MAY
12, 2009 - 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
MINUTES
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE
Meeting No. 16
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
R. Blake, Manager, West District
A. Brown, Director of Engineering
C. Conrad, Town Solicitor
S. Heaslip, Senior Planner
B. Karumanchery, Senior Development
Manager
R. Kendall, Manager, Central
District
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, Nos.5 to 8.
DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
None disclosed.
1. DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
- April 28, 2009, Part A
(10.0)
Minutes
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti
That the
minutes of the Development Services Committee meeting, Part A, held April 28,
2009, be confirmed.
CARRIED
2. HIGHWAY 7 PRECINCT PLAN (10.0)
Presentation
Mr. Mark Sterling, Sweeny Sterling Finlayson &
Company delivered a PowerPoint presentation providing an update with respect to
the Highway 7 Precinct Plan exercise.
There was discussion regarding the importance of
public engagement during this process and ensuring that the residents are aware
of what is being proposed for the Highway 7 Precinct and Markham Centre. Mr. Sterling indicated that the public is
invited to be a part of this process, however the fact that there are current
applications and policies that already are in place it can make public
engagement challenging. Staff advised
that they received positive feedback from the residents who attended the April
30, 2009 Workshop and are in the process of scheduling another Workshop because
some of the residents felt there was not enough time on April 30, 2009. The Ward Councillor requested that the
notices be sent to area residents on the north side of Highway 7. Staff suggested that a postal drop might be
done for that area and agreed to discuss the matter further with the Ward
Councillor.
The Committee inquired about the school site within
Markham Centre. Staff advised that they
are in discussion with the School Board and representative’s for Times Group
regarding the Town’s desire to have an urban school model rather than a traditional
school site in Markham Centre.
There was discussion regarding the proposed road
patterns and blocks within Markham Centre.
The Committee suggested having smaller blocks (by Village Parkway) and
having the east-west road continue through the WhiteRose property.
The Committee suggested that staff continue to
investigate best practices and leading edge developments. Staff advised that they can, over the summer,
prepare a PowerPoint presentation (at a high level) that will demonstrate
examples of leading edge developments, and if the Committee wanted more detail,
that would require more time and money to hire a consultant. The Committee requested clarification
regarding the York Region Transit within Markham Centre. Staff advised that the dedicated transit
corridor runs along Highway 7 down South Town Centre Blvd. along Cedarland Drive to Enterprise Blvd and then over to Kennedy
Road. Staff also advised that the VIVA
buses could run along Highway 7, but the Region of York is not planning a
dedicated corridor east of Warden Avenue.
The Committee suggested that staff discuss with the Region of York the
possibility of two dedicated routes, including one along Highway 7.
The Committee indicated that together with staff they
would like to have a “walking tour” through Markham Centre to ensure that the
proper streetscape (such as wider sidewalks, increased tree planting, and the installation
of fountain(s), etc) is being developed to create a pedestrian friendly environment.
Moved by Councillor J. Virgilio
Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero
That the presentation provided by Mr. Mark Sterling, Sweeny
Sterling Finlayson & Company Architects Inc. regarding Highway 7 Precinct
Plan, be received; and,
That staff include description of the proposed
transit within Markham Centre at the next Public Workshop; and further,
That staff continue to explore best practices and
leading edge developments for Markham Centre.
CARRIED
3. HOUSING
STOCK ANALYSIS (10.0)
Presentation
Mr. Russell Mathew, Hemson Consulting Ltd., delivered
a PowerPoint presentation outlining choices relative to intensification including
the implications that the Municipality will have to consider with respect to
growth management.
There was brief discussion regarding key challenges
related to the analysis of housing stock and intensification and the factors
that should be considered such as demographics and ethno-culture.
The Committee questioned how the Town can impose on
landowners what to develop. Staff
advised that the Town has a lot of policy options with respect to the Growth
Management Strategy. Staff pointed out
that Mr. Mathew is specifically analyzing future housing supply and demand
factors. Staff also advised that the
Finance Department is undertaking a financial analysis of various growth
options that will build on the “financial risks” that Mr. Mathew referred to in
his presentation.
Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
That the presentation provided by Mr. Russell Mathew,
Hemson Consulting Ltd. regarding Housing Stock Analysis, be received.
