MINUTES
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE
2008-06-10
Meeting No. 17
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
Attendance
|
Councillor A. Chiu
Regrets
|
J. Livey, Chief Administrative
Officer
J. Baird, Commissioner of
Development Services
A. Brown, Director of Engineering
C. Conrad, Town Solicitor
R. Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage
Planning
L. Irvine, Manager, Parks and Open
Space Planning
J. Lustig, Director Financial and
Client Services
V. Shuttleworth, Director of
Planning and Urban Design
A. Tari, Committee Clerk
|
The Development Services
Committee convened at 9:00 AM in the Canada Room with Councillor
J. Webster in the Chair. Regional
Councillor G. Landon assumed the Chair for Transportation Items 3, 14 & 15.
DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST - None
disclosed.
1. DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
- May 27, 2008, Part A (10.0)
Minutes
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor D. Horchik
That the
minutes of the Development Services Committee meeting, Part A, held May 27,
2008, be confirmed.
CARRIED
2. CIVIC
MALL DESIGN CONCEPT (10.0)
Presentation
Ms. Linda Irvine, Manager, Parks and Open Space
Planning, delivered a PowerPoint presentation providing some background
information regarding the Civic Mall design concept.
Ms. Janet Rosenberg, Janet Rosenberg and Associates,
delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding the Civic Mall design concept
that included YRRTC Rapidway construction schedule, objectives, guidelines,
design vision and next steps.
There was discussion surrounding public parking. Staff advised that parking in the vicinity
will be largely underground. A large
municipal parking lot will be constructed under the central park site to the
east. There is also to be a large supply
of commuter parking at the GO station. Staff
also advised that they are looking at a partnership model with the Region of
York for construction and funding of the Civic Mall, and anticipate reporting
back in the Fall 2008 with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
The Committee discussed the importance of
incorporating areas (at the early stages of the design) that will allow for
future shuttle buses to feed into the Rapidway Transit and a designated
location for bicycle storage. The
Director of Engineering undertook to examine this with YRT in the context of
the Markham Centre transportation study update.
The Committee suggested that planning staff work together with the
Economic Development staff to ensure that Markham Centre provides a unique
opportunity for potential green initiative businesses and that the final design
of the Civic Mall is unique and reflective of Markham’s
multicultural population.
Moved by Councillor J. Virgilio
Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero
That the presentation provided by Ms. Janet Rosenberg,
Janet Rosenberg and Associates, regarding Civic Mall Design Concept be
received; and,
That space be incorporated into
the Civic Mall Design for shuttle buses and safe bicycle storage; and further,
That York Region
Transit be requested to examine various shuttle routes that will feed into the
Civic Mall Rapidway Transit.
CARRIED
3. TRAIN
ANTI-WHISTLING UPDATE (5.13)
Presentation
Mr. Alan Brown, Director of Engineering, delivered a
PowerPoint presentation regarding the train anti-whistling update and handed
out the Region of York’s draft anti-whistling policy for trains at road/rail
crossings.
Mr. Joel Lustig, Director Financial and Client
Services, delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding risk management
considerations associated with anti-whistling policy.
The Committee discussed the importance of pedestrian
gates to ensure public safety.
Moved by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by Mayor F. Scarpitti
That
the presentation provided by Mr. A. Brown, Director of Engineering and Mr. J.
Lustig, Director of Financial and Client Services regarding Train
Anti-Whistling Update, be received; and,
That the Region of York be requested to partner with the Town
of Markham to install all appropriate safety measures, including pedestrian
gates, at all level train crossings within the urban boundary of Markham
regardless of local anti-whistling policies; and,
Whereas residents of the Town of Markham and Region of York
are desirous of a better quality of life and have been requesting the cessation
of train whistling at road crossings for over 5 years; and,
Whereas Anti-Whistling by-laws and the cessation of whistling
has been implemented at some road/train crossings in the Region of York
and Greater Toronto Area (GTA);
Now therefore be it resolved that Council endorse the
implementation of anti-whistling by-laws within the urban boundary of the Town
of Markham, with priority given to the thirteen level train crossing on the
Uxbridge Line; and,
That the Region of York be
requested to amend its June 11, 2008
Anti-Whistling Policy for trains at road/rail crossings to:
- Permit anti-whistling at Regional road crossings
on a 24 hour per day basis;
- Fund all costs associated with the implementation
of anti-whistling at Regional road/train crossings;
- Be responsible for any added risk and liability at
Regional road/train crossings; and,
That the Region of York be
requested to expedite the implementation of train anti-whistling by-laws at
Regional crossings; and,
That the City of Toronto be requested to implement an anti-whistling by-law for the Steeles Avenue/Uxbridge Line crossing.
