Minutes
Development Services Public
Meeting
January 20, 2015 - 7:00 PM
Council
Chamber
Meeting No. 2
All
Members of Council
Development
Services
Chair: Regional Councillor Jim Jones
Vice-Chair: Councillor Don Hamilton
Attendance
Councillor Alex Chiu
Regrets
|
Ron Blake, Acting Senior Development
Manager
Geoff Day, Senior Planner, Zoning
& Special Projects
Scott Heaslip, Senior Project
Coordinator
Biju Karumanchery, Acting Director
of Planning and Urban Design
Richard Kendall, Manager, Central
District
Kitty Bavington, Council/Committee Coordinator
|
The Development Services
Public Meeting convened at 7:03 PM in the Council Chamber with Regional
Councillor Jim Jones in the Chair.
Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest – None Declared
1. PRELIMINARY REPORT
EP VICTORIA MANORS LTD.
10925 AND 10945 WOODBINE
AVENUE
APPLICATIONS FOR ZONING BY-LAW
AMENDMENT
AND DRAFT PLAN OF SUBDIVISION
FILE NO. ZA 14
136727 & SU 14 136727 (10.5, 10.7)
Report
The Public Meeting this date was to
consider an application submitted by EP Victoria Manors Ltd. for Zoning By-law
Amendment and Draft Plan of Subdivision at 10925 and 10945 Woodbine Avenue (ZA
14 136727 & SU 14 136727).
The Committee Clerk advised that 78 notices were mailed on December 29,
2014, and a Public Meeting sign was posted on December 22, 2014. No written submissions were received
regarding this proposal.
Staff gave a presentation regarding the proposal, the location,
surrounding uses and outstanding issues. The Committee expressed concern for issues
relating to snow storage and removal in the lane-based development. Stephen
Armstrong of Armstrong Planning & Project Management, representing the
applicant, gave a presentation to provide further details, and explained the extensive discussions with
City Operations and Fire Services staff to achieve an acceptable plan. Staff advised
that Operations staff have confirmed that the plan will be satisfactory for
snow storage and removal.
Mr. Armstrong and City staff
responded to questions from the Committee regarding the tree
preservation plan, provision of parkland, the potential widening of Woodbine
Avenue, parking areas, sidewalks,
walkways, green space, sidewalk access to the storm water pond, amenity areas, location
of the heritage building, yard access for maintenance, accessibility, and
fencing issues. Staff will confirm the replacement period for tree plantings.
The Committee requested that
coloured renderings of the proposed product, as well as a context plan, be
provided in the electronic agenda for all future development presentations. The
Committee also requested an update on pending improvements to Woodbine Avenue.
There were no comments from the audience with respect to this
application.
Moved by: Councillor Alan Ho
Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Jack Heath
1) That the Development Services
Commission report dated February December 9, 2014, entitled “PRELIMINARY REPORT
- EP Victoria Manors Ltd., 10925 and 10945 Woodbine Avenue - Applications for
Zoning By-law Amendment and Draft Plan of Subdivision - File No.’s ZA 14 136727
& SU 14 136727, be received; and,
2) That the Record of the Public Meeting
held on January 20, 2015, with respect to the applications by EP Victoria
Manors Ltd., for Zoning By-law Amendment and Draft Plan of Subdivision, be
received; and further,
3) That the applications by EP Victoria
Manors Ltd., for Zoning By-law Amendment and Draft Plan of Subdivision, be
referred back to staff for a final report and recommendation.
CARRIED
2. PRELIMINARY
REPORT
1820266 ONTARIO INC. (TIMES GROUP INC.)
4002/4022 HIGHWAY 7 (NORTH-EAST CORNER OF HIGHWAY 7
AND VILLAGE PARKWAY)
APPLICATIONS FOR OFFICIAL PLAN AND ZONING BY-LAW
AMENDMENTS TO PERMIT A TOWNHOUSE DEVELOPMENT
FILE NOS.: OP/ZA 14 117506 (10.3, 10.5)
Report
The Public Meeting this date was to
consider an application submitted by 1820266 Ontario Inc. (Times Group Inc.)
for Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments to permit a townhouse
development at 4002/4022 Highway 7 (north-east corner of Highway 7 and Village
Parkway) (OP/ZA 14 117506).
The Committee Clerk advised that 27 notices were mailed on December 29,
2014, and a Public Meeting sign was posted on December 22, 2014. No written submissions were received
regarding this proposal.
