Electronic Development Services Committee Meeting Minutes

Meeting Number 6

Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at 9:30 A.m. - 1:00 P.m.

Live streamed

Roll Call

• Mayor Frank Scarpitti
• Deputy Mayor Don Hamilton
• Regional Councillor Jack Heath
• Regional Councillor Joe Li
• Regional Councillor Jim Jones
• Councillor Keith Irish
• Councillor Alan Ho
• Councillor Reid McAlpine
• Councillor Karen Rea
• Councillor Andrew Keyes
• Councillor Khalid Usman
• Councillor Isa Lee

Regrets

• Councillor Amanda Collucci

Staff

• Andy Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer
• Arvin Prasad, Commissioner, Development Services
• Claudia Storto, City Solicitor and Director of Human Resources
• Biju Karumanchery, Director, Planning & Urban Design
• Brian Lee, Director, Engineering
• Ron Blake, Senior Development Manager, Planning & Urban Design
• Francesco Santaguida, Assistant City Solicitor
• Daniel Brutto, Planner I, North District
• Alain Cachola, Senior Manager, Infrastructure and Capital Projects
• Rick Cefaratti, Senior Planner, West District
• Stephen Lue, Manager, Central District
• Stacia Muradali, Acting Manager, Development - East
• Amanda Crompton, Planner II
• Dimitri Pagratis, Senior Planner, Central District
• Marty Rokos, Senior Planner
• Aqsa Malik, Planner I, East District
• Grace Lombardi, Acting Election & Committee Coordinator
• Laura Gold, Council/Committee Coordinator
• Melissa Leung, Planning Technician

​Alternate formats for this document are available upon request

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

In consideration of the ongoing public health orders, this meeting was conducted electronically to maintain physical distancing of participants. With the passage of the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act, 2020 (Bill 197), municipal Council Members are now permitted to meet remotely and count towards quorum.

The Development Services Committee meeting convened at 9:34 AM with Regional Councillor Jim Jones in the Chair for all items on the agenda.

Development Services Committee recessed at 11:33 AM and reconvened at 11:46 AM.

Councillor Karen Rea arrived at 9:43 AM.

Regional Jack Heath left the meeting at 10:00 AM and returned at 11:56 AM.

Councillor Isa Lee arrived at 11:12 AM.

Councillor Collucci arrived at 12:24 PM.

2.

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST

There was no disclosures of pecuniary interest.

3.

APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

There were no disclosures of pecuniary interest.

3.1

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES – MARCH 8, 2021 (10.0)

• Moved by Mayor Frank Scarpitti
  Seconded by Councillor Alan Ho
  1. That the minutes of the Development Services Committee meeting held March 8, 2021, be confirmed.
  Carried

4.

PRESENTATIONS

4.1

PRESENTATION OF SERVICE AWARDS (12.2.6)

The Development Services Committee recognized the following members of staff:

Annie Hung, Financial Analyst, Accounting, Financial Services, 25 years
Carlo Macchiusi, Waterworks Accounts & Claims Co-ordinator, Environmental Services, 25 years
Mona Nazif, Senior Manager HR Client Services, Human Resources, 20 years
Hendrikus Bouhuyzen, Instrumentation Engineer, Environmental Services, 15 years
Tehzeeb Jeelani, Facility Operator III, Recreation Services, 15 years
Harvinder Saini, Supervisor, Provincial Offences Officer, Legislative Services & Communications, 15 years
Soran Sito, Manager, Environmental, Engineering Department, 15 years
Brian Lee, Director, Engineering, Engineering Department, 15 years
Peter Nikolaidis, Provincial Offences Officer II, Legislative Services & Communications, 15 years
Brieanna Gabbard, Administrative Assistant, Recreation, Recreation Services, 15 years
Simon Trimbee, Firefighter, Fire & Emergency Services, 10 years
Benjamin Smith, Arborist, Operations, 10 years
Ryan Hanna, Community Facility Coordinator FC, Recreation Services, 10 years
Marta Siekierko, Coordinator, Health and Safety, Human Resources, 10 years
Andrea Liu, Transportation Engineer, Engineering Department, 10 years
Hari Pokharel, Infrastructure Data Specialist, Environmental Services, 5 years
David Johnston, Zoning Examiner, Building Standards, 5 years
Christopher Romita, General Maintenance, Sign Maintenance, Operations, 5 years

5.

