DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
October 4, 2011,
9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Canada Room
All
Members of Council
Development
Services Economic
Development
Chair: Regional Councillor Jim
Jones Chair: Councillor Carolina
Moretti
Vice-Chair: Councillor Don Hamilton Vice-Chair:
Councillor Alex Chiu
Transportation Issues
Chair: Regional Councillor Gord
Landon
Vice-Chair:
Councillor Alan Ho
PART A
Presentations, Major Studies, and Issues Agenda
9:00 a.m. – Canada Room
Attendance
|
Councillor Alex Chiu
|
Jim Baird, Commissioner of
Development Services
Brenda Librecz, Commissioner of
Community & Fire Services
Ronji Borooah, Town Architect
Alan Brown, Director of Engineering
Catherine Conrad, Town Solicitor
Michael Fry, Planner II
Simon Hung, Sr. Capital Works
Engineer
Biju Karumanchery, Senior
Development Manager
Ting Ku, Sr. Transportation Engineer
Rino Mostacci, Director of Planning
and Urban Design
David Pearce, Manager, Real Property
Kitty Bavington, Council/Committee
Coordinator
|
The Development Services
Committee convened at the hour of 9:05 a.m. in the Canada Room with Regional
Councillor Jim Jones in the Chair. Regional
Councillor Gord Landon
assumed the Chair for Transportation items, Nos. 2 and 3.
DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST –
None Declared
1. DEVELOPMENT
SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
- September 20, 2011, Part A (10.0)
Minutes
Moved by: Councillor Logan Kanapathi
Seconded by: Councillor Howard Shore
That the
minutes of the Development Services Committee meeting, Part A, held
September
20, 2011, be confirmed.
CARRIED
2. MARKHAM TRANSPORTATION
STRATEGIC PLAN (MTSP)
TOWN-WIDE SURVEY RESULTS
(5.10)
Presentation
Alan Brown, Director of Engineering, advised of
ongoing meetings with the Markham Transportation Strategic Plan (MTSP) Steering
Committee, and introduced a transportation survey authorized by the Steering
Committee as part of the public consultation component.
Jane Armstrong, Principal, Jane Armstrong Research
Associates, gave a presentation regarding the Town-wide survey results. The
survey methodology and general travel behaviours were described.
The survey addressed the following roads: Bayview
(Steeles to Hwy 7); Leslie (Steeles to Hwy 7); Kennedy (Steeles to Major
Mackenzie); McCowan (Steeles to Major MacKenzie); and, 16th Avenue
(Hwy 404 to York/Durham Line).
The Committee had questions regarding the sample
questions asked, format of the survey and the results obtained. Committee
members commented that the survey results do not entirely align with the preferences
that had been expressed by the residents to the Council members. Ms. Armstrong
reviewed the methodology used and advised that this random survey is intended
to be used as one source of information to assist the Steering Committee and
Council in making decisions.
The Committee discussed issues that impact traffic,
such as traffic lights, widened roads, HOV lanes, transit use, flex time, and
other congestion relief measures. It was noted that traffic congestion is part
of a larger picture that includes climate change, maintenance requirements,
pedestrian safety, and lifestyle issues.
Staff advised of the next steps in the process. A
draft public presentation will be presented to the Committee. Four open houses
will be held between October and December, and the Steering Committee meetings
will continue through the fall. A draft MTSP report will be presented to the
Transportation Committee in early 2012. MAGIC (Markham’s Action Group for
Improved Communities) representing all the ratepayers associations, will be
consulted in coordinating the open houses. It was requested that the Bayview
Glen Residents Association and the Ward One South Thornhill Residents Inc. also
be consulted, as well as the local Councillors, and that the meetings also be
coordinated with the Regional Councillors’ schedules.
The Committee discussed the realities of traffic and
public transit, and the efforts of the Region and the Town with regard to
traffic and transit initiatives. It was noted that possible road network
improvements need to be considered as part of the overall strategy also
including public transit, travel demand management, and other measures.
Moved by: Councillor Carolina Moretti
Seconded by: Councillor Logan Kanapathi
That the presentation provided by Ms. Jane Armstrong,
Principal, Jane Armstrong Research Associates regarding Markham Transportation
Strategy Plan (MTSP) – Town-Wide Survey Results be received.
CARRIED
Report Attachment
A-C Presentation
This matter was deferred from the September 27, 2011 Development
Services Committee meeting.
Alan Brown, Director of Engineering, gave a presentation regarding the proposed
Village Parkway improvements. The preferred option was displayed and the
cycling network and pedestrian/cycle bridge crossings were identified. Staff
will be finalizing the standards with respect to the cycling network over the
next month. It was requested this matter be deferred until this aspect is
resolved.
