DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
MARCH 20, 2012,
9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Canada Room
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. – Canada Room
Attendance
|
Councillor Alex Chiu
Regrets
|
Andy Taylor, Chief Administrative
Officer
Jim Baird, Commissioner of
Development Services
Brenda Librecz, Commissioner of
Community & Fire Services
Alan Brown, Director of Engineering
Stephen Chait, Director, Economic
Development
Catherine Conrad, Town Solicitor
Geoff Day, Senior Planner
Linda Irvine, Manager, Parks and
Open Space Development
Christina Kakaflikas, Manager,
Special Projects
Rino Mostacci, Director of Planning
and Urban Design
David Pearce, Manger, Real Property
Sandra Tam, Senior Business
Development Officer
Tom Villella, Senior Project
Coordinator
Kitty Bavington, Council/Committee Coordinator
|
The Development Services
Committee convened at the hour of 9:05 a.m. in the Canada Room with Regional
Councillor Jim Jones in the Chair. Councillor
Carolina Moretti assumed the Chair for Economic Development items, Nos. 2 and
3; Regional Councillor
Gord Landon assumed the Chair for Transportation items, No. 4.
DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
Councillor Valerie Burke disclosed an
interest with respect to item # 6, the Interim Control By-law for Thornlea
Industrial Area, by nature of there being a family-owned business in the area,
and did not take part in the consideration or discussion of or vote on the
question of the approval of such matter.
1. DEVELOPMENT
SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
- January 24, 2012, Part B (10.0)
Minutes
Moved by: Councillor Alex Chiu
Seconded by: Councillor Logan Kanapathi
That the
minutes of the Development Services Committee meeting, Part B, held January 24,
2012, be confirmed.
CARRIED
2. 2012 MARKHAM – ICCC BUSINESS MISSION
TO INDIA AND DUBAI:
REPORT ON OUTCOMES AND
ACTIVITIES (10.16)
Presentation
Christina Kakaflikas, Manager, Special Projects, introduced
the members of the delegation to India and Dubai that were in attendance. Ms.
Kakaflikas gave a presentation regarding the 2012 Markham – ICCC (Indo-Canada
Chamber of Commerce) Business Mission to India and Dubai: Report on Outcomes
and Activities. The overall mission objectives and outcomes were reviewed, as
well as the itinerary and activities during the business mission, and follow-up
activities.
The Committee had several questions for staff. It was
suggested southern India be included in future missions. The Chair of Economic
Development spoke to the success of the endeavor and congratulated everyone
involved.
Moved by: Councillor Logan Kanapathi
Seconded by: Regional Councillor Jim Jones
That the presentation provided by Christina
Kakaflikas, Manager, Special Projects regarding 2012 Markham – ICCC Business
Mission to India and Dubai: Report on Outcomes and Activities be received.
CARRIED
3. NEW
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DVDS (10.16)
Stephen Chait, Director of Economic Development, gave
a presentation of four new DVDs: an Economic Development DVD to promote Markham;
a promotion of the Markham Convergence Centre; an endorsement DVD; and a
Mandarin language DVD. Mr. Chait discussed the value of the promotional
materials and expressed appreciation to staff and Brian O’Conner for their work
on this initiative.
Discussions included language options and content. The
Committee was encouraged to distribute the DVDs and to add a link to their
e-mails, to promote Markham.
Moved by: Councillor Valerie Burke
Seconded by: Councillor Logan Kanapathi
That the presentation provided by Stephen Chait,
Director of Economic Development regarding the new Economic Development DVDs be
received.
CARRIED
4. SMART COMMUTE – MARKHAM/RICHMOND HILL
TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT
ASSOCIATION (TMA) (5.10)
Presentation
Richard Cunningham, President,
Markham Board of Trade, introduced Basil Marcello, Senior Program Advisor, Smart
Commute – Markham/Richmond Hill. Mr. Marcello introduced members of his team in
attendance, and gave a presentation regarding Smart Commute – Markham/Richmond
Hill Transportation Management Association (TMA). He provided background
information on the not-for-profit initiative, affiliated with the Markham Board
of Trade and the Richmond Hill Chamber of Commerce. The presentation included
the organizational highlights, program updates, activity highlights, the 2012
work plan, and funding partners. Staff noted funding is addressed in Markham’s
annual budget process.
