Arvin Prasad, Commissioner of Development Services, advised that this item is related to the Parkland Acquisition Study, which commenced in August 2021. The study will be used to create a new Parkland Dedication By-Law, as required by Bill 197. The new by-law will be used as part of the development application process to determine parkland dedication requirements, including cash in lieu for parkland in Markham. The study being presented today, builds on past studies that were conducted, but were put on hold due to an Ontario Municipal Board hearing related to parkland dedication involving the City of Richmond Hill in 2013, and in due to the potential implications of Bill 108 on parkland dedication in 2018.
Parvathi Nampoothiri, Senior Manager, Urban Design, advised that Hemson Consulting was retained as the lead consultant to undertake the Parkland Acquisition Study, which builds upon the past work that was conducted. Ms. Nampoothiri provided a brief overview to the timelines and next steps. Ms. Nampoothiri thanked staff for their participation and input into the study, and introduced the consultant.
Adam Mattinson, Consultant, Hemson Consulting, provided a presentation entitled “Parkland Acquisition Study Overview and Status Update”.
The following deputations were made on the Parkland Acquisition Study Overview and Status Update:
Barry Nelson advised that the presentation effectively addressed the City’s technical needs pertaining to park acquisition and cash and lieu, but it does not address residents’ needs regarding the use of our natural and built park settings. Mr. Nelson questioned the social impact of building communities without parks nearby, especially if the City is promoting walkable communities where resident can work close to where they live. Mr. Nelson thanked the Chair for allowing him to speak after the staff presentation.
Evelin Ellison suggested that the City should compare Markham’s parkland with other municipalities’ parkland. Ms. Ellison spoke to the importance of building communities that include affordable housing and parkland close to where residents live, suggesting that children that grow-up in communities with access to parks are less likely to commit crimes. Ms. Ellison noted that stormwater management ponds play an important role in preventing flooding.
The Committee discussed the following relative to the presentation “Parkland Acquisition Study Overview and Status Update”:
- The timelines for approving the new Parkland Dedication By-Law;
- The date the new Parkland Dedication By-Law will become effective;
- Potential credits for parks located on top of stormwater management tanks;
- The anticipated impact the new Parkland Dedication By-Law may have on developers.
Staff clarified that the target is to have the new Parkland Dedication By-Law approved by Council in June 2022. The date the by-law is made effective is at staff and Council’s discretion. It is recommended that the by-law be approved prior to the Province’s September deadline. A rush of applications was not anticipated as a result of the new by-law, as developers do not pay for cash in lieu for parkland until the day before building permit is issued.
Mr. Mattinson explained the type of parkland credit developers may receive, and that the impact the by-law may have on developers will be addressed as part of Phase 2 of the study.