FOURTH MEETING OF THE
MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE
TOWN OF MARKHAM
York Room, Markham Civic Centre
May 15, 2003 - 6:30 P.M.
Members Present: Members Absent:
Dave Adams David Black
Mark Champion Marie
Jones
Robert Lipka Morley Lem
Judi McIntyre Dianne More
Jonathan Mingay Iggy Natoli
Frankie Rose Peter Ross
Keith Thirgood Corina Sallaberger
Helen Walter
Councillor Jack Heath
Councillor George McKelvey
Staff:
Regan Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning
Candy Davidovits, Committee Clerk
The Main Street Markham Committee meeting convened at the hour of 6:30 p.m. with Councillors Jack Heath and Councillor George McKelvey co-chairing.
1. ADOPTION
OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE
MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE – APRIL 16, 2003
THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:
THAT THE MINUTES OF THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON APRIL 16, 2003, BE ADOPTED.
Mr. Rich Mcavan and Mr. Glen Harrington of Harrington and Hoyle made a presentation to the Committee respecting streetscape issues related to the streetscape study. He advised that the final functional plan is almost completed; that a meeting was held with the steering committee about a month ago which was also attended by representatives from the Region of York; that the plan held up well through the public meetings and the BIA presentations; that a few minor revisions are to be made but that the plans are largely proceeding as shown publicly; that more pictures have been added to the report; that a final report will be submitted within the next week or so; and that the next step will involve construction drawings through the issuance of a traffic oriented RFP. Mr. Mcavan stated that it will be up to the Town to proceed with the next phase.
The Main Street Markham Committee received the foregoing presentation.
The Committee was advised by the Clerk that the members of the Master Plan Environmental Sub-committee have been requested to report on the appointment of a Chair and to submit the Terms of Reference of the Sub-Committee for approval. The Main Street Markham Committee deferred this matter as the Master Plan Environmental Sub-committee has not yet met.
3. UPDATES:
Markham Museum
The Committee had before it an extract from the Development Services Committee meeting held May 6, 2003, wherein it was noted that the site plan application by the Town of Markham for the Markham Museum to construct a 273m2 Reception Centre at 9350 Markham Road, was approved in principle, subject to:
(1) approval of financing; and
(2) that the Town shall submit final drawings, and comply with all requirements of the Town and authorized public agencies, to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Development Services.
Councillor Health circulated a coloured copy of the drawings of the proposed reception centre prepared by Sears & Russell Architects Ltd., and advised that some of the concerns expressed by the Main Street Markham Committee have been reflected in the revised drawings. These latest plans were well received by the Development Services Committee.
Mural - 107 Main Street
Judy McIntyre advised that David Black will provide further information to her on Monday and that she will then proceed accordingly. An update will be provided at the next meeting.
Tannery Pond
Glen Harrington of Harrington and Hoyle addressed
the Main Street Markham Committee respecting the Tannery Pond. He advised that construction had been
finished last year; that everything seems to be functioning quite well; and
that no further improvements have been budgeted for Tannery Pond.
Councillor McKelvey advised that staff are
progressing with signage for the area. Only funds for signs are included in
this year's budget, however a request will be made for funds for meandering of
the stream in the 2004 budget. Mr. Harrington advised that the installation of
signage is very important given the environmental significance of the project. Fish life such as the Red Trout and Redside
Dace have been spotted all the way up Robinson Creek.
Mr. Harrington provided information related to the
work of the Ministry of Natural Resources “Ontario Stewardship Rangers” in
response to a question related to any further improvements to the Pond. He advised that it would be very difficult
to get approval to do a meandering of the pond as the Ontario Stewardship
Rangers have started a process of modifying the channel and changing the
flow. This will require a number of
similar initiatives. Down-stream
meanders are more difficult, and approvals are required unless they are
undertaken by the Ontario Stewardship Rangers.
Councillor Heath advised that this is no funding in
the budget at the present time for the meandering of the stream. Glen
Harrington encouraged the Main Street Markham Committee to get in touch with
the Ontario Stewardship Rangers to see if they could do some work in this area,
for a week.
The Main Street Markham Committee thanked Glen
Harrington for his presentation and requested Councillor McKelvey contact the
Ministry of Natural Resources Ontario Stewardship Rangers Program regarding
further improvements to Tannery Pond.
Main Street Markham Traffic Management & Streetscape Study (bump-outs)
Dave Adams advised the Committee that
representatives of the three levels of government were expected to meet to
develop a Memorandum of Understanding on the timing of diverting Highway 48 to
the bypass, and who will be assuming possession of the road. The Committee
requested the co-chairs to follow-up with staff respecting this matter.