DEPUTATIONS

A deputation was made for the following item:

9.5 – Recommendation Report 2690622 Ontario Inc. (Kingdom –Markham Centre) – Application for Site Plan Approval to Facilitate a Mid-rise Mixed-Use Residential Building at 4077 and 4101 Highway 7.

6.

COMMUNICATIONS

A communication was submitted for the following item:

9.5 – Recommendation Report 2690622 Ontario Inc. (Kingdom –Markham Centre) – Application for Site Plan Approval to Facilitate a Mid-rise Mixed-Use Residential Building at 4077 and 4101 Highway 7.

7.

PETITIONS

There were no petitions.

8.

CONSENT REPORTS - DEVELOPMENT AND POLICY ISSUES

8.1

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES – FEBRUARY 16, 2021 AND MARCH 2, 2021 (10.0)

• Moved by Councillor Khalid Usman
  Seconded by Deputy Mayor Don Hamilton
  1. That the minutes of the Development Services Public Meetings held February 16, 2021 and March 2, 2021, be confirmed.
  Carried

8.2

HERITAGE MARKHAM COMMITTEE MINUTES – FEBRUARY 10, 2021 AND MARCH 10, 2021 (16.11)

• Moved by Councillor Khalid Usman
  Seconded by Mayor Frank Scarpitti
  1. That the minutes of the Heritage Markham Committee meeting held February 10, 2021 and March 10, 2021, be received for information purposes.
  Carried

8.3

CYCLING AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE (CPAC) MINUTES – NOVEMBER 19, 2020, DECEMBER 17, 2020, JANUARY 21, 2021 AND FEBRUARY 18, 2021  (16.34)

Committee expressed its sincere appreciation and support to the Cycling & Pedestrian Committee for the research it is conducting on ways to address pedestrian and cyclist conflicts on Multi Use Pathways.

Committee discussed the following:

• Possibly erecting signs at pedestrian bridges requiring cyclist to dismount from their bicycle when crossing;
• Considering the location and intensity of use when building MUPs;
• Having physical elements that provide for greater separation on some MUPs;
• Approaching MUPs differently depending on where they ae located;
• Educating residents on trail etiquette, for example advising cyclist to ring their bell when passing pedestrians.

• Moved by Councillor Karen Rea
  Seconded by Councillor Keith Irish
  1. That the minutes of the Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (CPAC) meetings held November 19, 2020, December 17, 2020, January 21, 2021 and February 18, 2021, be received for information purposes.
  Carried

8.4

VARLEY-MCKAY ART FOUNDATION OF MARKHAM MINUTES - FEBRUARY 1, 2021 (16.0)

• Moved by Councillor Khalid Usman
  Seconded by Deputy Mayor Don Hamilton
  1. That the minutes of the Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham meeting held February 1, 2021, be received for information purposes.
  Carried

8.5

HUMBOLD GREENSBOROUGH VALLEY HOLDINGS LIMITED, LAND LOCATED SOUTH OF MAJOR MACKENZIE DRIVE, EAST SIDE OF DONALD COUSENS PARKWAY, WEST OF NINTH LINE (CONCESSION 8, PART OF LOT 19)- WARD 5, REQUEST FOR COMPENSATION FOR UPGRADED FENCE

(FILE NO. SC 10 132123) (10.0)

S. Muradali, ext. 2008

• Moved by Councillor Khalid Usman
  Seconded by Deputy Mayor Don Hamilton
  1. That the memorandum dated March 30^th, 2021 and titled “Humbold Greensborough Valley Holdings Limited, Land located south of Major Mackenzie Drive, east side of Donald Cousens Parkway, west of Ninth Line (Concession 8, Part of Lot 19)- Ward 5, Request for compensation for upgraded fence (File No. SC 10 132123)”, be received.
  Carried

8.6

NEST (VS) GP INC., APPLICATIONS FOR ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT AND DRAFT PLAN OF SUBDIVISION TO PERMIT 12 TOWNHOUSES AT 10165 VICTORIA SQUARE BLVD (WARD 2) FILE NO.: ZA 19 179145, SU 19 179147 (10.5, 10.7)

• Moved by Councillor Khalid Usman
  Seconded by Deputy Mayor Don Hamilton
  1. That the memorandum dated March 30^th, 2021 and titled “Nest (VS) GP Inc., applications for Zoning By-law Amendment and Draft Plan of Subdivision to permit 12 townhouses at 10165 Victoria Square Blvd (Ward 2), File No.: ZA 19 179145, SU 19 179147”, ” be received.
  Carried

9.

