Markham Sub-Committee Meeting Minutes

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Electronic Meeting
Sub-Committee Members
  • Regional Councillor Jack Heath
  • Councillor Karen Rea
  • Councillor Andrew Keyes
  • Mayor Frank Scarpitti (Ex-Officio)
  • Deputy Mayor Don Hamilton (Ex-Officio)
  • Regional Councillor Jim Jones (Ex-Officio)
Regrets
  • Councillor Amanda Collucci
  • Councillor Keith Irish (Ex-Officio)
Council Members
  • Councillor Reid McAlpine
  • Councillor Khalid Usman
  • Councillor Isa Lee
Staff
  • Andy Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer
    Arvin Prasad, Commissioner, Development Services
    Biju Karumanchery, Director, Planning & Urban Design
    Brian Lee, Director, Engineering
    Ronji Borooah, City Architect
    Loy Cheah, Senior Manager, Transportation
    Lilli Duoba, Manager, Natural Heritage
    Darryl Lyons, Manager, Policy
    Stacia Muradali, Acting Manager, East District
    Nhat-Anh Nguyen, Senior Manager, Development & Environmental Engineering
    Francesco Santaguida, Assistant City Solicitor
    Laura Gold, Council/Committee Coordinator
    Scott Chapman, Election and Committee Coordinator


In consideration of the ongoing state of emergency surrounding the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and emergency public health orders issued by the Government of Ontario, this meeting was conducted electronically to maintain physical distancing among participants.

 

The Markham Sub-Committee meeting convened at the hour of 9:02 AM with Regional Councillor Jack Heath presiding as Chair.

 

The Markham Sub-Committee recessed at 12:15 PM and reconvened at 12:31 PM.

Arvin Prasad, Commissioner, Development Services, provided introductory comments for Day 1 of the Markham Road-Mount Joy Secondary Plan Virtual Design Charrette. Commissioner Prasad noted that this is the first virtual design charrette to be hosted by the City of Markham, and welcomed all stakeholders in attendance.

 

Darryl Lyons, Manager, Policy, provided an overview of the day's agenda and objectives in building a common understanding of the study area through a virtual bus tour and results of the baseline conditions assessment, and to gather ideas, perspectives, and input from the Sub-Committee, stakeholders, and community to inform the preparation of the secondary plan. Mr. Lyons also identified next steps and objectives to be achieved through subsequent sessions of the study process.

Harold Madi, Urbanism by Design, consultant to the City of Markham, delivered a presentation on the Markham Road-Mount Joy Secondary Plan study area, providing the Sub-Committee and stakeholders with an overview of the context and key considerations surrounding each of nine identified destination points. Key themes and design concept proposals drawn from existing conditions and case studies across Canada were identified and discussed.

 

There was discussion on the following relative to the virtual bus tour presentation:

  • Leveraging adaptable design and zoning of buildings and spaces capable of responding to changing market conditions, the need for large format retail integration and, expectations for a vibrant main street vision and experience;
  • Ensuring protection and appropriate integration of natural environmental features including the Mount Joy Creek within the overall design concept of the study area; and,
  • Status of the proposed future extension of the Donald Cousens Parkway.

Shonda Wang, SvN Architects + Planners; Jonathan Chai, HDR; and Patrick Turner, Counterpoint Engineering, consultants to the City of Markham, delivered a presentation on the existing conditions of the Markham Road-Mount Joy Secondary Plan study area. Key challenges and opportunities in land use and built form, transportation, and municipal servicing were identified and discussed. 

 

There was discussion on the following relative to the baseline conditions overview presentation:

  • Potential consideration of an additional pedestrian bridge further north on Markham Road to provide greater connections across corridor;
  • Exploring opportunities to enhance streetscapes and pedestrian realm along the study area corridor through public-private partnerships;
  • Exploring traffic calming strategies and cross-section enhancements along Markham Road for cycling and pedestrian connectivity;
  • Addressing issues associated with lands located within the Mount Joy flood plain to permit appropriate redevelopment and mitigate impacts to existing uses;
  • Exploring potential opportunities for on-street parking, where feasible and appropriate;
  • Ensuring an appropriate mix of housing and employment types and tenures as well as transportation options required for a successful live/work environment;
  • Potential strategies for reconfiguration of Markham Road to mitigate traffic impacts on the adjacent heritage community to the south of the study area;
  • Importance of securing a GO Transit station at Markham Road and Major Mackenzie Drive and considering planning for transit-oriented development on both sides of Major Mackenzie Drive;
  • Exploring potential parking design solutions at Mount Joy Station and the potential future station at Major Mackenzie Drive to enhance transit-oriented development and multi-modal movement; and,
  • Continuing to consult and coordinate with landowners within the study area to inform the development of the overall secondary plan concept.

Michael Walker, OnePiece Developments, representative for the owner of the lands located at 9999 Markham Road, addressed the Sub-Committee in regard to the hold provision currently in effect on the zoning by-law for the subject lands. Mr. Walker provided an overview of the timeline of the development application submitted by the owner, and proposed an adjusted plan with mid-rise buildings in the Phase 1C area within the density allocation previously approved by Council to protect for the feasibility of a future GO Transit Station at Major Mackenzie Drive. Mr. Walker requested that staff and the Sub-Committee endorse the removal of the Phase 1C hold provision.

 

The Markham Sub-Committee consented to postpone consideration of this item to its next meeting on August 5, 2020.

The Markham Sub-Committee meeting adjourned at 12:59 PM.