Electronic Development Services Committee Meeting Minutes

Meeting Number 20

Tuesday, December 08, 2020 at 9:30 A.m. - 1:00 P.m.

Live streamed

Roll Call

• Mayor Frank Scarpitti
• Deputy Mayor Don Hamilton
• Regional Councillor Jack Heath
• Regional Councillor Joe Li
• Regional Councillor Jim Jones
• Councillor Keith Irish
• Councillor Alan Ho
• Councillor Reid McAlpine
• Councillor Karen Rea
• Councillor Andrew Keyes
• Councillor Amanda Collucci
• Councillor Khalid Usman
• Councillor Isa Lee

Staff

• Andy Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer
• Arvin Prasad, Commissioner, Development Services
• Claudia Storto, City Solicitor and Director of Human Resources
• Christina Kakaflikas, Acting Director, Economic Growth, Culture & Entrepreneurship
• Biju Karumanchery, Director, Planning & Urban Design
• Brian Lee, Director, Engineering
• Bryan Frois, Chief of Staff
• Ron Blake, Senior Development Manager, Planning & Urban Design
• Ronji Borooah, City Architect
• Loy Cheah, Senior Manager, Transportation
• Stephen Corr, Senior Planner, East District
• Darryl Lyons, Manager, Policy
• Stacia Muradali, Acting Manager, Development - East
• Scott Chapman, Corporate Privacy & Records Coordinator
• Laura Gold, Council/Committee Coordinator
• Don De Los Santos, Manager, Markham Small Business Centre
• Stephanie DiPerna, Acting Director, Building Standards
• Grace Lombardi, Acting Election & Committee Coordinator
• Hersh Tencer, Senior Manager, Real Property
• Parvathi Nampoothiri, Manager, Urban Design
• Morgan Jones, Director, Operations
• Jacqueline Chan, Assistant City Solicitor

​Alternate formats for this document are available upon request

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

In consideration of the ongoing public health orders, this meeting was conducted electronically to maintain physical distancing of participants. With the passage of Bill 197 COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act, municipal Council Members are now permitted to meet remotely and count towards quorum.

The Development Services Committee meeting convened at the hour of 9:36 AM with Regional Councillor Jim Jones presiding as Chair.

The Development Services Committee recessed at 12:04 PM and reconvened at 12:49 PM.

Councillor Amanda Collucci arrived at 9:41 AM.

Councillor Isa Lee arrived at 10:45 AM.

Regional Councillor Joe Li left the meeting at 12:04 PM and returned at 1:19 PM.

Regional Councillor Jack Heath left the meeting at 1:27 PM.

2.

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST

None disclosed.

3.

APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

3.1

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES – NOVEMBER 23, 2020 (10.0)

• Moved by Councillor Khalid Usman
  Seconded by Councillor Reid McAlpine
  1. That the minutes of the Development Services Committee meeting held November 23, 2020, be confirmed.
  Carried

4.

PRESENTATIONS

4.1

PRESENTATION OF SERVICE AWARDS (12.2.6)

The Development Services Committee recognized the following members of staff: 

