Arvin Prasad, Commissioner, Development Services, introduced and provided brief opening remarks relative to the update on the Markham Road - Mount Joy Secondary Plan Study and Draft Demonstration Plans.
Darryl Lyons, Manager, Policy, addressed the Committee and provided a high level overview of the Markham Road - Mount Joy Secondary Plan Study Update. Mr. Lyons indicated that staff will report back to the Development Services Committee in February 2021 with a staff report, including the interim report prepared by the City's consulting team. A 3D model of the Markham Road - Mount Joy Draft Demonstration Plan is also anticipated to be presented at this meeting.
Shonda Wang, and Blair Scorgie, SvN Architects + Planners, consultants for the City of Markham, delivered a presentation that provided an update to the Markham Road - Mount Joy Secondary Plan Study Update and Draft Demonstration Plans which included the study purpose, feedback from the Virtual Design Charrette and Community Information Sessions, existing conditions assessment summary, visions and guiding principles, emerging demonstration plan, implementation and next steps. Ms. Wang provided clarification on the demonstration of the Markham Road – Mount Joy Secondary Plan principles, land use, built form and mobility direction which included the following framework elements: natural heritage, public realm and open space, street hierarchy and development blocks, transit-oriented development nodes, character areas, gateways and nodes, and phasing. Recommended policy directions to the City to implement the draft Demonstration Plan was provided which included regulations, application requirements, future studies and coordination, and other considerations. Ms. Wang informed that the next steps for the Markham Road - Mount Joy Secondary Plan Study include stakeholder and community consultation, as well as undertaking transportation and municipal servicing analysis and recommendations, preparing the final demonstration plan and the final study report.
Claudio Brutto, Brutto Consulting, consultant for a landowner within the Markham Road - Mount Joy Secondary Plan area, addressed the Committee and requested the consultants provide further information on the proposed floor space indexes and consider potentially increasing it to assist with the urban density targets in the central district. Mr. Brutto also requested clarification on the minor collector road on Markham Road between Bur Oak Avenue and Castlemore Avenue within the Markham Road - Mount Joy Secondary Plan area.
Shannon Sigouin, WND, consultant for a landowner within the Markham Road - Mount Joy Secondary Plan area, addressed the Committee and expressed concerns with proposed road the alignment along the rail corridor south of the Mount Joy GO station. Ms. Sigouin advised that the proposed road alignment along the property of 9351 Markham Road will reduce the developable area of the site. Ms. Sigouin feels that the north south connection can be completed with a walk way and bike way connection instead of a full street public way.
Parisa Amiri, ARPA Architects, consultant for a landowner within the Markham - Road - Mount Joy Secondary Plan area, addressed the Committee and requested more information on the logistics of the elementary school and public park proposed at 9833 Markham Road. Ms Amiri advised that her client feels that the proposed demonstration plan will affect current uses on their property and existing area businesses.
The Committee discussed the following relative to the presentation:
- Ensuring the accurate delineation of Greenbelt lands and its potential relationship to the Rouge National Urban Park;
- Considering potential future development opportunities north of Major Mackenzie Drive and west of Markham Road to assist with pursuing a GO station at Major Mackenzie Drive;
- Potentially discussing with Parks Canada on the Rouge National Urban Park to expand across Markham Road;
- Reviewing and considering increasing the floor space index (FSI) within the GO station nodes;
- Opportunities for a mid-block crossing at the centre of the north precinct;
- Considering the proposed amount cycling space required to accommodate cycling infrastructure;
- Incorporating and ensuring current applications are considered when providing the Markham Road - Mount Joy Secondary Plan update;
- Comparing road width in the Markham Road – Mount Joy Secondary Plan with other municipalities similar to Main Street Markham / Markham Road such as Niagara on the Lake;
- Considering additional roads at Markham Road and Major Mackenzie Drive in addition to the Donald Cousens Parkway and considering additional lanes on Markham Road to assist with traffic congestion on Markham Road; and,
- Importance of community participation and engagement with the Markham Road - Mount Joy Secondary Plan Study.