MINUTES
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE
2008-02-12
Meeting No. 4
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
|
Councillor A. Chiu
Regrets:
Mayor F. Scarpitti
|
J. Livey, Chief Administrative
Officer
J. Baird, Commissioner of
Development Services
C. Conrad, Town Solicitor
R. Kendall,
Manager, Central District
V. Shuttleworth, Director of
Planning and Urban Design
A. Tari, Committee Clerk
|
The Development Services
Committee convened at the hour of 9:00 a.m. in the Canada Room with Councillor
J. Webster in the Chair.
DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
None disclosed.
1. DEVELOPMENT
SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
- January 22, 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 January 22,
2008, be confirmed.
CARRIED
2. GRADE
9 GEOGRAPHY UNIOVILLE HIGH
SCHOOL URBAN PLANNING AND
DESIGN
PROJECTS (10.0)
Lorenzo Mele, Transportation Demand Manager, explained
to the Committee that the students used an actual block of land within Markham,
north of Major Mackenzie Drive and between McCowan Road and Highway 48, for
their Urban Planning and Design Project.
Ms. Donna McAdam, Unionville High School Teacher,
introduced the winning group of students, Robin Ellsworth, Zigan Xian, Kitty Yau,
Sally Kim, and Derek Lai. There were a total of 180 students that submitted an
entry for the contest. Ms. McAdam
thanked the Town of Markham
planning staff for all their help and maps provided to the school.
The students presented a model of their urban
community to the Committee and each student explained the various components
incorporated into their design such as transportation, green space, solar
heating and a live, work and play community.
The Committee thanked Ms. Donna McAdam and her
students for their presentation and commended the students on their project and
their excellent depiction of an outstanding Urban Community.
Moved by Councillor C. Moretti
Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu
That the presentation from Robin
Ellsworth, Ziyan Xian, Kitty Yau and Sally Kim regarding the Grade 9
Geography Unionville High School Urban Planning and Design Projects, be
received.
CARRIED
3. YRTP
- VIVA CIVIC MALL
(MARKHAM CENTRE) DESIGN
PRINCIPLES (10.0)
Presentation
David Clark, York
Region Rapid Transit delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding the York
Region Rapid Transit VIVA Civic Mall (Markham Centre) shared space principles.
There was considerable discussion surrounding Bus
Rapid Transit (BRT) versus Light Rail Transit (LRT) options and concerns
regarding the cost to later retro-fit from BRT to LRT by 2031.
Staff advised that today’s presentation is focused on
the fulfillment of Markham Centre’s vision that includes a Civic Mall with a
transit corridor, and how the Town of Markham and the Region of York will work
together to accomplish it. Staff also
advised that the Environmental Assessments (EA) have been completed by the
Region with respect to the BRT and LRT solutions and either technology can be
accommodated in the Civic Mall depending on the Region of York/VIVA timing. It was stated that larger decisions on
transportation issues are under discussion with the Region of York, Metrolinx,
and the Town of Markham.
The Committee suggested that there needs to be a
comprehensive dialogue with the Region regarding all the greater transportation
issues.
Moved by Regional Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by Councillor J. Virgilio
That the presentation by David Clark,
York Region Rapid Transit, regarding YRTP - Viva Civic Mall
(Markham Centre) Design Principles, be received.
CARRIED
4. MARKHAM
CENTRE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
APPLICATIONS FOR OFFICIAL PLAN
AMENDMENT
AND REZONING (10.0)
Richard Kendall, Manager, Central District, presented
a brief overview of the Markham Centre Development application advising that they
are proposing a mixed use development.
Mr. Peter Smith, Bousfields Inc., explained this site
by the Unionville GO Station provides an opportunity to develop a landmark that
is consistent with Markham Centre’s overall vision.
Mr. Sol Wassermuhl, Page & Steele Inc., delivered
a PowerPoint presentation regarding the Markham Centre Development
Corporation’s proposal. He advised the
site is divided by Enterprise Blvd.
The north side is proposed to be developed with residential uses, and the south
parcel will be a mixed use development including residential, commercial and office
uses. Mr. Wassermuhl also advised that
Markham Centre Development Corporation will be proposing a pedestrian bridge
that passes over Enterprise Blvd.
to connect the north and south development sites. It was also noted that the proposed towers will
be point block which are much less visually intrusive.
Mr. Dave Richardson, MMM Group, delivered a PowerPoint
presentation outlining the transit options for the Markham Centre Corporation’s
site. He also explained transportation
demand management, existing and future traffic conditions, parking assessment
and service access on Enterprise Blvd.
The Committee requested that Markham Centre
Development Corporation consider the following:
- Achieving
LEED certification (as a minimum)
- Reflective
glass on towers (bird friendly)
- Light
pollution
- Prevent traffic
from going on to Main Street Unionville
- Parking
issues
- Indoor
pedestrian walkway
- Pedestrian
links to the new high school
- Connection to
Markham District Energy Inc. (MDEI)
Moved by Councillor J. Virgilio
Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
That the presentation by the applicant regarding
Markham Centre Development Corporation, be received.
CARRIED
5. IN CAMERA ITEM (8.6)
Moved by Councillor J. Virgilio
Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti
That Development Services Committee resolve into in
camera session to discuss a confidential litigation matter. (11:18 a.m.):
CARRIED
(1) PROPERTY
MATTER
MARKHAM
ENVIRONMENTAL LAND
SECUREMENT FUND
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor J. Virgilio
That the Committee rise (11:48 a.m.)
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
The Development Services
Committee meeting adjourned at the hour of 11:55 a.m.