CARRIED
4. UNIONVILLE
SUBCOMMITTEE MINUTES
WEST CATHEDRAL
FIRE HALL
MAY 21, 2008 (10.0)
Minutes
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti
That the minutes of the Unionville Subcommittee - West
Cathedral Fire Hall meeting held May 21, 2008, be received.
CARRIED
5. UNIONVILLE SUBCOMMITTEE MINUTES
1456924 ONTARIO INC. - 161
MAIN STREET UNIONVILLE
MAY 26, 2008 (10.5)
Minutes
Moved
by Councillor J. Virgilio
Seconded
by Councillor D. Horchik
That the
Unionville Subcommittee minutes regarding 1456924 Ontario Inc. – 161 Main Street Unionville be deferred to the June 10, 2008 Council meeting.
CARRIED
6. AGS
CONSULTANTS LIMITED
APPLICATION FOR ZONING BY-LAW
AMENDMENT
TO PERMIT THE TEMPORARY
OPERATION OF A
TREE SERVICE BUSINESS AND THE
OUTDOOR STORAGE
OF NEW VEHICLES AT 175
LANGSTAFF ROAD EAST
(ZA 07 130668) (10.5)
Report Attachment
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti
That a public meeting be held to consider the
application submitted by AGS Consultants Limited for a Zoning By-law Amendment
to temporarily permit the operation of a tree service business and the outdoor
storage of new vehicles at 175 Langstaff Road East; and,
That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things
necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
7. TOWN
INITIATED OFFICIAL PLAN AMENDMENT
DEVELOPMENT PRINCIPLES FOR THE
LANGSTAFF AREA
(SD 03 – 116189) (10.3)
Report Attachment
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti
That the report entitled
“Recommendation Report, Town Initiated Official Plan Amendment,
Development Principles for the Langstaff Area, File SD 03 – 116189” be
received; and,
That the record of the Public Meeting held on November
20, 2007, be received; and,
That the Official Plan amendment (attached as Appendix
‘A’) to establish a high level policy framework for the future planning of the
Langstaff area and to identify in the Markham Official Plan that the Langstaff
Area is part of an Urban Growth Centre (Richmond Hill/Langstaff Gateway Urban
Growth Centre) in the context of the Provincial Growth Plan, be
finalized, adopted, and forwarded to the Region of York for approval;
and,
That Staff initiate discussions with the Town of Richmond
Hill about the use and disposition of the lands that are currently subject to
their municipal jurisdiction; and further,
That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things
necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
8. MARANDER MONTESSORI SCHOOL
ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT
APPLICATION
TO PERMIT A PRIVATE ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL
AT 5906 16TH AVENUE.
(ZA 08 114478) (10.5)
Report Attachment
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti
That the report dated June
10, 2008 entitled “PRELIMINARY REPORT, Marander Montessori School, Zoning
By-law Amendment Application to permit a private elementary school at 5906 16th
Avenue.” be received; and,
That Staff be authorized
to schedule a statutory Public Meeting to consider the proposed Zoning By-law amendment
application once a site plan application has been submitted to accompany the
proposed zoning by-law amendment; and further,
That Staff be authorized
and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
9. YORK
REGION DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
APPLICATION FOR SITE PLAN
APPROVAL
TO FACILITATE THE DEMOLITION
OF THE EXISTING
MARKHAM DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL
BUILDING
AND CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW
SECONDARY SCHOOL
AT 89 CHURCH STREET
(SC 07 134469) (10.6)
Report Attachment
Mr. Kenneth Macsporran, Moffet & Duncan Architects Inc., presented
the Committee with elevation drawings of the proposed new Markham District High
School Building. He also reviewed the
proposed site layout and advised that the School Board has taken into
consideration comments and/or concerns raised at a number of meetings with area
residents. The existing High School will
remain operational until the new building is completed. Mr. Macsporron advised that two aspects of
heating were explored as part of their sustainability initiatives: (1) solar thermal heating however, the
payback period was too long and (2) geothermal heating however, there were too
many problems associated with it relative to the layout of phasing of this site
paln.
