Development Services Committee Minutes

Meeting #:Meeting Number 20
Date:
-
Location:
Council Chamber
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
  • Brenda Librecz, Commissioner, Community & Fire Services
  • Claudia Storto, City Solicitor and Director of Human Resources
  • Bryan Frois, Chief of Staff
  • Brian Lee, Director, Engineering
  • Biju Karumanchery, Director, Planning & Urban Design
  • Ron Blake, Senior Development Manager, Planning & Urban Design
  • Regan Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage
  • John Yeh, Manager, Strategy & Innovation
  • Darryl Lyons, Manager, Policy
  • Francesco Santaguida, Assistant City Solicitor
  • Scott Chapman, Election & Council/Committee Coordinator

Alternate formats for this document are available upon request


The Development Services Committee meeting convened at the hour of 9:34 AM in the Council Chamber with Regional Councillor Jim Jones presiding as Chair.

Development Services Committee recessed at 11:12 AM and reconvened at 11:23 AM.
Development Services Committee recessed at 12:34 PM and reconvened at 1:19 PM.

  • Moved byDeputy Mayor Don Hamilton
    Seconded byCouncillor Keith Irish
    1. That the minutes of the Development Services Committee meeting held November 25, 2019, be confirmed.

     

    Carried
  • Moved byDeputy Mayor Don Hamilton
    Seconded byCouncillor Keith Irish
    1. That the minutes of the Development Services Public Meeting held November 19, 2019, be confirmed.

     

    Carried

Mayor Frank Scarpitti, members of Development Services Committee, and senior staff recognized the following members of staff for their years of service to the City of Markham:

Regan Hutcheson, Manager - Heritage, Planning & Urban Design, 30 years

David Miller, Manager, Development, Planning & Urban Design, 30 years

Dereje Tafesse, Senior Capital Works Engineer, Engineering, 25 years

Christopher Beaumont, Firefighter, Fire Services, 25 years

David Leslie, Firefighter, Fire Services, 25 years

Donald Stoneman, Firefighter, Fire Services, 25 years

Stella Attai, Financial Analyst, Accounting, Financial Services, 20 years

Vincent Lai, Senior Systems Analyst, Information Technology Services, 20 years

Michael Prior, Working Supervisor, Operations - Parks, 20 years

Mark Leadbetter, Facility Yard Maintenance, Operations - Roads, 20 years

Stephen McGilvray, Ops Working Sup-Contract Administration, Operations - Roads, 20 years

Geoff Day, Senior Planner, Planning & Urban Design, 20 years

Phoebe Fu, Director, Environmental Services, Environmental Services, 15 years

Hossein Sharif, Senior Capital Engineer, Environmental Services, 15 years

Shahid Rehman, Inventory Control Coordinator, Operations - Fleet, 15 years

Patrick Fry, Working Supervisor, Roads, Operations - Roads, 15 years

Donald Hamilton, Deputy Mayor, Mayor and Council, 10 years

Danny Roberts, Operations Labourer/Driver, Operations - Parks, 10 years

Stephen McCoy, Facility Operator I, Thornhill C.C., Recreation Services, 10 years

Graham Seaman, Director, Sustainability & Asset Management, Sustainability & Asset Management, 10 years

Yan Yan Tori Tsang, Zoning Examiner, Building Standards, 5 years

Niamh O'Laoghaire, Manager, Art Gallery, Culture-Arts Centres-Dept Support, 5 years

Andreea Necula, Brownfield Environmental Technologist, Engineering, 5 years

Mandeep Aujla, Application Support Specialist, Information Technology Services, 5 years

Alice Lam, Manager, Roads Operations, Operations, 5 years

Ryan Turnbull, Facility Operator II, Cornell C.C., Recreation Services, 5 years

Deputations were made for the following item:

8.3 - Preliminary Report Application for Zoning By-law Amendment and Draft Plan of Subdivision (Flato Developments)

Refer to the individual item for the deputation details.

There were no communications.

There were no petitions.

  • Moved byCouncillor Isa Lee
    Seconded byCouncillor Andrew Keyes
    1. That the minutes of the Heritage Markham Committee meeting held November 13, 2019, be received for information purposes.

