Arvin Prasad, Commissioner, Development Services, introduced and provided brief opening remarks relative to the presentation by the City’s consultants on their proposed preliminary concept for the Markham Centre Secondary Plan Update study.
Stephen Lue, Manager, Central District, addressed the Committee and provided a high-level overview of the Markham Centre Secondary Plan Update study. Mr. Lue indicated that a variety of public engagements were completed and that the next steps are to conduct a stakeholder engagement to draft a development concept.
John Gladki, Ken Greenburg, Brent Raymond, and Ken Poon, consultants for the City of Markham, delivered a presentation that provided a preliminary concept for the Markham Centre Secondary Plan Update, which included the project update, vision and guiding principles, preliminary concept and business as usual structure options, street network, transit, trails and bikeways, parks and open space, statistical comparison, issues to be resolved, and next steps. It was noted that the priorities of the preliminary concept are, walking, cycling and transit, network of neighbourhoods, varied built form and height, transit node focus, greenway as key public space, and range of high quality public spaces.
Mark Yarranton, KLM Planning, on behalf of Digram Development, addressed the Committee and expressed concerns on the development land uses, conceptual block densities, and conceptual height range. Mr. Yarranton requested that the Committee ensure the preliminary concept be revised for consistency with the existing height and density permissions on the Digram lands and further reflect their development proposal.
Nick Pileggi, on behalf of Kingdom Development, addressed the Committee and spoke in opposition to the proposed preliminary plan. He opined that the business as usual option is painted in a negative light and he further believes that another concept should be considered.
Lauren Capilongo, on behalf of YMCA, addressed the Committee and expressed concerns with the range of height and density, transit infrastructure, and road network. Ms. Capilongo believes that density and height should be focused around the mobility hub and should be mixed use without the strict requirement for office priority.
Robert A. Dragicevic, on behalf New World, addressed the Committee and expressed the importance of ensuring proper connection within the Markham Centre Secondary Plan. Mr. Dragicevic expressed interest in the stakeholder engagement.
Kate Cooper, Bousfields, on behalf of Lifetime Development and Smart Centres, expressed interest and the importance of the stakeholder engagement. Ms. Cooper believes that there is potential for a variety of opportunities within the Markham Centre Secondary Plan.
Matthew Cory, Malone Given Parsons, on behalf of Dorsay Development, expressed concerns that the preliminary concept does not reflect discussions that have occurred over the years. Mr. Cory believes that Major Transit Station Areas should be reviewed and considered to ensure that the high density targets are met.
Richard Transquada, on behalf the Unionville Residents Association, addressed the Committee and expressed concerns with the completion of the Markham Centre Secondary Plan Update being delayed, unemployment numbers, building heights and ranges, and park lands and public spaces. Mr. Transquada requested staff to provide the transportation report conducted, and for staff to conduct a business case for the relocation of the Markham Civic Centre. Mr. Transquada requested that the following items be added to the items to be resolved list: tributary 4, affordable housing strategy, parking issues. He requested that any applications requesting height increases be deferred.
The Committee discussed the following relative to the presentation:
- Ensure that the transitway along Highway 7 is a rapid transitway;
- Importance of a trail and bikeway connection along the Rouge River;
- Consideration that Markham District Energy services all of the Markham Centre Secondary Plan area;
- Consider an automated waste collection system to be included in the Markham Centre Secondary Plan process;
- Ensure the transit hub is focused on greater heights and increased density;
- Ensure there is an understanding of the preliminary concept and the differences in density with the business as usual concept;
- Importance of reviewing applications within the Markham Centre Secondary Plan area carefully and ensuring that the applications do not proceed to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT);
- Importance of creating an attractive community by focusing on the Rouge River, streetscape, and connection to rapid transitway; and,
- Importance of municipal spaces and buildings in the heart of the Markham Centre Secondary Plan.
Staff indicated that the Markham Centre Secondary Plan Study is accessible on YourVoiceMarkham. It was also noted that additional meetings and Council workshops will be scheduled to address each precinct within the Markham Centre Secondary Plan Update Study area, when appropriate.