Development Services Committee Meeting
Agenda

Meeting Number: 4

Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 9:00 A.m. - 4:30 P.m.

Live streamed

Please bring this Development Services Committee Agenda to the Council meeting on April 28, 2026.

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

INDIGENOUS LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We begin today by acknowledging the traditional territories of Indigenous peoples and their commitment to stewardship of the land. We acknowledge the communities in circle. The North, West, South and Eastern directions, and Haudenosaunee, Huron- Wendat, Anishnabeg, Seneca, Chippewa, and the Mississaugas of the Credit peoples. We share the responsibility with the caretakers of this land to ensure the dish is never empty and to restore relationships that are based on peace, friendship, and trust. We are committed to reconciliation, partnership and enhanced understanding.

2.

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST

3.

APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

3.1

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES - MARCH 3, 2026 (10.0)

• 1. That the minutes of the Development Services Committee meeting held on March 3, 2026, be confirmed.

4.

PRESENTATIONS

4.1

PRESENTATION OF SERVICE AWARDS (12.2.6)

The Development Services Committee recognizes the following members of staff:

Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (Fire & Emergency Services)
Jason Best, Captain, Fire and Emergency Services, 30 years         
Christopher Lane, Firefighter, Fire and Emergency Services, 30 years
Fery Vaghei, Administrative Clerk, Fire and Emergency Services, 30 years            
Victor Chen, Firefighter, Fire and Emergency Services, 20 years
Martin Matthiessen, Firefighter, Fire and Emergency Services, 20 years
Jason Scovell, Division Chief, Fire and Emergency Services, 20 years
Keith Woodcock, Firefighter, Fire and Emergency Services, 20 years
Simon Trimbee, Firefighter, Fire and Emergency Services, 15 years
Kevin Challenger, Firefighter, Fire and Emergency Services, 5 years
Isaac Dobos, Firefighter, Fire and Emergency Services, 5 years
Shamil Kurji, Firefighter, Fire and Emergency Services, 5 years
William Lorimer, Firefighter, Fire and Emergency Services, 5 years
Nancy Merocchi, Firefighter, Fire and Emergency Services, 5 years
Wing Leung Tse, Firefighter, Fire and Emergency Services, 5 years
Mohamed Yusuf, Firefighter, Fire and Emergency Services, 5 years

Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (People Services & Legal Services)
Bessie Mok, Manager HR - Compensation & Benefits, People Services, 15 years
Hersh Tencer, Senior Manager, Real Property, Legal Services, 10 years

Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (Economic Development, Culture & Entrepreneurship)
Huyen Hare, Manager, Economic Development, Economic Development, Culture & Entrepreneurship, 20 years

Community Services Commission     
Warren Watson, Community Program Coordinator FT, Recreation Services, 40 years
Carlo Macchiusi, Waterworks Accounts & Claims Co-ordinator, Environmental Services, 30 years          
Janice Carroll, Manager, Community, Recreation Services, 30 years
Tehzeeb Jeelani, Supervisor, Community Facility, Recreation Services, 20 years
Yurong Duan, Systems Analyst, Environmental Services, 15 years
Monica Ganzhorn, Customer Service Representative, Recreation Services, 15 years     
Ryan Hanna, Community Facility Coordinator FC, Recreation Services, 15 years  
Edward Migue, Community Program Coordinator SD, Recreation Services, 15 years
Mark Timbers, Supervisor, Community Facility, Recreation Services, 15 years
Hari Pokharel, Supervisor, Capital Planning, Environmental Services, 10 years  
Samuel Low, Supervisor, Community Program, Recreation Services, 10 years            
Paul Ahn, Manager, Infrastructure, Capital Delivery, Environmental Services, 5 years
Andrew Eng, Sign Technician, Operations, 5 years
Kaitlyn Storton, Gardener, Operations, 5 years

Corporate Services Commission                            
Fion Lau, Budget Coordinator, Financial Services, 10 years
Hardik Kotecha, Cyber Security Specialist, IT Services, 5 years
Adam Freeman, Animal Care Officer, Legislative Services, 5 years
Dan Merrill, Animal Care Officer, Legislative Services, 5 years

Development Services Commission
Robert Tadmore, Coordinator, Geomatics/GIS Advocate, Planning and Urban Design, 30 years
Bradley Roberts, Manager, Zoning & Special Projects, Planning and Urban Design, 20 years
David Johnston, Zoning Examiner, Building Standards, 10 years
Evan Manning, Senior Planner, Heritage, Planning and Urban Design, 5 years

5.

DEPUTATIONS

6.

COMMUNICATIONS

7.