     

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Isa Lee
    Seconded byCouncillor Andrew Keyes
    1. That the report titled “Recommendation Report, Demolition of Listed Barn, 10988 Warden Avenue, North Markham Planning District, Ward 2,” dated December 9, 2019, be received; and,
    2. That Council not oppose the demolition of the Brumwell Barn and not proceed with designation under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act and endorse the recommendations of Heritage Markham Committee with respect to the property owner incorporating selected salvaged materials into the development of the site, advertising the remaining portions of the barn for salvage, provision of a Markham Remembered Interpretive Plaque, and providing a copy of the Heritage Impact Assessment to the Archives of the Markham Museum; and further,
    3. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

       

    Carried

AT 2695 ELGIN MILLS RD, TO PERMIT THE DEVELOPMENT OF A 3-STOREY OFFICE BUILDING AND 5-STOREY HOTEL WITH ATTACHED CONVENTION CENTRE (WARD 2) FILE NO. PLAN 19 119540 (10.5, 10.7)

Mojgan Rasouli, Bousfields Inc., consultant for the applicant, addressed the Committee and delivered a presentation on the development application, including an overview of the site context, applicable policy and regulatory context, and proposed development concept plan.

Gabriel DiMartino, Armland Group, owner of the lands immediately east of the subject lands, addressed the Committee in regard to the staff recommendation requesting inclusion of a loop road in the Draft Plan of Subdivision. Mr. DiMartino advised of a traffic impact assessment conducted as part of a forthcoming development application for the lands to the east suggesting that the proposed public road shown on the existing Draft Plan will be able accommodate the proposed level of density contemplated for the area without construction of a loop road.

The Committee discussed the following relative to the development application:

  • Timetable for next steps in the application process;
  • Options for ensuring appropriate connectivity and traffic management for the subject lands, including construction of a loop road and exploring opportunities for securing access to the subject lands from Elgin Mills Road;
  • Enhancing design integration between the proposed hotel and convention centre, as well as the integration between the development proposal and the convention centre proposed as part of the development application for the lands to the east; and,
  • Potential incorporation of additional uses within the existing development concept plan, where appropriate.
  • Moved byCouncillor Alan Ho
    Seconded byMayor Frank Scarpitti
    1. That the report titled “PRELIMINARY REPORT, Application for Zoning By-law Amendment and Draft Plan of Subdivision, submitted by FLATO Developments Inc. (Shakir Rehmatullah) at 2695 Elgin Mills Rd, to permit the development of a 3-storey office building and 5-storey hotel with attached convention centre (Ward 2)” be received; and,
    2. That the deputations of Mojgan Rasouli, Bousfields Inc., and Gabriel DiMartino, Armland Group, be received.
    Carried

There was discussion regarding the renewal process for the Markham Designated Heritage Property Grant Program.

  • Moved byRegional Councillor Jack Heath
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor Don Hamilton
    1. That the report entitled “Approval of the Continuation of the Markham Designated Heritage Property Grant Program, 2020-2022”, dated December 9, 2019, be received; and,
    2. That a by-law be adopted to implement the Markham Designated Heritage Property Grant Program (2020-2022) generally in the form attached as Appendix “C” to this report; and,
    3. That the existing reserve fund entitled “Designated Heritage Property Grant Reserve Fund” continue to be used as the funding source for the program; and,
    4. That the Designated Heritage Property Grant Program be allocated $90,000 in funding for the three year period (2020-2022) from the following sources;
      1. Prior year unused grant funding in the Designated Heritage Property Grant Reserve Fund in the amount of $56,090;
      2. A transfer of $33,910 ($90,000 - $56,090) from the Heritage Loan Reserve Fund, which has a current balance of $160,695; and,
    5. That By-law 175-81, as amended, (A By-law to Establish a Heritage Fund) be amended as per Appendix “D” to this report; and further,
    6. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

     

    Carried

The Committee inquired as to the status of the following development applications:

  • Transforce Administration Inc. - 2815 14th Avenue;
  • Digram Development Inc. - 55, 63 & 83 Helen Avenue; and,
  • Greencapital Limited Partnership - 10 Royal Orchard Boulevard.
  • Moved byDeputy Mayor Don Hamilton
    Seconded byCouncillor Khalid Usman
    1. That the report entitled “Report on Incoming Planning Applications for the period of September 15, 2019 to November 15, 2019” be received and staff to be directed to process the application in accordance with the approval route outlined in the report.
    Carried

Development Services Committee consented to postpone consideration of this item to a future meeting in 2020.

