SEVENTH MEETING OF THE
MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE
TOWN OF MARKHAM
Canada Room - Civic Centre
September 17, 2003 - 6:30 P.M.
Members Present: Members Absent:
Dave Adams David Black
Mark Champion Marie Jones
Judi McIntyre Robert Lipka
Dianne More Morley Lem
Frankie Rose Jonathan Mingay
Peter Ross Iggy Natoli
Corina Sallaberger Elizabeth Plashkes
Keith Thirgood
Helen Walter
Councillor Jack Heath
Councillor George McKelvey
Staff:
Regan Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning
Stan Lau, General Manager of Technical Services
Candy Davidovits, Committee Clerk
The Main Street Markham Committee meeting convened at the hour of 6:40 p.m. with Councillor Jack Heath and Councillor George McKelvey co-chairing.
1. ADOPTION
OF THE MINUTES OF THE SIXTH MEETING OF THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE - JULY
16, 2003
THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:
THAT THE MINUTES OF THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON JULY 16, 2003, BE ADOPTED.
2. PUBLIC SPACE RECYCLING CONTAINERS ON MAIN STREET MARKHAM
The Committee had before it a report dated September 17, 2003, from Mr. Peter Veiga, Waste Management Coordinator, entitled “Public Space Recycling Containers on Main Street Markham”. Peter Veiga gave a presentation to the Committee.
The Main Street Markham Committee received the report and the presentation, and endorsed the placement of a public space recycling container only at the Markham Village Arena location (Item 4 listed in the staff report); that the other locations proposed be rejected; and that the Town of Markham be requested to look for alternative containers for the rest of the Markham Village that are consistent with the Main Street Markham Committee’s guidelines.
3. UPDATES:
Main Street Markham Traffic Management & Streetscape Study (bump-outs)
The Committee had before it a copy of the Final Report dated May 30, 2003, from Harrington and Hoyle respecting the Main Street Markham Management & Streetscape Study, which was mailed to each member of the Main Street Markham Committee in August for their information and future reference.
Mr. Stan Lau, General Manager of Technical Services, advised that a staff report on this matter will be submitted to the meeting of the Community Services Committee to be held on October 6, 2003. Mr. Lau will provide further details respecting the time and location of the meeting so that Main Street Markham Committee member may attend.
The Main Street Markham Committee recommends to the Community Services Committee that the Final Report (May 30, 2003) from Harrington and Hoyle be endorsed, in principle.
Helen Walter advised that the draft Terms of Reference for the Master Plan Environmental Sub-Committee will be provided at the October 15th meeting.
Master Plan Sub-Committee
Keith Thirgood advised that he had no further updates to provide on this matter.
The Committee requested the Master Plan Sub-Committee commence reviewing the 2004 Main Street Markham Committee budget items.
Markham Museum - No update available.
Mural - 107 Main Street
Judi McIntyre advised that she is still investigating this proposal and will update the Main Street Markham Committee at the next meeting.
Tannery Pond
Councillor McKelvey advised that he is still
investigating the matter of signage for the Tannery Pond with Linda Irvine and
that he is proposing to have funds included in the 2004 Parks Budget for the meandering
of the creek.
Keith Thirgood enquired whether anyone had been in
touch with the Ontario Stewardship Rangers regarding a project to meander the
stream. Councillor McKelvey responded
that staff had discussed such a proposal with the Ontario Stewardship Rangers
and were advised that it could not undertaken with them at this time for a
variety of reasons.
Official Plan and Zoning Review Subcommittee
Peter Ross advised that he will provide an update on this matter at the next meeting as he is still awaiting a response from staff in regard to the 40 exceptions to the Official Plan and Zoning By-law which were identified by the Subcommittee.
Farmers’ Market
Judi
McIntyre advised that she is very pleased with this year’s Farmers’ Market;
that this is the last year Trillium funds are available; and that the Market
will be hiring a marketing manager for the Farmers’ Market for 2004.
The
Committee was also advised that Councillor Heath’s entry in the chili cooking
contest won third place.
Tremont Hotel
Councillor Heath advised that there has been no progress in regard to this property. Councillor Heath also advised that a report is being submitted to the Finance and Administration Committee recommending the implementation of a Heritage Property Tax Reduction Program effective January 1, 2004 under the
provisions of Section 365.2 of the Municipal Act, 2001 to provide tax relief for eligible heritage properties.
