $6,000 to the cost for a total of $35,000, and that Council had directed that the mission not exceed a budget of $30,000.

 

Moved by: Councillor Don Hamilton

Seconded by: Regional Councillor Jim Jones

 

** Amended as noted below

 

1)         That the report entitled “Israel Investment Attraction Program” be received; and,

 

2)         That the Town in partnership with the Regional Municipality of York, York University, and Miller Thomson LLP, lead a business mission to Israel; and,

 

3)         That the Town be represented by a four person delegation composed of Mayor Scarpitti, Councillor Moretti (Chair of the Economic Development Committee), Councillor Howard Shore, and the Manager Special Projects, Economic Development; and,

 

 

4)         That the cost of the mission not exceed $35,000 and be expensed from within the 2011 “International Investment Attraction Program” Capital Budget Project #11003; and further,

 

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

** Amended by Council on March 22, 2011, as follows:

 

            Delete the following paragraphs:

“That the Town be represented by a four person delegation composed of Mayor Frank Scarpitti, Councillor Carolina Moretti (Chair of the Economic Development Committee), Councillor Howard Shore, and the Manager Special Projects, Economic Development; and,

 

That the cost of the mission not exceed $35,000 and be expensed from within the 2011 “International Investment Attraction Program” Capital Budget Project #11003;”

 

            and replace them with the following paragraphs:

“That the recommendation for the Town of Markham to be represented by a three person delegation composed of Mayor Frank Scarpitti, Councillor Carolina Moretti (Chair of the Economic Development Committee), and the Manager Special Projects, Economic Development be approved; and,

 

That an additional Member of Council be permitted to attend the trade mission to Israel provided the costs associated with their participation is not funded through the Town of Markham’s budget; and,

 

That if sufficient funds are secured for an additional Member of Council from sources other than the Town of Markham’s budget, Councillor Howard Shore be assigned to the delegation attending the trade mission to Israel; and,

 

That, for future business missions, Council representation be limited to two (2) Members of Council unless the costs associated with additional Council representation is not funded through the Town of Markham’s budget; and,

 

That the cost of the mission not exceed $29,000 and be expensed from within the 2011 “International Investment Attraction Program” Capital Budget Project #11003;”

CARRIED

 

9.         281-R-10 DETAILED DESIGN FOR THE
            RECONSTRUCTION OF MAIN STREET MARKHAM,
            FROM 16^TH AVENUE TO
            MAJOR MACKENZIE DRIVE (7.12)

            Report  Attachments

 

Moved by: Deputy Mayor Jack Heath

Seconded by: Councillor Logan Kanapathi

 

1)         That the report entitled “Detailed Design for Main Street Markham from 16^th Avenue to Major MacKenzie Drive”, be received; and,

 

2)         That the contract “281-R-10 Detailed Design and Contract Administration for the reconstruction of Main Street Markham” (between 16^th Avenue and Major MacKenzie Drive) be awarded to the highest ranked and lowest priced bidder Morrison Hershfield Limited, in the amount of $405,136.07, inclusive of HST; and,

 

3)         That that a contingency amount of $101,284.02 inclusive of HST be established to cover any additional design, contract administrations and legal costs; and,

 

4)         That funding for the project be provided from the approved Capital Account 083-5350-10054-005 which currently has funding in the amount of $805,000.00; and further,

 

5)         That staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

CARRIED

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The Development Services Committee meeting adjourned at 11:35 AM.