Staff gave a presentation regarding the proposal, the location,
surrounding uses and outstanding issues. The Committee discussed the potential east-west
road extension at the north of the property; the building style most compatible
for fronting on a major roadway; the cumulative impact of the reduced density
on the Region’s investment in the transit corridor; any Section 37 benefits could
be lost if the development is downsized; market dictates; and providing higher
density at an alternate location.
Lincoln Lo of Malone Given Parsons, representing the applicant, gave a
presentation to provide further details and to discuss the reduced density. The
Committee discussed the chronology of density approvals and the appropriate
density to support transit.
Michelle Tidball spoke of the
rezoning process with respect to developers by-passing public consultation by
going directly to the Ontario Municipal Board, and the legal/staff costs
incurred by the City is such cases. Ms. Tidball suggested the unit size should
be liveable and stated her preference for the townhouse product.
Tom Zigomanis provided a
review of the chronology of density approvals and disputes at the OMB over the
past 23 years as well as more recent proposals, the challenge to the democratic
process, and the impacts of intensification and construction on the residents.
Mr. Zigomanis provided a written copy of his deputation.
Ken Wightman spoke in support
of townhouses as they would be compatible with the existing single family
dwellings to the north and would not generate as much traffic congestion as
condos. Mr. Wightman discussed the uncompleted developments in the area and
questioned the density build-out required by the Region.
Goran Mihajlovic spoke in
support of the proposed townhouses due to potential traffic congestion and
noted a problem with right-hand turn onto Village Parkway.
Donna Miasek spoke in support
of the recent OMB approved density and discussed the importance of intensification
along a transit corridor, affordability, and student housing. Ms. Miasek
questioned the applicants’ rationale for amending the approved development from
condos to lower density townhouses.
David McBeth spoke in support
of the townhouse proposal and the reduced density, due to traffic concerns. Mr.
McBeth discussed the VIVA operations along Highway 7 and suggested
comprehensive development among several area property owners.
Randy Thummel spoke in support
of the lower density townhouse proposal.
Peter Miasek, representing the
Unionville Ratepayers Association, spoke in opposition to the lower density
townhouse proposal. Mr. Miasek reviewed the 2013 OMB decision that approved 393
condo units and referred to the persuasive arguments provided by the applicant,
as well as the potential domino effect with other developments and lost
Development Charges, Section 37, and other fees. He discussed the Regional
Official Plan, Markham’s Official Plan, and other legislation that supports the
current density.
Karen Gullason, spoke in
support of the lower density townhouses, and discussed the attempts by the
applicant to increase the density since 1993 and the OMB process as a drain on
the City’s resources. Ms. Gullason had concerns for the incomplete neighbourhood,
the unrealistic focus on transit, the potential traffic, and the intended use
of Section 37 monies that would be generated by higher density. Ms. Gullason
provided a written copy of her deputation.
The Committee discussed the
timeframe for other area developments; measures to ensure the aesthetics and
safety issues of vacant lands are addressed; the progress of a building owned
by Times Group south of Highway 7; potential increased high-density to the
north; traffic congestion; supporting transit; referral to the Unionville
Sub-Committee. It was noted that the timeframe for Council to make a decision
is running out. It was suggested that a Unionville Subcommittee meeting be held
prior to a memo being presented to Council on February 10, 2015
Moved by: Deputy Mayor Jack
Heath
Seconded by: Councillor Alex
Chiu
1)
That the deputations by Michelle Tidball, Tom
Zigomanis, Ken Wightman, Goran Mihajlovic, Donna Miasek, David McBeth, Randy
Thummel, Peter Miasek, representing the Unionville Ratepayers Association, and Karen
Gullason, and the written submissions by Tom Zigomanis and Karen Gullason, regarding
the applications by 1820266 Ontario Inc. (Times Group Inc.), be received; and,
2) That the staff report dated November 18, 2014 titled “PRELIMINARY
REPORT, 1820266 Ontario Inc. (Times Group Inc.), 4002/4022 Highway 7
(north-east corner of Highway 7 and Village Parkway), Applications for Official
Plan and zoning by-law amendments to permit a townhouse development, File Nos.:
OP/ZA 14 117506” be received; and,
3) That the record of the Public Meeting held on January 20,
2015 with respect to the applications, be received; and,
4) That the applications be referred to the
Unionville Sub-committee with a report to Council on February 10, 2015;
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
Public Meeting adjourned at 11:18 PM.
Alternate formats for this document
are available upon request.