CONSENT REPORTS - DEVELOPMENT AND POLICY MATTERS

7.1

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES – DECEMBER 9, 2025, JANUARY 20, 2026, FEBRUARY 10, 2026, FEBRUARY 25, 2026, AND MARCH 10, 2026(10.0)

• 1. That the minutes of the Development Services Public Meeting held December 9, 2025, January 20, 2026, February 10, 2026, February 25, 2026, and March 10, 2026 be confirmed.

7.2

VARLEY-MCKAY ART FOUNDATION OF MARKHAM MINUTES – DECEMBER 8, 2025, JANUARY 12, 2026, AND FEBRUARY 12, 2026 (16.0)

• 1. That the minutes of the Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham meeting held December 8, 2025, January 12, 2026, and February 12, 2026, be received for information purposes.

7.3

CYCLING AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE (CPAC) MINUTES – NOVEMBER 20, 2025 (16.34)

• 1. That the minutes of the Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (CPAC) meetings held November 20, 2025, be received for information purposes.

7.4

FLATO MARKHAM THEATRE ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES - NOVEMBER 24, 2025 (16.0)

• 1. That the minutes of the Flato Markham Theatre Advisory Board meeting held November 24, 2025, be received for information purposes.

7.5

DOORS OPEN MARKHAM 2026 ORGANIZING COMMITTEE MINUTES - NOVEMBER 26, 2025 AND JANUARY 28, 2026 (16.0)

• 1. That the minutes of the Doors Open Markham 2026 Organizing Committee held November 26, 2025 and January 28, 2026 be received for information purposes.

7.6

HERITAGE MARKHAM COMMITTEE MINUTES – MARCH 11, 2026 (16.11)

• 1. That the minutes of the Heritage Markham Committee meeting held March 11, 2026 be received for information purposes.

7.7

CITY OF MARKHAM COMMENTS: FUTURE USES OF THE FORMER PICERKING AIRPORT LANDS (10.0)

P. Wong, ext. 6922

• 1. That the report dated April 14, 2026, titled “City of Markham Comments: Future Uses of the Former Pickering Airport Lands”, be received; and,
  2. That the City of Markham advise Transport Canada, through the ongoing federal consultation on the future of the former Pickering Airport Lands, that:
     1. the City supports the continued current use of the Transport Canada–owned property in the City of Markham for agricultural and natural heritage conservation purposes, consistent with the City of Markham Greenway System and Greenbelt Plan Protected Countryside designations, and recognizes that these uses are compatible with the existing airport operations on the property in Markham;
     2. Transport Canada be requested to consider long term future uses of this property that:
        1. protect and enhance natural heritage features, ecological connectivity, and watershed health consistent with the environmental policies of the City of Markham Official Plan;
        2. provide opportunities for restoration, public access and nature based recreation where appropriate and compatible with ecological protection; and
     3. upon confirmation by Transport Canada that the property is no longer required for the existing airport operations, Transport Canada be requested to transfer the property to Parks Canada for inclusion within the Rouge National Urban Park (RNUP);
     4. Transport Canada continue to engage with municipalities and other stakeholders on decisions regarding the future uses of the Pickering Airport Lands; and,
  3. Parks Canada be encouraged to designate the property as part of the Rouge National Urban Park and manage it for ecological restoration, protected agriculture, cultural heritage conservation, and public enjoyment consistent with RNUP’s Management Plan; and,
  4. That this report be forwarded to Transport Canada and Parks Canada prior to the commenting deadline of April 17, 2026, as the City of Markham’s comments in response to Transport Canada’s public consultations on the potential future uses of the Pickering Lands; and further,
  5. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

8.

PRESENTATIONS - DEVELOPMENT AND POLICY MATTERS

8.1

OFFICIAL PLAN REVIEW PROJECT LAUNCH (10.3)

J. Huang, ext. 3286

• 1. That the April 14, 2026 presentation titled, “Official Plan Review- Project Launch DSC Presentation”, be received.

9.

REGULAR REPORTS - DEVELOPMENT AND POLICY MATTERS

9.1

DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS ACTIVITY (10.0)

P. Mehraie, ext. 3356

• 1. That the staff report titled, “Development Applications Activity Report (2020-2025)”, dated April 14, 2026, be received; and further,
  2. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

10.

MOTIONS

10.1

MOTION - MAIN STREET UNIONVILLE PARKING (5.10)

Note: The notice of this motion was given at the Development Services Committee meeting held on March 3, 2026.

