MINUTES

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE

2007-06-12 - 9:00 a.m.

All Members of Council

Development Services                                                                 Economic Development

Chair:              Regional Councillor J. Jones                                                                   Chair:              Regional Councillor T. Wong

Vice-Chair:      Councillor J. Webster                                                                             Transportation Issues

                                                                                                                                        Chair:          Regional Councillor G. Landon

 

 

PART A

Presentations, Major Studies, and Issues Agenda

9:00 a.m. – Canada Room

 

Attendance

Mayor F. Scarpitti Deputy Mayor J. Jones Regional Councillor J. Heath Regional Councillor T. Wong Regional Councillor G. Landon                                     (d: 12:00) Councillor V. Burke Councillor E. Shapero Councillor J. Virgilio Councillor C. Moretti Councillor J. Webster Councillor D. Horchik (d: 12:10) Councillor L. Kanapathi Councillor A. Chiu

J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer J. Baird, Commissioner of Development Services M. Boyce, Senior Policy Coordinator A. Brown, Director of Engineering C. Conrad, Town Solicitor D. Ciastko, Senior Economic Development Officer L. Duoba, Project Coordinator T. Lambe, Manager, Policy and Research V. Shuttleworth, Director of Planning and Urban Design C. Raynor, Committee Clerk

 

 

The Development Services Committee convened at the hour of 9:00 a.m. in the Canada Room with Deputy Mayor J. Jones in the Chair. 

 

 

 

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST -

None disclosed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.         DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
- May 22, 2007, Part A (10.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Councillor J. Webster

Seconded by Councillor J. Virgilio

 

That the minutes of the Development Services Committee meeting, Part A, May 22, 2007, be confirmed.

CARRIED

 

 

 

2.         POWERSTREAM AND SNC LAVLIN
            ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR PROPOSED
            TRANSFORMER STATION (5.7, 13.7)

 

Mr. C. Wallace, Environmental Planner, SNC-Lavlin Engineers & Constructors Inc. presented information relating to the Environmental Assessment process for a proposed transformer station. Criteria for selecting candidate and preferred sites were outlined and included factors such as soil, drainage, road access, public input, proximity to load growth areas, impact on the natural environment and cost.

 

It was noted that a first Public Consultation Meeting on the matter is scheduled for June 25, 2007 at the Markham Civic Centre and an additional meeting will take place in fall, 2007.

 

There was discussion surrounding the potential health risks posed by electromagnetic fields.

 

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Councillor J. Webster

 

That the presentation by Mr. C. Wallace, Environmental Planner, SNC-Lavlin Engineers & Constructors Inc., regarding Powerstream and SNC Lavlin – Environmental Assessment for Proposed Transformer Station be received.

CARRIED

 

 

 

3.         ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY REVIEW
            AND CONSOLIDATION (5.7, 10.0)

 

Ms. L. Duoba, Project Coordinator presented the background to the Environmental Policy Review and Consolidation along with the project objectives, which include establishing a Natural Heritage Network, minimizing loss, protecting biodiversity and balancing public use. It is expected that recommendations from the report will be forthcoming to Committee in fall, 2007.

 

Mr. M. Schollen, Schollen and Company, provided information relating to the first phase of the Study. During this phase different mapping models will be consolidated in order to help determine existing natural heritage features and other areas of potential interest. Areas of the Town that are too urbanized to accommodate green spaces will be examined for opportunities to provide linkages to existing green space through the development of trails or cycle paths.

 

It was stated that a public information meeting will be held on June 27, 2007.

 

Staff agreed to distribute a comparison of the natural heritage areas in the Town from the late 1990s to the present day. Staff also noted that a number of external agencies will be engaged during the study process.

 

There was discussion surrounding the Rouge Park. Staff noted that the Rouge Park Alliance and Rouge Park staff are developing detailed park plans and will present to Council at a future meeting. 

 

Moved by Councillor E. Shapero

Seconded by Councillor J. Virgilio

 

That the presentation by Ms. L. Duoba, Project Coordinator, and Mr. M. Schollen, Schollen and Company, regarding the Environmental Policy Review and Consolidation be received.

CARRIED

 

 

 

4.         PLANNING FOR TOMORROW
YORK REGION GROWTH MANAGEMENT (10.0)

 

Mr. J. Waller, Director of Long Range and Strategic Planning, York Region, presented an overview of the Region’s Growth Management Strategy. Information included projected growth figures and a review of the principles to be considered such as environmental impact, quality of life, and intensification.

 

There was discussion surrounding the population and employment growth figures used by the Region. Mr. Waller noted that plans will include low, medium and high scenarios and that the figures will be checked against census data to ensure they remain as accurate as possible. Committee suggested that the impact of growth and intensification on agriculture, affordable housing and built heritage should also be considered. Committee also requested that the Region explore initiatives such as carbon-neutral and sustainable developments.

 

Committee noted that intensification will require development of communities different from the current norm, particularly that residential and employment uses will become more co-mingled.

 

 

 

 

 

Moved by Regional Councillor T. Wong

Seconded by Councillor V. Burke

 

That the presentation by Mr. J. Waller, Director of Long Range and Strategic Planning, York Region regarding Planning for Tomorrow - York Region Growth Management be received.

CARRIED

 

 

5.         EMPLOYMENT LANDS STRATEGY (10.0)

 

Mr. T. Lambe, Manager, Policy and Research, provided a brief chronology of the Employment Lands Strategy starting with the Employment Lands Strategy Study in 1998. It was noted that one of the primary issues affecting the availability of employment lands is the conversion of such lands to other uses. It is hoped that a report on the matter will be forthcoming to Committee in fall, 2007.

 

There was discussion surrounding increasing the availability of employment lands. Suggestions included redeveloping vacant employment land and land banking. Committee expressed concern over the availability of large tracts of land that might be used to attract major employers.

 

Moved by Councillor C. Moretti

Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Heath

 

That the presentation by Mr. T. Lambe, Manager, Policy and Research, regarding the Employment Lands Strategy be received.

CARRIED

 

 

 

6.         STORMWATER MANAGEMENT STRATEGY (5.3)

 

Moved by Mayor Scarpitti

Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong

 

That the presentation by Mr. S. Sito, Environmental Engineer, regarding a Stormwater Management Strategy be deferred to the next Part A session of Development Services Committee on June 26, 2007.

CARRIED

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The Development Services Committee meeting adjourned at the hour of 12:30 p.m.