MINUTES
MARCH
10, 2009 - 9:00 a.m.
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE
Meeting No. 8
All
Members of Council
Development
Services Economic
Development
Chair: Councillor J. Webster Chair: Regional Councillor T. Wong
Vice-Chair: Councillor D. Horchik Transportation Issues
Chair: Regional Councillor G. Landon
PART A
Presentations, Major Studies, and Issues Agenda
9:00 a.m. – Canada Room
Attendance
|
Councillor A. Chiu
Regrets
Absent
|
J. Livey, Chief Administrative
Officer
J. Baird, Commissioner of
Development Services
B. Librecz, Commissioner of
Community & Fire Services
A. Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate
Services
A. Brown, Director of Engineering
B. Karumanchery, Senior Development
Manager
J. Streisfield, Assistant
Town Solicitor
V. Shuttleworth, Director of
Planning and Urban Design
M. Wouters, Senior Project
Coordinator Policy and Growth
Management
A. Tari, Committee Clerk
|
The Development Services
Committee convened 9:00 AM in the Canada Room with Councillor
J. Webster in the Chair. Regional
Councillor G. Landon assumed the Chair for Transportation item, No.1.
DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
None disclosed.
1. BIKE
LANE ON HIGHWAY 7 (6.3)
Mr. Loy Cheah, Region of York, delivered a PowerPoint
presentation regarding bike lanes on Highway 7.
The Committee suggested that the Region look at
communities that have successful bike paths such as Calgary.
The Committee stated their dissatisfaction with the
Region of York’s recommended solution and believes that what is being proposed
will not be effective. There was
considerable discussion regarding safety of cyclist traveling along on street
bike routes, particularly along busier streets such as Highway 7.
The Committee suggested that the Region work together
with Town staff to develop concepts that will incorporate bike lanes along
Highway 7 in a more acceptable manner, and that the following be considered:
- Public Safety
- Dedicated bike
paths (separate from the vehicular traffic)
- Develop a map
that incorporates both municipal and regional bike routes
- Provision of
smaller dividing boulevards or other means that are aesthetically pleasing
and that separate the bike, from the cars and pedestrians
- When
developing routes consider both cycling commuter traffic and recreational
cycling use
Mr. Paul May, Director Infrastructure Planning, Region
of York, advised the Committee that an entire network is needed between the
municipalities and Region and that would have to be developed in sections. He also advised that the Region is
incorporating things to encourage commuters in vehicles to drive slower which
in turn will make it safer for cyclists.
Mr. Tupper Wheatley addressed the Committee with
respect to bike lanes on Highway 7 and spoke in support of bike paths separated
from the arterial roads. He suggested
that the Region consider the option of wider singular pathways. Mr. Wheatley asked when the bike paths would
be extended to the easterly part of Markham.
Moved by Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Councillor J. Virgilio
That the presentation provided by Mr. Loy Cheah,
Manager, Planning from the Region of York, regarding the Bike Lanes on Highway
7, be received; and,
That the Region of York work
together with Town staff to develop concepts that will incorporate Bike Lanes along
Highway 7 that are safe for cyclists.
CARRIED
2. DEVELOPMENT
SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
(10.0) February 24, 2009, Part A
Minutes
Moved by A. Chiu
Seconded by Mayor F. Scarpitti
That the
minutes of the Development Services Committee meeting, Part A, held
February 24, 2009,
be confirmed.
CARRIED
3. TOWN
OF MARKHAM SECTION 37 PROVISIONS
OFFICIAL PLAN POLICIES AND
GUIDELINES (10.0)
Presentation
Mr. John Gladki, Principle, GHK International, delivered a PowerPoint
presentation regarding the future use Section 37 Provisions of the Planning
Act. He indicated that use of Section
37 is very appropriate in areas that are already built up and undergoing
intensification.
The Committee stated concern with incorporating conservation of
cultural heritage as part of the Section 37 possible benefits. Staff advised that there is no intention to
reduce any of the Town’s current standards, but rather to achieve more if the opportunity
exists.
The Committee agreed that it is important to have a process in place
related to the use of Section 37 and that there needs to be public consultation
and transparency.
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Regional Councillor G. Landon
That the presentation provided by Mr. John Gladki, Principle, GHK
International regarding the Section 37 Provisions, be received.
CARRIED
4. GROWTH
MANAGEMENT STRATEGY
COMMUNITY MEETING PRESENTATION
(10.0)
Presentation
Ms. Valerie Shuttleworth, Director of Planning & Urban Design,
delivered a PowerPoint presentation to provide an overview of what will be
presented to the public at the Public Information Meetings regarding growth
management strategy, scheduled for March 11, 12, 25 and April 2, 2009. She advised that staff anticipate presenting a
summary of public response and next steps to the Development Services Committee
in April 2009. Growth Management
Workbooks, “Markham
is growing….What do you think” (includes a questionnaire) were distributed to
the Committee and staff advised copies will be distributed at the Public
Information Meeting and available on line.
The Committee stated that the questionnaire is very well formed. The Committee suggested that the following information
be included at the Public Information Meeting:
indicate intensification and Whitebelt options; make it clear why
intensification is taking place; identify how constituents can be involved
throughout the process; and simplify the language during the presentation.
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti
That the presentation provided by Ms. Valerie Shuttleworth, Director of
Planning & Urban Design, regarding an overview of upcoming Growth
Management Strategy Community Meetings, be received.
CARRIED
5. SERVICING
ALLOCATION UPDATE (5.5)
Presentation Tables
Mr. Joe Vaccaro, VP of BILD, addressed the Committee with respect to
the Town of Markham Service Allocation. He advised the Committee that a letter was
submitted on March 3, 2009
from BILD recommending that the Town of Markham
consider temporarily suspending its ranking protocol and priority system as it
relates to servicing allocation for this round of assignments. He suggested that more allocation should be
assigned to low density development and shovel ready projects, in the current
economic down turn.
The Committee suggested that a special meeting be scheduled with
Members of Council and the members of the Developers Round Table to discuss the
various issues currently impacting the development community.
Moved by Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti
That a special meeting be scheduled with Members
of Council and the members of the Developers Round Table to discuss current issues
impacting the development community.
CARRIED
Mr. Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services, advised the
Committee that what is being presented today is in draft form and will also be
presented at the Developers Round Table meeting scheduled for March 11, 2009.
Mr. Biju Karumanchery, Senior Development Manager, delivered a
PowerPoint presentation providing an update with respect to service
allocation.
The Committee inquired if this proposal satisfies the request from
BILD. Staff advised that they have met
with representatives of BILD, and that staff are comfortable with this proposed
distribution. It remains true to the
Town’s overall principle to promote transit oriented development, while
addressing the needs of the low density community as well. Staff also advised that they anticipate
reporting back to the Development Services Committee in late April 2009 subject
to the timing of a meeting with the development community recommended by the
Committee earlier in the meeting.
Moved by Regional Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by Councillor J. Virgilio
That the presentation provided by Mr. Biju Karumanchery, Senior
Development Manager, regarding the Servicing Allocation Update, be received.
CARRIED
NEW BUSINESS
There were no items.
ADJOURNMENT
The Development Services
Committee meeting adjourned at 11:48 AM.