TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
2003-09-29
Meeting
No. 7
Attendance
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J. Sales, Commissioner of
Community
and Fire Services
J. Baird, Commissioner of
Development Services
A. Taylor, Commissioner of
Corporate Services
M. Turner, Commissioner of
Strategy,
Innovation and Partnerships
A. Brown, Director of
Engineering
L. Fernandes, Transportation
Engineer
A. Mukherjee, Manager,
Transportation/
Engineering
Sgt. P. Orlovski, York Regional Police
Const. T. Courtney, York Regional Police
C. Raynor, Committee Clerk
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The Transportation Committee convened at the hour of 1:10
p.m. with
Councillor J. Virgilio in the Chair.
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
None disclosed
1. TRAIL
RIDGE LANE PARKING PROHIBITION (5.12.4)
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There was
brief discussion of the matter and staff confirmed that they had followed the
notification procedure. Staff agreed to provide to the Chair copies of the
notices and letters sent to local residents.
Moved by Councillor
E. Shapero
Seconded by
Regional Councillor F. Scarpitti
That Schedule
1 of Parking By-law
336-88, be amended to include a No Parking Prohibition on the
south side of Trail
Ridge Lane, from McCowan Road to
Twin Oaks Drive;
And that the attached by-laws be approved;
And that the Operations and Asset Management
Department be directed to install the appropriate signs upon approval of the
attached by-law.
CARRIED
2. MANHATTAN
DRIVE PARKING PROHIBITION
(5.12.4)
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Moved by
Councillor E. Shapero
Seconded by
Regional Councillor F. Scarpitti
That Schedule 1
of Parking By-law
336-88, be amended to include a No Parking Prohibition on Manhattan Drive,
from the south leg of Burndenford Crescent to a point 170 metres north to the
property line of #176 and #178
Manhattan Drive;
And that the attached by-laws be approved;
3. CORNELL
- HEAVY TRUCK TRAFFIC PROHIBITION (5.12)
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Moved by
Councillor E. Shapero
Seconded by
Regional Councillor F. Scarpitti
That the attached by-law to amend Schedule 14
of Traffic By-law
Number 106-71, by including a Heavy Truck Traffic Prohibition on the
following streets be approved:
- White’s Hill Avenue, in
its entirety
- Almira Avenue, in its entirety
- Christian Reesor Park Avenue, in its entirety
- Donald
Sim Avenue, in its
entirety
- Cornell Meadows Avenue, in its entirety
- Cornell Park Avenue, in its entirety
- The Meadows
Avenue, in its entirety
- Settlement
Park Avenue, in its
entirety
- Riverlands Avenue, in its entirety
- Country Glen Road, in its entirety
And
that the Operations and Asset Management Department be authorized to install
Heavy Truck Traffic Prohibition signs upon approval of the by-law;
And
that the York Region Police Force be requested to enforce the Heavy Truck
Traffic Prohibition upon approval of the attached by-law amendment and
installation of the appropriate signage.
4. AMEND SCHEDULE 19 OF TRAFFIC BY-LAW
106-71
TO INCLUDE GOLDEN AVENUE
AND FONDA ROAD
TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNAL (5.12.1)
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Moved by
Councillor E. Shapero
Seconded by
Regional Councillor F. Scarpitti
That
the attached by-law to amend Schedule 19 of Traffic By-law
106-71, pertaining to “Traffic Control Signals”, by including the traffic
control signal at the intersection of Golden Avenue and Fonda Road, be
approved.
5. REQUEST
FOR SINGLE FARE ZONE FOR
GO TRANSIT IN MARKHAM (5.14.2) Weblink
There was discussion surrounding the effects
on transit use when a single fare zone is implemented – primarily that short
distance travellers pay more. Staff advised that GO users generally travel
longer distances, so it should not adversely affect local users.
Moved by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell
Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero
That the
report entitled “Request for Single Fare Zone for GO Transit in Markham” be
received;
And that the following resolution requesting
GO Transit to consider a single fare zone across Markham be adopted:
Whereas, The
Town of Markham is concerned regarding the lack of parking spaces at the
Markham, Centennial and Unionville GO stations;
And whereas
the Town of Markham wishes to encourage residents to use all available spaces including
the vacant spaces at Mount Joy station;
Now therefore
be it resolved that the Town of Markham requests
the GO Board to make the Mount Joy and Markham Main Street GO stations part of the same fare
zone;
And that GO Transit in conjunction with York
Region Transit undertake additional efforts to market/promote the GO Shuttle
service.
