MINUTES
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE
October 14, 2008
Meeting No. 24
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
1:00 p.m. – Canada Room
Attendance
|
Councillor A. Chiu
Regrets
|
J. Baird, Commissioner of
Development Services
A. Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate
Services
R. Borooah, Town Architect
S. Chait, Director, Economic
Development
L. Duoba, Senior Project Coordinator
B. Karumanchery, Manager, East
District
V. Shuttleworth, Director of
Planning and Urban Design
A. Tari, Committee Clerk
|
The Development Services
Committee convened at 1:00 PM in the Canada Room with Councillor
J. Webster in the Chair. Regional Councillor
T. Wong assumed the Chair for Economic Development item No. 7.
DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
None disclosed.
1. DEVELOPMENT
SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
- September 23, 2008, Part A (10.0)
Minutes
Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
That the
minutes of the Development Services Committee meeting, Part A, held September
23, 2008, be confirmed.
CARRIED
2. TIMES
GROUP MARKHAM CENTRE
DESIGN CONCEPTS (10.0)
Mr. Jim Kirk, Malone Given Parsons Ltd., advised the
Committee that the new concept plan being presented today is similar in numbers
and volume as previously presented with changes to the built form and design
that are in response to feedback received.
He also advised that this is a work in progress with issues that still
need to be resolved.
Mr. Clifford Korman, Kirkor Architects & Planners,
delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding the new proposed master plan
concept. He presented the original
concept, new concept and a comparison of the two.
Mr. Paul Nodwell, OALA, Landscape Architect, delivered
a PowerPoint presentation with respect to the open space master plan advising
the proposal includes a wide range of park types
(eg.urban squares, linear plazas, valley edge parks
and natural features) and various sizes.
The Committee enquired of the Conservatory Group lands
within Markham Centre. Staff advised
that both applications (Conservatory Group and Times Group Markham Centre) will
be looked at comprehensively. Mr. Korman
advised that they have met with the architects and planners for the
Conservatory Group and that the proposed network provides an opportunity to
proceed either independently or together.
The Committee discussed the opportunity for public art
displays within Markham Centre and suggested that the applicant consult with
staff and the Markham Public Art Advisory
Committee regarding the Municipal Public Art plan.
There was considerable discussion regarding the
suggested commercial floor space, residential density, transportation issues
and architecture. The Committee
suggested the applicant and staff consider the following:
- Increasing
the office floor space
- Transit
issues; requesting that the Region of York
staff provide preliminary comments pertaining to transit services
along Avenue Seven
- Architectural
Building Designs (look at
other options other than glass buildings)
- School site (pursuing
an urban model school with the Board of Education)
- Waste; consider
an automated waste collection system (ie Envac)
- LEED
certification (what is the possibility of entire development as LEED
Plantinum)
- How it will
all be communicated to the public
- Linear
Park Plaza
needs to be distinctive to Markham
The Committee expressed concern with respect to the existing
communities to the north. Staff
confirmed that they are looking at the north side of Avenue Seven as well.
Moved by Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Councillor J. Virgilio
That the presentations by Mr. Jim Kirk, Partner, Malone
Given Parsons Ltd., Mr. Clifford Korman,
Kirkor Architects & Planners and Mr. Paul Nodwell, OALA regarding
the design concept for lands south of Highway 7 and east of Warden Avenue, be
received.
CARRIED
3. MARKHAM
ROAD CORRIDOR STUDY (10.0)
Presentation
Mr. Ronji Borooah, Town Architect, delivered a
PowerPoint detailed presentation with respect to the Markham Road North Corridor:
16th Avenue
to Major Mackenzie Drive.
Staff advised that the Official Plan was never amended
to implement the previous Urban Design Study work and that the draft Official
Plan Amendment prepared should be revised to reflect the current vision of the Markham
Road. Staff
is suggesting it be presented to the public at a statutory meeting.
The Committee suggested looking at the possibility of
Markham District Energy service and a waste collection system for this
development area. The Committee thanked
staff for a great presentation and commended their forward thinking with
respect to built form.
The Committee discussed the importance of distinctive
architectural design and streetscape, and increasing the public park
spaces. The Committee suggested staff
proceed and continue to work with the individual applications.
The Committee discussed the possibility of extending
the “new local road” north of Edward
Jeffreys Avenue.
Staff advised that they will look at it.
Moved by Councillor C. Moretti
Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
That the presentation by Mr. Ronji
Borooah, Town Architect, regarding the Markham Road Corridor Study, be
received.
CARRIED
4. AGRICULTURAL
STUDY (10.0)
Presentation
Ms. Margaret Walton, Consultant for Planscape,
delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding the Agriculture Assessment
preliminary findings.
Ms. Lilli Duoba, Senior Project Coordinator, advised
the Committee that a Public Information meeting with the agricultural
stakeholders is tentatively scheduled for October 29, 2008 to obtain more
information.
The Committee expressed concerns on how the white belt
will be discussed at the Public Information meeting. Staff suggested changing the word “will” to
“may” so it reads as follows: “a portion of the white belt may be required…..”
Moved by Regional Councillor T. Wong
Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero
That the presentation by Ms. Margaret Walton,
Consultant for Planscape, regarding the Agricultural Study, be received.
CARRIED
5. MARKHAM
CHINA BUSINESS MISSION
POST MISSION UPDATE (10.16)
Presentation
This item was deferred to the October 28, 2008 Development Services Committee meeting.
6. DEMONSTRATION
OF ELECTRONIC KIOSK
NEW DVD (10.16)
This item was deferred to the October 28, 2008 Development Services Committee meeting.
7. MARKHAM
10 YEAR
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
DRAFT FINAL REPORT (10.16)
Report
AppA
AppB
AppC
AppD
AppE
AppF1
AppF2
Ms.
Christina Kakafliakas, Manager Special Projects, delivered a PowerPoint presentation
regarding
Markham’s 10 year
Economic Development Strategy.
Staff advised that
today’s presentation is not the presentation that will be used for the public
on October 31, 2008. Staff confirmed that Markham District Energy
will be showcased at the launch. Staff suggested
that the proposed dating of initiatives can be revisited to determine which
should be brought forward. Staff also
advised that an acknowledgement will be included to state that the Region of
York’s Economic Development department will be singularly focusing on
greentech/cleantech and that Markham
will want to be a part of that using the resources of the Region. Tourism was
not included for the reason that it is outside of the mandate of the Economic
Development activity for the Town of Markham.
There was considerable
discussion regarding the word “city” being used for the presentation of the
launch. Staff suggested that for the
purpose of this presentation the word “city” will be replaced with “Markham”.
Moved
by Regional Councillor J. Jones
Seconded
by Councillor J. Virgilio
That the report entitled “Markham 10 Year Economic
Development Strategy. Draft Final Report” be received; and,
That Council endorse the public launch of Markham’s
economic development strategy to be held on October 31st, 2008; and further,
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 4:40 PM.