  • Moved byDeputy Mayor Don Hamilton
    Seconded byCouncillor Isa Lee
    1. That the presentation by Mr. Stephen Lue, Manager, Central District, entitled “Markham Centre Secondary Plan Update” be received.
    Postponed

Darryl Lyons, Manager, Policy, introduced the item and provided members of Committee with an overview of the Markham Road - Mount Joy Secondary Plan study purpose, study area, study components, and next steps.

Harold Madi, Urbanism by Design, consultant for the City of Markham, addressed the Committee and delivered a presentation on the Markham Road - Mount Joy Secondary Plan study, including an overview of the study objectives, existing area context, study timeline, and key considerations.

The Committee discussed the following relative to the Markham Road-Mount Joy Secondary Plan:

  • Suggested expanding the study area boundary east to the Donald Cousens Parkway;
  • Anticipated timetable for the study and opportunities to coordinate incoming development applications prior to the completion of the Secondary Plan;
  • Implementing a development vision that supports the potential for a future GO Transit station at Markham Road and Major Mackenzie Drive;
  • Coordinating the Secondary Plan with the study being undertaken by Heritage Markham for the Markham Heritage District;
  • Potential opportunities to reconfigure existing developments along the Markham Road-Mount Joy corridor as part of an overall vision for the area; and,
  • Ensuring appropriate design integration of the Markham Road-Mount Joy corridor with the Markham Heritage District to mitigate traffic impacts on the heritage community.
  • Moved byCouncillor Karen Rea
    Seconded byCouncillor Andrew Keyes
    1. That the presentation entitled “Markham Road Mount Joy Secondary Plan Study - Status Update” be received.
    Carried

Kathryn Randle, Rockport Group, consultant for the applicant, addressed the Committee and identified the changes to the proposed site plan as approved through minor variance.

It was suggested that the applicant and staff explore potential options for enhancing the design integration between the subject lands and Bill Crothers Secondary School.

  • Moved byCouncillor Reid McAlpine
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor Don Hamilton
    1. That the presentation by Kathryn Randle, Director, Development & Planning with Rockport Group, to permit the second phase of a retirement residence located at 34 Main Street, File No. SC 14 120628, be received; and,
    2. That the Site Plan Application, submitted by Amica Unionville Inc. (the “Owner”), to permit the second phase of a retirement residence located at 34 Main Street, File No. SC 14 120628, be endorsed, in principle, subject to the conditions attached hereto as Appendix A; and, 
    3. That final Site Plan Approval be delegated to the Director of Planning and Urban Design or his designate; and,
    4. That Council grant servicing allocation for a maximum of 16 units (retirement rooms) that will include cooking facilities; and,
    5. That the City reserves the right to revoke or reallocate servicing allocation should the development not proceed in a timely manner; and,
    6. That this endorsement shall lapse after a period of three years from the date of endorsement in the event that a Site Plan Agreement is not executed within that period; and further,
    7. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution. 

     

    Carried

AND FOR DRAFT PLAN OF SUBDIVISION TO CREATE DEVELOPMENT, ROAD, PARK AND OPEN SPACE BLOCKS AT 9999 MARKHAM ROAD (WARD 5) (10.7, 10.5)

FILE NOS: ZA/SU 18 180621

Ron Blake, Senior Development Manager, introduced the staff report and provided members of Committee with an overview of the development application.

Adam Layton, Evans Planning, consultant for the applicant, addressed the Committee and delivered a presentation on the development application, including an overview of the site context, initial and revised site plan, phasing plan, and conceptual streetscapes.