CARRIED
4. AGRICULTURAL
ASSESSMENT - OPTIONS (10.0)
Presentation
Ms. Margaret Walton, Planscape, delivered a PowerPoint
presentation regarding the Agricultural Assesment Phase 2 – Options.
There was discussion regarding food charter. Ms. Walton explained that people from a broad
spectrum of community interests and organizations typically meet and discuss
their concerns and desires around food and agriculture policy in order to come
up with a common vision and set of principles.
This would form a basis of their own unique, local, community food
charter. If a food charter is adopted by
the municipality it becomes a public document to guide decision making.
The Committee discussed the importance of hearing
directly from the agricultural community.
Staff advised that there is a Public Information Meeting tentatively
scheduled for June 29,
2009.
There was brief discussion related to “community
gardens.” Staff advised that community
gardens are being explored through the Town’s Greenprint exercise.
Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero
That the presentation
provided by Ms. Margaret Walton, Planscape regarding Agricultural Assessment -
Options be received.
CARRIED
5. BOX
GROVE MOBILITY HUB (10.0)
Map
Presentation
Mr. Alan Brown, Director of Engineering, delivered a
PowerPoint presentation regarding the potential East
Markham secondary “Mobility Hub” in the Box Grove area.
The Committee suggested exploring other opportunities
such as a station and possibly intensification near Steeles Avenue/Parkview
golf course area where Steeles Avenue
meets the Havelock line. The suggestion is to integrate the potential
secondary mobility hub at this location into the urban envelope whereas the area
is currently in the periphery of the urban area. The Committee also suggested that staff need
to ensure that our timelines correspond with Metrolinx’s timelines.
There was discussion regarding the proposed VIVA
station on the south side of Highway 7, in Cornell, its proposed timelines and
its proximity to the potential future mobility hub in Box Grove. Staff advised that the proposed study can be
used to facilitate the necessary discussions with the Region and
Metrolinx.
The Committee suggested that the following be
considered:
·
Include a representative from the Rouge
Park for the proposed study team
·
Explore the opportunity to
integrate the Rouge Park
interpretation centre and the transit hub
·
Explore the question of whether it
is necessary to have two terminals in East Markham
Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
Whereas the Town of Markham, in the Box Grove and
Cornell Secondary Plans, has identified opportunities for high quality
employment lands in the vicinity of Highway 407 and the Donald Cousens Parkway;
and,
Whereas the Box Grove Secondary Plan specifically
identifies the Business Park lands bounded by the Donald Cousens Parkway,
Highway 407, Reesor Road and the CPR Havelock Line as a “Regional Gateway”, as
a potential site for a regionally scaled transportation gateway, intended to
become a transfer point among various modes of local (YRT), regional (VIVA) and
interregional (407 Transitway and Havelock Go Transit) transit facilities; and,
Whereas the Box Grove Secondary Plan further provides
that development of the Regional Gateway shall be integrated with, and include
employment generating land uses and shall be planned on a comprehensive basis
with zoning approval based on an urban design concept satisfactory to the Town;
and,
Whereas the regional transportation plan recently
approved by Metrolinx (The Big Move Transforming Transportation in the Greater
Toronto and Hamilton Areas) confirms the opportunity for a future “Mobility
Hub” and convergence point for future GO Rail service (CPR Havelock Line),
Highway 407 Transitway, and York Region rapid transit services along Highway 7;
and,
Now therefore be
it resolved:
That staff advance the Town’s
timeline to correspond with the Metrolinx and Region of York Timelines;
and,
That the Council of the Town of
Markham request Town staff to initiate a Study proposal as outlined
in their presentation, and in the context of the Town’s upcoming
2010 Capital Budget Process, to engage a multi-disciplinary consultant team to
undertake a Land Use, Transportation and Urban Design Study for the Cornell
Centre/Box Grove and Steeles Avenue Mobility Hub
areas (with an early phase that focuses on the Cornell
vs. Box Grove transit station requirements) to ensure that the areas are well positioned for mixed use and employment
intensification and ensuring Metrolinx transit investment in a timely manner.
CARRIED
6. HIGHWAY
407 TRANSITWAY
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (5.7)
Mr. Khaled El Delati, Project Manager, Delcan, delivered
a PowerPoint presentation regarding the 407 Transitway (east of Highway 400 to Kennedy
Road) relative to the planning and preliminary
design.