CARRIED
6. RAPID
TRANSIT - NETWORK CONFIGURATION (5.14) Weblink
Moved by
Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell
Seconded by
Councillor A. Chiu
That Council
endorse the Region of York/YRTP rapid transit network configuration concept and
strategy subject to the following conditions;
(i)
That YRTP and
Region of York undertake further discussions with Town staff upon completion of
the Markham Highway 7 Corridor Strategy to revisit the possibility of extending
the LRT east of Unionville
(ii)
That YRTP and
Region of York work closely with Town staff in reviewing the ridership
thresholds prior to 2011 that would warrant the conversion of BRT to LRT along
the rapid transit corridors in Markham as noted in the Network Configuration
Report.
And that a
copy of Council’s decision be forwarded to the Region of York and YRTP
7. YONGE STREET RAPID TRANSIT EA (5.7, 5.14) Weblink
Moved by
Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by
Regional Councillor T. Wong
That Council
endorse the draft EA for the Yonge Street Rapid Transit Project subject to the
following conditions:
i)
The Region and
YRTP continue to work with Town staff to finalize the Thornhill Yonge Street
Study and an implementation strategy;
ii)
The Region and
YRTP continue to work with Town staff and the Langstaff Ratepayers Association
to finalize the plans for the Operations and Maintenance facility and ensure
compatibility with the Langstaff landuse study;
iii)
The Region and
YRTP monitor traffic volumes on local roads and work with Town staff to develop
appropriate mitigating measures including but not limited to traffic calming
and traffic operational changes;
iv)
That the Town,
City of Vaughan, the Region and YRTP hold further discussions regarding the
implementation and financing of burying Hydro lines within the Thornhill Yonge
Street Study Area.
And that a copy of Council’s decision be sent
to the Region of York.
8. CYCLING AND PEDESTRIAN
ADVISORY COMMITTEE (CPAC) (16.34) Weblink 1
Staff
provided a brief outline of the proposed CPAC Terms of Reference. It was
confirmed that any requests from CPAC would be passed through the Transportation
Committee for approval. There was also some discussion of the level of staff
use required by CPAC
Moved by
Councillor E. Shapero
Seconded by
Regional Councillor F. Scarpitti
That the Terms
of Reference for the proposed Town of Markham Cycling and
Pedestrian Advisory Committee (CPAC) be adopted;
And that
additional resources and budget to manage the CPAC in combination with the
development of the bicycle implementation plan be considered in the 2004 budget
process;
And that subject to the 2004 operating budget
consideration, engineering staff be authorized to establish a Town of Markham Cycling and
Pedestrian Advisory Committee (CPAC) in accordance with the details outlined in
the attached terms of reference;
And
that CPAC contain one member of the Markham Conservation Committee;
And
that staff further report on the staffing requirements in the 2004 budget
report.
CARRIED
9. ELIMINATION
OF WHISTLING AT RAILWAY CROSSINGS (5.13)
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Staff gave a brief outline of the process for
requesting no train whistles from CN. Staff also clarified that a train driver
always reserves the right to use the whistle when deemed necessary.
Mr. N. Banerjee, 22
Pavilion Street, Unionville, and Mr.
B. Roman, 130 Main Street,
Unionville were both in attendance to state that there was a lot of local
support for stopping train whistles in the area.
Mr. J. Baird, Commissioner of Development
Services pointed out that no funds had been allocated in the 2003 Operating or
Capital budgets for the safety audits. The project could still commence in 2003
but it will likely result in over-expenditure in Engineering Studies spending,
an end-of-year variance which will require explanation.
