MINUTES
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE
2008-05-13 - 9:00 a.m.
Meeting No. 14
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. Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate
Services
A. Seabrooke, Commission Lead,
Library Services, Fire Service,
and Recreation & Culture
A. Brown, Director of Engineering
C. Conrad, Town Solicitor
B. Cribbett, Treasurer
S. Heaslip, Senior Planner
V. Shuttleworth, Director of
Planning and Urban Design
D. Miller, Senior Project
Coordinator, Special Projects
A. Tari, Committee Clerk
|
The Development Services
Committee convened at 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.5.
DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
None disclosed.
1. DEVELOPMENT
SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
- April 29, 2008, Part A (10.0)
Minutes
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor V. Burke
That the
minutes of the Development Services Committee meeting, Part A, held April 29,
2008, be confirmed.
CARRIED
2. MARKHAM
INTER-CHURCH COMMITTEE
ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING (MICAH)
PROPOSAL (10.0)
Presentation Letters
Mr. Scott Heaslip, Senior Planner, provided an introductory
overview regarding the proposal submitted by East Markham Non-Profit Homes Inc.
Ms. Christine Pacini, SHS Consulting, delivered a
detailed PowerPoint presentation regarding East Markham Non-Profit Homes Inc.
(EMNPH) and MICAH (Markham Interchurch Committee for Affordable Housing)
Affordable Rental Housing project. She
provided background information regarding EMNPH and explained the following
requests to the Town: financial
incentives; deferral of site plan processing fees; approval for an alternative
to LEED certification and confirmation of servicing allocations.
Mr. Jim Baird, Commissioner of Planning, advised that staff
are comfortable with the requests made by EMNPH and will work together with Ms.
Barb Cribbitt, Treasurer, with respect to the financial incentive requests.
The Committee suggested that the formula for
calculating the amount of parkland on this site should remain consistent with
the rest of the Town.
Mr. Dave de Sylva, DelRidge Homes, addressed the
Committee stating he is not in support of LEED certification and believes that
LEED certification is overly process oriented.
Mr. de Sylva advised that this proposed building will have numerous
green initiatives and energy efficiencies that would qualify it for Platinum LEED
certification. However, the extra step
of LEED certification and the additional consulting costs should not be
required for this affordable housing project.
He agreed to have his engineer and architect provide the Town of Markham
with documents outlining the environmental features to be incorporated into the
building to achieve at least 25 % energy reduction and other green initiatives.
The Committee indicated it is in support of the
proposed application and its location.
The Committee discussed setting criteria regarding energy reduction and
green initiatives, and having it incorporated into development agreements and
steps to follow up on compliance with the applicant’s consultant post
construction.
Moved by Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong
That the presentation from East Markham Non-Profit
Homes Inc. (EMNPH) regarding the proposal for affordable housing be received;
and,
That the financial incentive request be referred
to Barb Cribbett, Town Treasurer, for a report to General Committee in June,
2008; and further,
That the fee deferral request, LEED alternative
request, and servicing allocation request, be referred to the planning staff to
be addressed in a report to the Development Services Committee regarding site
plan application in June, 2008.
CARRIED
3. COMMITTEE
OF ADJUSTMENT (10.0)
Presentation
Mr. Dave Miller, Senior Project Coordinator, Special
Projects, delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding the role of the
Committee of Adjustment (C of A) and the proposed procedural By-law that will establish
the rules of procedure/ practice for the conduct of the Committee of Adjustment
meetings.
There was discussion surrounding the issue of members
of Council being treated in the same manner as members of the public with
respect to making submissions to the Committee, etc., and whether members of
Council should or should not attend any C of A meetings.
The Committee suggested that staff address the
following concerns in its report to Development Services Committee: the current timeframe between application
being received by the Ward Councillor and the deadline to submit comments and whether
it is appropriate for Councillors to show the attached plans to constituents.
Mr. John O’Gorman, Grandview Area Residents
Association (GARA), addressed the Committee advising he is concerned with some
of the issues being considered at the C of A.
He believes some of the issues are not minor in nature and do not
maintain the general intent of the Thornhill Zoning By-law.
Ms. Marion Matthias, Thornhill resident, addressed the
Committee regarding the role of the C of A.
She believes it is important that Ward Councillors continue to be
circulated C of A applications so they have the opportunity to submit comments
(if required). Ms. Matthias enquired as
to how staff determines whether an application falls under a minor variance.
Mr. Khalid Usman, Chair of C of A, addressed the
Committee regarding the role of the C of A as distinct from Council. He discussed the process the C of A applies
in considering minor variances including comments from staff.
Staff advised that the applicant decides which route
to take (C of A or zoning application) and there are pre-consultations with the
applicant during which time staff provides their opinion. Staff also commented on the process that the
C of A applies in making the decision on whether an application is or is not
minor in nature.
