MINUTES FROM THE FIRST MEETING OF THE

MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE IN 2005

Town of Markham

York Room - Civic Centre

 

January 19, 2005 - 6:30 P.M.

 

 

Members

Regrets

Dave Adams

Amy Pialagitis

Mark Champion

Michelle Sukul-Chan

Jonathon Mingay

Councillor J. Webster

Dianne More

Corina Sallaberger

Elizabeth Plashkes

 

Frankie Rose

Absent

Peter Ross

David Black

Keith Thirgood

Iggy Natoli

Helen Walter

Corina Sallaberger

Councillor G. McKelvey

 

 

 

Also Present:

 

Regional Councillor J. Heath

 

                                                 

 

Staff

Scott Heaslip, Senior Project Coordinator

Regan Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning

George Phillips, Manager, Markham Museum

Chris Raynor, Committee Clerk

 

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 MINUTES OF THE ELEVENTH MEETING OF THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE

 

THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

 

That the Minutes of the Main Street Markham Committee meeting held on November 17, 2004, be adopted.

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

 

2.         MEETING DATES FOR 2005

 

The Committee agreed to the following meeting dates for 2005:

 

January 19

February16

March 16

April 20

May 18

June 15

July 20

August 17

September 21

October 19

November 16

December – no meeting

 

 

3.         MUSEUM RECEPTION CENTRE

 

Mr. G. Phillips, Manager, Markham Museum, presented a reproduction of the proposed signage at the new Museum reception centre. Mr. Phillips noted that the sign is intended to reflect the direction of the museum. Additionally, Corporate Communications is developing a Town-wide policy on signage so the sign will need to conform to that.

 

The Committee raised concerns about legibility and suggested that darker metal be used for the lettering. Further, the Committee felt that the design was too modern and did not reflect the nearby heritage area. Mr. Phillips noted that a “heritage”-style sign might not be appropriate due to the intended direction of the museum. Also, it might not reflect the diverse nature of the resident community. Mr. Phillips agreed to consider comments made by the Committee but noted that the sign development budget was exhausted.

 

 

 

4.         UPDATES:

 

a)         Update on Greenbelt

 

There was no update on this matter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

b)         Wismer Commercial Design Guidelines

 

Mr. S. Heaslip, Senior Project Coordinator, advised that a consultant has been retained to develop urban design guidelines for Highway 48 between 16th Avenue and Major Mackenzie Drive. There will be a public workshop on the matter on February 10, 2005 at Markham Village Library. Mr. Heaslip noted that the Terms of Reference of the guidelines cover the basic concepts of ‘new urbanism’. Mr. Heaslip noted that the design concepts can only be be applied if Highway 48 is transferred from the Province to the Town.

 

Additionally, Mr. Heaslip advised that an application has been received to rezone an area at Anderson Avenue and Highway 48 to Major Commercial.

 

c)         Public Space Recycling Containers on Main Street Markham

 

There was no update on this matter.

 

d)         Main Street Markham Traffic Management & Streetscape Study (bump-outs)

 

Mr. P. Ross advised the Committee that a response to his letter was received from Mr. P. Loukes, Director, Operations and Asset Management. It was stated that Phase 2 will be submitted as part of the 2006 budget since it is unlikely to commence in 2005.

 

Mr. Heaslip provided copies of a report to General Committee on January 10, 2005 concerning a heavy truck prohibition on Main Street. There was some discussion as to the viability of diverting trucks prior to the completion of the Markham By-Pass to Steeles Avenue. Until then, trucks will have to use the 407ETR, thus incurring tolls so the option is unlikely to be supported by the Ontario Trucking Association.

 

Staff advised that there will be an updated report available in March 2005.

 

e)         Master Plan Environmental Sub-Committee

 

There was no update on this matter.

 

f)          Master Plan Sub-Committee

 

There was no update on this matter.

 

g)         Tannery Pond

 

There was no update on this matter.

 

 

 

 

h)         Official Plan and Zoning Review Subcommittee

 

Mr. R. Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning, advised that staff have reviewed the proposed report but some further concerns need to be addressed. An additional report will be forthcoming to a future meeting.

 

i)          Morgan Park Trust Fund

 

There was no update on this matter.

 

j)          Canadian Municipal Incentive Program

 

THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

 

That York Region be encouraged, in writing and through the Regional Councillors, to take part in the Heritage Property Tax Reduction Program;

 

And that the Town of Markham reduce the cap on its Heritage Loan Fund from 5% to 1%;

 

And that the Commercial Façade and Signage Improvement Programs be continued for a further five (5) years with an annual budget of $50,000 and $20,000 respectively.

CARRIED

 

k)         Development Behind Wedding Cake House

 

Mr. R. Hutcheson advised that a meeting has taken place with the developer of the Wedding Cake House who is working to ensure minimum disruption to the two restaurants close by. It is expected that most of the work will be completed prior to the patio season, and in the meantime large trucks will enter the site via a different entrance. Additionally, the Town expects to be able to retain the large tree near the entrance but will be requesting a letter of credit as a contingency in the event the tree dies at a later date.

 

l)          Update on Bypass

 

Regional Councillor J. Heath advised that he will raise the issue of appropriate signage on 407ETR with York Region.

 

 

m)        Merge Lane on Main Street South

 

There was no update on this matter since Councillor J. Webster was unavailable.

 

 

n)         Budget Update

 

            Councillor G. McKelvey agreed to submit to the Budget Committee a detailed list of requirements for the 2005 Main Street Markham Committee budget.

 

 

4.         NEW BUSINESS

 

Communities in Bloom

 

The Committee was advised that the Town is entering the 2005 Communities in Bloom contest and Catherine Harrison, coordinator for the event, will be invited to the next meeting. The Committee suggested that some of its budget could go towards landscaping to enhance the Town’s entry, for instance, at Dorothea Moss Park.

 

           

5.         NEXT MEETING

 

The next meeting of the Main Street Markham Committee is scheduled for February 16, 2005.

 

 

6.         ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting of the Main Street Markham Committee adjourned at 9.00 p.m.