MINUTES
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES PUBLIC MEETING
2008-05-20 - 7:00 p.m.
Council
Chamber
Meeting No. 6
All
Members of Council
Development
Services
Chair: Councillor J. Webster
Vice-Chair: Councillor D. Horchik
Attendance
|
Councillor A. Chiu
Regrets
|
J. Livey, Chief Administrative
Officer
J. Baird, Commissioner of
Development Services
M. Boyce, Senior Policy Coordinator
B. Karumanchery, Manager, East
District
V. Shuttleworth, Director of
Planning and Urban Design
N. Surti, Planner
A. Tari, Committee Clerk
|
The Development Services
Committee convened at 7:05 PM in the Councillor Chamber with Councillor
J. Webster in the Chair.
DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
None disclosed.
1. NEAMSBY
INVESTMENTS INC.
ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT
TO AMEND THE EXISTING HOLD
PROVISION
ON CERTAIN LANDS NEAR THE
NORTHWEST CORNER
OF MARKHAM ROAD AND STEELES
AVENUE
FILE NO. ZA 08 107413 (10.5)
Report Attachment
The Chair advised the subject of the
Public Meeting this date was to consider a Zoning By-law Amendment application
submitted by Neamsby Investments Inc. to amend an existing Hold provision on
certain lands near the northwest corner of Markham Road and Steeles Avenue (ZA
08 107413).
The Committee Clerk advised that 128 notices were mailed on April 30, 2008, and a Public Meeting
sign was posted on April 30, 2008. No written submissions were received
regarding this proposal.
Staff advised that the applicant has requested: 1. that the remaining
servicing allocation for these lands (299 units) be transferred to their
Markham Centre project and 2. the existing Hold provision on the subject
property be amended to prevent development until new servicing allocation is
available and assigned to this project.
There were no comments from the audience with respect to this
application.
The Committee suggested that a Community Information
Meeting be held to update residents on what has occurred with these lands.
Moved by Councillor L. Kanapathi
Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu
That the record of the Public Meeting held on May 20, 2008, with respect
to “Neamsby Investments Inc., Zoning By-law Amendment (ZA 08 107413) to amend
the existing Hold provision on certain lands near the northwest corner of
Markham Road and Steeles Avenue”, be received; and,
That the Zoning By-law Amendment application (ZA 08 107413) to
amend By-law 90-81, as amended, submitted by Neambsy Investments Inc. to amend the existing Hold
provision on certain lands near the northwest corner of Markham Road and
Steeles Avenue, be approved and the draft Zoning By-law amendment be
enacted without further notice.
CARRIED
2. ATTILIO
VETTESE
APPLICATION FOR ZONING BY-LAW
AMENDMENT
AND DRAFT PLAN OF SUBDIVISION
APPROVAL
(19TM-0800001) TO PERMIT RESIDENTIAL
DEVELOPMENT
AT 7085 14TH AVENUE
(ZA 08 110187 AND SU 08
110200) (10.5, 10.7)
Report Attachment
The Chair advised the subject of the
Public Meeting this date was to consider applications submitted by Attilio
Vettese for Zoning By-law Amendment and Draft Plan of Subdivision to permit the
development of a residential subdivision (ZA 08 110187 & SU 08 110200)
The Committee Clerk advised that 60 notices were mailed on April 30, 2008, and a Public Meeting
sign was posted on April 30, 2008. No written submissions were received
regarding this proposal.
Staff gave a presentation regarding the proposal, the location,
surrounding uses and outstanding issues. Staff advised that one of the primary objectives
of this application is to obtain the property for the right of way for the
construction of the Donald Cousens
Parkway as a condition of the draft plan of
subdivision.
There were no comments from the audience with respect to this
application.
Moved by Mayor F.
Scarpitti
Seconded by Councillor L.
Kanapathi
That the record of the Public Meeting held on May 20, 2008, with respect to “Attilio
Vettese. Applications for Zoning By-law
Amendment and Draft Plan of Subdivision Approval (19TM-0800001) to permit
residential development at 7085 14th Avenue”, be received; and,
That the applications be
referred back to staff for a report and recommendation.