**Moved by Councillor J. Heath
Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero
That the
Director of Engineering be requested to formally initiate the procedures to
request CN Rail to eliminate whistling along the Uxbridge Subdivision from Steeles Avenue
to Major Mackenzie Drive;
And that funds in the amount of $22,500 be
used for the purposes of carrying out safety audits, with another $100,000 to
be considered in the 2004 budget for implementing the safety infrastructure at
the railway crossings along the Uxbridge Subdivision from Steeles Avenue to
Major Mackenzie Drive, as required by CN Rail procedures;
And that the Region of York be requested to initiate the process and
request CN Rail to eliminate whistling at the crossings of the Uxbridge Subdivision
at 14th Avenue, Highway 7, 16th Avenue and Major Mackenzie Drive;
And that the City of Toronto be
requested to initiate the process and request CN Rail to eliminate whistling at
Uxbridge Subdivision and Steeles
Avenue crossing;
And
that subject to budget approval in 2004, staff report back on the results of
the safety audits and an updated cost to implement the required safety
infrastructure to eliminate whistling at the specified crossings;
And that staff provide Committee with copies of the documentation that
created a no-whistling zone in Thornhill;
And
that further funds be considered in 2004 for the purposes of carrying out
safety audits and implementing the safety infrastructure at all remaining
railway crossings in the Town of Markham as required
by CN Rail procedures.
**Amended by
Council at its meeting held on September
30, 2003
to add the following paragraph:
“And that subject to budget approval in 2004,
staff report back on the results of the safety audits and an updated cost to
implement the required safety infrastructure to eliminate whistling at the
specified crossings;”
10. TENDER FOR 2002/2003 TRAFFIC CALMING PROJECTS (5.12,
7.12.2)
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Staff outlined that York Region Transit (YRT)
had recently changed its policy with regard to traffic-calming measures such as
speed humps. This had resulted in a considerable cost increase in the tender
received by the Town of Markham for
implementation of traffic-calming measures. Consequently, the recommendation
was that implementation should be postponed until talks with YRT could be
initiated, and a re-tendering process take place.
Committee felt that staff talks with YRT on
the matter should not delay implementation of measures in areas which had
received previous approval for such implementation, subject to re-tendering.
RECOMMENDATION:
That staff
undertake further discussions with YRT regarding their September 11, 2003 Policy in reference to traffic calming on transit routes and report
back;
And that YRT
be requested to form the task force as noted at their September 11, 2003 transit committee meeting as soon as possible;
And that YRT
be requested to make a presentation to Markham Transportation Committee with an
update of their traffic calming policy as soon as possible;
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Other matters considered by the
Transportation Committee on 29 September 2003
11. SAFE
STREETS (13.4.10)
Traffic Sgt.
P. Orlovski gave a detailed presentation of York Region Police’s proposal for
municipal Community Traffic Committees. It is felt that such Committees could
streamline the reporting process for traffic infractions and help the police
more easily monitor trouble spots.
Mr. A.
Mukherjee, Manager, Transportation/Engineering, provided the police with a list
containing the two streets in each Ward that incur the greatest number of
speeders.
Moved by
Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by
Councillor E. Shapero
That
the presentation from York Region Polices regarding Safe Streets, be received;
And that staff report back on the possible structure and framework of a
Community Traffic Committee.
CARRIED
12. YRTP
UPDATE
- NETWORK CONFIGURATION
- YONGE
STREET EA
- HWY 7 EA
- MARKHAM
N.S. YONGE STREET (THORNHILL) EA
- QUICK START (5.14, 5.7)
Ms.
M. Turner, Commissioner, Strategy, Innovation and Partnerships gave a detailed
presentation. There was general discussion on the matter. It was clarified that
a stretch of Highway #7 between Kennedy Road
and Warden Avenue would need to be a shared roadway due to the heritage buildings in
place, although the overall plan is to enable rapid transit services to occupy
segregated roadways. It was also stated that the intent would be to build
busways that could be converted to subways later. It is felt that, by 2011,
traffic will be too congested for surface transit solutions to remain viable.
Moved
by Councillor E. Shapero
Seconded
by Councillor J. Heath
That
the presentation from Ms. M. Turner, Commissioner, Strategy, Innovation and
Partnerships giving a YRTP update, be received.
