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Development Services Committee Minutes

April 3, 2018, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Council Chamber

Meeting No. 6

All Members of Council

Development Services Issues

Chair:                      Regional Councillor Jim Jones

Vice-Chair:              Councillor Don Hamilton

 

Economic Growth, Culture & Entrepreneurship Issues

Chair:                      Councillor Alex Chiu

Vice-Chair:              Councillor Alan Ho

 

Transportation and Engineering Capital Projects Issues

Chair:                      Regional Councillor Joe Li

Vice-Chair:              Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong

 

 

Attendance

Deputy Mayor Jack Heath

Regional Councillor Jim Jones

Regional Councillor Joe Li(arrived at 9:50am)

Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong

Councillor Valerie Burke

Councillor Alan Ho

Councillor Don Hamilton

Councillor Karen Rea

Councillor Colin Campbell

Councillor Amanda Collucci(arrived at 9:55am)

Councillor Logan Kanapathi

Councillor Alex Chiu

 

Regrets

Mayor Frank Scarpitti

 

Andy Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer

Brian Lee, Acting Commissioner of Development             Services

Brenda Librecz, Commissioner of Community & Fire             Services

Ron, Blake, Senior Development Manager

Sally Campbell, Manager, East District

Loy Cheah, Acting Director of Engineering

Catherine Conrad, City Solicitor and Acting Director of             Human Resources

George Duncan, Senior Heritage Planner

Regan Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning

Biju Karumanchery, Director of Planning and Urban             Design

David Porretta, Supervisor Traffic Operations

Alida Tari, Council/Committee Coordinator

 

 

 

The Development Services Committee convened at the hour of 9:03 a.m. in the Council Chamber with Regional Councillor Jim Jones in the Chair.  Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong assumed the Chair for Transportation and Engineering Capital Projects items,

No.7 & 8.

 

Development Services Committee recessed at 11:11 a.m. and reconvened at 11:22 a.m.

 

 

 

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST

 

None disclosed.

 

 

1.         DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
- March 19, 2018 (10.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by Councillor Alan Ho

 

That the minutes of the Development Services Committee meeting held March 19, 2018, be confirmed.

Carried

 

 

2.         TRAFFIC SAFETY AT
            MARKHAM DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL (5.12)

            Communication

 

Moved by Councillor Karen Rea

Seconded by Councillor Logan Kanapathi

 

That the communication from Markham District High School Council entitled “Traffic Safety at Markham District High School” with respect to Traffic Safety issues, be received.

 

Carried

 

 

PETITIONS

 

There were no petitions.

 

 

 

3.         HERITAGE MARKHAM COMMITTEE MINUTES
            - March 14, 2018 (16.11)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by Councillor Karen Rea

 

That the minutes of the Heritage Markham Committee meeting held March 14, 2018, be received for information purposes.

Carried

 

4.         INTENTION TO DESIGNATE A PROPERTY UNDER
            PART IV OF THE ONTARIO HERITAGE ACT
            NAME: JOSEPH WIDEMAN HOUSE
            ADDRESS: 5 HERITAGE CORNERS LANE, WARD 4 (16.11.3)

            Report

 

Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by Councillor Karen Rea

 

1)         That the staff report entitled “Intention to Designate a Property Under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, Name: Joseph Wideman House, Address: 5 Heritage Corners Lane,” dated April 3, 2018, be received; and,

 

2)         That as recommended by Heritage Markham, the Joseph Wideman House at 5 Heritage Corners Lane be approved for designation under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act as a property of cultural heritage value or interest; and,

 

3)         That the Clerk’s Department be authorized to publish and serve Council’s Notice of Intention to Designate as per the requirements of the Ontario Heritage Act; and,

 

4)         That if there are no objections to the designation in accordance with the provisions of the Ontario Heritage Act, the Clerk be authorized to place a designation by-law before Council for adoption; and,

 

5)         That if there are any objections in accordance with the provisions of the Ontario Heritage Act, the Clerk be directed to refer the proposed designation to the Ontario Conservation Review Board; and further,

 

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

Carried

 

 

 

5.         INTERPRETIVE PLAQUE PROGRAM
            FOR HERITAGE CONSERVATION DISTRICT
            PROPERTIES – UNIONVILLE, WARD 3 (16.11)

            Report

 

Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by Councillor Karen Rea

 