CARRIED
3. PUBLIC
INPUT ON PROPOSED
NEW STRATEGY FOR SECOND SUITES
(10.0)
Report Appendix
A Appendix
B Appendix
C Appendix
D Draft
By-law
Summary
Package
The Chair advised the subject of the
Public Meeting this date was to consider Town initiated amendments to the
Town's Zoning By-laws to permit second suites (eg. basement apartments) in
single detached and semi-detached houses, subject to requirements (MI-464).
The Committee Clerk advised that 755 notices were mailed on April 30, 2008, and that a Public
Meeting notice was also published in the Markham Economist and Sun, Markham
Page and Thornhill Liberal on May 1,
2008. Seventeen written
submissions were received regarding this proposal.
Ms. Valerie Shuttleworth, Director of Planning and Urban Design,
delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding the strategy for second
suites. She advised the purpose of this
meeting is to receive public input on the proposed zoning by-law associated
with the strategy for second suites. The
presentation included a history of Council and Development Services Committee’s
considerations regarding second suites, the proposed new policy and strategy,
the proposed zoning by-law amendment and public submission received with
respect to the proposal.
Mr. Hugh Barnsley, Markham
resident, addressed the Committee regarding second suites and spoke in support
of the proposal. He advised that he has
had over thirty tenants living in second suite accommodations and has never had
a problem. Mr. Barnsley indicated that
if you build quality units, you will attract quality tenants and he believes
that second suites are an affordable alternative for citizens.
Mr. Darryl Press, German Mills Ratepayers Association,
addressed the Committee regarding second suites, stating the German Mills
Community would like to remain zoned for single family residences only. He suggested that the permission for second
suites be incorporated into new developments areas only. Mr. Press indicated that an extensive public
review of the issue is required which includes a review of alternative
solutions.
Mrs. Rupp, Markham
resident, addressed the Committee regarding second suites and spoke in
opposition to legalizing second suites.
She advised of an illegal second suite next to her home, indicating this
has many problems such as excessive levels of noise, driveway obstruction, debris,
etc. Mrs. Rupp suggested the Committee
consider the safety of the existing Markham Communities prior to making their
decision with respect to second suites.
Ms. Eileen Liasi, Markham
resident, addressed the Committee regarding second suites, advising she is
opposed to legalizing second suites. She
feels this proposal is being fast tracked and that there are numerous
outstanding issues that need to be addressed, including safety, flooding, sewer
backup, enforcement, etc. Ms. Liasi
suggested the Committee ensure that a comprehensive review of all the Markham
Communities takes place prior to making a decision.
Mr. Alan Adams, Markham
resident, addressed the Committee regarding second suites and spoke in
opposition to legalizing second suites.
He believes that second suites will degrade existing neighborhoods. Mr. Adams also stated the following
concerns: overcrowding of services (such
as hospital, schools) and no control over number of people per household. He suggested that if the proposal for second
suites is passed, the landlord should be required to live in the residence.
Mr. Al Pickard, Legacy Community Ratepayers
Association, addressed the Committee regarding second suites and asking two
questions: should the proposal for
legalizing second suites be Town wide or in selected areas? And, how will the
Town enforce the By-law once enacted? He
indicated that if the Town does legalize second suites, a proactive approach is
necessary. Mr. Pickard suggested creation
of a public registry of all legal/ registered second suites in Markham
in order to track locations.
Mr. Tom Tse, Markham
resident addressed the Committee regarding second suites, expressing his
opposition to legalizing them. He indicated
that if second suites are legalized, residents will lose their ability to
complain about associated problems. Mr.
Tse suggested second suites not be legalized and all the existing illegal ones
be eliminated.
Ms. Debbie Wong, Rouge Fairways Residents Association,
addressed the Committee with respect to second suites and spoke in opposition
to the legalization of second suites.
She stated concern with the current number of illegal second suites and advised
legalizing second suites will not solve current problems. Ms. Wong suggested further study is required
on the issue and suggested Committee not rush the proposal to legalize second
suites.
Mr. Peter Wales, Markham
resident, addressed the Committee regarding second suites advising he is not in
support of legalizing them. He stated
concerns with the Town not having the resources to handle the potential
problems associated with second suites.