The Committee inquired about the construction timing for
the 407 Transitway. Mr. El Delati advised
that it is under the phase 3 of the Metrolinx and is scheduled for construction
between 2016-2030. He indicated that
Metrolinx is currently undertaking prioritization studies and whether the
timing will change is uncertain at this time.
The Committee stated that it is essential for the Ministry of
Transportation (MTO) to pursue a stronger presence in the discussions and
decision process for the Highway 407 Transitway. Transit is closely linked with land use,
consequently, it is extremely important when and where these rapid lines end
up. There was discussion regarding the future population and employment growth
in the 905 area and the vital need of proper investment in infrastructure to
match that growth.
Committee also noted that traditionally the location
of terminals were determined by the location of rapid transit lines such as the
GO lines and Highway 407 transit way and not by the bus routes and that this
principle is not being followed today.
The Committee questioned why they are not proposing a
stop at Bayview Avenue. Mr. El Delati explained that when the number
of stations is increased it decreases the speed of the transit service and that
stations are positioned approximately 4 – 5 kilometres apart.
Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones
Seconded by Councillor V. Burke
That the presentation provided by Mr. Khaled El Delati, Ministry of Transportation
regarding Highway 407 Transitway Environmental Assessment, be received.
CARRIED
7. CARLTON ROAD/VILLAGE PARKWAY
TRAFFIC CALMING UPDATE (5.12)
Mr. Alan Brown delivered a PowerPoint presentation
providing background information and staff recommendations regarding the Carlton
Road/Village Parkway traffic calming project.
Mr. David Gibbons, 207
Carlton Road, addressed the Committee regarding
the Carlton Road/Village Parkway
traffic calming project. He indicated
that this whole process has been a challenge for the Working Group. Mr. Gibbons stated that there are three major
issues with the traffic calming along Carlton Road
and Village Parkway:
- Extremely
dangerous (cars are driven to the curb)
- Difficult for
drivers to know where to drive and where parking is permitted
- Eye sore
He indicated that there seems to be disconnect between
the residents and the Town’s consultant.
He advised that the URA, UBA and UBIA have submitted a letter with a
solution to do changes to approximately 25% of the project. The cost of this work should be determined
and if the work is successful it can be rolled out to the rest of the
area. Mr. Gibbons is requesting that
staff and the consultant work together with the URA, UBA and UBIA and present
alternatives if any including the related costs.
The Ward Councillor suggested that the Working
Committee meet one more time to discuss solutions.
Moved by Councillor J. Virgilio
Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti
That the correspondence from the Unionville
Ratepayers' Association (URA), Unionville Villagers' Association (UVA) and
Unionville Business Improvement Area (UBIA) with their position and
recommendations regarding the Carlton Road/Village Parkway Traffic Calming be
received; and further,
That staff be directed to provide the estimated cost
of the recommendations outlined in the correspondence from the Unionville
Ratepayers' Association (URA), Unionville Villagers' Association (UVA) and
Unionville Business Improvement Area (UBIA) and meet with the traffic calming
working group to finalize the phase 3 option at the earliest opportunity.
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor J. Virgilio
Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti
That the presentation provided by Mr. Alan Brown,
Director of Engineering regarding Carlton Road/Village Parkway Traffic Calming
Update, be received; and,
Phases 1 and 2 adjustments and funding to traffic
on Carlton
Road and Village Parkway be endorsed; and,
A funding allowance of $60,000.00 for phases 1 and
2 improvements to be funded from account #083-5350-7660-005 be approved; and
further,
That staff report back to Development Services
Committee with phase 3 adjustment options and Safe Street Strategy update in
September 2009.
CARRIED
8. IN-CAMERA MATTER (5.10)
Moved by Councillor E. Shapero
Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti
That, in accordance with Section 239 (2) (c) of the Municipal Act, Development Services
Committee resolve into an in-camera session to discuss the following
confidential matter
(1:08 PM):
(1)
Acquisition/disposition of land -
Woodbine By-pass Update Elgin Mills to Existing Woodbine Avenue
CARRIED
Moved by Mayor F. Scarpitt
Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti
That the Committee rise from the in-camera session (1:15 PM)
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
The Development Services
Committee meeting adjourned at 1:15 PM.