Development Services Committee Minutes

October 3, 2016, 12:00 NOON to 3:00 PM

Council Chamber

All Members of Council

Development Services Issues                                Culture and Economic Development Issues

Chair:                      Regional Councillor Jim Jones                            Chair:                          Councillor Alex Chiu

Vice-Chair:              Councillor Don Hamilton                                   Vice-Chair:                  Councillor Alan Ho

 

Transportation and Engineering Capital Projects Issues

Chair:                      Regional Councillor Joe Li

Vice-Chair:              Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong

 

 

Attendance

Mayor Frank Scarpitti Deputy Mayor Jack Heath Regional Councillor Jim Jones Regional Councillor Joe Li Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong Councillor Valerie Burke Councillor Alan Ho Councillor Don Hamilton Councillor Karen Rea Councillor Colin Campbell Councillor Amanda Collucci Councillor Logan Kanapathi Councillor Alex Chiu

Andy Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services Brenda Librecz, Commissioner of Community & Fire             Services Catherine Conrad, City Solicitor and Acting Director of             Human Resources Lilli Duoba, Manager, Natural Heritage Huyen Hare, Senior Business Development Officer Scott Heaslip, Senior Project Coordinator Biju Karumanchery, Director of Planning and    Urban Design Brian Lee, Director of Engineering Marg Wouters, Senior Manager, Policy & Research Kitty Bavington, Council/Committee Coordinator

 

 

The Development Services Committee convened at the hour of 12:08 p.m. in the Council Chamber with Regional Councillor Jim Jones in the Chair.  Councillor Alex Chiu assumed the Chair for Culture and Economic Development item No. 8.

 

 

 

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST

– None Declared

 

 

 

 

 

1.         DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
- September 19, 2016 (10.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by: Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by: Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong

 

That the minutes of the Development Services Committee meeting held September 19, 2016, be confirmed.

CARRIED

 

 

2.         DEVELOPMENT SERVICES PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
- September 20, 2016 (10.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by: Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by: Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong

 

That the minutes of the Development Services Public Meeting held September 20, 2016, be confirmed.

CARRIED

 

 

3.         HERITAGE MARKHAM COMMITTEE MINUTES
            - September 14, 2016 (16.11)

            Minutes

 

Moved by: Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by: Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong

 

That the minutes of the Heritage Markham Committee meeting held September 14, 2016, be received for information purposes.

CARRIED

 

 

4.         CYCLING AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY
            COMMITTEE (CPAC) MINUTES
            -June 16, 2016 (16.34)

            Minutes

 

Moved by: Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by: Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong

 

That the minutes of the Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (CPAC) meeting held June 16, 2016, be received for information purposes.

CARRIED

 

5.         INFORMATION REPORT
            2016 THIRD QUARTER UPDATE
            OF THE STREET AND PARK NAME RESERVE LIST (10.14)

            Report

 

Moved by: Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by: Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong

 

1)         That the report titled ‘Information Report 2016 Third Quarter Update of the Street and Park Name Reserve List’, be received; and,

 

2)         That Council approve the revised Street and Park Name Reserve List set out in Appendix ‘A’ attached to this report.

CARRIED

 

 

 

6.         PROVINCIAL CO-ORDINATED
            LAND USE PLANNING REVIEW
            – CITY OF MARKHAM RESPONSE TO PROPOSED
            AMENDMENTS TO THE GROWTH PLAN, GREENBELT PLAN
            AND OAK RIDGES MORAINE CONSERVATION PLAN

            Report  Figure 1  Figure 2  Appendix A  Appendix B  Appendix C  Appendix D

 

Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services introduced this matter and summarized the key comments being provided to the Province, based on the Committee’s feedback on September 6, 2016. Comments to the Province include support in principle, with concerns regarding the region-wide intensification increase to 60%; the proposed increased density for designated Greenfield areas to 80 residents and jobs per hectare; requesting clarity in the Greenbelt Plan for boundary refinements; and, providing for minor adjustments to the boundaries of the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan.

 

The Committee discussed the Region’s growth forecasts and intensification numbers. Markham and other municipalities have indicated that the proposed figures aren’t feasible. Markham’s growth strategy is based on 60% intensification within the 2008 built boundary, and a region-wide increase to 60% could push Markham’s percentage higher.

 

Other discussions involved traffic congestion, emissions and climate change associated with intensification, urban growth impacts on farmlands, and the need for sustainable transit-supported developments. It was noted that investment in transit and other infrastructure is lagging. The Committee directed that the Province be requested to expedite transit projects for Markham.

