NOTES FROM THE EIGHTH MEETING OF THE

MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE

Town of Markham

York Room - Civic Centre

 

August 18, 2004 - 6:30 P.M.

 

 

Members                                                                                  Regrets

Dave Adams                                                                            David Black

Councillor G. McKelvey                                                           Morley Lem

Councillor J. Webster                                                               Amy Pialagitis  

Keith Thirgood                                                             Jonathan Mingay

Helen Walter                                                                            Dianne More

Councillor John Webster                                                           Iggy Natoli

Elizabeth Plashkes                                                                    Corina Sallaberger

Frankie Rose                                                                            Peter Ross

 

 

Staff

Chris Raynor, Committee Clerk

Regan Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning

 

The Main Street Markham Committee meeting convened without quorum at the hour of 6:35 p.m. with Councillor J. Webster in the Chair.

 

 

1.                  RATIFICATION OF THE NOTES OF THE SEVENTH MEETING OF THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE HELD ON JULY 21, 2004

 

THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

 

That the notes of the Seventh Meeting of the Main Street Markham Committee held on July 21, 2006, be ratified.

CARRIED

 


2.         UPDATES:

 

a)         Update on Greenbelt

 

Mr. R. Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning, advised that the acoustical fence atop the retaining wall will be of pressure-treated red pine. Staff will recommend that the fence be treated with a grey semi-transparent stain after the wood has weathered sufficiently.

 

Mr. Hutcheson agreed to investigate the possibility of using cedar instead of red pine for the acoustical fence.

 

b)         Wismer Commercial Design Guidelines

 

Councillor G. McKelvey advised that a pubic meeting regarding the Town’s commercial policy is scheduled for September 16, 2004. There was discussion surrounding the possibility of the Committee contributing to the cost o fJohn Winter appearing at the meeting. Councillor G. McKelvey advised that he would provide an update on the situation in early September.

 

It was also suggested that the BIA might post notices of the public meeting in stores on Main Street.

 

c)         Public Space Recycling Containers on Main Street Markham

 

The Committee viewed a garbage can design from Toronto Fabricating and Manufacturing Company. There was agreement that the design #900FT was appropriate for Main Street.

 

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

 

There was no update on this matter.

 

e)         Master Plan Environmental Sub-Committee

 

Mr. K. Thirgood advised that the Sub-committee was recommending that the 2004 budget be restructured, and that the remainder of the 2003 be used, so that approximately $41,000 can be allotted to purchase six (6) new benches, two (2) new benches with concrete bases, six (6) replacement benches, and four (4) waste receptacles. Two thousand dollars will be retained to pay for future maintenance.

 

Mr. Thirgood advised that the 2004 budget was originally allocated as follows:

            $15,000 – Robinson Creek study

            $7,500 – Heritage waste receptacles

            $12,500 – Benches

            $10,000 – Water fountain

            $5,000 Model trees

 

He noted that the model trees planted previously have died so the money may better be spent on benches and waste receptacles. Ms. E. Plashkes advised that staff have a report indicating why the trees may have died. There is a possibility that regular watering with fertilizer may have weakened them. Councillor G. McKelvey will follow up with staff regarding this issue.

 

There was some discussion surrounding a planting master plan. The Committee suggested that master plan cannot be created until the final location of the bumpouts is known.

 

Councillor G. McKelvey advised that he would talk to staff regarding ongoing maintenance. He suggested that this cost should not be borne by the Committee.

 

THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

 

That the remainder of the 2003 Main Street Markham budget, along with the 2004 budget line items relating to heritage waste receptacles, benches, and model trees, be combined to enable approximately $41,000 to be spent on six (6) new benches, two (2) new benches with concrete bases, six (6) replacement benches, and four (4) waste receptacles on Main Street.

CARRIED

 

f)          Master Plan Sub-Committee

 

Mr. D. Adams advised that a meeting of the Master Plan Sub-Committee will be held on August 20, 2004.

 

g)         Mural - 107 Main Street

 

Mr. K. Thirgood advised that no decision has been made by the Committee to use funds to pay for the mural. Councillor G. McKelvey advised that there is an issue with Town funds being used on private property.

 

THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

 

That Councillor G. McKelvey and Councillor J. Webster investigate the possibility of using Town funds to pay for the extra $3,100 needed to complete the mural.

CARRIED

 

h)         Tannery Pond

 

Councillor G. McKelvey advised that the meander will be included in the 2005 budget. Ms. Plashkes noted that the Tannery Pond will be included as part of a walking tour operated by Lorne Smith in conjunction with the “Doors Open Markham” event.

 

The BIA will consider providing handouts to participants on the tour.

 

i)          Official Plan and Zoning Review Subcommittee

 

Mr. Hutcheson advised that a draft copy of the review is being circulated. He estimates that a report will be forthcoming in fall.

 

j)          Farmers’ Market

 

Mr. Thirgood advised that the Farmers’ Market is doing very well. It was noted that it will be Caribbean Day on August 21, 2004, and that a corn roast is planned for August 28, 2004.

 

k)         Trees

 

            This matter was dealt with in discussion of item 2e)

 

l)          Heritage Signs

 

There was no update on this matter.

 

m)        Morgan Park

 

Councillor J. Webster advised that report is forthcoming on the status of the trees in the park. He suggested that some trees will need to be removed.

 

n)         Quick Start transit stops

 

            The Committee received documentation from Councillor J. Webster providing information as to the changes at Highway 7 and Highway 48, as well as the construction schedule for Quick Start.

 

o)         Review of Canadian Municipal Incentive Programs for Heritage Preservation and Downtown Renewal

 

The Committee received a staff review of the Canadian Municipalities Incentive Programs for Heritage preservation and Downtown Renewal. Mr. Hutcheson advised that a number of grants are available, and that Council is intending to proceed with the façade improvement and signage replacement programs. He requested that the Committee provide feedback by early fall on those two (2) programs, as well as any others that may be beneficial.

 

Ms. E. Plashkes agreed to form a sub-committee that will provide recommendations to the next meeting of the Committee, scheduled for September 15, 2004.

 

THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

 

That Council establish a building revitalization fund, in the amount of $250,000 per year, for use in the heritage districts of the Town of Markham.

CARRIED

 

p)         Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program and Commercial Signage Replacement Grant Program

 

This matter was discussed in conjunction with item 2o)

 

 

4.         NEW BUSINESS

 

Development behind the Wedding Cake House

 

Mr. Thirgood requested an update on the matter of the development behind the Wedding Cake House. He noted that there is an entranceway planned that will necessitate the removal of the second-largest tree on Main Street.

 

Councillor G. McKelvey advised that he will obtain a report from staff.

 

Commendations

 

Councillor G. McKelvey advised that he had received a message from the President of a Condominium in Swan Lake noting that Main Street had never looked better.

 

Ms. Sukul-Chan advised that she had received enquiries from a small community in the Scarborough area seeking advice on how to enhance a Main Street.

 

New Member

 

THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

 

That Ms. M. Sukul-Chan, new Manager of Markham BIA, be accepted as a member of the Main Street Markham Committee.

CARRIED

 

 

5.         NEXT MEETING

 

The next meeting of the Main Street Markham Committee is scheduled for September 15, 2004.

 

6.         ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting of the Main Street Markham Committee adjourned at 9:15 p.m.