MINUTES

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE

2008-04-15

All Members of Council

Development Services                                                                 Economic Development

Chair:              Councillor J. Webster                                                                             Chair:              Regional Councillor T. Wong

Vice-Chair:      Councillor D. Horchik                                                                            Transportation Issues

                                                                                                                                        Chair:          Regional Councillor G. Landon

 

PART A

Presentations, Major Studies, and Issues Agenda

9:00 a.m. – Canada Room

 

Attendance

Mayor F. Scarpitti Regional Councillor J. Jones Regional Councillor T. Wong Regional Councillor G. Landon Councillor V. Burke Councillor J. Virgilio Councillor C. Moretti Councillor J. Webster Councillor D. Horchik Councillor L. Kanapathi Councillor A. Chiu   Regrets Councillor E. Shapero Deputy Mayor J. Heath

J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer J. Baird, Commissioner of Development Services A. Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services A. Brown, Director of Engineering C. Conrad, Town Solicitor B. Cribbett, Treasurer V. Shuttleworth, Director of Planning and Urban Design A. Tari, Committee Clerk

 

 

 

 

 

The Development Services Committee convened at the hour of 9:00 AM in the Canada Room with Councillor J. Webster in the Chair.  Regional Councillor G. Landon assumed the Chair for Transportation item, No.3.

 

 

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST

 

None disclosed.

 

 

1.         DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
            - March 25, 2008, Part A (10.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Regional Councillor G. Landon

 

That the minutes of the Development Services Committee meeting, Part A, held March 25, 2008, be confirmed.

CARRIED

 

 

2.         FATAL LIGHT AWARENESS PROGRAM
            (BIRD SAFETY) (10.0)

            Presentation

 

Mr. Michael Mesure, Executive Director of Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP), delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding FLAP.  He stated that FLAP is a non-profit organization that is working to safeguard migratory birds in the urban environment through education, research, rescue and rehabilitation.  Mr. Mesure advised that every bird collected by FLAP is assessed for trauma and every dead bird gathered is donated to the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) for research.

 

Mr. Kelly Snow, City of Toronto, delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding the City of Toronto’s Bird Friendly Development Guidelines that include: design-based development strategies (such as glass treatments); and light pollution and site design strategies.  Mr. Snow advised that the City of Toronto has also developed a “Bird-Friendly Development Rating System and Acknowledgement Program” as a component of the City’s Green Development Standard which will be incorporated as part of the complete application process.

 

The Committee suggested sending letters to several Markham building owners to provide them with measures that can be taken to reduce the number of bird causalities.  The Committee thanked Mr. Michael Mesure and Mr. Kelly Snow for their presentation and for taking the time to come and educate Markham Council and staff with respect to bird safety.

 

Moved by Mayor F. Scarpitti

Seconded by Councillor V. Burke

 

That the presentation provided by Mr. Michael Mesure regarding the Fatal Light Awareness Program and Mr. Kelly Snow regarding the City of Toronto’s Bird Friendly Development Guidelines, be received; and;

 

That the Fatal Light Awareness Program be referred back to staff for development of Town of Markham Bird-Friendly Guidelines.

CARRIED

 

 

3.         DISCUSSION WITH REGIONAL STAFF
            TRANSPORTATION INITIATIVES AND
            REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS (5.7)

 

Mr. Dino Basso, Director of Capital Delivery, Roads, Region of York, delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding Transportation for Today and Tomorrow.  He advised that York Region Council is in support of the Town of Markham’s resolution passed at the Council meeting on January 22, 2008, regarding road widening and Environmental Assessments (EA).  He also advised that the EA’s are on hold pending the outcome of the various Community Information Meetings.  Mr. Basso discussed the March 19, 2008, Markham Community Meeting advising that the first part of the meeting was a two hour drop-in centre and the second part was a formal presentation that included a question and answer session and was well attended.  A transcript of the meeting will be available soon at www.transitsupportiveroads.cenet.ca .  He outlined the next steps to be as follows:  Community Meeting May 2008; report to Regional Council status update June 2008; establish an Advisory Committee July 2008; assess broader alternative July 2008 to Winter 2009. Mr. Basso emphasized that the Region will not be making any recommendations regarding the Environmental Assessments until the consultation process is completed.

 

The Committee enquired if all EA’s are put on hold.  Mr. Basso advised that the following five:  Leslie Street, Bayview Avenue, McCowan Road, Kennedy Road and 16^th Avenue have been put on hold and all others will continue to proceed.  The Committee discussed the potential for of improved community engagement relative to the Bayview Avenue EA.

 

Ms. Marion Matthias, addressed the Committee regarding the Regional Environmental Assessments stating that the Community Information meetings are essential and she is in support of establishing an advisory committee.

 

Moved by Mayor F. Scarpitti

Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti

 

That the presentation provided by Mr. Dino Basso, Director of Capital Delivery, Roads, Region of York, regarding Transportation Initiatives and Regional Environmental Assessments, be received.

CARRIED

 

 

 

4.         DEVELOPMENT CHARGES UPDATE (10.0)

 

Ms. Barb Cribbett, Treasurer, delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding Development Charges update.

 

The Committee suggested that the presentation scheduled for April 21, 2008 to General Committee include a definition of “full build out/current urban boundaries.”  The Committee thanked all members of staff involved in the Development Charges update process and indicated that they are pleased to see that the true costs of development are being captured.

 

Moved by Mayor F. Scarpitti

Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu

 

That the presentation provided by Ms. B. Cribbett, Treasurer, regarding Development Charges Update, be received.

CARRIED

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

 

 

5.         COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT (10.12)

 

Councillor J. Webster advised the Committee that a presentation will be made to the Development Services Committee in May 2008 with an update on the role and procedures of the Committee of Adjustment.

 

6.         IN CAMERA ITEM (10.0)

 

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti

 

 

That Development Services Committee resolve into an in camera session to discuss the following confidential matter (11:20 AM):

 

 

(1) PROPERTY MATTER - MILLER PROPERTY UPDATE

CARRIED

 

 

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones

Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu

 

That the Committee rise (12:13 PM)

CARRIED

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The Development Services Committee meeting adjourned at the hour of 12:15 PM.