REGULAR REPORTS - DEVELOPMENT AND POLICY ISSUES

9.1

DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION PUBLIC NOTICE IMPROVEMENTS – UPDATE (10.0)

Arvin Prasad, Commissioner, Development Services, introduced the item and provided an update on the improvements to the development application public notice sign.

Ron Blake, Senior Development Manager, Planning & Urban Design addressed the Committee and summarized the details outlined in the report. Mr. Blake noted that a three month pilot project of the new public meeting notice sign will occur in quarter two, and that staff will review the Committee of Adjustment public notice sign for similar enhancements.

Regional Councillor Jack Heath requested that the date on the proposed new public meeting sign be changed to either:

• Written format (March 30, 2021)
• Year- Month – Date Format (2021-03-30)

Staff agreed to meet with Regional Councillor Jack Heath to review other suggested changes to the proposed development application public notice. Committee noted that notice does not need to be brought back to the Development Services Committee unless substantial changes are made to the notice as an outcome of the meeting.

• Moved by Councillor Alan Ho
  Seconded by Councillor Reid McAlpine
  1. That the memorandum dated March 30, 2021, titled “Development Application Public Notice Improvements – Update” be received; and,
  2. That the new development application public notices, attached as Appendix B and Appendix C, be endorsed; and further,
  3. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
  Carried

9.2

PRELIMINARY REPORT GLEN ROUGE HOMES (KENNEDY) INC. APPLICATIONS FOR ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT AND SITE PLAN CONTROL TO PERMIT 31 THREE-STOREY TOWNHOUSE UNITS ACCESSED BY A PRIVATE DRIVEWAY AT 7647 KENNEDY ROAD (WARD 8) 

FILE NO. SPC/PLAN 20 136196 (10.5, 10.6)

 

Arvin Prasad, Commissioner, Development Services, introduced the item.

Nick Wood, Corbett Land Strategies, on behalf of the applicant, delivered a presentation, which included the existing conditions, planning policy, background information and technical studies completed, site plan, massing and elevation, comparable developments, proposed zoning by-law amendments, and next steps.

The Committee discussed the following relative to the preliminary report:

• The high density of the development proposal;
• Concerns that the proposed townhomes are too narrow in width and will not function well;
• Opportunity to view internal and external examples of townhomes of a similar width to demonstrate their functionality (either through a virtual video tour or a in-person tour);
• The tandem garage functionality ; and,
• Considering additional park space within the proposed development.

Mr. Wood responded to questions from the Committee, explaining that a tandem garage will have two parking spots within the proposed development. Also, advising that the narrow width of the proposed townhouses is to make the units more affordable.  Examples of townhouses of the proposed width will be displayed to Committee on a future date.

• Moved by Councillor Andrew Keyes
  Seconded by Mayor Frank Scarpitti
  1. That the report titled “PRELIMINARY REPORT, Glen Rouge Homes (Kennedy) Inc., Applications for Zoning By-law Amendment and Site Plan Control to permit 31, three-storey townhouse units accessed by a private driveway at 7647 Kennedy Road (Ward 8), File No. SPC/PLAN 20 136196”, be received.
  Carried

9.3

PRELIMINARY REPORT 2697416 ONTARIO INC. APPLICATION FOR A ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT TO PERMIT A 2-STOREY MULTI-UNIT INDUSTRIAL BUILDING AT 5560 14TH AVENUE (WARD 4) FILE NO. PLAN 2020 116893 001/SPC 2020 116893 (10.5)

Ron Blake, Senior Development Manager, Planning & Urban Design addressed the Committee and provided a high-level overview of the preliminary report.

James Hussaini, applicant, addressed the Committee and provided clarification on the renderings of the proposed 2-storey multi-unit industrial building at 5560 14^th Avenue. Mr. Hussaini also expressed concerns regarding the number of parking spaces being requested by staff, and the feasibility of incorporating a temporary turnaround within the subject lands at the north end of the proposed public road.