Todd Wilkinson, Supervisor, Licensing & Standards, Legislative Services & Communications, 30 years
Ron Roffey, Supervisor, Roads, Operations, 30 years
Kyle Eden, Sewer Flusher/Camera Operator, Environmental Services, 20 years
Freda Mo, Website Administrator ITS, Information Technology Services, 20 years
Tapio Koponen, Gardener, Operations, 20 years
Rachel Shumski, Gardener, Operations, 20 years
Teresa Cabral, Architectural Plans Examiner II, Building Standards, 15 years
Stephanie Di Perna, Acting Director, Building Standards, Building Standards, 15 years
Peter Solymos, Supervisor, Waterworks, Environmental Services, 15 years
Valantina Gharibo, Human Resources Clerk, Human Resources, 15 years
Ryan McKillop, Fitness Counsellor, Recreation Services, 15 years
Anik Glaude, Curator and Program Co-ordinator, Economic Growth, Culture & Entrepreneurship, 10 years
Michael Lafete, Engineering Technologist/Inspector, Engineering, 10 years
Simei Fei, Compliance Engineer, Environmental Services, 10 years
Stephanie Edwards, Provincial Offences Officer II, Legislative Services & Communications, 10 years
Alan Ho, Councillor Ward 2, Mayor and Council, 10 years
Joe Li, Regional Councillor, Mayor and Council, 10 years
Michael Benincasa, Working Supervisor, Operations, 10 years
Tyler Burns, Working Supervisor, Operations, 10 years
Jason Ramsaran, Facility Assets Coordinator, Sustainability & Asset Management, 10 years
Timothy Powis, Waterworks Operator II, Environmental Services, 5 years
Robert Cole, Acting CIO and Manager, Applications, Information Technology Services, 5 years
Brian Campbell, Working Supervisor, Fleet, Operations, 5 years
David Plant, Sr. Mgr, Parks, Horticulture & Forestry, Operations, 5 years
Nizar Moosa, Supervisor, Community Program, Recreation Services, 5 years

5.

DEPUTATIONS

Deputations were made for the following item:

9.1 - Recommendation Report Recommendations for an Age-Friendly Community.

Refer to the individual item for the deputation details.

6.

COMMUNICATIONS

Communications were submitted for the following items:

9.1 - Recommendation Report Recommendations for an Age-Friendly Community.

10.2 - Donald Cousens Parkway Extension Transportation Planning Study - Key Results.

7.

PETITIONS

There were no petitions.

8.

CONSENT REPORTS - DEVELOPMENT AND POLICY ISSUES

8.1

HERITAGE MARKHAM COMMITTEE MINUTES – NOVEMBER 11, 2020 (16.11)

• Moved by Councillor Khalid Usman
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Joe Li
  1. That the minutes of the Heritage Markham Committee meeting held November 11, 2020, be received for information purposes.
  Carried

8.2

CYCLING AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE (CPAC) MINUTES – SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 AND OCTOBER 15, 2020 (16.34)

• Moved by Councillor Khalid Usman
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Joe Li
  1. That the minutes of the Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (CPAC) meeting held September 17, 2020 and October 15, 2020, be received for information purposes.
  Carried

8.3

MILLIKEN SUB-COMMITTEE MINUTES - MILLIKEN CENTRE SECONDARY PLAN UPDATE – NOVEMBER 25, 2020 (10.0)

Regional Councillor Li, Chair of the Milliken Sub-Committee, thanked the CAO, Commissioner and planning department staff with respect to organizing the Milliken Sub-Committee meeting. 

• Moved by Councillor Khalid Usman
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Joe Li
  1. That the minutes of the Milliken Sub-Committee – Milliken Centre Secondary Plan Update meeting held November 25, 2020, be received for information purposes.
  Carried

8.4

PARKING AND TRANSIT REVIEW, PART OF LOT 11, CONCESSION 9, NORTH SIDE OF HIGHWAY 7, EAST OF 9TH LINE (2341988 ONTARIO LTD.), WARD 5, FILE SPC 19 136375 (10.6, 5.0)

• Moved by Councillor Khalid Usman
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Joe Li
  1. That the Memorandum titled “Parking and Transit Review, Part of Lot 11, Concession 9, north side of Highway 7, east of 9th Line (2341988 Ontario Ltd.), Ward 5, File SPC 19 136375” be received.
  Carried

9.

REGULAR REPORTS - DEVELOPMENT AND POLICY ISSUES

9.1

RECOMMENDATION REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AN AGE-FRIENDLY COMMUNITY (10.0)

Arvin Prasad, Commissioner, Development Services, introduced and provided the Committee with a high level overview of the report with respect to staff feedback on recommendations made by the Committee for an Age-Friendly Markham. Mr. Prasad informed the Committee that the City of Markham has jurisdictions over 12 recommendations of the 18 proposed by the Committee for an Age-Friendly Markham. It was noted that staff have engaged with developers with respects to implementing an age-friendly design.

