Arvin Prasad, Commissioner, Development Services, introduced the item and provided brief opening remarks.
Ron Blake, Senior Development Manager, Planning & Urban Design, provided an overview of the preliminary report for Dorsay Development Corporation. It was noted that the owners had appealed the current 2014 Official Plan designations on these lands and, as part of the settlement of that appeal, the parties agreed that the owners would submit the subject Official Plan Amendment application and that the application would be considered by Council in advance of the Markham Centre Secondary Plan Study.
Matthew Cory, on behalf of the applicant, delivered a presentation, which included the site plan, transit context, policy structure, proposed development, planning context, and massing models. Mr. Cory advised that underground parking would be provided for both the western and eastern parcels. He noted that the applicant will consider an automated waste collection system within the proposed development.
The Committee discussed the following relative to the preliminary report:
- Concerns with the density and height of the proposed development affecting the existing townhouses to the north;
- Ensuring that the Markham Centre Secondary Plan is considered;
- Providing public awareness of the proposed development to residents to the north;
- Potentially locating the retail development to the north east corner of Rodick Road and Highway 7;
- Potentially considering mixed use development to include residential above the proposed office development; and,
- Conducting a parking analysis for the proposed development.
It was noted that a Statutory Public meeting will be scheduled, when appropriate.