The Committee discussed the following relative to the development application:

  • Flood mitigation for the subject lands and surrounding properties; 
  • Providing for appropriate development scale to support a potential future GO Transit station at Major Mackenzie Drive;
  • Location of the public park proposed as part of the Phase 1 development;
  • Concerns about the potential impact of the development proposal on traffic congestion on Main Street Markham and traffic infiltration into local residential streets of the heritage community; 
  • Potential alignment of the proposed extension of Anderson Avenue from Major Mackenzie Drive to Castlemore Avenue; and,
  • Property management arrangements for the proposed townhouse units.
  • Moved byCouncillor Andrew Keyes
    Seconded byRegional Councillor Joe Li
    1. That the staff report titled “RECOMMENDATION REPORT, Applications for Zoning By-law Amendment to permit mid-rise residential and townhouse development (Phase 1 only) and for Draft Plan of Subdivision to create development, road, park and open space blocks at 9999 Markham Road (Ward 5), File No: ZA/SU 18 180621”, be received; and,
    2. That the record of the Public meeting held on March 26th, 2019 regarding the applications for Zoning By-law Amendment and Draft Plan of Subdivision 19TM-18007, be received; and,
    3. That Council approval of the Zoning By-law Amendment application (ZA 18 180621) for Phase 1 of the development, submitted by 2585231 Ontario Inc. and attached in Appendix ‘A’ be finalized and enacted without further notice; and,
    4. That Council approve the Draft Plan of Subdivision 19TM-18007 (SU 18 180621) submitted by 2585231 Ontario Inc. subject to the conditions attached as Appendix ‘B’; and,
    5. That Council assign servicing allocation for a maximum of 154 townhouses (including stacked townhouses) and 260 apartment units; and,
    6. That Council permit application for minor variances within two (2) years of the proposed amending by-law coming into force, attached as Appendix ‘A’, in accordance with Section 45(1.4) of the Planning Act; and further,

    7. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

       

    Carried

Arvin Prasad, Commissioner, Development Services, introduced the staff report.

Mike Varey, KPMG, addressed the Committee and delivered a presentation on the Development Review Process Assessment commissioned by the City of Markham as part of the Provincial Audit and Accountability Fund. Key findings relative to the existing development review process and recommendations for areas of potential improvement were identified.

The Committee considered the recommendations proposed through the Development Review Process Assessment. There was discussion regarding the proposed establishment of a mandatory escalation protocol in the development review process, and the appropriate role of elected officials in the review of development applications. There was also discussion on the importance of empowering staff while establishing proper accountability mechanisms to ensure efficiency in the development review process.

It was requested that staff provide members of Committee with a presentation on e-PLAN at a future meeting in 2020.

  • Moved byRegional Councillor Jack Heath
    Seconded byMayor Frank Scarpitti
    1. That the report dated December 9, 2019 entitled “Assessment of the Development Review Process” be received; and,
    2. That staff be directed to report back to Development Services Committee as soon as possible on the twenty one recommendations from KPMG’s third-party assessment report entitled “Development Review Process Assessment – City of Markham”, as noted in Appendix ‘B’; and further,
    3. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
    Carried

FILE NO. SC 17 137260 (WARD 8) (6.3)

Ron Blake, Senior Development Manager, provided members of Committee with the background for the staff report.

  • Moved byCouncillor Isa Lee
    Seconded byCouncillor Keith Irish
    1. That the Staff report dated December 9, 2019 entitled “RECOMMENDATION REPORT Request for authorization to receive parkland dedication for the proposed Times Group Corporation residential high rise development south of Highway 7, east of Bayview Avenue Block 45, Plan 65M-3226, File No. SC 17 137260 (Ward 8)" be received; and,
    2. That Staff be authorized and directed to enter into agreement(s) with Times Group Corporation to provide the parkland required for the High Density Development on Block 45, Plan 65M-3226 as land from part of Block 46, Plan 65M-3226; and further,
    3. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

       

    Carried

Brian Lee, Director, Engineering, introduced the item and provided members of Committee with an overview of the staff report.

