Development Services Committee Minutes
November 13, 2017,
9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Council Chamber
All
Members of Council
Attendance
|
Councillor Alex Chiu
|
Andy Taylor, Chief Administrative
Officer
Brian Lee, Acting Commissioner of
Development Services
Brenda Librecz, Commissioner of
Community & Fire Services
Ron Blake, Senior Development
Manager
Daniel Brutto, Planner
Stephen Chait, Director of Economic
Growth, Culture & Entrepreneurship
Loy Cheah, Acting Director of
Engineering
Catherine Conrad, City Solicitor and
Acting Director of Human
Resources
Christina Kakaflikas, Manager, Economic
Development
Biju Karumanchery, Director of
Planning and Urban Design
Richard Kendall, Manager, Central
District
David Porretta, Supervisor, Traffic
Operations
Kitty Bavington, Council/Committee Coordinator
|
The Development Services
Committee convened at the hour of 9:06 a.m. in the Council Chamber with Regional
Councillor Jim Jones in the Chair. Councillor Alex Chiu assumed the
Chair for Economic Growth, Culture
& Entrepreneurship item, No. 8. Regional Councillor Joe Li assumed the Chair for
Transportation and Engineering Capital Projects item, Nos. 4, 9, 10, 11.
The Committee recessed from 11:37 to 11:52 a.m., and from 1:10 to 2:00
p.m.
DISCLOSURE
OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
-
None Declared
1. DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
- October 30, 2017 (10.0)
Minutes
Moved by: Councillor Don Hamilton
Seconded by: Councillor Alan Ho
That the
minutes of the Development Services Committee meeting held October 30, 2017, be
confirmed.
CARRIED
2. DEVELOPMENT SERVICES PUBLIC MEETING
MINUTES
- October 24, 2017 (10.0)
Minutes
Moved by: Councillor Don Hamilton
Seconded by: Councillor Alan Ho
That the
minutes of the Development Services Public Meeting held October 24, 2017, be
confirmed.
CARRIED
3. PRESENTATION OF SERVICE AWARDS (12.2.6)
City of Markham Staff:
Daphne Ross, Manager, Business Compliance,
Environmental Services, 25 years
Lisa Beckley-Young, Community Program
Co-ordinator, Recreation Services, 20 years
Barbara Lant, Supervisor, Community
Program, Recreation Services, 20 years
Jack Heath, Deputy Mayor, Mayor &
Council, 20 years
Alexandru Loga, Database
Administrator, Information Technology Services, 20 years
Jody Parsons, Court Administration
Coordinator, Legal Services, 15 years
Richard Kendall, Manager, Development,
Planning & Design, 15 years
Christine Aguila-Wong, Assistant to Council/Committee, Legislative
Services, 10 years
Rahulan Rasiah, Survey/Asset
Technician, Operations, 10 years
Sandra Allen, HR Administrator &
Administrative Assistant, Human Resources, 10 years
Chris MacBride, Technician, Culture
& Economic Development, 10 years
Alain Cachola, Snr Mgr. Infrastructure
& Capital Works, Engineering Department, 10 years
Catherine Jay, Manager, Growth
Management & Secondary Plans, Planning & Design, 10 years
Zlatko Miokovic, Manager, System
Engineering, Environmental Services, 5 years
Andrea Wilson-Peebles, Assistant City
Solicitor, Legal Services, 5 years
Renee England, Senior Manager,
Facilities Assets, Sustainability & Asset Management, 5 years
Christian Mccabe, Facility Operator
II, Thornhill C.C., Recreation Services, 5 years
Maria Cardozo Albarracin, Community
Program Co-ordinator, Recreation Services, 5 years
Jennifer Chow, Applications
Administrator, Building Standards, 5 years
Miao Qing Kuang, Administrative Clerk,
Operations, 5 years
Randy Sanga, Facility Operator II, Recreation
Services, 5 years
Fion Ho, Traffic Demand Management Coordinator, Engineering, 5 years
4. REVERSIBLE LANE ON
MARKHAM ROAD
(HIGHWAY 407 TO HIGHWAY 7)
(5.10)
Presentation
Loy Cheah, Acting
Director of Engineering, gave a presentation entitled “Reversible Lane on
Markham Road (Highway 407 to Highway 7)”. The presentation provided a project overview
and status, a review of the last project update, the City’s Vision and Policy,
traffic analysis, the
reversible
lane concept, and conclusions. The
study findings conclude that the reversible lane concept is inconsistent
with the Vision for Main Street Markham, has property and financial impacts,
and does not significantly improve traffic operations; therefore, staff do not
recommend the implementation of a reversible lane.