1)         That the report titled “Interpretive Plaque Program for Heritage Conservation District Properties - Unionville,” dated April 3, 2018, be received; and,

 

2)         That Council authorize staff to utilize up to $350 of the $6,000 previously allocated as the City’s portion of the Markham Village interpretive plaque program for the City’s contribution to the plaque cost for the two identified Unionville plaques; and further,

 

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

Carried

 

 

6.         VICTORIA SQUARE HERITAGE CONSERVATION
            DISTRICT STUDY STATUS (16.11)

            Report

 

There was discussion regarding other tools that could be used to protect heritage resources such as individual property designation, site plan control, and official plan policies specifically for Victoria Square and other policies.  Staff noted that there could be minor changes to Heritage Buildings that do not require a building permit or site plan control.

 

The Committee discussed informal enhancements that could be used to recognize the Victoria Square heritage area such as entry signage or street name signs.  It was suggested that staff report back with a memo outlining some informal enhancement options.

 

Moved by Councillor Alan Ho

Seconded by Deputy Mayor Jack Heath

 

1)         That the staff report titled “Victoria Square Heritage Conservation District Study Status,” dated April 3, 2018, be received; and,

 

2)         That based on general opposition expressed by property owners within the study area, staff be instructed to discontinue further action on this project at this time; and,

 

3)         That research work prepared by the consultant team remain on file as a resource to support future local heritage conservation initiatives such as individual property designations; and,

 

4)         That an update on the status of the study be posted on the City website and a notice be provided to each property owner in the study area; and further,

 

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

Carried


 

7.         CHURCH STREET & ELM STREET
            PROPOSED ALL-WAY STOP CONTROL (WARD 4) (5.12)

            Presentation

 

Peter Triantafillakis, Markham resident, addressed the Committee regarding the proposed all-way stop control at Church Street and Elm Street and spoke in support. He stated concerns with the potentially unsafe traffic conditions in and around Markham District High School (MDHS) during the peak hours of before and after school that could create a safety issue for the students during their commute to school.  Mr. Triantafillakis indicated that he would also support any alternative measures that will address pedestrian safety concerns.

 

David Porretta, Supervisor Traffic Operations delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding the proposed all-way stop control at Church Street and Elm Street.

 

The Committee discussed the following relative to the proposed all-way stop control at Church Street and Elm Street:

·        Investigate alternative solutions to improve the pedestrian safety concerns within the school zone area

·        Investigate if a pedestrian crossing is warranted at the Mount Joy Creek  or at Russell Stover Court

·        Investigate installing a signalized pedestrian crossing similar to the one at Milne Dam Conservation and McCowan Road

·        Investigate the need for one or more crossing guards on Church Street

·        Consider including pedestrian education component

 

Staff addressed the Committee and pointed out issues with potentially installing any midblock crossings on Church Street without a sidewalk on the north side.

 

There was discussion suggesting that staff report back after approximately a year from the stop sign being installed.

 

Moved by Councillor Karen Rea

Seconded by Councillor Logan Kanapathi

 

1)         That the September 11, 2017, DSC report, entitled “Church Street & Elm Street Proposed All-way Stop Control (Ward 4)”, and the staff powerpoint presentation dated April 3, 2018 be received; and,

 

2)         That Schedule 12 of Traffic By-law 106-71, pertaining to compulsory stops, be amended to include all approaches to the intersection of Church Street & Elm Street; and,

 

3)         That the Operations Department be directed to install the appropriate signs and pavement markings at the subject locations; and,

 

4)         That the cost of materials and installation for the traffic signs and pavement markings be funded from capital account # 083-5350-18056-005; and,

 

5)         That York Region Police be requested to enforce the all-way stop controls upon installation of these stop signs and passing of the By-law; and,

 

6)         That staff be directed to report back to Development Services Committee approximately one year after the installation of the all-way stop at Church Street & Elm Street; and,

 

7)         That staff be directed to investigate the implementation of crossing guards between Elm Street and Wootten Way; and,

 

8)         That staff be directed to investigate the potential to install some form of signalization between Elm Street and Wootten Way; and,

 

9)         That staff be directed to investigate the implementation of a York Region Transit lay-by facility in front of the high school; and

 

10)       That the deputation by Peter Triantafillakis be received; and further,

 

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

 

Carried

 

 

8.         CYCLING AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY
            COMMITTEE (CPAC) MINUTES
            - February 15, 2018 (16.34)

            Minutes

 

The Committee suggested that the proposed motion be referred back to staff.