Biju Karumanchery, Director, Planning & Urban Design, addressed the Committee and summarized the details in the report. Mr. Karumanchery advised that staff researched the recommendations and consulted with the development industry and other City departments such as Engineering. It was recommended that a Council workshop session be held to develop Age-Friendly Design Guidelines to explore solutions to provide for an age-friendly Markham. 

Andy Langer, Gail Leet, and Diane Gabay, on behalf of the Committee for an Age-Friendly Markham, addressed the Committee and expressed concerns with the report taking too long. They believe that the timeline on staff feedback and implementation of the recommendations should be shorter. They expressed the importance of a residential hospice for residents within the City of Markham, and ensuring the City of Markham has concrete solutions to assist with affordable housing. It was suggested that the City provide direction to the Region of York, and the Provincial and Federal levels of government the recommendations and issues under their jurisdiction and ensure action and follow ups are undertaken. . 

Surjit Sachdev, President, Anand Vihar - The Centre for Dignified Living, expressed support of the recommendations provided by the Committee for Age-Friendly Markham. Mr. Surjit expressed the importance of ensuring the City of Markham is a leader in providing affordable housing and increasing affordable housing projects to assist with accessibility for seniors and to transform Markham to an age-friendly community.

It was requested that a Council workshop session be held by the end of March 2021 to develop Age-Friendly Design Guidelines and for staff to consult with the Committee for an Age-Friendly Markham with respects to the agenda for the workshop and to include their report and recommendations. It was noted that the Council workshop session will provide an opportunity to assist with achieving and understanding the age-friendly recommendations. It was also noted that seniors housing has been identified as a priority condition in the consideration of recent employment land conversion requests, where appropriate.

• Moved by Regional Councillor Jack Heath
  Seconded by Councillor Reid McAlpine
  1. That the report titled “RECOMMENDATION REPORT, Update on Recommendations for an Age-Friendly Community”, dated December 8, 2020, be received; and,
  2. That the deputations of Surjit Sachdev, Diane Gabay, Andy Langer, and Gail Leet, be received; and,
  3. That the communication from the Committee for an Age-Friendly Markham, be received; and,
  4. That a Council workshop be held as part of the Urban Design Study process to develop Age Friendly Design Guidelines by the end of March 2021; and,
  5. That staff consult with the Committee for an Age-Friendly Markham with respect to the agenda for the workshop and include the report and issues related to the Age-Friendly Markham Community; and further,
  6. That staff report back to Development Services Committee on Age Friendly Design Guidelines once the guidelines are completed.
  Carried

10.

REGULAR REPORTS - TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUES

10.1

MARKHAM CENTRE VIVA RAPIDWAY UPDATE (WARD 3) (5.10)

Brian Lee, Director, Engineering, introduced the item and provided an overview on the Markham Centre VIVA Transit Rapidway. Mr. Lee advised that land ownership and property interest is related to the Transit Rapidway and is considered a legal issue. He provided clarification on the York Durham sanitary system and various components of the VIVA rapidway and 407 Transitway. He confirmed that the transit network is being reviewed in the Markham Centre Secondary Plan.

Jacqueline Chan, Assistant City Solicitor, addressed the Committee and provided clarification on the easement that will be conveyed to Metrolinx for the Transit Rapidway located over City-owned lands and roads. Ms. Chan advised that the Transit Rapidway is a dedicated bus lane that was constructed by York Region Rapid Transit Corporation (YRRTC) and funded by Metrolinx. She informed that Metrolinx owns the physical assets that form the Transit Rapidway such as bus shelters. Ms. Chan informed that an easement from the City to Metrolinx has been finalized to allow Metrolinx to retain ownership of these assets on the Transit Rapidway located on City-owned roads and lands between South Town Centre Boulevard and Birchmount Road. It was noted that this portion of the Transit Rapidway has been completed. Metrolinx has also requested in advance that the City provide additional easements on future City-owned roads and lands east of Birchmount Road to Kennedy Road, when the Transit Rapidway over this portion is constructed.