The Committee discussed: the timing of the traffic
counts; congestion on local streets during rush hours; impacts of new
development on traffic; protecting Heritage on Main Street; increasing the
capacity of the bridge will impact the ‘pedestrian-friendly’ vision of Main
Street; traffic route alternatives; the possibility and process of increasing
the bridge to four lanes and retaining the original consultants to continue
with the EA; and, optimize signalization to alleviate traffic congestion.
Moved by: Mayor Frank Scarpitti
Seconded by: Councillor Karen Rea
1) That
the presentation provided by Loy Cheah, Acting Director of Engineering entitled
“Reversible Lane on Markham Road
(Highway 407 to Highway 7)” be received; and,
2) That staff be directed to review and report back on
optimizing signalization to maximize traffic
flow during evening peak hours at Highway 7 and Main Street.
CARRIED
5. PUBLIC ART ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
- September 14, 2017 (16.0)
Minutes
The Committee requested an
update on the “Charity” sculpture. Staff advised on the status of inspections
and other work being done, and will provide a further timeline update by-email.
Moved by: Deputy Mayor Jack
Heath
Seconded by: Regional
Councillor Nirmala Armstrong
That the minutes of the Public
Art Advisory Committee meeting held September 14, 2017, be received for
information purposes.
CARRIED
6. RECOMMENDATION REPORT
APPLICATION FOR ZONING BY-LAW
AMENDMENT
BY RIVERWALK MEADOWS INC. TO
FACILITATE
A FUTURE SEVERANCE TO CREATE
EIGHT RESIDENTIAL LOTS
AT 7605 9TH LINE, 7597 9TH
LINE & BLOCK 228, PLAN 65M-3976 (WARD 7)
ZA 17 132402 (10.5)
Report
The draft By-law was provided to the Committee.
Ron Blake, Senior Development Manager,
gave a brief overview of the proposal, and advised that issues with abutting
property owners have been resolved, and responded to questions regarding
servicing and tree preservation. It was clarified that this development
qualifies for a Committee of Adjustment process rather than a Plan of
Subdivision, as the number of lots proposed are within the guidelines of the
Official Plan.
Moved by: Councillor Logan Kanapathi
Seconded by: Councillor Colin Campbell
1) That
the report titled “RECOMMENDATION REPORT, Application for Zoning By-law Amendment
by Riverwalk Meadows Inc. to facilitate a future severance to create eight
residential lots at 7605 9th Line, 7597 9th Line &
Block 228, Plan 65M-3976 (Ward 7) File
ZA 17 132402” be received; and,
2) That
the application by Riverwalk Meadows Inc. to amend Zoning By-law 194-82, as
amended & Zoning By-law 177-96, as amended, be approved and that the draft
by-law attached as Appendix ‘A’, be finalized and enacted without further
notice; and further,
3) That
Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to
this resolution.
CARRIED
7. RECOMMENDATION REPORT
FUNG LOY KOK INSTITUTE OF
TAOISM
378 STEELES AVENUE
WEST OF LAURELEAF ROAD
APPLICATION FOR A ZONING
BY-LAW AMENDMENT
TO PERMIT OUTDOOR TAOIST TAI
CHI
ON THE DRIVEWAY UNDER THE
EXISTING
CANTILEVERED BUILDING (PLACE
OF WORSHIP)
FILE NO.: ZA 16 124382 (10.5)
Report
Ron Blake, Senior Development Manager, gave a brief overview of the
proposal, and confirmed that the concerns of the residents have been addressed through
studies prepared by the applicant. The Ward Councillor advised that some
residents are still concerned and will be reporting any noise complaints to the
City.
Moved by: Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong
Seconded by: Councillor Alex Chiu
1) That the report dated November 13, 2017 titled
“RECOMMENDATION REPORT, Fung Loy Kok Institute of Taoism, 378 Steeles Avenue,
West of Laureleaf Road, Application for a Zoning By-law Amendment to permit
outdoor Taoist Tai Chi on the driveway under the existing cantilevered building
(place of worship)” be received; and,
2) That the draft amendment to Zoning By-law 1767, as amended,
attached to this report as Appendix ‘A’ be finalized prior to being enacted by
Council; and further,
3) That staff be authorized and directed to do all things
necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
8. MARKHAM ECONOMIC ALLIANCE
AND TWINNING POLICY (10.16)
Report
On October 16, 2017
Development Services Committee deferred consideration of the above subject
matter to a future meeting.