Stan Lau, General Manager, Technical Services,
provided an update for the record: Staff are awaiting Ken Hoyle's revised
report, anticipated to be provided very shortly. With respect to Highway 48/16th
Avenue intersection improvements, staff have submitted functional design and
cost estimates to MTO and Region of York requesting commitment of funding. A
positive response has been received from MTO, but no response has been received
from the Region to date. Staff will attend the June 18 meeting to provide an
update.
Official Plan and Zoning Review Subcommittee
Dave Adams advised the Committee that he met with David Black and Peter Ross in November 2002, to review the consultant’s last report; that they had sent it back to the consultant with their comments; and that to date they have been unable to obtain any information.
The Main Street Markham Committee requested Councillor McKelvey discuss this matter with the Commissioner of Planning. Councillor McKelvey provided an updated for the record: The review is ongoing, however, staff have heavy workload commitments. Regan Hutcheson and Valerie Shuttleworth are the current forces behind this effort. The consultant's recommendations should be ready by this summer, and it will then proceed to a public meeting in 2004.
Heritage Entrance Signage
Regan Hutcheson, Manager of Heritage Planning, made a presentation to the Main Street Markham Committee respecting the proposed heritage entrance signs. Mock-ups of the proposed signs were displayed at the meeting and a list of proposed sign locations was provided. Members of the Committee made the following suggestions respecting the proposed signs:
- replace the word “established” with “Circa”;
- retain the words “Heritage Conservation District; and
- include the words “Thank you for visiting Markham Village” on the back of the large heritage signs, where feasible.
The Main Street Markham Committee:
(1) referred this matter to Keith Thirgood and Regan Hutcheson to develop the final signage for the heritage districts; and
(2) concurred with the sign locations proposed for Markham Village subject to:
(i) the main sign proposed for Main Street South, at the northeast corner of James Scott intersection (Item e) be reviewed further and that Councillor Heath request Alan Brown to look at the intersection to determine if the sign can be accommodated; and
(ii) the small signs proposed for Wales Avenue and Markham Street (Items d, e and f) not be approved;
(iii) the small sign proposed for Parkway Avenue be at Markhaven Park;
(iv) the small sign proposed for Church Street (Item h) be installed east of Elm Street); and
(iv) an additional small sign be installed on Ramona Boulevard, near the LCBO store.
Event Signs
The Committee discussed the proposed event signs. Regan Hutcheson advised that these signs would be paid for through the Heritage Markham budget. He noted that the design work for the event signs is still to be done and that a report will be submitted to Council, with an estimate of costs, at a later date. He suggested that the Committee should give some thought to the design of these signs.
Councillor Heath asked Regan Hutcheson to include in his forthcoming report on this matter, the possibility of locating two or three event signs in Markham, one for each of the north and south ends of Highway 48 and another at Robinson and Main Street.
Farmers’ Market
Judy
McIntyre advised the Main Street Markham Committee that the opening of the
Farmers’ Market was a great success.
Tremont Hotel
Councillor Heath advised that he was not able to set up a meeting respecting this matter.
Expansion of the Markham Community Library and
Development of Lands to the South of the Library
Councillor Heath advised that a community meeting on this issue is being held on June 18, 2003, at 7:00 p.m. at the Train Station, and that representatives of the Library and the developer will be present. Residents of Reeve Drive, representatives of the Vinegar Hill Ratepayers Association and the BIA will be notified and an ad will be placed in the newspaper.
Mr. Rich Mcavan of Harrington and Hoyle provided information related to the grading plan for the area, the proposed pedestrian route from Highway 7 to the Rouge River Park and on the efforts to preserve trees and vegetation in the proposed trail system and buffer strip from the road.
Councillor Heath requested members of the Main Street Markham Committee to attend the community meeting on June 18, 2003, and advised that he will probably want some members of the Committee to make presentations respecting the Vision document.
4. NEW BUSINESS
a. Millennium
Bandstand Parkette and Playground
The Committee had before it a memorandum from the Town Clerk dated May 1, 2003, providing information on a motion approved by Council on April 29, 2003, respecting the Millennium Bandstand Parkette and Playground Project.
b. Planning
Application - 9401 Highway 48
The Committee had before it an
extract from Development Services Committee meeting held May 6, 2003, and
renderings for the proposed Subaru dealership at 9401 Highway 48. Councillor
McKelvey was requested to obtain a detailed landscaping plan related to this
project and to provide a copy thereof to the Committee at a future meeting.
5.
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 18, 2003, at 6:30 p.m. at the Train Station in order to allow the members to attend the community meeting being held that evening at 7:00 p.m. at the Train Station respecting the Expansion of the Markham Community Library and the Development of the Lands to the South of the Library.
6. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting of the Main Street Markham Committee adjourned at 8:45 p.m.