MINUTES
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE
September
23, 2008
Meeting No. 22
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
PART A
Presentations, Major Studies, and Issues Agenda
9:00 a.m. – Canada Room
Attendance
|
Councillor A. Chiu
Regrets
|
J. Livey, Chief Administrative
Officer
J. Baird, Commissioner of
Development Services
B. Librecz, Commissioner of
Community Services
A. Brown, Director of Engineering
C. Conrad, Town Solicitor
B. Cribbett, Treasurer
T. Lambe, Manager, Policy and
Research
V. Shuttleworth, Director of Planning
and Urban Design
M. Wouters, Senior Project
Coordinator Policy and Growth
Management
A. Tari, Committee Clerk
|
The Development Services
Committee convened at 9:00 AM in the Council Chambers with Councillor
J. Webster in the Chair. Regional Councillor
G. Landon assumed the Chair for Transportation item, No. 4.
DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
None disclosed.
1. DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
- September 9, 2008, Part A
(10.0)
Minutes
Moved by
Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded
by Councillor D. Horchik
That the
minutes of the Development Services Committee meeting, Part A, held September 9,
2008, be confirmed.
CARRIED
2. GROWTH
MANAGEMENT STRATEGY
OPTIONS REVIEW (10.0)
Presentation
Mr. Tim Lambe, Manager, Policy and Research, delivered
a detailed PowerPoint presentation with respect to the Growth Management
Strategy Options Review.
There was discussion regarding the ramp up to 2015 and
the proposed 40% intensification for the period current to 2015. Staff suggested composing a chart depicting
growth by unit types (i.e. singles, condos, apartments) in the last five years
for the Town of Markham
and the forecast for coming years to 2015.
Staff advised that growth forecasts will be monitored on an ongoing
basis and that the Official Plan is required to be reviewed every 5 years. Staff also advised that reports will be coming
forward to the Development Services Committee regarding the Markham Transportation
Planning Study and the Servicing Study, which consider long term infrastructure
and phasing.
The Committee suggested that further clarification is
required with respect to: Provincial and
Regional requirements; transit oriented development; proposed intensification
location and percentages; protection of environmental lands in the Whitebelt; and
infrastructure funding. The Committee
discussed the importance of understanding the various implication of the full
framework prior to public consultation.
A half day workshop with Council was suggested.
There was also discussion regarding Provincial
commitment to ensure that the required infrastructure to support the proposed
intensification is delivered, and the need to link Markham’s
Official Plan Review to Provincial commitments.
The Committee commented
on the issue of second suites as part of the housing stock and intensification.
Moved by Regional Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti
That the presentation by Mr. Tim Lambe, Manager,
Policy and Research regarding Growth Management Strategy - Options Review be
received.
CARRIED
3. GROWTH
MANAGEMENT STRATEGY
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM (10.0)
Presentation
Mr. Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services,
advised that the timing for the public launch will have to be revisited and
will be dependant on the timing of the Council workshop in order to further
discuss various issues such as key development areas and urban growth centres
to accommodate the 55% or more intensification within the settlement areas.
Ms. Valerie Shuttleworth, Director of Planning and
Urban Design, provided brief introductory remarks with respect to growth
management strategy public engagement program.
Ms. Amanda Kennedy, Senior Associate, DPRA, delivered
a PowerPoint presentation explaining the proposed program design for the growth
management strategy public engagement.
The Committee suggested including seniors as part of
the public engagement process.
Moved by Councillor V. Burke
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
That the presentation by Ms. Valerie Shuttleworth,
Director of Planning and Urban Design and Ms. Amanda Kennedy,
Senior Associate, DPRA regarding Growth Management Strategy - Public
Engagement Program be received.
CARRIED
4. HIGHWAY
7 TRANSITWAY
4 TO 6 LANES UPDATE (5.10)
Mr. David Clark, Chief Architect Infrastructure and
Development, VIVA, delivered a PowerPoint presentation providing an update regarding
the Highway 7 transitway.
The Committee suggested that the bike lanes be relocated
to the other side of the curb for improved safety to the cyclists. There was discussion regarding the potential
to reduce the widening of Highway 7 instead of the proposed 6 lanes. The Committee also suggested that a
sustainable plan is necessary to handle the extra storm water run off.
The Committee enquired about sidewalk construction
along Highway 7 (within the Markham Centre district). Staff
agreed to report back to Committee with feasible interim alternatives (e.g.
gravel sidewalks) that could potentially be put in place pending the Regions
reconstruction of Highway 7.
Moved by Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Councillor D. Horchik
That the presentation by Mr. David Clark, Chief
Architect Infrastructure and Development, Viva regarding Highway 7 Transitway 4
to 6 Lanes Update be received; and,
That the Region of York be
requested to incorporate segregated bicycle lanes within the right-of-way from
the property line to the curb; and,
That staff report back to the Development Services
Committee by December 2008 regarding options and implications of the 4 lane
verses 6 lane widening along the Highway 7 Transitway; and further,
That staff report back as to sidewalk options for
Highway 7.
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
The Development Services
Committee meeting adjourned at 11:05 AM.