The Public Meeting this date was to consider an application submitted by Regional Municipality of York, application for Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment to permit the development of two affordable rental buildings, which will be operated by Housing York Inc.
The Committee Clerk advised that 172 notices were mailed on May 18, 2022, and a Public Meeting sign was posted on May 4, 2022. There were 2 written submissions received regarding this proposal.
Stephen Lue, Senior Manager of Development, introduced the item.
Carlson Tsang, gave a presentation regarding the proposal, the location, surrounding uses and outstanding issues.
Leigh McGrath, York Region, provided a presentation on the proposed development.
The following deputations were provided on the proposed development:
Charles Sutherland spoke in support of the proposed affordable housing project. Mr. Sutherland spoke of his experience assisting with the development of affordable housing in collaboration with six churches 30 years ago. Mr. Sutherland noted that it takes a lot of time and planning to develop affordable housing and that there has not been a lot of affordable housing built in the last 30 years. Mr. Sutherland noted that Ontario is in a housing crisis and worries that his children will not be able to afford to live in Markham after they graduate from university. Mr. Sutherland thanked Markham Council for trying to address affordable housing.
Syed Mehdi, resident residing across the street from the proposed development, spoke in opposition to the affordable housing project, as the location is not ideal for affordable housing due to there being limited and infrequent transportation in this area, and housing type not matching the existing community.
Murugesh Subramanian, Box Grove Resident, spoke in opposition of the proposed affordable housing project, expressing the following concerns: the community is zoned for low rise residential; it does not fit with the character of the existing community, which is comprised mostly of single detached dwellings; it will place additional stress on existing community amenities, as there are not that many parks located within the community; it will have a negative impact on the wildlife living in Bob Hunter Park; the privacy and safety of children living in the community will be jeopardized.
Alessandro Sisti, Box Grove Resident, spoke in favour of the affordable housing development, and spoke about the housing crisis Canada is facing. Mr. Sisti noted that he did not know a single person his age who would be able to afford a home in Markham, and further noted that voices of those who want to live in Markham but cannot afford to are not being heard at tonight’s meeting.
Pricilla Chan, young professional and resident of Box Grove, expressed the following concerns regarding the proposed affordable housing development: the City should not permit new developments in the area as the City is not looking after the current community (i.e. maintaining the parks in the community); that the community received little information in regards to the proposed affordable housing complex; that the location is not ideal as there is limited transit in the area; and that the project will create safety concerns for residents. Ms. Chan questioned why this location was idea for affordable housing, and how this project benefits existing residents in the community.
Adriano Lombardi, Box Grove resident, spoke in opposition of the project, expressing the following concerns: the location is not idea, as there is only limited and infrequent transit serving this community and minimal employment opportunities nearby; it will make existing traffic concerns worse; and the project’s development process has been poorly managed.
Gilbert Tsui, Box Grove Resident, noted that affordable housing is needed, but that careful consideration needs to be taken when selecting the location. Mr. Tsui expressed the following concerns regarding the proposed affordable housing project: the process for consulting the community on the proposed development was not well managed; there is a single detached dwelling located directly across from the proposed entrance to the building; the pollution it will create; and that there are not a lot community amenities nearby.
Asma Syed, Box Grove resident, advised she is a huge proponent of affordable housing, but questioned how existing infrastructure will support the proposed affordable housing, noting there is limited public transportation to this area. Ms. Syed questioned the economic benefit of the proposed affordable housing to the existing community, and what the community infrastructure would like during and after this project is completed.
Nimisha Patel, Box Grove Resident, advised that affordable housing needs to be at the forefront, and questioned how we can vote against it while we are in a housing crisis, but noted the importance of hearing residents’ feedback on the proposed affordable housing. Ms. Patel expressed concern that residents were not able to provide feedback on the application at the Community Information Meeting held in January. Ms. Patel suggested that a meeting should be set-up with the residents living on VetteseCourt, and Moore’s Court. Ms. Patel noted that the community does not have access to frequent transit service, and that she wanted the community to thrive.
The Committee provided the following feed on the proposed affordable housing development:
- Noted that there is great need for affordable housing, and that one of the greatest costs associated with building affordable housing is the cost of land;
- Suggested that there should be a right-in/right-out entrance onto Donald Cousens Parkway, or that the entrance should be moved further north-east;
- Objected to having the entrance on Vettese Court;
- Questioned if the staging area of the proposed development could be moved;
- Expressed concern that the TRCA was not contacted regarding York Region’s flooding concerns;
- Questioned if there was an opportunity to improve the blending of the architecture of the proposed affordable housing with the existing community;
- Provided examples where affordable housing has been successfully blended into existing communities comprised mainly of single detached dwellings;
- Noted that it is not easy to find affordable housing locations;
- Suggested that this is not the right location for affordable housing, as it should be built closer to a transit station;
- Suggested that affordable housing should be referred to as purpose built rentals, as there is a stigma when it is referred to as affordable housing;
- Noted that there is a need for purpose built rentals for people on fixed incomes;
- Questioned if there is an opportunity to have all the parking underground;
- Clarified that the project can be appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal;
- Noted that it will be a lot of work for the property manager to move the waste to the central waste room.
Councillor Khalid Usman advised that he will not support the application as he represents the residents of his Ward and they have expressed a number of concerns regarding the proposed location of the affordable housing.
City Staff and York Region Staff provided the following responses to inquiries from the Committee and the Public:
York Region Staff advised that the staging area cannot be moved, as this area is needed to store critical infrastructure that needs to be accessible during an emergency. They further advised that there may be opportunities to make enhancements to the entrance, and to the 4 storey building that would improve the blending of the development with the existing community. They also advised that there will be underground parking as part of phase two of the proposed development, noting that underground parking was not feasible for the building with 48 units, as there is not enough units to justify the high cost of providing the underground parking for this building. Furthermore, they clarified that the two buildings will share a waste room, which will be located in a central spot.