DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
October 18, 2011,
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
|
Councillor Alex Chiu
Regrets
|
Andy Taylor, Chief Administrative
Officer
Jim Baird, Commissioner of
Development Services
Brenda Librecz, Commissioner of
Community & Fire Services
Catherine Conrad, Town Solicitor
Jamie Bosomworth, Manager, Strategy
and Innovation
Stephen Chait, Director of Economic
Development
Jacqueline Chan, Assistant Town
Solicitor
Geoff Day, Planner II
Huyen Hare, Senior Business
Development Officer
Anna Henriques, Senior Planner
Christina Kakaflikas, Senior
Business Development
Officer
Biju Karumanchery, Senior
Development Manager
Dave Miller, Development Manager – Central District
Rino Mostacci, Director of Planning
and Urban Design
David Pearce, Manager, Real Property
John Ryerson, Director of Culture
Bill Snowball, Fire Chief
Tom Villella, Senior Project Coordinator – Zoning
&
Special
Projects
Kitty Bavington, Council/Committee
Coordinator
|
The Development Services
Committee convened at the hour of 9:10 a.m. in the Canada Room with Councillor Don
Hamilton in the Chair. Councillor Carolina Moretti assumed the Chair for
Economic Development Items, Nos. 4 and 5.
DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST –
None declared
1. DEVELOPMENT
SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
- October 4, 2011, Part A (10.0)
Minutes
Moved by: Councillor Alex Chiu
Seconded by: Councillor Carolina Moretti
1) That
the minutes of the Development Services Committee meeting, Part A, held October
4, 2011, be confirmed.
CARRIED
2. UPDATE ON POLICY FOR ESTABLISHING
TELECOMMUNICATION TOWERS (10.0)
Mkm
Presentation S.
DAgostino
Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services, gave
a brief summary of the Telecommunications Tower issue, and introduced the
presenters. Copies of the presentations were provided at the meeting.
Anna Henriques, Senior Planner with the Town of Markham
gave a presentation outlining the jurisdiction of the Town, the consultation
process and requirements, the Town’s site selection criteria and design
guidelines, and options going forward. Today’s presentations will assist the
Committee in understanding issues with respect to the establishment of telecommunications
facilities, jurisdictions, site selection policies, and health issues.
It was clarified that the Radiocommunication
Act gives approval authority to Industry Canada for radio
apparatus sites in consultation with the Municipality, if required. Exemption
policies and public consultation processes were detailed. Municipalities are
responsible for establishing local policy and commenting on proposals, and the
proponent is responsible for consulting with
the municipality and the public (if required) and addressing reasonable and relevant concerns.
A summary of options for revisions to the Town’s policy were reviewed.
Stephen D’Agostino,
Thomson Rogers Barristers and Solicitors, representing service
providers Bell,
Rogers and Telus, gave a presentation on the industry’s issues. Mr. D’Agostino discussed the changing
technology and paradigm shift since the 1980’s. Data transactions, which
require greater broadband capacity, now exceed voice traffic, and it is expected
to double every year through 2014. The presentation included technical
explanations to describe the demands on capacity and required solutions. Markham’s
employment growth demands wireless connectivity, and an interconnected network
without gaps is necessary. Cellular coverage, limitation issues and siting
constraints were explained, and samples of antenna types were displayed. The
trend is towards smaller towers and wider distribution involving more towers.
He commented that co-location can increase the size, height and visual impacts
of towers and are best suited to non-residential locations.
Dr. Ray Copes, Director, Environmental and
Occupational Health with Public Health Ontario, gave a presentation, explaining
the function of his organization as an arms-length agency to provide advice and
support to the health care system. Dr. Copes gave an overview of ionizing and
non-ionizing electromagnetic effects. He explained the ongoing World Health
Organization assessment of the carcinogenicity of Radio Frequency (RF) and
reviewed the conclusions of the International Agency for Research on Cancer
(IARC) Working Group regarding the carcinogenicity of RF. Standards have been
developed by Canada (Safety Code 6) and the International Commission on
Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). It was noted that the ‘hazard’ is
not new (i.e. RF from radio and TV) but the applications of cell phones and
other technologies, are. The proximity of the use, such as transmitters held
close to the body, is the key to the intensity of the impact.
Lengthy discussions involved co-located towers and shared structures
such as light standards; community issues and concerns; and, appropriate
community notification.
The Committee had several questions and comments, and responses were
provided by staff and the presenters:
-
Most proposals are subject to
municipal review even if public consultation is not required, as per the Town’s
existing protocol
-
Industry Canada can approve applications
despite the Town’s non-concurrence.
-
local councillors requested to be
advised of proposals
-
clarification was requested for
condo buildings, with respect to notification provided to surrounding residents
as well as condo owners
-
staff was requested to research
costs involved in integrating tower structures and public art
-
small antennae fixtures that are
integrated and painted to blend into a building received support from the Committee
-
towers and flagpoles are not
appropriate for co-locating systems as they create intrusive massing
-
the OMB is currently considering
an application to allow antennas on utility poles
-
Safety Code 6 requires minimum
separation distance to minimize effects
-
the Town’s policy should address
co-location; if it is silent, Industry Canada will require towers to be made
available for co-location
-
Mr. D’Agostino suggested parks can
be an ideal location - perhaps within an existing light standard - as they can
be physically separated from residential use, as opposed to a commercial site
that may be adjacent to residences.
-
Health Canada is investigating the
electromagnetic effects of cell phones, not towers
Helen Doyle, Region of York Medical Office of Health, and Mike Lang of
Industry Canada, were also in attendance to answer questions.