Stephen Chait, Director of Economic
Growth, Culture and Entrepreneurship, provided an overview of the success of
Markham’s Economic Alliance and Twinning Policy.
Christina Kakaflikas, Manager, Economic
Development, gave a detailed presentation to provide an update of Markham’s
Economic Alliance Program (EAP) and Twinning Policy, and to recommend that any
new alliances be limited to economic objectives, and that additional budgetary resources
be made available in the event of increased alliance activity. The presentation
described current partnerships and alliances, benefits of the program, key
target markets, and the process for considering new relationships.
Discussions included statistical
information, business monitoring, and resource requirements if more economic
alliances are added. It was suggested that other categories of partnerships be
considered instead, such as a Memorandum of Cooperation.
Markham outpaces other regional municipalities
in attracting foreign investments. Modifications to the report were noted, to
include Germany and Cary, N.C. in the list of inbound missions, and the staff
report will be updated. It was suggested that other U.S. centers be considered,
such as Silicon Valley. Information was requested on the U.S. and China
“Mega-Cities”, and on the membership of the Toronto Global Board. A memo
regarding the Toronto Global organization will be provided to the Committee.
Moved by: Councillor Alan
Ho
Seconded by: Regional
Councillor Jim Jones
1) That the report dated September 25, 2017 entitled “Markham
Economic Alliance and Twinning Policy” be received and endorsed; and,
2) That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things
necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
9. CENTRELINE FLEXIBLE SIGN PILOT
PROGRAM IN SCHOOL ZONES (5.10)
Report
Brian Lee, Acting Commissioner of Development
Services, provided a brief overview of the Pilot Project and the recommendation
to expand the program. David Porretta, Supervisor, Traffic Operations, responded
to questions regarding the life cycle, cost of replacement, and parking issues,
and discussed the difference between minimal and significant results at
different locations.
The Committee requested a similar update report
following the expanded program, and also requested that staff provide a
statement on the program that Councillors can share with constituents.
Moved by: Councillor Amanda Collucci
Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Jack Heath
1) That the report entitled “Centreline
Flexible Sign Pilot Program in School Zones”, be received; and,
2) That the Centreline Flexible Sign
Program be expanded to an additional 16 school zones in 2018, from 8 current
locations to a total of 24 locations; and,
3) That staff report back on
the results of the expanded program; and further,
4) That staff be authorized and directed
to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
10. CITY-WIDE INFILL SIDEWALK
FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL PLAN (5.0)
Report
Brian Lee, Acting Commissioner of Development Services, reviewed the
proposed City-wide Infill
Sidewalk Five-Year Capital Plan, advising of sidewalk gaps and the gaps with
highest priorities. Staff indicated that prior to awarding a construction
project, physical feasibility, consultation including with the Ward Councillor,
and final design would need to be carried out. Council will also have an
opportunity to review the annual sidewalk construction program through the
annual budget approval process. It was
noted that where a sidewalk gap creates safety issues, Engineering staff will
proceed to program and install the sidewalks without confirming community
support.
The Committee discussed the policy for placement of sidewalks and noted
that staff, using their professional expertise, would make the recommendations
on the work program.
Other discussions involved:
- differentiating
between major and minor collector roads
- the entire work plan
may take up to 25 years to complete
- staff should continue to highlight the policy objectives,
address accessibility, consider the location of mailboxes, and promote
walkability
- impacts to residents
when installing sidewalks across their driveways and reducing their parking spaces
- mitigating impacts to
trees on boulevards, particularly in older neighbourhoods
- curb repairs are done to the City's standards and will not
be restored to any owner's upgraded driveway conditions
- educate residents on
encroachment issues relating to the City’s right-of-way for curb repairs, storm water, utilities
maintenance, etc.; permit requirements and encroachment agreements
- staff will consult
with Ward Councillors, but Council makes the decisions.
It was recommended that staff commence with safety and priority
locations without delay, then articulate what is being prioritized and bring
them forward through the annual budget process.
Moved by: Councillor Don Hamilton
Seconded by: Mayor Frank Scarpitti
1) That the report entitled “City-wide Infill
Sidewalk Five-Year Capital Plan” be
received; and,
2) That the annual sidewalk capital program over the period of 2019
to 2023 and beyond be based on the project priorities defined in Attachment ‘C’
until the project list is exhausted; and,
3) That additional infill sidewalk projects necessary to
address immediate public safety issues be prioritized and approved separately;
and,
4) That additional infill sidewalk projects on local
residential streets requested by local residents and confirmed to have
consensus local support be prioritized and approved separately; and further,
5) That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things
necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
11. LAKE TO LAKE CYCLING ROUTE
AND WALKING TRAIL
- ADDITIONAL BUDGET REQUEST
(WARDS 1 AND 8) (6.3)
Report
The Committee consented to substantial New Business relating to the
Lake to Lake Cycling Route and Walking Trail.