The Main Street Markham Committee requested a Legal opinion on matters relating to this property.
Planning Application - 9401 Highway 48
The Committee Clerk circulated a copy of the landscaping plan for the Subaru dealership at 9401 Highway 48, prepared by Douglas W. Kerr and Associates Ltd., Landscape Architect.
At the request of Keith Thirgood, Councillor McKelvey agreed to check with staff as to whether they have recommended to the property owner that the guidelines developed by the Main Street Markham Committee be used in any landscaping plan for this site.
Expansion of the Markham Community Library and
Development of Lands to the South of the Library
Councillor Heath provided an update on the progress of the library advising that an architect has now been hired; that the community does not want the library building to go south but rather they want it to go north and east which would be a major change to the plan and would require another public meeting to be held in the near future.
The Main Street Markham Committee requested Councillor Heath to provide an update at the next meeting on the outcome of the following recommendations adopted by the Committee at its meeting held in July 2003:
“(1) that the Main Street Markham Committee opposes moving “The Archibald Barker House” from its present location at 49 Main Street South; and
(2) that as an integral part of the Heritage District, the Main Street Markham Committee strenuously requests Council to maintain Main Street Markham South as a two-lane road in perpetuity.”
Trees
The Committee had before it an e-mail communication dated August 12, 2003, from Karen Boniface, Parks Planner, regarding the status of the trees on Main Street Markham which were provided for in the 2003 budget and have not yet been planted and advising that:
- in 2001, 12 trees of different varieties were planted; that the Forestry section is monitoring these and the other street trees, and will replace those that have died this Fall;
- due to the very limited space in the boulevard, no new tree plantings were planned until the island bump outs were contracted; and
- Linda Irvine has agreed to assess the needs for street furniture and will likely respond to this request.
Keith Thirgood advised that he met with Karen Boniface on September 17th on Main Street Markham and that he identified for her 22 spaces where trees could be planted.
Councillor McKelvey advised that he
will discuss the tree issue with staff and meet with them on Main Street
Markham one morning during the next week or two. Keith Thirgood was asked to provide a list of proposed locations
for trees.
Councillor Heath provided an update regarding a property which was recently sold on Robinson Street. The Committee requested that this matter be listed on the next agenda for an update from staff.
The Committee had before it the following material update respecting a heritage house located two driveways north of the Markham Museum which is proposed to be demolished.
- Reports to the Heritage Markham Architectural Review Subcommittee, dated July 17, 2003, and to Heritage Markham dated August 13, 2003;
- Report to Development Services Committee, August 25; and
- Minutes/Resolution of Development
Services Committee, as amended by Council on August 26, 2003.
The Committee received the material and requested an update at the next meeting.
At the last meeting Councillor Heath was asked to provide an update from discussions with staff regarding a proposal to provide informational signs on alternate parking locations in the Village. Councillor Heather advised that he has not yet had a response from staff on this matter.
4. NEW
BUSINESS
Resignation of Mr. Robert Lipka
The Main Street Markham Committee had before it a communication dated September 10, 2003, from Mr. Robert Lipka submitting his resignation from the Committee and thanking the members and staff associated with the Committee.
The Main Street Markham Committee recommends that:
(1) the resignation of Mr. Robert Lipka be received with regret, and that a letter of appreciation be sent;
(2) the position on the Main Street Markham Committee be declared vacant and that this position be advertised; and
(3) Council appoint one new member to the Main Street Markham Committee.
Morgan Park
Councillor Heath advised the Committee that he had a discussion with Linda Irvine regarding a proposal to improve Morgan Park. A future update will be provided on this matter.
Centennial Skatepark
Councillor Heath advised that additional funds were required to complete this park and that the project and tender were approved by Council on September 16, 2003. The project might be starting in October 2003, but will not be completed this year.
Markham Bypass
The Committee was
advised that the appeal to the OMB has now been withdrawn and that the bypass
will be starting very soon. The
Environmental Assessment on the road is being completed by the Region of York
and preliminary reports are expected in five or six months.
5. NEXT
MEETING
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 15, 2003, at 6:30 p.m. in the Canada Room at the Civic Centre.
6.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting of the Main Street Markham Committee adjourned at 9:10 p.m.