 

Moved by Deputy Mayor Jack Heath

Seconded by Councillor Logan Kanapathi

 

That the following motion be received and referred back to staff:

 

                Whereas CPAC has a primary responsibility to advise council about matters of safety for pedestrians and cyclists; and,

 

            Whereas CPAC has examined several road widening projects planned for the Markham neighborhoods; and,

 

            Whereas six lane roads are rated at 60 km/ hour, with it not uncommon for motorists to drive down wide arterials at speeds exceeding 80 km/hour; and,

 

            Whereas Markham is designed without a fine grid, so there are long distances between intersections, making it common for pedestrians to illegally walk across the roads midblock; and,

 

            Whereas a substantial body of research disputes the efficacy of street widening as a solution to congestion; and,

 

            Whereas road widening projects in established Markham neighbourhoods cannot accommodate 6 lanes, dedicated cycle paths, and pedestrian walkways on both sides of the road- the compromises made sacrifice Markhams’ stated goals of encouraging active transportation by providing safe and pleasant paths for all users; and,

 

            Whereas HOV and dedicated bus-ways do little to reduce congestion.  Other, less capital intensive measures are more productive in encouraging the use of public transportation; and

 

            Therefore be it resolved that:

 

            That Markham city staff notify CPAC at earliest possible stages and solicit input from CPAC on any projects, both city and region driven; and

 

            That Markham city council understands that CPAC on principle rejects the idea of road widening  of any existing arterial in the city limits; and,

 

            That city and regional planners work to improve public transit in Markham as it intensifies, particular emphasis on commuting solutions along the HWY 7 East/ West and designing commuting solutions along all arterial roads; and further,

 

            That city and regional planners consider altering widening projects to improve street beautification, with dedicated cycle and pedestrian paths, and timed measures to improve traffic flows, all at significantly less capital costs.”

Carried

 

Moved by Deputy Mayor Jack Heath

Seconded by Councillor Logan Kanapathi

 

1)         That the minutes of the Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (CPAC) meeting held February 15, 2018, be received for information purposes.

 

Carried

 

 

MOTIONS

 

There were no motions.

 

 

NOTICES OF MOTION

 

There were no notices of motions.

 

 

NEW/OTHER BUSINESS

 

9.         NEW/OTHER BUSINESS
            DEVELOPMENT CHARGE PREPAYMENT AGREEMENT
            WITH KYLEMORE COMMUNITIES (YORKTON) LTD.
            9350 TO 9392 KENNEDY ROAD (WARD 6) (7.11)

            Memo

 

Catherine Conrad, City Solicitor addressed the Committee and summarized the details outlined in the memo dated April 3, 2018.

 

Moved by Councillor Amanda Collucci

Seconded by Councillor Don Hamilton

 

1)         That the staff memorandum dated April 3, 2018 regarding “Authorization to Execute a Development Charge Prepayment Agreement with Kylemore Communities (Yorkton) Ltd; be received: and,

 

2)         That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute the prepayment agreement as described herein; and further,

 

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

Carried

 

 

10.       NEW/OTHER BUSINESS
            DEPUTATION FORMS (16.0)

 

Councillor Karen Rea addressed the Committee requesting that when a constituent fills out a form that they are automatically added to the notification listing to be notified of future meeting for planning applications being considered by Development Services Committee and Development Services Public Meeting.  Staff advised that only individuals who check off the box on the form indicating that they would like to be notified of future meetings are added to the list. 

 


 

11.       NEW/OTHER BUSINESS
            FLEXIBLE SIGN IN SCHOOL ZONES (5.12)

 

Councillor Karen Rea addressed the Committee inquiring if the flexible signs in school zones could be installed at all Markham elementary schools.  Staff advised that they will report back on the cost implications associated to this request.

 

 

 

12.       NEW/OTHER BUSINESS
            LAND PRO CONFERENCE (10.5)

 

Councillor Karen Rea addressed the Committee advising she was at a Land Pro Conference that included information regarding Airbnb, and that some individuals believe that they can establish short term accommodation as legal non-conforming uses.

 

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

There were no announcements.

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

 

The Development Services Committee meeting adjourned at 12:17 PM.

 

 

 

Alternate formats for this document are available upon request.

 

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