Mr. Hussaini expressed concerns about the road network connections within the subject lands and between the subject lands and the lands to the north. Further, he advised that the proposed development does not include loading docks, and that the heritage home will remain in its current location and will be incorporated into the proposed development.

The Committee discussed the following relative to the preliminary report:

• Considering a temporary municipal easement permitting municipal vehicles to turn in the roundaboutThe future road network in the area and the possibility of the applicant and the surrounding landowners entering a landowners’ agreement to swap lands in order to preserve the integrity of the road network;
• Ensuring the industrial complex has appropriate lighting so that the lighting does not spill over onto the surrounding residential properties;
• The attractive design of the industrial building; and,
• The possibility of having layby parking on the future road extension to permit for additional parking.

Brian Lee, Director of Engineering, provided clarification on the potential layby parking on the road, advising that the future intersection would be with a Regional road and that the parking spaces would only be permitted within a certain distance from the intersection. He also noted that the parking spaces on a public road would be for public use not necessarily for the proposed development. Staff will discuss this parking alternative with York Region.

Staff indicated that the landowner’s group agreement process is between the landowner’s and that the City is not involved with the process, as the City would be liable to recover the cost.

It was noted that a Statutory Public meeting will be scheduled, when appropriate.

• Moved by Councillor Khalid Usman
  Seconded by Mayor Frank Scarpitti
  1. That the report titled “PRELIMINARY REPORT, 2697416 Ontario Inc., Application for a Zoning By-Law Amendment to permit a 2-storey multi-unit industrial building at 5560 14^th Avenue (Ward 4). File No. PLAN 2020 116893 001/SPC 2020 116893” be received
  Carried

9.4

PRELIMINARY REPORT MINOTAR HOLDINGS INC. AND HAL-VAN 5.5 INVESTMENTS LTD. APPLICATIONS FOR A DRAFT PLAN OF SUBDIVISION AND ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT TO PERMIT APPROXIMATELY 840 DWELLING UNITS (760 GROUND RELATED AND 80 IN A MIXED-USE BLOCK)

ON PART OF LOTS 23 AND 24, CONCESSION 6 (EAST SIDE OF KENNEDY ROAD NORTH OF MAJOR MACKENZIE DRIVE) (WARD 6) FILE NO.: PLAN 20 133038 (10.7, 10.5)

 

Arvin Prasad, Commissioner, Development Services, addressed the Committee and provided a brief overview of the preliminary report. Mr. Prasad advised that a Statutory Public meeting will be scheduled, when appropriate.

Elizabeth Howson, Macaulay Shiomi Howson Ltd, on behalf of the applicant delivered a presentation on the development proposal, which is located within the lands subject to the Robinson Glen Secondary Plan. The presentation provided an overview of the Community Design Plan, demonstration plan, and the proposed draft plan of subdivision.  Ms. Howson advised that the two Heritage homes located on the subject lands will remain within the proposed development, and that the proposed development will include affordable housing.

There was a brief discussion on the location of the two heritage homes within the proposed development and it was noted that Heritage Markham Committee has yet to recommend where the two heritage houses should be located.

Clay Leibel, applicant, addressed the Committee and advised that renderings of the development proposal will be presented at the Statutory Public Meeting.

• Moved by Councillor Isa Lee
  Seconded by Mayor Frank Scarpitti
  1. That the report dated March 30, 2021 titled “PRELIMINARY REPORT, Minotar Holdings Inc. and Hal-Van 5.5 Investments Ltd. Applications for a Draft Plan of Subdivision and Zoning By-law Amendment to permit approximately 840 dwelling units (760 ground related and 80 in a mixed-use block) on Part of Lots 23 and 24, Concession 6 (East side of Kennedy Road north of Major Mackenzie Drive) (Ward 6)”, be received.

