MINUTES
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE
2008-04-29
Meeting No. 12
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
|
J. Livey, Chief Administrative
Officer
J. Baird, Commissioner of
Development Services
A. Brown, Director of Engineering
C. Conrad, Town Solicitor
T. Lambe, Manager, Policy and
Research
V. Shuttleworth, Director of
Planning and Urban Design
A. Tari, Committee Clerk
|
The Development Services
Committee convened at 9:00 AM in the Canada Room with Councillor
J. Webster in the Chair.
DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
None disclosed.
1. DEVELOPMENT
SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
- April 15, 2008, Part A (10.0)
Minutes
Moved by Regional Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu
That the
minutes of the Development Services Committee meeting, Part A, held April 15,
2008, be confirmed.
CARRIED
2. GROWTH
MANAGEMENT STUDY UPDATE (10.0)
Presentation
Ms. Valerie Shuttleworth, Director of Planning and
Urban Design, delivered a PowerPoint presentation on the status of the Growth
Management Study. Ms. Shuttleworth
advised that the draft boundary identified from the Ministry of Public
Infrastructure Renewal (MPIR) for the Markham Centre Urban Growth Center differ
from the Town’s Secondary Plan boundaries however, it is the boundary MPIR’s will
use to determine the gross density target of 200 persons and jobs per hectare
as identified in the Provincial Growth Plan.
These boundaries do not replace or affect the Town’s planning
boundaries.
The Committee expressed concerns with the fact that
the MPIR boundary for Markham Centre includes the valleylands and suggested
adding a “white” line to signify it as valleylands. The Committee discussed in detail concerns
with the exclusion of the East Precinct of Markham Centre and suggested MPIR be
requested to accurately reflect what the Town of Markham
considers the Markham Centre boundaries to be.
Staff advised that a submission (through the Region of York) can be made
to MPIR requesting those lands be included.
Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones
Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero
That the presentation provided by staff regarding
Growth Management Study Update be received; and,
That a submission be made by the Town of Markham through
the Region of York to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal Built
Boundaries regarding the draft Markham Centre Urban Growth Centre boundary
requesting that the East Precinct lands be included and the valleylands be
excluded; and further,
That if the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal
request removal of an equivalent amount of lands that the Town of Markham offer a
portion of land west of Warden Avenue.
CARRIED
3. INTENSIFICATION
ANALYSIS APPROACH
METHODOLOGY AND EXAMPLES (10.0)
Presentation
Mr. Tim Lambe, Manager, Policy and Research, delivered
a detailed PowerPoint presentation regarding the intensification analysis
component of Markham’s
Growth Management Strategy. He also
advised that the analysis is divided into three phases: phase 1 is techniques
and classification of intensification opportunities; phase 2 is identification
and modeling; phase 3 is input and growth options (staff are currently working
on phase 2). The presentation also
included provisos regarding intensification and Regional residential
intensification hierarchy. Mr. Lambe
also presented maps that depict the intensification hierarchy advising it is
not finalized.
The Committee expressed concern regarding the Regional
intensification percentages with respect to the hierarchy components,
specifically with respect to the GO Stations.
Staff advised that those percentages are mainly to reflect the way the
Region has assigned the projected growth across the entire Region to 2031. The Committee discussed the importance of
incorporating a GO Station stop around the Thornhill
Square area.
There was discussion surrounding the provisos regarding the intensification
analysis. Committee suggested important components such as: built form,
architecture and design, sustainability and green development standards and
best practices, should also be included in the list.
The Committee expressed concern with respect to
intensification within the designated Heritage areas. Staff advised that the Heritage policies are
in place and that Heritage areas are not being targeted for
intensification. Staff also advised that
the blank areas on the mapping are not included as part of the intensification
analysis.
The Committee requested clarification regarding the
redevelopment of business park areas.
Staff advised that they are looking at three areas regarding business
park areas: potential business park
lands that are still vacant; potential uplift for business park sites that are
already developed, and identifying key sites that already exist, for example, the
IBM site along Steeles Avenue
that has a large building on a substantial amount of land.
The Committee also suggested that there is a need for
a comprehensive communication management strategy that can be presented for
public input in an effort to reduce public opposition towards the forecasted
growth and intensification strategies.
Staff advised that a consultant will be retained to assist in the
development of the built form guidelines.
Further staff are investigating use of a consultant to develop a web
site related to the growth plan and intensification.
The Committee discussed the need for proper transit
lines that will be able to support the projected growth forecasts. Staff confirmed that they are in close
consultation with the Region of York regarding transportation issues and the
Region’s Growth management exercise.
Moved by Councillor E. Shapero
Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong
That the presentation provided by staff regarding
Intensification Analysis Approach Methodology and Examples be received; and,
That the provisos regarding the intensification analysis
also include the following:
sustainability, good architecture and design, green development
standards and best practices, and compatible built form design (in an area
context); and further,
That a submission be made to GO Transit requesting
them to re-examine the viability and possibility of a GO Station in the John
Street and Bayview Avenue area.
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
The Development Services
Committee meeting adjourned at 10:55 AM.