There was discussion on the York Durham sanitary pipe affecting the Transit Rapidway alignment over Tributary 4 and the status on the 407 Transitway. 

• Moved by Mayor Frank Scarpitti
  Seconded by Deputy Mayor Don Hamilton
  1. That the report titled “Markham Centre Viva Rapidway Update” be received; and,
  2. That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute agreements to convey easements to Metrolinx for the Transit Rapidway (including station locations), between Birchmount Road to Kennedy Road in locations satisfactory to the Director of Engineering, after the Transit Rapidway in these locations has been constructed, provided the form of the agreements are satisfactory to the Commissioner of Fire and Community Services and the City Solicitor; and,
  3. That the agreement between the City and Metrolinx for the conveyance of an easement to Metrolinx for the Transit Rapidway (including station locations) over sections of South Town Centre Blvd., Cedarland Blvd. and Enterprise Blvd. and other City owned lands be ratified; and further,
  4. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

   

  Carried

10.2

DONALD COUSENS PARKWAY EXTENSION TRANSPORTATION PLANNING STUDY - KEY RESULTS (CITY-WIDE) (5.10)

Brian Lee, Director, Engineering, introduced and provided some opening remarks relative to the Donald Cousens Parkway Extension Transportation Planning Study. Mr. Lee provided clarification on the main function of the Donald Cousens Parkway (DCP) and advised that due to congestion on Steeles Avenue, the DCP is underutilized. It was noted that once the Steeles Avenue extension has been completed, the DCP will be better utilized.    

Loy Cheah, Senior Manager, Transportation, addressed the Committee and provided a high level overview of the staff report. A joint study was conducted with York Region to determine whether a new corridor is required for the extension of the DCP west of Highway 48, or if the existing road network can be expanded to accommodate future growth. Based on the study, staff determined that the grid network for the City and surrounding areas will be sufficient for 2041 growth projections, and a separate corridor is not required. The study shows that planned improvements to the concession and arterial roads in north Markham such as, Major Mackenzie Drive, Elgin Mills Road, 19th Avenue, Kennedy Road, Warden Avenue, and Woodbine Avenue are sufficient to meet the traffic demand that will be generated by future development growth in the surrounding area. 

The Committee discussed the following relative to the staff report:

• Reviewing development opportunities that may interfere with the potential Donald Cousens Parkway extension;
• Potentially extending the Donald Cousens Parkway to Elgin Mills Road;
• Concerns with traffic congestion with future growth;
• Potential opportunities for additional and narrower roads instead of fewer wider roads; and,
• Ensuring appropriate intersection design to divert traffic to the Donald Cousens Parkway to assist with traffic congestion on Highway 48/Main Street Markham.

Committee determined that further information was required and moved to postpone the matter until such time as staff could meet with York Region staff and report back at a future meeting.

• Moved by Deputy Mayor Don Hamilton
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Jack Heath
  1. That the report entitled “Donald Cousens Parkway Extension Transportation Planning Study – Key Results”, be received; and,
  2. That Council endorse the finding that no new road corridor and right-of-way west of Highway 48 is needed for the conceptual Donald Cousens Parkway Extension; and,
  3. That York Region be requested to remove the Donald Cousens Parkway Extension Corridor west of Highway 48 from the Region’s Official Plan 2010; and,
  4. That Map 10 and all associated policies of the City of Markham’s Official Plan, 2014 be amended to remove the Donald Cousens Parkway Extension Corridor west of Highway 48; and,
  5. That the City Clerk send a copy of this report and Council resolution to York Region and request York Region to confirm its concurrence; and further,
  6. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
  Postponed
• Moved by Deputy Mayor Don Hamilton
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Jack Heath
  1. That the written communications submitted by Delta Urban be received; and,
  2. That staff be directed continue to work with the Regional Municipality of York staff and report back to Development Services Committee in March 2021 to elaborate on the function of Donald Cousens Parkway west of Markham Road, with consideration of York Region’s land use projections.
  Carried

11.