  • Moved byDeputy Mayor Don Hamilton
    Seconded byCouncillor Andrew Keyes
    1. That the report entitled “Highway 404 Ramp Extension (Aristotle Avenue) – Land Conveyance” be received; and,
    2. That in accordance with By-law 178-96, the lands legally described as Part of Block 9, Plan M-2029 designated as the Parts 7, 9, 10 and 14 on Reference Plan 65R-36152 (the “Surplus Lands”) be declared surplus to municipal purposes; and,
    3. That subject to recommendation #2, the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute any documents and/or agreements required to transfer the Surplus Lands to Her Majesty the Queen in Right of the Province of Ontario represented by the Minister of Transportation for the Province of Ontario (“MTO”) for nominal consideration, provided that the form and content of such documents and agreements are satisfactory to the Director of Engineering and the City Solicitor; and further,
    4. That staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

    Carried

It was requested that Councillor Alan Ho provide members of Development Services Committee with an update on the outcome of the conference at a future meeting. 

  • Moved byCouncillor Amanda Collucci
    Seconded byCouncillor Isa Lee
    1. That the report titled, “2020 China Harbin International Winter Cities Conference, January 4-7, 2020” dated December 9, 2019, be received; and,
    2. That the City of Markham be represented by Councillor Alan Ho, Chair of Culture and Economic Development Committee to attend the 2020 China Harbin International Winter Cities Conference in Harbin, China from January 4-7, 2020; and,
    3. That the total cost of the business trip to attend the 2020 China Harbin International Winter Cities Conference in Harbin, China not exceed $5,000.00 and be expensed from the 2020 Economic Alliances account 610-9985812, contingent upon Council approval of the 2020 Operating Budget; and,
    4. That Councillor Alan Ho be requested to provide Development Services Committee with an update on the outcome of the 2020 China Harbin International Winter Cities Conference at a future meeting in 2020; and further,
    5. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
    Carried

It was requested that staff provide members of Development Services Committee with an update on the outcome of the conference at a future meeting. 

  • Moved byCouncillor Amanda Collucci
    Seconded byCouncillor Isa Lee
    1. That the report dated December 9, 2019 entitled “ICF Top7 Communities of 2020 Conference in Taoyuan, Taiwan be received; and,
    2. That the City of Markham be represented at the Conference by Chief Information Officer, Nasir Kenea; and,
    3. That the total cost of to attend the conference approximately in the amount of $3,000 be funded from the 2020 Operating budget account 400 998 5200; and further,
    4. That staff be requested to provide Development Services Committee with an update on the outcome of the ICF Top7 Communities of 2020 Conference at a future meeting in 2020; and further,
    5. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
    Carried

13.

There were no motions.

There were no notices of motion.

There was no new / other business.

There were no announcements.

  • Moved byDeputy Mayor Don Hamilton
    Seconded byCouncillor Keith Irish

    That, in accordance with Section 239 (2) of the Municipal Act, Development Services Committee resolve into a confidential session at 2:20 PM to discuss the following matters:

    Carried

17.1
DEVELOPMENT AND POLICY ISSUES
 

17.1.1
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE CONFIDENTIAL MINUTES - NOVEMBER 12, 2019 (10.0) [Section 239 (2) (e)]
 

Development Services Committee confirmed the November 12, 2019 confidential minutes.

17.1.2
LITIGATION OR POTENTIAL LITIGATION, INCLUDING MATTERS BEFORE ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNALS, AFFECTING THE MUNICIPALITY OR LOCAL BOARD.
 

ADVICE THAT IS SUBJECT TO SOLICITOR-CLIENT PRIVILEGE, INCLUDING COMMUNICATIONS NECESSARY FOR THAT PURPOSE (10.7, 10.5) (WARD 5) [Section 239 (2) (e) (f)]

Development Services Committee consented to place this item on the December 10, 2019 confidential Council agenda for consideration.

17.1.3
LITIGATION OR POTENTIAL LITIGATION, INCLUDING MATTERS BEFORE ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNALS, AFFECTING THE MUNICIPALITY OR LOCAL BOARD (8.0) [Section 239 (2) (e)]
 

Development Services Committee adopted a resolution during open session to permit Bruce Ketcheson, Ritchie Ketcheson Hart & Biggart LLP, legal counsel for the City of Markham, to be present for this section of the confidential session.

Development Services Committee consented to place this item on the December 10, 2019 confidential Council agenda for consideration.

  • Moved byDeputy Mayor Don Hamilton
    Seconded byRegional Councillor Joe Li
    1. That the Development Services Committee meeting adjourn at 4:37 PM.
    Carried
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