• WHEREAS, Main Street Unionville, between Carlton Road and the Metrolinx railway tracks, was recently reconstructed. The east side includes parking bays outlined with white pavers; and,

  WHEREAS, the Unionville Business Improvement Area (UBIA) requests that these parking bays remain inactive and that no parking be allowed on either side of this section of Main Street (Attachment 1, UBIA Board motion, October 2024, Item 6); and,

  WHEREAS, before the 2020 pandemic, parking was permitted only in winter on the east side; no parking was allowed in spring, summer, or fall. Pandemic-era restrictions extended no parking restrictions throughout the year. This was maintained until the 2025 reconstruction; and,

  WHEREAS, the east-side parking bays were designed with subtle white outlines to reduce confusion if restrictions are enforced. The design gives flexibility to future decision makers. This was discussed at the time the design decision was made; and,

  WHEREAS, Main Street was redesigned to enhance the pedestrian experience, with no distinction between sidewalk and boulevard. Parked cars interfere with this space and are perceived by many as a safety concern; and,

  WHEREAS, the UBIA and its retail consultant, Warren Smagaren (warrensmagaren.com), support removing on-boulevard parking, believing it benefits businesses and the pedestrian environment; and,

  WHEREAS, removal of on-boulevard parking facilitates snow clearing and will allow for summer sidewalk cafés on the east side. Several restaurants have expressed interest in the latter; and,

  WHEREAS, the Main Street Unionville Community Vision Plan (2015) demonstrates that there is no shortage of parking to serve Main Street Unionville, even at peak times (page 144); and,

  WHEREAS, while the recently approved Citywide Parking Strategy does prioritise a parking strategy for Unionville, there is no indication at this time that on-boulevard parking is required to address parking issues there; and,

  WHEREAS, there is support for one or two short-term parking spots for drop-offs, particularly for those with mobility challenges; and,

  WHEREAS, Local residents have recently expressed opposition to on-boulevard parking through emails (Appendix 2) and discussions with the Ward 3 Councillor; and,

  Therefore, be it resolved:

  1. That Markham Council directs Staff to eliminate on-boulevard parking on Main Street Unionville between Carlton Road and the Metrolinx railway tracks, except for two short term parking spots for drop-offs and pick-ups; and,
  2. That changes to parking restrictions should be made via a simple change to signage and enforcement only. No changes to the boulevard brick pattern are required; and further,
  3. That any future changes to parking restrictions on this section of Main Street shall be made only in consultation with the Unionville Business Improvement Area.

10.2

MOTION - TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON INSTALLATION OF ON-STREET BICYCLE LANES ON RESIDENTIAL STREETS (5.10)

Note: The notice of this motion was given at the General Committee meeting held on March 10, 2026.

• WHEREAS, the City is committed to enhancing active transportation infrastructure, including the expansion of bicycle lanes to promote safety, sustainability, and mobility; and,

  WHEREAS, the installation of bicycle lanes on certain residential streets may result in the removal or significant reduction of on-street parking; and,

  WHEREAS, many residential neighbourhoods were designed with limited driveway capacity and rely on on-street parking to accommodate visitors, caregivers, tradespersons, contractors, landscaping services, and short-term household needs; and,

  WHEREAS, the loss of on-street parking without viable alternatives will create challenges for residents and negatively impact neighbourhood functionality; and,

  WHEREAS, Council recognizes the need to balance active transportation objectives with practical residential parking requirements; and,

  Therefore be it resolved:

  1. That a temporary moratorium be placed on the approval and installation of new bicycle lanes on residential streets where such installation would eliminate or materially reduce existing on-street parking; and,
  2. That this moratorium remain in effect until staff report back to Council with:
     1. A comprehensive review of the impacts of on-street bike lanes on residential parking supply; and,
     2. Viable options and recommendations to address visitor parking, short-term parking for contractors and service providers, and seasonal landscaping needs; and,
     3. That public consultation be undertaken with affected neighbourhoods prior to the commencement of design and implementation work: and further,
  3. That any residential bike lane projects currently in the planning or design phase be paused pending the outcome of the staff report. 

11.

NOTICES OF MOTION

12.

NEW/OTHER BUSINESS

• As per Section 2 of the Council Procedural By-Law, "New/Other Business would generally apply to an item that is to be added to the Agenda due to an urgent statutory time requirement, or an emergency, or time sensitivity".

13.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

14.

CONFIDENTIAL ITEMS

• That, in accordance with Section 239 (2) of the Municipal Act, Development Services Committee resolve into a confidential session to discuss the following matters:

14.1

DEVELOPMENT AND POLICY MATTERS

14.1.1

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES - MARCH 3, 2026 (10.0) [MUNICIPAL ACT, 2001, Section 239 (2) (e) (k)]

14.1.2

OLT APPEAL OF A MINOR VARIANCE APPLICATION BY SEVANA INVESTMENTS LIMITED, 40 TORBAY ROAD, UNITS 44 AND 46 (WARD 8) (10.12)

LITIGATION OR POTENTIAL LITIGATION, INCLUDING MATTERS BEFORE ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNALS, AFFECTING THE MUNICIPALITY OR LOCAL BOARD; [MUNICIPAL ACT, 2001, Section 239 (2) (e)]

15.

ADJOURNMENT