Staff will bring forward a report and proposed revised policy in
December, 2011. The Committee recommended that until a review of the policy is completed and
any new policies are in force, community consultation be required within 120
metres for all Telecommunication Tower applications, even those under 15m in
height. Staff clarified an exemption for an ongoing application that has
already been approved by the Committee. It was directed that this resolution
proceed to Council on this date.
Moved by: Councillor
Alex Chiu
Seconded by:
Deputy Mayor Jack Heath
1) That the
presentation provided by the following representatives titled “Update on Policy
for Establishing Telecommunication Towers” at the Development Services
Committee held on October 18, 2011 be received:
- Anna
Henriques, Town of Markham
-
Stephen D’Agostino, Thomson Rogers Barristers and Solicitors (representing
service providers Bell, Rogers and Telus)
- Dr.
Ray Copes, Public Health Ontario.
CARRIED
Moved
by: Councillor Howard Shore
Seconded
by: Councillor Logan Kanapathi
1) That,
until a review of the Town’s Telecommunications Tower policy is completed,
community consultation be required within 120 metres for all Telecommunication
Tower applications.
CARRIED
3. ROUGE PARK UPDATE (10.0)
Presentation
The Committee directed this matter be deferred to a
future date for a workshop session, prior to November 9, 2011. The associated
in-camera update was also deferred.
Moved by: Deputy Mayor Jack Heath
Seconded by: Councillor Alex Chiu
1) That the presentation provided by Lilli Duoba, Senior
Project Coordinator, titled “Rouge Park Update” be deferred
to a workshop session.
CARRIED
4. INSTITUTE WITHOUT BOUNDARIES (10.16)
Presentation Info
Stephen Chait, Director of Economic Development introduced a guest, Mr.
Ajay Ramasubramanium, Trade Advisor – Ontario Consulate General of Canada,
currently stationed in Mumbai, India. The Committee welcomed Mr.
Ramasubramanium.
Luigi Ferrara, Director, School of Design, George
Brown College, was introduced. Mr. Ferrara gave a presentation regarding the
Institute Without Boundaries (IwB) initiative to create a unique centre for
collaboration, innovation, and design thinking. The project team consists of
8-10 post-graduate students, supported by industry professionals and expert
advisors. 2011/2012 project themes, including a focus on Highway 7 and other
“Main Streets” in the Town of Markham, were outlined and the general
deliverables and responsibilities of the partners were described. A document
“Interdisciplinary Design Strategy, City Systems Year 3, Project Overview
2011/12” was provided to the Committee and reviewed.
The Committee had suggestions regarding the inclusion
of Yonge Street in Thornhill in the BIA focus, and involvement of the IwB in the
Strategic Transportation Plan.
The Committee thanked Mr. Ferrara for his presentation
and for the IwB partnership with Markham. Appreciation was expressed to staff
for embracing the initiative.
Moved by: Councillor Howard Shore
Seconded by: Mayor Frank Scarpitti
1) That the presentation provided by Luigi
Ferrara, Director, School of Design, George Brown College, titled “Institute
Without Boundaries” be received; and
2) That the background information titled
“Institute Without Boundaries and City of Markham City Systems Year Three
Proposal 2011-12” be received.
CARRIED
5. PROFILING OUR BUSINESS PARKS
A NEW CUSTOMER SERVICE
INITIATIVE (10.16)
Presentation
H.
Hare, ext. 5255
Huyen Hare, Senior Business Development Officer gave a
presentation regarding promotion of Markham’s employment lands and business
parks to developers, realtors, landlords and businesses. A new customer service
initiative profiles properties and businesses in Markham’s employment parks and
establishes a database of 19 business parks in Markham.
An analysis for all employment parks will be completed
and reports will be posted on the Economic Development website. The reports
will provide high level information on available land and buildings, but a more
detailed zoning search process is available through the Town Building Department
and as an on-line search to determine permitted uses.
The Committee discussed the statistics of vacant land,
and suggested the local councillor be included in the consultation process. The
Committee expressed support for this project, and appreciation to staff.
Moved by: Mayor Frank Scarpitti
Seconded by: Councillor Alan Ho
1) That the presentation provided by Huyen
Hare, Senior Business Development Officer titled “Profiling Our Business Parks
- A New Customer Service Initiative” be received.
CARRIED
6. IN-CAMERA MATTERS (8.6)
The Committee directed the following in-camera matter
be deferred to a future date for a workshop session, prior to November 9, 2011.
Moved by: Deputy Mayor Jack Heath
Seconded by: Councillor Alex Chiu
1) That the matter relating
to a pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local
board be deferred to a workshop session.
CARRIED
7. NEW BUSINESS – IN CAMERA (8.2)
Moved by: Deputy Mayor Jack Heath
Seconded by: Councillor Valerie Burke
That the Committee consents to
new in-camera business, in accordance with Section 239 (2) (c) of the Municipal Act, regarding a
confidential matter: a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land
by the municipality or local board.
CARRIED BY 2/3
VOTE
Moved by: Deputy Mayor Jack Heath
Seconded by: Councillor Alex Chiu
That, in accordance with Section 239 (2) (c) of the Municipal Act, Development Services
Committee resolve into an in-camera session to discuss the following
confidential matter:
1) A proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by
the municipality or local board.
CARRIED
Moved by: Deputy Mayor Jack Heath
Seconded by: Councillor Alan Ho
That the
Committee rise from the in-camera session (1:00 PM).
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
The Development Services
Committee meeting adjourned at 1:00 PM.
Alternate formats for this document
are available upon request.