MINUTES FROM THE SEVENTH MEETING OF THE

MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE IN 2005

Town of Markham

York Room - Civic Centre

 

September 21 - 6:30 P.M.

 

 

Members

Regrets

Councillor G. McKelvey

Councillor J. Webster

Helen Walter

Michelle Sukul-Chan

Keith Thirgood

Mark Champion

Dave Adams

Amy Pialagitis

Jonathan Mingay

 

Dianne More

 

Frankie Rose

 

Peter Ross

 

                                                 

Staff

S. Lau, Senior Project Manager

S. Heaslip, Senior Project Coordinator

B. Walter, Manager, Roads Maintenance

Chris Raynor, Committee Clerk

 

The meeting of the Main Street Markham Committee meeting convened at the hour of 6:40 p.m. with Councillor G. McKelvey in the Chair.

 

 

1.                  ADOPTION OF THE NOTES OF THE FIFTH MEETING OF THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE IN 2005

 

THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

 

That the Notes of the Main Street Markham Committee meeting held on August 19, 2005, be adopted.

CARRIED

 

2.         UPDATES:

 

a)         Update on Greenbelt

 

It was agreed that this matter be removed from the agenda until February 2006.

 

 

 

 

b)         Wismer Commercial Design Guidelines

 

The Committee was advised that the consultant’s report is available on the Town of Markham website. There was brief discussion surrounding some of the development applications received so far.

 

c)         Highway 48 Transfer of Jurisdiction Discussions

 

The Committee was advised that discussions are still ongoing. However, it is believed that MTO staff are in favour of the transfer of jurisdiction but it will require approval from the provincial Cabinet.

 

d)         Environmental Assessment – Highway 48

 

Mr. Heaslip advised that Terms of Reference for the project will be issued shortly. It is expected that a consultant will be engaged before the end of 2005 but the entire project is expected to last two years. The Environmental Assessment will extend below 16th Avenue to provide additional validation of the proposed bumpouts.

 

e)         Environmental Assessment – Markham By-pass south of Steeles Avenue

 

Councillor G. McKelvey provided a brief update on this matter.

 

f)          Main Street Bumpouts – Phase 3

 

Mr. S. Lau, Senior Project Coordinator, advised that Phase 1, the intersection improvements on 16th Avenue cannot proceed until a permit is received from MTO. It was noted that there is a potential issue with hydro pole clearance. A report on the matter is expected in November 2005 and it was noted that even after the Environmental Assessment is completed, the bumpouts will not proceed if the jurisdiction for Highway 48 is not transferred to the Town.

 

Additionally, it was noted that the detailed design is underway for Phase 5, the intersection of Highway 7 and Markham Road.

 

g)         Master Plan Environmental Sub-Committee

           

The Committee inquired as to the possibility of installing additional benches on Main Street Markham. It was noted that the benches cost $1500 and the waste receptacles are $900. Councillor G. McKelvey agreed to follow up with staff. Further, there was a request that the receptacle in the parkette at Robinson Street and Main Street Markham be moved further from the bench. Councillor G. McKelvey also agreed to follow up regarding the possible replacement of the dead trees on the street.

 

 

 

 

h)         Tannery Pond Signage

 

The Committee was advised that members have met with staff to discuss ideas for signage in the park.

 

i)          Official Plan and Zoning Sub-Committee

 

There was no update on this matter.

 

j)          Canadian Municipal Incentive Program

 

There was no update on this matter.

 

k)         Update on Bypass

 

There was no update on this matter.

 

l)          Merge Lane on Main Street South

 

The Committee was provided with a brief update.

 

m)        Budget Update

 

There was no update on this matter.

 

n)         Resurfacing of Main Street

           

The Committee was advised that the cost of resurfacing the street is highly prohibitive, particularly in light of the potential installation of bumpouts in the future. Staff agreed to consider improving the conditions at the intersection of Robinson Street and Main Street Markham which appears to be in the worst shape.

 

o)         Newspaper boxes on Main Street

 

            Councillor G. McKelvey agreed to follow up with By-law Enforcement staff in order to remove any unauthorized newspaper boxes.

 

p)         Activity at Markham Airport

 

            There was brief discussion surrounding the heavy truck activity at the airport. The Committee was advised that staff are monitoring the situation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.         NEW BUSINESS

 

a)         Historical research of Markham Village

 

The Committee was advised that the contract of the student hired to research the history of Markham Village will expire shortly. It was suggested that Committee funds might be utilized to extend the contract. The research might prove useful when organizing walking tours or similar events.

 

THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

 

That staff consider the possibility of using the Committee’s budget in order to extend the contract of the historian engaged by the Town to research the history of Markham Village.

CARRIED

 

 

5.         ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting of the Main Street Markham Committee adjourned at 8.30 p.m.