Brian Lee, Acting Commissioner of Development Services, explained the
report recommendation and the urgency involved. The Committee discussed the
route through Markham, costs, and funding.
Moved by: Mayor Frank Scarpitti
Seconded by: Councillor Alex Chiu
1) That the report entitled “Lake to Lake Cycling Route and
Walking Trail – Additional Budget Request (Wards 1 and 8)” be received; and,
2) That a Purchase Order be
issued to the Region of York in the amount of $1,803,230.27, inclusive of HST,
to be funded from Capital Project # 17047 “MUP – Lake to Lake Cycling
Route and Walking Trail” in the amount of $1,415,700.00; and,
3) That the Engineering
Department Capital Administration Fee in the amount of $38,677.47,
inclusive of HST, be
charged to revenue account 640-998-8871 (Capital Admin Fees); and,
4) That the shortfall in the amount of $426,207.74
($1,415,700.00 -$1,803,230.27-$38,677.47) will be funded from the Development
Charges Reserve in the amount of $277,035.03 and Gas Tax Reserve in the amount
of $149,172.71; and further,
5) That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things
necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
12. NEW
BUSINESS
TREE REMOVAL POLICY (2.21)
Councillor Karen Rea suggested that staff review a
policy change that would allow residents to trim City trees on their own
properties, to avoid long delays waiting for the City to do the trimming.
13. NEW
BUSINESS
BATTERY DISPOSAL (5.1)
Councillor Valerie Burke advised that an improperly
disposed battery was found in the underground parking area, and suggested that
staff provide a refresher at City facilities, on waste disposal policies.
The Committee was reminded of
the policy for new business and it was suggested that staff be approached
before bringing matters to the Committee level.
14. CONFIDENTIAL MATTERS
Moved by: Councillor Don
Hamilton
Seconded by: Councillor Colin
Campbell
That, in accordance with Section 239 (2) of the Municipal
Act, Development Services Committee resolve into a confidential session to
discuss the following matters:
(1) DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
COMMITTEE CONFIDENTIAL MINUTES
- October 30, 2017 (10.0)
[Section 239 (2) (e)
(e) (e)]
(2) LITIGATION
OR POTENTIAL LITIGATION, INCLUDING MATTERS BEFORE ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNALS, AFFECTING THE
MUNICIPALITY OR LOCAL BOARD – MINOR VARIANCE APPEAL – 3 ROSEA COURT (WARD 1)
(8.0)
[Section 239 (2) (e)]
(3) LITIGATION OR POTENTIAL LITIGATION,
INCLUDING MATTERS BEFORE ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNALS, AFFECTING THE MUNICIPALITY
OR LOCAL BOARD – MINOR VARIANCE APPEAL – 51 GAINSVILLE AVENUE (WARD 3) (8.0)
[Section 239 (2) (e)]
Moved by: Councillor Alex Chiu
Seconded by: Councillor Logan Kanapathi
That Development Services Committee rise from Confidential session and
report at 4:03 p.m.
CARRIED
(1) DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
COMMITTEE CONFIDENTIAL MINUTES
- October 30, 2017 (10.0)
[Section 239 (2) (e)
(e) (e)]
The minutes were confirmed.
(2) LITIGATION OR POTENTIAL LITIGATION,
INCLUDING MATTERS BEFORE ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNALS, AFFECTING THE MUNICIPALITY
OR LOCAL BOARD – MINOR VARIANCE APPEAL – 3 ROSEA COURT (WARD 1) (8.0)
[Section 239 (2) (e)]
Development Services Committee consented to place this
item on the December 12, 2017 Confidential Council agenda.
(3) LITIGATION OR POTENTIAL LITIGATION,
INCLUDING MATTERS BEFORE ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNALS, AFFECTING THE MUNICIPALITY
OR LOCAL BOARD – MINOR VARIANCE APPEAL – 51 GAINSVILLE AVENUE (WARD 3) (8.0)
[Section 239 (2) (e)]
Development Services Committee consented to place this
item on the December 12, 2017 Confidential Council agenda.
ADJOURNMENT
The Development Services
Committee meeting adjourned at 4:03 PM.
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