REGULAR REPORTS - CULTURE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ISSUES

11.1

MARKHAM SMALL BUSINESS CENTRE 2019-2020 BUSINESS RESULTS AND 2021 OBJECTIVES (10.16)

Arvin Prasad, Commissioner, Development Services, and Christina Kakaflikas, Director, Economic Growth, Culture and Entrepreneurship, introduced and provided members of the Committee with an overview of the 2019-2022 results and 2021 objectives for the Markham Small Business Centre.

Don De Los Santos, Manager, Small Business Centre, delivered a presentation on the Markham Small Business Centre which included Markham's economic landscape, Markham Small Business Centre programs and services, response to the COVID-19 disruption, Provincial and Federal Government Entrepreneurship Programs administered by the Markham Small Business Centre, key performance indicators and client demographics and 2021 key objectives. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Markham Small Business Centre proactively created a Provincial and Federal history announcement section on their website which has provided the impacted Markham business community with information pertaining to closures. In addition, the Markham Small Business Centre increased their social media platform and switched to virtual seminars and workshops which have exceeded attendance figures from 2019. The Markham Small Business Centre key objectives for 2021 are to focus on raising awareness and continue to improve outreach, to explore opportunities through social media, to assist with a projected 850 client inquiries, offer 445 consultations and deliver 40 seminars/networking events/workshops. The Small Business Centre will also continue to promote the administration/delivery of youth entrepreneurship programs such as Summer Company and Business Plan Competition. Mr. De Los Santos provided clarification on the consultation services by sector and the relationship between Small Business Centre and York Link. He confirmed that York Link assists with referral of requests within Markham to the Markham Small Business Centre.

Councillor Alan Ho, Chair, Culture and Economic Development, thanked the Markham Small Business Centre staff and the Economic Growth, Culture and Entrepreneurship department for assisting Markham businesses throughout the pandemic.

There was discussion on exploring the possibility of a physical presence of the Markham Small Business Centre within the future York University Markham Campus. It was suggested that moving forward staff provide a year-by-year comparison on the performance of the Small Business Centre when reporting to the Development Services Committee.

• Moved by Councillor Alan Ho
  Seconded by Councillor Khalid Usman
  1. That the report entitled “Markham Small Business Centre 2019-2020 Business Results and 2021 Objectives” be received and endorsed; and,
  2. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
  Carried

12.

MOTIONS

There were no motions.

13.

NOTICES OF MOTION

There were no notices of motion.

14.

NEW/OTHER BUSINESS

There was no new/other business.

15.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

There were no announcements. 

16.

CONFIDENTIAL ITEMS

• Moved by Mayor Frank Scarpitti
  Seconded by Councillor Alan Ho

  That, in accordance with Section 239 (2) of the Municipal Act, Development Services Committee resolve into a confidential session at 2:39 PM to discuss the following matters:

  Carried

16.1

DEVELOPMENT AND POLICY ISSUES

16.1.1

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE CONFIDENTIAL MINUTES – OCTOBER 13, 2020 AND NOVEMBER 9, 2020 (10.0) [Section 239 (2) (e) (f)]

The Development Services Committee confirmed the October 13, 2020 and November 9, 2020 confidential minutes.

16.1.2

INFORMATION EXPLICITLY SUPPLIED IN CONFIDENCE TO THE MUNICIPALITY OR LOCAL BOARD BY CANADA, A PROVINCE OR TERRITORY OR A CROWN AGENCY OF ANY OF THEM; - RAPID HOUSING INITIATIVE (10.0) [SECTION 239 (2) (h)]

The Development Services Committee consented to refer this matter directly to the December 9, 2020 confidential Council agenda for consideration.

17.

ADJOURNMENT

• Moved by Mayor Frank Scarpitti
  Seconded by Councillor Alan Ho

  That the Development Services Committee meeting be adjourned at 1:52 PM.

  Carried