DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES

NOVEMBER 1, 2011, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Council Chamber

All Members of Council

Development Services                                               Economic Development

Chair:                      Regional Councillor Jim Jones                                Chair:                      Councillor Carolina Moretti

Vice-Chair:              Councillor Don Hamilton                                       Vice-Chair:              Councillor Alex Chiu

                                                                                                                Transportation Issues

                                                                                                                Chair:                      Regional Councillor Gord Landon

                                                                                                                Vice-Chair:              Councillor Alan Ho

 

 

PART A

Presentations, Major Studies, and Issues Agenda

9:00 a.m. – Council Chamber

 

 

Attendance

Mayor Frank Scarpitti Deputy Mayor Jack Heath Regional Councillor Jim Jones Regional Councillor Joe Li Councillor Valerie Burke Councillor Howard Shore Councillor Don Hamilton Councillor Carolina Moretti Councillor Colin Campbell Councillor Alan Ho Councillor Logan Kanapathi   Regrets   Regional Councillor Gord Landon Councillor Alex Chiu

Andy Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services Brenda Librecz, Commissioner of Community & Fire             Services Catherine Conrad, Town Solicitor Lilli Duoba, Project Coordinator Keely Grasser, Assistant to Deputy Mayor Jack Heath Rino Mostacci, Director of Planning and Urban Design David Pearce, Manager, Real Property Liz Wimmer, Senior Planner, Environmental Policy Kitty Bavington, Council/Committee Coordinator

 

The Development Services Committee convened at the hour of 9:12 a.m. in the Council Chamber with Regional Councillor Jim Jones in the Chair

 

 

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST – None Declared

 

 

 

1.         ROUGE PARK UPDATE (10.0)

            Presentation

 

On October 18, 2011 Development Services Committee deferred this matter to a future meeting for a work session.

 

Lilli Duoba, Project Coordinator, gave a presentation to update the Committee on issues relating to Rouge Park, starting with a chronology of events since the Rouge Park Management Plan was established in 1994. Maps illustrating the geography and evolution of the park were displayed. Although managed by the Rouge Alliance, there are several owners/partners, including the Town, TRCA, Ontario Realty Corporation (ORC), and the province. The various Rouge Park planning documents and Council directions on Rouge Park matters over the years were outlined, as well as support and funding contribution sources.

 

A handout was provided detailing the status of the Rouge Park Implementation Task Force (RPITF) Final Report recommendations, which were endorsed by Markham Council in October, 2009 as the basis for further discussion and negotiation with the Rouge Park. The recommendations will be used in upcoming discussions with Parks Canada for the proposed establishment of a National Park. In addition, a Council resolution in April, 2010 supported in principle the recommendations of the governance, organization and finance review for the future management of the Rouge Park as a National Park.

 

Issues for consideration by Markham include: boundaries of the Rouge National Park in Markham; land use activities and facilities in the Rouge National Park; privatization of houses; heritage preservation; funding; conveyance of Markham owned lands; and the role of Markham in the National Park process.

 

Discussions included:

- the importance of Markham’s interests being addressed

- financial impacts to the Town, revenue stream and operating funding

- Markham’s role regarding infrastructure, the road network, and as a land owner

- the potential investment by the province

- inclusion of First Nations

- protection of natural heritage

- potential danger to wildlife as a result of possible road widening

- illegal dumping; and increased by-law enforcement and clean-up, well as policies added in the new Official Plan to discourage this activity

- clarify recommendation # 1.a.2 regarding the Tomion lands being part of Rouge Park

- Transport Canada’s request for removal of the heritage houses; staff advised the Town has not agreed to the request, and staff will be reporting further on this matter at a later date.

 

The inclusion of Milne Dam Conservation Area is a key issue and will be a discussion point at a future meeting.  The May 31, 2011 resolution of Council reaffirming inclusion of these lands into the Rouge Park and into the National Park was noted.

 

Alan Wells, Chair of the Rouge Alliance, advised that all stakeholders have supported a move towards a National Park, while identifying issues to be resolved. Parks Canada has been actively performing its due diligence and will begin preliminary discussions on November 9, 2011. The boundaries, land ownership, road network, infrastructure, park management, and capital investments will be topics for discussion.

 

Tupper Wheatley, representing the Milne Park Conservation Association, requested the Milne Dam Conservation Area be included in the Rouge Park and in the National Park. Mr. Wheatley read a statement outlining the significance of the land and the Association’s position on this matter. The Committee requested Mr. Wheatley provide a written copy of the statement.

 

The Committee directed that another workshop be arranged to refine and confirm Markham’s position, following the November 9^th meeting with Parks Canada.

 

Staff requested the Committee appoint alternate representation to the Rouge Park Alliance, and appoint representatives to Parks Canada Rouge National Park negotiations.

 

Moved by: Councillor Carolina Moretti

Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Jack Heath

 

1)                  That the presentation provided by Lilli Duoba, Senior Project Coordinator, titled “Rouge Park Update” be received; and,

 

2)                  That the deputations by Alan Wells, Chair of the Rouge Alliance, and Tupper Wheatley, representing the Milne Park Conservation Association, regarding Rouge Park, be received.

CARRIED

 

Moved by: Councillor Carolina Moretti

Seconded by: Councillor Logan Kanapathi

 

3)                  That additional alternative representatives to the Rouge Park Alliance, to ensure Markham representation on key Rouge Park issues when representatives Kanapathi and Campbell are unavailable, be appointed as: Lilli Duoba as first alternate; and Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services as second alternate; and further,

 

4)                  That senior staff representatives to Parks Canada Rouge National Park negotiations to assist Markham’s Rouge Park Alliance representatives be appointed as: Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services; and Andy Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer.

 

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.         IN-CAMERA MATTER (8.6) 11:08

 

Moved by: Mayor Frank Scarpitti

Seconded by: Councillor Colin Campbell

 

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)         A proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board

 

Moved by: Mayor Frank Scarpitti

Seconded by: Councillor Colin Campbell

 

That the Committee rise from the in-camera session (12:10 PM).

CARRIED

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The Development Services Committee meeting adjourned at 12:15 p.m.