Ms. Priti Sehgal, Milliken Mills Ratepayers
Association, addressed the Committee with respect to second suites and spoke in
opposition to legalizing them. She
believes that the Town is currently not doing enough to control the illegal
second suites. Ms. Sehgal suggested the
following problems could be associated with the legalization of second suites:
increase in debris, lawns not properly maintained and over-populated schools
and community services.
Mr. Axshay Shirodker, Markham
resident, addressed the Committee regarding second suites stating he does not
support the legalization of them. He
suggested the report needs to address the following issues: infrastructure, possibility of second suites
turning into rooming houses, and increase in residential debris.
Ms. Ruth Devor, Thornhill resident, addressed the
Committee with respect to second suites and spoke in support of legalizing
second suites. She advised she had three
basement apartments in her house to help supplement her income. Ms. Devor indicated that each apartment was
built to code and inspected and that she was never told it was illegal to have
these in her basement. She stated she
subsequently had to evict her tenants because of the Town’s prohibition of
second suites and will have to sell her home if second suites are not
legalized.
Mr. Michael Fortella, Markham
resident, addressed the Committee with respect to second suites, indicating he
is neither in support or opposition to legalizing them. He believes some excellent points have been
raised at the meeting and hopes that the Committee will consider them before
making their decision.
Mr. Christos Pavlakis, Markham
resident, addressed the Committee regarding second suites and spoke in
opposition to legalizing second suites.
Ms. Gina Daya, Markham resident, addressed the
Committee regarding second suites and suggested the Committee consider the
following if the decision is to legalize second suites: limit the number of people allowed per
dwelling; limit the number of legalized second suites (5% per area) and require
that the landlord live in the home.
Mr. Peter Miasek, Markham
resident, addressed the Committee regarding second suites and spoke in support
of legalizing second suites. He
suggested it would be the proper solution to alleviate future environmental
challenges.
Mr. Nick Thompson-Wood, Markham
resident, addressed the Committee with respect to second suites and spoke in
support of legalizing second suites. He
advised that they currently own a Bed and Breakfast in Town with three
additional basement apartments and welcomes any inspections from the Town to
ensure everything meets code.
The Committee discussed the following issues
associated with legalizing second suites:
- Will the
number of second suites increase if legalized
- Rooming
houses
- Proper
enforcement (be pro-active)
- Absentee
landlords
- Safety for
neighboring residents
- Inability to
limit the number of people per dwelling
- The extent to
which legalizing second suites addresses the supply of affordable housing
Mayor F. Scarpitti thanked Jim Baird, Commissioner of
Planning, Valerie Shuttleworth, Director of Planning and Urban Design,
Councillor John Webster, Deputy
Mayor Jack Heath, Councillor Logan Kanapathi, Glen Dick, Fire Services and Murray
Boyce, Senior Project Coordinator Policy & Special Projects for all their
hard work with respect to the proposal to legalize second suites.
The Committee suggested that there should be another
opportunity for public input to discuss all the issues raised this
evening.
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
That the correspondence from Chris Pavlakis, Paul
Naish, Al Howard, David Johnston, Kamlesh Patel, Julie, Peter Wales, Debbie
Wong, Errol Brooks, Rajinder Bali, Trevor Dantas, Jayaram Shetty, Carmen Lee,
Jim Roberston, Elsa Burton, Jane Wedlock, Fred Webber, Marsha Winton and
Shireesh Chiplunkar, be received.
CARRIED
Moved by Regional Councillor T. Wong
Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
That the Development Services Commission Report dated Feb 5, 2008,
entitled “Subcommittee on Second Suites Recommendation Report” and the
Development Services Committee Report dated
May 20, 2008, entitled “Public Input on Proposed New Policy for Second
Suites” be received; and,
That the Record of the Public Meeting held on May 20, 2008, with respect
to the proposed amendments to the Town’s Zoning By-laws, as amended, be
received; and further,
That the Town initiated amendments to the Town’s Zoning By-laws, be
referred back to staff for a report and recommendation.
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor J. Virgilio
Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
That the Staff recommendation report be tabled for
information only at a future daytime Development Services Committee meeting and
that a Public Information meeting be held in the evening of the same day.
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
The Development Services
Public Meeting adjourned at the hour of 9:50 PM