The Committee discussed the zone-fare issue,
implementation of the Presto Card, economic challenges for students, and encouraging
a connection with Better Place for environmentally-friendly vehicles.
Moved by: Councillor Alex Chiu
Seconded by: Councillor Alan Ho
That the presentation provided by Basil Marcello,
Senior Program Advisor, Smart Commute – Markham/Richmond Hill regarding Smart
Commute – Markham/Richmond Hill Transportation Management Association (TMA) be
received.
CARRIED
5. STATUS REPORT NO. 1
PARKLAND DEDICATION BY-LAW
REVIEW (10.0)
Presentation
Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services introduced this matter.
Tom Villella, Senior Project Coordinator gave a brief background on the issue
of parkland dedication and introduced Tom Janzen of the Planning Partnership.
Mr. Janzen gave a presentation on the parkland
dedication by-law review in preparation of updating the Official Plan policies,
noting that this is the first of three status reports that will be provided to
the Committee. The presentation included an acknowledgement of the professional
consulting team working with the Planning Partnership on this project, the
purpose of the study, the consultation process, and input from Council members
and developers. Mr. Janzen discussed the legislative aspects, current Official
Plan policies and current Markham practices, as well as related activities in
the GTA.
Next steps include continuing consultation and further
updates to the Committee, with a final report anticipated in June, 2012.
The Committee requested the current calculations for
the Langstaff area and Markham Centre be provided, and that consideration be
given to support for other initiatives such as transit. It was requested that
the details be simplified for clarity of understanding.
Discussions included disincentives, land valuations,
sustainability incentives, diversity of GTA rates, funding for park development
and maintenance, ongoing park development in the Box Grove community, and creating
a vision to preserve the ‘town’ identity and character by protecting green
space.
Moved by: Regional Councillor Gord Landon
Seconded by: Councillor Alan Ho
That the presentation provided by Tom Janzen, The
Planning Partnership regarding Status Report No. 1 - Parkland Dedication By-law
Review be received.
CARRIED
6. RECOMMENDATION REPORT
INTERIM CONTROL BY-LAW
THORNLEA INDUSTRIAL AREA
THORNHILL COMMUNITY
(PR 12 108428) (10.0)
Report Figures
1+2 Appendix
A
Councillor Valerie Burke disclosed an
interest with respect to the Interim Control By-law for Thornlea Industrial
Area, by nature of a family member owning a business in the area, and did not
take part in the consideration or discussion of or vote on the question of the
approval of such matter.
Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services
introduced this matter and provided background information on the development
of the Thornlea Industrial Area. Discussions included the conclusions of the
Working Group, the public notice requirement, and impacts on a Telecommunications
Tower being installed in the area. It was suggested that Industry Canada and
the Ministry of the Environment be notified of the proposed Interim Control
By-law.
Staff was requested to bring this forward to Council
on March 20, 2012.
Moved by: Councillor Howard Shore
Seconded by: Councillor Logan Kanapathi
1) That the report entitled “Recommendation Report, Interim
Control By-law Thornlea Industrial Area, Thornhill Community File # PR 12
108428” dated March 20, 2012, be received; and,
2) That pursuant to Section 38 of the Planning Act, Council
enact an Interim Control By-law for the Thornlea Industrial Area, substantially
in accordance with the proposed By-law attached as Appendix ‘A’; and,
3) **That Industry Canada and
the Ministry of the Environment be notified of the Interim Control By-law; and
further,
4) That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things
necessary to give effect to this resolution.
** Amended by Council on March 20 to read as follows:
“That Industry Canada and
the Honourable Peter
Kent, Minister of the Environment and Member of Parliament for Thornhill, be
notified of the Interim Control By-law; and further,”
7. IN-CAMERA MATTER (8.0)
Moved by: Councillor Alex Chiu
Seconded by: Councillor Logan Kanapathi
That, in accordance with Section 239 (2) (e) of the Municipal Act, Development Services
Committee resolve into an in-camera session to discuss the following
confidential matter:
1) Litigation or potential litigation, including matters before
administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board (Ward 4)
CARRIED
Moved by: Councillor Carolina Moretti
Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Jack Heath
That the Development Services Committee rise from
in-camera session (11:55 AM).
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
The Development Services
Committee meeting adjourned at 11:55 AM.
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