The Committee requested that the technical reports be forwarded to Town
staff for review and also requested further discussion on the following to the
Development Services Committee in two weeks:
- Inclusion of a
running track
- Re-orientation
of the second soccer field (practice field)
- Tree planting
along the rear lot property line
- Environmental
issues and increase in green initiatives
Staff confirmed that extensive meetings have taken place with the
School Board and their representatives to discuss and recommend various
sustainability initiatives.
The Committee enquired if the proposed jogging trail could be connected
to the municipal pathway to the north.
The Committee suggested that the Board consider overall upgrades to the
outdoor play space similar to the Bill
Crothers High School
in Markham Centre.
Moved by Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero
That the
York Region District School Board, application for site plan approval to
facilitate the demolition of the existing Markham District High School building
and construction of a new secondary school at 89 Church Street be deferred to
the June 24, 2008 Development Services Committee meeting.
CARRIED
10. ALDERLAND
GROUP
201 HOOD ROAD
ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT AND
SITE PLAN APPLICATIONS TO
PERMIT
FOUR MIXED-USE BUILDINGS
CONTAINING
OFFICES, RESTAURANTS, RETAIL
AND COMMERCIAL USES
(ZA 07 131772 & SC 08
107365) (10.5 & 10.6)
Report Attachment
Mr. Alfred Szeto, Szeto
Architect, presented the Committee with elevation drawings for the proposed
development at 201 Hood Road.
He advised the Committee that the Region of York has accepted in
principle the proposed pavers in front of the building on the Regional
right-of-way.
Staff confirmed the pedestrian
access arrangements from Warden Avenue, and the overall street orientation of
the project. The Committee directed that
the applicant incorporate white roofs for the lower buildings, and obtain
advice with respect to geothermal heating for the proposed buildings.
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Regional Councillor G. Landon
That the report dated June 10, 2008 titled
“RECOMMENDATION REPORT, Alderland Group, 201 Hood Road, Zoning By-law Amendment
and Site Plan applications to permit four mixed-use buildings containing
offices, restaurants, retail and commercial uses” be received; and,
That the record of the Public Meeting held on February
19, 2008 regarding the proposed Zoning By-law Amendment be received; and,
That the draft implementing Zoning By-law (ZA 07
131772) to amend By-law 108-81, as amended, be finalized and enacted by Council
at a later date; and,
That the application for Site Plan approval (SC 08
107365) be endorsed in principle, subject to the conditions attached as Appendix
‘A’ and incorporating “white roof” technology for the lower buildings (“green
roof” being proposed for the office building) and
conducting a feasibility study for the use of geo-thermal energy, with results
be shared with staff; and,
That Site Plan approval be delegated to the Director
of Planning and Urban Design, or her designate, to be issued following
execution of a Site Plan Agreement. Site Plan approval is issued only when the
Director has signed the Site Plan; and further,
That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things
necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
11. CIVIC
MALL PRELIMINARY DESIGN CONCEPT
MARKHAM CENTRE (10.0)
Report Attachment
Moved by Councillor Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong
That the staff report dated June 10, 2008 titled “Civic Mall
Preliminary Design Concept, Markham Centre” be received; and,
That Council endorse the preliminary design concept
for the Civic Mall, through the Remington Group’s Downtown Markham project, as
discussed in this report; and,
That Council authorize staff to retain Janet Rosenberg and Associates,
Landscape Architects, as the Town’s consultant to proceed with further concept
development as required, detailed design work, cost estimating, and phasing
options associated with construction of Phase 1 of the Civic Mall park
component, together with YRRTC, the Technical Working Committee and the
Remington Group; and,
That the purchase order for Janet Rosenberg and Associates (P8266) for
