Phil Verster, CEO, Metrolinx, addressed the Committee to provide an overview of the project and introduced Stephen Collins, Program Sponsor, and Rajesh Khetarpal VP, Community Engagement 905, who delivered a presentation entitled, Metrolinx Presentation on the Yonge North Subway Extension which outlined the current proposed routing alignment.
After the presentation, the following deputations were heard by the Committee:
Amir Farmanesh, Thornhill resident, addressed the Committee to express his concerns and opposition to the proposed routing alignment;
Bill McNaught, on behalf of the residents at 8111 Yonge Street, Thornhill, addressed the Committee to express overall support of the subway extension and their opposition of the proposed routing alignment;
Dev Chopra, Markham resident, addressed the Committee to state his concerns with the proposed routing option and his opposition of the subway extension as currently drafted;
Ian Reid, Markham resident, addressed the Committee to express his concerns and opposition to the current alignment of the subway extension;
John Sherin, of CHEC Energy, addressed the Committee to express his concerns with the current alignment option and his opposition to it;
Peter Palframan, Thornhill resident, addressed the Committee to express his concerns and opposition to the current alignment option;
David Yun, Thornhill resident, addressed the Committee on behalf of his parents to express his and their concerns in opposition to the current alignment option of the subway extension; and,
The Royal Orchard Rate Payers Association submitted a written deputation.
Councillor Keith Irish addressed the Committee and thanked Metrolinx for attending the meeting and for their presentation. He expressed the following concerns on behalf of his residents:
- The cost effectiveness of the current route diversion and the drivers that initiated raising the subway and stations to grade;
- The plan to initiate two stations within 400 meters of one another; and,
- The depth variance of the subway line and the overall significant impact to residents in the affected areas.
Mayor Scarpitti addressed the committee and thanked all of the deputants for their support of the subway and appreciates their concerns with the current routing contained in Option 3 and its potential impact. The Mayor noted that he will continue to advocate for; the subway extension, stations at Royal Orchard and Clarke, the sharing of information and extensive consultation as the project moves forward, and consideration to diversion options that incorporate minimal disruption.
There was discussion on the following in relation to the Yonge North Subway Extension;
- Consideration for alternative alignment options, other than what is being proposed;
- Suggestion to provide an alternative route that proceeds north on Yonge street towards Langstaff;
- The opposition for alignment Option 3 because it diverts away from Yonge Street;
- Concerns with safety, and the routing option that includes large turns;
- The inconsistent depth along the subway line;
- That the preference is to route under Yonge street as much as possible;
- Consideration to avoid running the subway under residential areas;
- Whether there will be ample parking to encourage public transit use and where the responsibility of one would fall;
- The importance of this investment opportunity in the subway expansion,
- The creation of affordable housing in areas that surround the subway stations;
- The preference to seeing the subway go underground rather than above ground and concerns over loss of land use as a result;
- The perceived accommodation of the golf course and cemetery over the residents;
- Questions regarding the creation of two station within close proximity of one another -400m;
- Whether there was consideration to run the subway under the golf course;
- The difference between above and underground stations/railways and the impact to surrounding land values, and the maintenance of each;
- Whether a new environmental assessment is required if alignment Option 1 is selected over alignment Option 3;
- The assessment and determination of minimal disruption to the homes above the subway;
- The support and protection of current residents in consideration with this development when evaluating the future benefits;
- The change in tunnel depth relative to the timing to reach project milestones;
- Consideration to incorporate tax incremental financing and a fee to new condominium units to assist the financing of the project;
- Undertake a current land value capture for future consideration;
- That there be consideration made to undertake three new studies to review re-development options in conjunction with the subway extension;
- Steeles Avenue to the tracks;
- Clarke Station to Elgin Street;
- Royal Orchard to Holy Cross Cemetery;
- Consideration for stations at Royal Orchard and at Clark Street;
- Consideration for a station at Bridge Street and that it be created and funded through Development Charges;
- Consideration for the construction of a ghost station for future use in case required;
- Concerns regarding vibrations and right of ownership to the air above the land owned by homeowners and potential objection to the current project;
- The type of compensation available to residents may be entitled to as a result of the subway construction;
- The potential overcrowding downstream the subway line towards Toronto with the increased capacity; and,
- That in consideration of the importance of public consultation, an additional public meeting be scheduled.
Stephen Collins and Rajesh Khetarpal, thanked the Committee for the opportunity to address the Members of Council and responded to the questions and concerns raised. They indicated that the work moving forward is on the current alignment option and will continue to work with the community to mitigate concerns.
The Committee requested that an additional Development Services Committee meeting be scheduled in three weeks for residents, Members of Council and Metrolinx to further discuss the current update.