 

 

Don Given, Malone Given Parsons Ltd., representing Angus Glen Block Landowners Group, Employment Block Landowners Group, and the Robinson Glen Block Landowners Group, made a deputation to discuss Greenbelt Plan boundary amendments. Mr. Given suggested the Province’s boundary review process should provide the criteria and be open, transparent, and timely. A draft amendment to Resolution 2.1 was offered by the Committee, requesting the Province to clarify the process.

 

Catherine Lyons of Goodmans on behalf of Minotar and KMLG, commended Council and staff on the work involved and the transparency of the City’s process. Ms. Lyons reviewed tablelands and Greenbelt policies and mapping included in the regional and Markham Official Plans and noted that Council’s previous requests to the Province for transition and Greenbelt Plan NHS boundary refinement have not yet been addressed. Ms. Lyons requested to be kept informed of any discussions and materials concerning this issue.

 

Mayor Frank Scarpitti referred to a recent Summit of GTHA Mayors and Chairs regarding proposed changes to the Provincial Plans and the resulting message to the Province to take additional time to address the concerns of municipalities and stakeholders.

 

Staff were directed to add to the recommended comments that Markham’s growth strategy is based on 60% intensification within the 2008 built boundary, and a region-wide increase to 60% could push Markham’s percentage higher; and to request expedited Provincial investment in transit and other infrastructure.

 

Moved by: Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong

Seconded by: Councillor Alex Chiu

 

1)                 That the deputations by Don Givens of Malone Given Parsons Ltd., representing Angus Glen Block Landowners Group, Employment Block Landowners Group, and the Robinson Glen Block Landowners Group,  and Catherine Lyons of Goodmans representing Minotar and KMLG regarding the Provincial Co-ordinated Land Use Planning Review, be received; and,

 

2)         That the staff report entitled “Provincial Co-ordinated Land Use Planning Review – City of Markham Response to Proposed Amendments to the Growth Plan, Greenbelt Plan, and Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan” dated October 3, 2016 be received; and,

 

3)         That this report be forwarded to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the Regional Municipality of York as the City of Markham’s response to the proposed amendments to the Provincial Plans; and,

 

4)         That in addition to the recommendations in the report, the Province be requested to revise the proposed Designated Greenfield Area minimum density and/or transition provisions in the Growth Plan to acknowledge the extensive work undertaken to date on developing a complete, compact community in Markham’s 2031 settlement area expansion (the Future Urban Area) based on integrated Subwatershed, Master Transportation and Servicing Studies consistent with the Growth Plan, and minimum densities of 70 residents and jobs per hectare, consistent with the York Region Official Plan 2010; and allow for approval of secondary plans on this basis; and,

 

5)         That staff report recommendation 1.1 be amended to identify that whereas Markham’s growth strategy to 2031 is based on 60% intensification within the 2005 built boundary, there is serious concern that a region-wide increase to 60% could push Markham’s percentage to an impractical higher level; and,

 

6)         That the following be added to staff report recommendation 2.1:

 

            That the Province be requested to:

a)        Develop an open and transparent process to review potential minor boundary changes associated with the Greenbelt Plan in response to individual land owner requests,

b)        Define clear criteria for Greenbelt boundary refinements,

c)        Provide a clear timeframe for its process and for its consideration of submissions, and

d)        Enable the definition of precise limits of the Greenbelt boundary in the City of Markham’s New Community Areas to be established through the approval process for Secondary Plans, to the satisfaction of York Region and the Province of Ontario; and,

 

7)         That the Province be requested to provide additional time to refine the Growth Plan and to work with municipalities and various stakeholders so that the Growth Plan for the Golden Horseshoe can be implemented in a collaborative manner; and,

 

8)         That the Province be requested to expedite the necessary investment in transit and other infrastructure to support the Growth Plan; and further,

 

9)         That staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

CARRIED

 

 

 

7.         CONCEPTUAL MASTER PLAN
            FOR THE FUTURE URBAN AREA – INTERIM REPORT
            AND PRELIMINARY COMMUNITY STRUCTURE PLAN (10.0)

            Presentation  Report  Figure 1  Figure 2  Appendix A

 

Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services, introduced this presentation.

 

Marg Wouters, Senior Manager, Policy and Research, presented a report on the Future Urban Area Conceptual Master Plan, to provide an update on work completed to date, and seeking authorization to release the report and hold a Public Open House to obtain public input on a Preliminary Community Structure Plan.