The Committee discussed the composition of the
Committee of Adjustment.
Moved by Councillor J. Virgilio
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones
That the staff presentation regarding Committee of
Adjustment be received; and,
That staff report back to Development Services
Committee with recommendations regarding a Committee of Adjustment Procedural
By-law.
CARRIED
4. INFILL
HOUSING BY-LAW (10.0)
Presentation
Mr. Dave Miller, Senior Project Coordinator, Special
Projects, delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding the proposed
refinements to some of the development standards that apply in the Town’s older
residential area.
Staff advised a future report to Development Services
Committee will address concerns regarding accessory buildings and will also
include graphics. A statutory public
meeting will be required, along with opportunity for additional consultation.
Mr. Randal Dickie, PMG Planning Consultants, on behalf
of 16 Riverbend Road,
addressed the Committee regarding the proposed Study for Infill housing
by-laws. He advised the Committee that
his client filed an application to severe their property in November 2007, that
a Public Meeting was held in March 2008, and that his client has complied with
all the technical requirements imposed by both Town staff and the Toronto
and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA).
Based on the information provided, Mr. Dixie is requesting the Committee
exempt 16 Riverbend Road
from the proposed Study to avoid any further delays to their application.
Staff advised that the application will not be delayed
by the Infill Study, but there is a separate process whereby staff has been
directed by the Committee to review the 1999 Guidelines established for the Oakcrest,
Riverbend and Sabiston area.
Mr. Robert E. Briggs, Thornhill resident, addressed
the Committee advising that a clear definition of established grade and building
height is required. He stated concerns
that the Zoning By-laws are being ignored by the Committee of Adjustments and
that the Zoning By-laws do not take into account the topography of a community.
Ms. Marion Matthias, Thornhill resident, addressed the
Committee regarding the proposed changes to the Infill Housing By-law. She believes that the maximum floor area
ratio requirements should not be deleted from the proposed By-law and that the
heights in R4 and R4S should not be increased to 9.8 meters because these
amendments are not in keeping with the character of the Community. Ms. Matthias is in support of prohibiting
reverse slope driveways.
Mr. John O’Gorman, representing GARA, addressed the
Committee stating the Thornhill Infill Zoning By-law doesn’t require any
amendments. He believes that the
building height and floor area ratio should remain as is. Mr. O’Gorman stated a concern with dominant
garages at the front of houses.
Mr. Greg Chitilian, Markham
resident, addressed the Committee advising he has an application submitted for 4
Oakcrest Avenue to sever the lot and is requesting
that his application be exempt from the proposed Infill study.
Mr. Andrew Ferancik, Walker Nott Dragelevic
Associates, representing the owners of 19
Oakcrest Avenue, addressed the Committee with
respect to the proposed Infill Study. He
requested confirmation that this application will not be delayed because of the
Study. Mr. Ferancik enquired what the
timeframe would be for the review of the 1999 Guideline for Oakcrest, Riverbend
and Sabiston.
Staff advised they anticipate the review for Oakcrest,
Riverbend and Sabiston to be completed by the Fall 2008.
Moved by Regional Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
That the staff presentation regarding Infill Housing
By-law be received; and,
That staff report back to Development Services
Committee with recommendations regarding revisions to the Town’s infill housing
by-laws and residential development standards.
CARRIED
5. MARKHAM'S
EAST END
- DIRECTIONAL ROUTE SIGN PLAN (5.10)
Presentation
Moved by Regional Councillor T. Wong
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
That the staff presentation regarding Markham's
East End - Directional Route Sign Plan be received.
CARRIED
6. BILL
64 - AN ACT TO AMEND THE
PESTICIDES ACT TO PROHIBIT USE
OF SALE OF COSMETIC PESTICIDES
(5.7)
Report
Moved by Regional Councillor T. Wong
Seconded by Councillor V. Burke
That Markham Staff Report on Bill 64 –
An Act to amend the Pesticides Act to Prohibit Use and Sale of Cosmetic
Pesticides, dated May 13, 2008, be received; and,
That this report containing recommendations be
submitted as the Town of Markham’s comments to Provincial Environmental
Registry prior to May 22, 2008; and,
That the Town monitor the
progress of this legislation and provide comments; and further,
That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things
necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
7. 2015
PAN AMERICAN GAMES BID (3.0)
Presentation
Mr. Allan. Seabrooke, Commission Lead,
Library Services, Fire Service, and Recreation & Culture, advised the
Committee that if any members have further questions he can arrange to meet
with them to discuss it further.
Moved by Regional Councillor T. Wong
Seconded by Regional Councillor J.
Jones
That the presentation by Mr. A. Seabrooke, Commission
Lead, Library Services, Fire Services, and Recreation and Culture entitled
“2015 Pan American Games Bid” be received.
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
The Development Services
Committee meeting adjourned at 12:25 PM.