      

  Carried

9.5

RECOMMENDATION REPORT 2690622 ONTARIO INC. (KINGDOM - MARKHAM CENTRE) APPLICATION FOR SITE PLAN APPROVAL TO FACILITATE A MID-RISE MIXED-USE RESIDENTIAL BUILDING AT 4077 AND 4101 HIGHWAY 7 MARKHAM CENTRE (WARD 3) FILE NO. SPC 20 112580 (10.6)

Roland Hosein, on behalf of the Unionville Residents Association (URA), addressed the Committee and expressed concerns regarding the density and height of phases 2 and 3 of the proposed development. The main concerns were: insufficient amenities, transportation network not supporting the density, and the need for an Environmental Assessment to be undertaken to support the extension of Sciberras Road.

Arvin Prasad, Commissioner, Development Services, introduced and provided a brief overview of the development proposal.

Ron Blake, Senior Development Manager, Planning & Urban Design addressed the Committee and summarized the details outlined in the report. Mr. Blake indicated that this application is for phase 1 of the development and that phase 2 and 3 would be presented at a later date.

Nick Pileggi, on behalf of the applicant, delivered a presentation which, included renderings of the building elevations, landscape and amenity spaces, the retail facing Whole Foods, and development in relation to the river. Mr. Pileggi advised that the applicant would continue to work with staff on Phases 2 and 3 of the development proposal.

Committee provided the following feedback on the development proposal:

• Consider using Markham District Energy within the proposed development;
• Concerns with the proposed density of Phases 2 and 3 of the development proposal; and,
• Consider including an automated waste collection system in the proposed development.

• Moved by Councillor Reid McAlpine
  Seconded by Mayor Frank Scarpitti
  1. That the report titled “RECOMMENDATION REPORT, 2690622 Ontario Inc. (Kingdom - Markham Centre), Application for Site Plan Approval to facilitate a mid-rise mixed-use residential building at 4077 and 4101 Highway 7, Markham Centre (Ward 3), File No. SPC 20 112580”, be received; and,
  2. That the Site Plan Control application (File No. SPC 20 112580) submitted by 2690622 Ontario Inc. (Kingdom - Markham Centre) be endorsed in principle, subject to the conditions attached as Appendix “A” and that Site Plan Approval be delegated to the Director of Planning and Urban Design, or his designate; and,
  3. That Site Plan Endorsement shall lapse after a period of three (3) years from the date of endorsement in the event that the Site Plan Agreement is not executed within that period; and,
  4. That Council assign up to 331 units of servicing allocation for 2690622 Ontario Inc. (Kingdom - Markham Centre), Site Plan Control File SPC 20 112580; and further,
  5. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
  Carried

10.

MOTIONS

There were no motions.

11.

NOTICES OF MOTION

There were no notices of motion.

12.

NEW/OTHER BUSINESS

• As per Section 2 of the Council Procedural By-Law, "New/Other Business would generally apply to an item that is to be added to the Agenda due to an urgent statutory time requirement, or an emergency, or time sensitivity".

13.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

There were no announcements.

14.

CONFIDENTIAL ITEMS

Moved by Councillor Alan Ho
Seconded by Councillor Isa Lee

That, in accordance with Section 239 (2) of the Municipal Act, the Development Services Committee resolve into confidential session at 12:24 PM to discuss the following matter:

Carried

14.1     DEVELOPMENT AND POLICY ISSUES

14.1.1       LITIGATION OR POTENTIAL LITIGATION, INCLUDING MATTERS BEFORE

ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNALS, AFFECTING THE MUNICIPALITY OR LOCAL BOARD – LPAT APPEAL DEVELOPMENT GROUP (100 SAW) INC. (8.0) [Section 239 (2) (e)]

The Development Services Committee consented to refer this matter directly to the March 31, 2021 Council agenda for consideration.

Moved by Councillor Karen Rea
Seconded by Councillor Isa Lee

That the Development Services Committee rise from the confidential session at 1:36 PM.

                                                                                                                                    Carried

14.1

DEVELOPMENT AND POLICY ISSUES

14.1.1

LITIGATION OR POTENTIAL LITIGATION, INCLUDING MATTERS BEFORE ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNALS, AFFECTING THE MUNICIPALITY OR LOCAL BOARD – LPAT APPEAL DEVELOPMENT GROUP (100 SAW) INC. (8.0) [Section 239 (2) (e)]

15.

ADJOURNMENT

• Moved by Councillor Karen Rea
  Seconded by Councillor Isa Lee

  That the Development Services Committee meeting adjourn at 1:36 PM.

  Carried