CARRIED
13. JERRY
PRIDDLE – SCHOOL CROSSING GUARDS (3.16, 5.12)
Moved
by Councillor E. Shapero
Seconded
by Councillor A. Chiu
That
the email from Mr. J. Priddle to Councillor J. Heath, dated 17 September, 2003,
regarding the installation of school crossing guards in the Wootten Way south,
Reesor’s Drive north and Major Button area be received and referred to staff.
CARRIED
14. LEGACY
COMMUNITY RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION
STOP SIGNS (5.12.3, 11.5)
Moved
by Councillor E. Shapero
Seconded
by Councillor A. Chiu
That the letter from Mr. D. Hutchinson, on
behalf of the Legacy Community Ratepayers’ Association, dated 8 September 2003,
regarding the installation of additional stop signs in the area be received and
referred to staff.
CARRIED
15. MINISTER
OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY
PHOTO RADAR (5.12, 13.2.1)
Moved
by Councillor E. Shapero
Seconded
by Councillor A. Chiu
That the response from the Hon. R. Runciman,
Minister of Public Safety and Security, dated 24 July 2003, with respect to
Town of Markham resolution regarding photo radar be received.
CARRIED
16. REGIONAL
MUNICIPALITY OF HALTON
URBAN TRANSPORTATION SHOWCASE
PROGRAM (5.12, 5.14, 13.5.1)
Moved
by Councillor E. Shapero
Seconded
by Councillor A. Chiu
That the letter from the Regional
Municipality of Halton, dated 10 July 2003, outlining Council resolution with
respect to the Urban Transportation Showcase Program proposal “Smart Commute
Initiative” be received.
CARRIED
17. YORK
REGION TRANSIT –
DRAFT ANNUAL SERVICE PLAN 2004 (5.14)
Moved
by Councillor E. Shapero
Seconded
by Councillor A. Chiu
That the letter from York Region confirming
adoption of the 2004 Annual Service Plan, including a copy of the
aforementioned plan be received.
CARRIED
18. MCCORMICK
RANKIN CORPORATION
MARKHAM
BYPASS EXTENSION EA (5.7)
Moved
by Councillor E. Shapero
Seconded
by Councillor A. Chiu
That the letter from McCormick Rankin
Corporation, dated 26 August 2003, providing an amended copy of the Markham Bypass Extension Individual Environmental
Assessment be received.
CARRIED
19. REGIONAL
MUNICIPALITY OF YORK
RED LIGHT CAMERA AND PHOTO
RADAR (5.12, 13.4)
Moved
by Councillor E. Shapero
Seconded
by Councillor A. Chiu
That the report from the Regional
Municipality of York, dated 22 August 2003, supporting the use of Red Light
Camera Technology in Ontario and requesting authority from the Minister of
Transportation to install photo radar in York Region be received.
CARRIED
20. TSH
ASSOCIATES
NOTICE OF FILING OF DESIGN AND
CONSTRUCTION REPORT (5.0)
Moved
by Councillor E. Shapero
Seconded
by Councillor A. Chiu
That the letter from TSH Associates, dated 10
September 2003, providing a copy of the Design and Construction Report –
Highway 407 Central Region, The Woodbine Avenue North/Highway 407 West Ramp and
the Relocation of Miller Avenue and Burncrest Road be received.
CARRIED
21. OFFICE
OF THE HON. E. CAPLAN
RESPONSE FROM MINISTER OF
TRANSPORT
REGARDING TRAIN NOISE (13.2.7,
5.13)
Moved by Councillor E. Shapero
Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong
That the letter from the Office of the Hon.
E. Caplan, dated 18 September 2003, containing a response from the Office of
the Minister of Transport regarding a noise complaint relating to the Canadian
National railway line at the Bala/York intersection in Markham be received;
And that staff, along with the
Town Clerk and Councillor E. Shapero, pursue the mediation process outlined in
the letter.
CARRIED
22. VILLAGE
GATE DRIVE SOUTH
RESIDENTS’ PETITION (5.0)
Moved by
Regional Councillor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by
Regional Councillor T. Wong
That the
petition from 42 residents of Village Gate South regarding the increase in
traffic volume and associated problems be received and that staff report back
with options for action.
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
The Transportation Committee meeting adjourned at the hour of 3:35
p.m.