The Committee discussed the road alignment, restriction of movement
going north from Birchmount, intersection options and stop signs, consistent
traffic calming to 16th Avenue, round-abouts, and public consultation.
Moved by: Regional Councillor Jim Jones
Seconded by: Councillor Alan Ho
That the staff presentation regarding Village Parkway Improvements,
Municipal Class Environmental Assessment – Highway 7 to Landmark Court, be
received;
And that this matter be referred to a future
Development Services Committee meeting.
CARRIED
4. SALE OF SURPLUS TOWN LANDS
FORMER ROAD ALLOWANCE BETWEEN
LOTS 10 AND 11, CONCESSION 9 (8.2)
On September 20, 2011, Council requested representatives of Lindvest
Properties Limited present concept plans for their lands in the vicinity of the
Town owned lands at Highway 7 and 9th Line, to Development Services
Committee.
Sandra Wiles and other representatives of Lindvest
Properties Limited were in attendance to make a presentation. Two optional site
plans and elevations, involving 286 and 214 units alternatively, were
displayed. The applicant’s preferred plan for 286 units includes a parcel of
land currently owned by the Town of Markham. The subject parcel of land is
approximately one acre in size and is adjacent to a corner parcel fronting onto
Highway 7 and owned by the Region of York. There was discussion about obtaining
the Regional property for parkland purposes.
The Committee questioned accessible and seniors
accommodation and was advised that the development is not geared towards
accessible units; however, the one level units will accommodate seniors’ needs.
Discussions included landscaping blocks and parkettes,
the streetscape view from Highway 7, the building orientation, and other site
plan issues. There is a strong preference for the units to face Highway 7
rather than have flankage (end walls) on Highway 7. The site plan will be
presented to the Committee for approval at a later stage.
Gord Walter, Sherwood Amber Glen Ratepayers
Association, made a deputation requesting the Town-owned parcel of land be
retained for park purposes. Mr. Walter displayed a plan illustrating green
spaces within Cornell and discussed the possibility of future widening of
Highway 7, which would greatly impact any proposed park on the Regional lands.
Moved by: Regional Councillor Gord Landon
Seconded by: Councillor Colin Campbell
That the presentation by Sandra Wiles and
representatives of Lindvest Properties Limited regarding concept plans for
development at 9th Line and Highway 7, be received; and,
That the deputation by Gord Walter regarding the
sale of surplus Town lands be received; and further,
That the proposed Sale of Surplus Town Lands,
former road allowance between Lots 10 and 11, Concession 9, be considered at
General Committee.
CARRIED
5. MCDONALD’S RESTAURANTS OF CANADA
LIMITED
7600 KENNEDY ROAD
APPLICATION FOR SITE PLAN
APPROVAL
TO PERMIT RESTAURANT FAÇADE
IMPROVEMENTS
AT MILLIKEN MILLS COMMUNITY
CENTRE (SC 11 123112) (10.6)
Report Attachment
This matter was deferred at the September 20, 2011
Development Services Committee with a request for additional details of the
proposed exterior elevation changes.
Staff explained the highlights of the proposal and
displayed the site plan and elevation details.
The Committee requested bird strike prevention
measures be considered. Patricia Simiele of McDonald’s responded to questions
and advised that only minor elevation changes are being planned and that bird
strikes are not typically a problem, but it will be given attention.
The Committee made suggestions regarding additional
landscaping, and the use of an alternate exterior stone material to improve the
fascade. Ms. Simiele advised that the design and material is limited by having
to tie into the adjacent Community Centre and it must also be consistent with
the McDonalds brand. The Committee cautioned that the McDonalds features not become
too prominent within the community centre complex.
Moved by: Councillor Alex Chiu
Seconded by: Councillor Carolina Moretti
1) That the report dated October 4, 2011, titled
“RECOMMENDATION REPORT, McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada Limited, 7600 Kennedy
Road, Application for Site Plan Approval to permit restaurant façade
improvements at Milliken Mills Community Centre, File No. SC 11 123112” be
received; and,
2) That the application for site plan approval (SC 11 123112)
be endorsed; and,
3) That site plan approval be delegated to the Director of
Planning and Urban Design, or his designate.
Site plan approval is issued only when the Director or his designate has
signed the plan; and,
4) That this site plan endorsement shall lapse after a period
of three (3) years from the date of endorsement; and further,
5) 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 12:10 PM.
Alternate formats for this document
are available upon request.