 

Dan Leeming of the Planning Partnership gave a presentation entitled “Conceptual Master Plan for the Future Urban Area – Interim Report and Preliminary Community Structure Plan” and outlined the vision, principles, and location of the Future Urban Area. The Sub-watershed Study, Transportation Study and Master Servicing Study are all underway, and have informed the Preliminary Community Structure Plan which was briefly described. The Key Directions document, which will be part of the final Conceptual Master Plan, will also address ‘green’ practices.

 

Mr. Leeming introduced a colleague associated with public health initiatives, who gave a short presentation regarding planning for healthy and resilient communities. A transportation consultant was also in attendance.

 

Staff responded to questions regarding future transit on Major Mackenzie Drive; incorporating islands on main roads to slow down traffic; finer road grid network; providing housing for seniors; protecting the wildlife habitat; establishing a second Heritage Estates subdivision; the future extension of Donald Cousens Parkway and potential extension of other connector roads; rapid transit along Major Mackenzie Drive connecting to the Yonge Subway and Go Stations; providing a road network to accommodate the anticipated development; limiting parking to encourage transit use; indicating the new GO stations on Stouffville Road on the future presentation maps; issues associated with the proposed greenway system; and, ensuring the public is aware of the process and timelines for various initiatives.

 

The Committee referred correspondence from Savanta Inc., environmental consultants representing landowners, regarding a proposed Berczy-Bruce greenway linkage, dated August 24, 2016, to staff.

 

Moved by: Mayor Frank Scarpitti

 Seconded by: Councillor Alan Ho

 

1)         That correspondence from Savanta Inc. dated August 24, 2016, be received and referred to staff; and,

 

2)         That the report dated October 3, 2016 entitled “Conceptual Master Plan for the Future Urban Area – Interim Report and Preliminary Community Structure Plan” be received; and,

 

3)         That the report entitled “Conceptual Master Plan for the Future Urban Area – Interim Report and Preliminary Community Structure Plan” dated October 3, 2016 be released for comment, and that a Public Open House be held in Fall 2016 to gain public input; and,

 

4)         That the report “Conceptual Master Plan for the Future Urban Area - Interim Report and Preliminary Community Structure Plan” dated October 3, 2016 be forwarded to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and York Region in support of Council’s request to the Province to continue to plan for the Future Urban Area in accordance with the York Region Official Plan 2010 in effect (i.e., at a minimum 70 residents and jobs per developable hectare), notwithstanding proposed amendments to the Provincial Growth Plan which may result in higher minimum density requirements; and further,

 

5)         That staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

CARRIED

 

 

8.         YOUR REGION FOR BUSINESS
            TORONTO GLOBAL (10.16)

            Presentation

 

Huyen Hare, Senior Business Development Officer, introduced the presentation and welcomed Mr. Lennox.

 

Toby Lennox, Interim CEO of Toronto Global, gave a presentation entitled "Your Region for Business - Toronto Global". Mr. Lennox provided an overview of the organization, its principles and opportunities for foreign investments, and responded to questions from the Committee. The Committee encouraged ongoing collaboration between the City and organizations to promote Economic Development.

 

Moved by: Mayor Frank Scarpitti

 Seconded by: Regional Councillor Jim Jones

 

That the presentation provided by Toby Lennox, Interim CEO of Toronto Global entitled "Your Region for Business - Toronto Global" be received.

CARRIED

 

 

9.         NEW BUSINESS
            SENIORS AND TRANSPORTATION FORUM (5:14)

 

Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong provided an update on the recent forum regarding Seniors and Transportation. The event was well attended. Next year’s event will be held the first Saturday of October and all Council members are invited to attend.

 

 

 

10.       NEW BUSINESS
            VIDEO STREAMING (16.0)

 

Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong provided the Committee with an update on the video streaming initiative, advising that staff will be bring forward a report in October.

 

 

 

11.       IN-CAMERA MATTERS

 

The Development Services Committee consented to not resolve in-camera for the following matters, in accordance with Section 239 (2) of the Municipal Act, to discuss the following confidential matters. There was no discussion on these matters.

 

 

(1)        DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE IN-CAMERA MINUTES
            - September 6, 2016 (10.0)

            [Section 239 (2) (e)]

 

Development Services Committee confirmed the in-camera minutes of September 6, 2016.

 

 

(2)        LITIGATION OR POTENTIAL LITIGATION, INCLUDING MATTERS BEFORE ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNALS, AFFECTING THE MUNICIPALITY OR LOCAL BOARD - ONTARIO MUNICIPAL BOARD - 7713 KENNEDY ROAD (WARD 8) (8.0)

            [Section 239 (2) (e)]

 

Development Services Committee forwarded this item to Council on October 17, 2016.

 

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The Development Services Committee meeting adjourned at 3:16 PM.