detailed design of the park component within the Civic Mall be increased by
$48,600 for the above work; and,
That funding for the above, in the maximum amount of $48,600, be from Planning
and Urban Design’s Capital Account #81-5350-7647-005 entitled “Markham Centre
Amenity / Urban Park (Phase I Design)” and that the balance in the account be
retained for the original purpose intended; and,
That staff report back to Council on the proposed
design for the Civic Mall, including detailed cost estimates, funding sources,
construction and phasing of the Civic Mall, as well as operational and
maintenance matters, in the fall of 2008; and further,
That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things
necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
12. APPLICATION
BY CONCORD HOTELS
SPRINGHILL SUITES FOR
SITE PLAN
APPROVAL TO PERMIT A
6 STOREY 178 ROOM HOTEL
AT 525 COCHRANE DRIVE, PLAN 65M2073 LOT 2
(SC-07131014) (10.6)
Report Attachment
Moved by Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
That the report dated June
10, 2008, entitled “Application by Concord Hotels Springhill Suites for Site Plan
Approval to permit a 6 storey 178 room hotel at 525 Cochrane Drive”,
be received; and,
That the Site Plan Control application (SC-07-131014) submitted by Concord
Hotels Springhill Suites, to permit a 6
storey 178 room hotel at 525 Cochrane Drive, be endorsed in principle subject to the conditions included in Appendix
‘A’; and further,
That site plan approval be delegated to the Director
of Planning and
Urban Design or
her designate, to be issued following execution of a site plan agreement. Site Plan approval is issued only when the
Director has signed the site plan.
CARRIED
13. REQUEST
FOR DEMOLITION OF DWELLING
12 EUCLID STREET
UNIONVILLE HERITAGE
CONSERVATION DISTRICT (10.0 & 16.11)
Report Attachment
The Commissioner
outlined the recommendations of Heritage Markham and Heritage staff. Heritage staff commented on the building’s
strong contextual value, and the rationale for retention.
Ms. Maria Gatzios,
Gatzios Planning, addressed the Committee on behalf of the potential purchasers
requesting that the Heritage Markham recommendation to permit the demolition
permit be endorsed.
Committee discussed
that there is an opportunity to apply for a lot severance through the Committee
of Adjustment and re-locate the building to the back lot if the severance is
granted and a second option would be to find another lot within the Unionville
Heritage District and re-locate the building there.
There was
discussion surrounding the importance of consistency between the three Heritage
Districts, when decisions are made with respect to Heritage Buildings.
Moved by Mayor F.
Scarpitti
Seconded by
Councillor J. Virgilio
That
the request for demolition of dwelling at 12 Euclid Street be deferred to the June 24, 2008 Development Services Committee meeting.
CARRIED
14. POMANDER
ROAD PARKING
PROHIBITION SURVEY UPDATE (5.12.4)
Report Attachment
Moved by Councillor J. Virgilio
Seconded by Regional Councillor G. Landon
That the Pomander Road Parking Prohibition Survey Update be deferred to
a Development Services Meeting in September 2008.
CARRIED
15. METROLINX
(5.0)
Mr. Alan Brown, Director of Engineering, distributed a
copy of the updated Town of Markham’s
draft submission regarding Metrolinx White Papers and requested any further comments
and/or suggestions be forwarded directly to Mr. Brown by Friday June 13, 2008.
16. CITY OF TORONTO
MARKHAMGATE SUMMIT
2900 STEELES AVENUE EAST -
MARKHAM (10.3 & 10.5)
Letter
Moved by Councillor E. Shapero
Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
That the letter dated May 5, 2008, from the City of Toronto entitled
"Markhamgate Summit 2900 Steeles Avenue East - Markham", be received;
and,
That the letter be referred to the Markhamgate Summit Working Group for
discussion with the City of Toronto representative on the Working Group.
CARRIED
17. IN-CAMERA ITEM (5.10)
(1) RODICK ROAD/HWY
407 GRADE SEPARATION
Moved by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong
That the Rodick Road/Hwy 407 grade separation be
deferred to the June 10, 2008 Council
meeting.
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
The Development Services
Committee meeting adjourned at 12:30 PM.