SECOND MEETING OF THE

MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE

 

TOWN OF MARKHAM

York Room, Markham Civic Centre

February 19, 2003 - 6:30 P.M.

 

        MINUTES

 

ATTENDANCE

 

Members Present:                                                          Members Absent:

Dave Adams                                                             David Black

Mark Champion                                                        Morley Lem

Marie Jones                                                                Iggy Natoli

Robert Lipka                                                               Councillor George McKelvey

Judi McIntyre

Jonathan Mingay

Dianne More

Frankie Rose

Peter Ross

Corina Sallaberger

Keith Thirgood

Helen Walter

Councillor Jack Heath

 

 

Staff:

Regan Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning

Candy Davidovits, Committee Clerk

 

The Main Street Markham Committee meeting convened at the hour of 6:35 p.m. with Councillor Jack Heath chairing.

 

 

1.            ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE FIRST MEETING OF THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE - January 15, 2003

 

THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

 

That the minutes of the Main Street Markham Committee meeting held on January 15, 2003, be adopted.

 

 

2.            PRESENTATION:  MARKHAM MUSEUM

 

Councillor Heath advised the Committee that the scheduled presentation regarding the Markham Little Theatre is premature at this time, and that it will be brought forward for a presentation to the Committee at the appropriate time.

Mr. George Phillips, Manager of the Markham Museum, appeared before the Committee and responded to questions relating to:  the proposed location of the reception centre; proposed location of the Markham Little Theatre; landscaping; vehicular access; and the proposed turnabout.  Mr. Phillips advised that the Markham Museum has not entered into an agreement with respect to the Markham Little Theatre.

 

The Committee requested that staff provide Mr. Phillips with a copy of the Vision document and the Streetscape Guidelines.

 

Members of the Committee expressed concern with respect to the delay in setting up a meeting between the Town of Markham, the Region of York, and the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario to develop a Memorandum of Understanding in regard to the road improvements proposed for this area.

 

Councillor Heath agreed to meet with Stan Lau, General Manager of Streets Services, respecting the proposed Memorandum of Understanding, and to report thereon to the Committee at the next meeting.

 

The Main Street Markham Committee received the presentation by Mr. George Phillips.

 

 

3.            UPDATES:

 

            Mural - 107 Main Street

 

Judy McIntyre advised that David Black will be meeting with the owner of the building to discuss the plans for the mural, and that an update will be provided to the Committee after that meeting.

 

            Tannery Pond

 

Judy McIntyre advised that two of the signs at Tannery Pond are damaged or lopsided and that the quality of the signage is poor. Councillor Heath agreed to communicate with Linda Irvine respecting the quality of the signage at Tannery Pond.

 

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

 

Keith Thirgood made a presentation regarding the Draft Final Report of the "Main Street Markham Streetscape and Traffic Management Study" being prepared by Harrington & Hoyle. Further information on this matter will be provided once the draft report has been revised to incorporate comments received from the various stakeholders.

 

Councillor Heath advised that he will meet with staff to discuss the foregoing draft document and will update the Committee thereon.

 

Official Plan and Zoning Review Subcommittee

 

Regan Hutcheson advised that Nick MacDonald has reviewed the report submitted by the Subcommittee; that he has no problems with the comments contained therein; and that a further meeting of the Subcommittee is planned.

 

Heritage Entrance Signage

 

The Main Street Markham Committee had before it a report (January 15, 2003) from Regan Hutcheson providing an update respecting the Heritage Entry Signage issue, wherein he advises that at present there are no entrance signs for the Markham, Thornhill or Unionville heritage areas and provides options for the design and fabrication of the signs.  Regan Hutcheson indicated that he had spoken to the Sign Shop and that staff there had stated that they could design and construct the signage.

 

Members of the Committee expressed concern related to the proposed change in logo for Markham Village, outlined in the minutes of the meeting of Heritage Markham held on April 9, 2002, and also to the inconsistent signage on Town of Markham properties.

 

The Main Street Markham Committee requested:

 

(1)        That Councillor Heath collect information on the Community Improvement Project and make a presentation thereon to the next meeting of the Main Street Markham Committee; and

 

(2)        That Regan Hutcheson arrange to have some mock-ups of signage prepared and present them to the April 2003, meeting of the Committee.

 

Master Plan Subcommittee

 

The Committee had before it the document entitled “Things to do from the Vision.”  Keith Thirgood advised that he had not received any written comments from any of the members, thus he had nothing further to report.

 

The Main Street Markham Committee:

 

(1)        requested the members to forward their comments, in writing, on the Vision document to Keith Thirgood; and

 

(2)        directed that this item be placed as the first item on the agenda of the meeting on March 19, 2003, for a presentation by Keith Thirgood.

 

            Farmers’ Market

 

Judy McIntyre advised that she had no further information to report on this matter.

Tremont Hotel

 

Councillor Heath advised that he is meeting with the owners of the Tremont Hotel during the next two weeks to discuss the results of the survey undertaken by the Markham Conservancy respecting this property and that Elizabeth Plashkes will also be attending the meeting.

 

2003 Budget

 

Councillor Heath advised that he had no further information to report respecting the 2003 budget.

 

Doors Open Markham

 

There was no further information provided on this matter.

 

Expansion of the Markham Community Library and

Development of Lands to the South of the Library

 

The Committee had before it an e-mail communication (February 13, 2003) from Linda Irvine advising that she has discussed the matter of the “southern greenway” at 55 Main Street with Jim Baird, Commissioner of Planning, and that they offer the following observations:

 

(1)        Through the site plan process for 55 Main Street, it will be the responsibility of the developer to work with the Town to prepare plans for the linear greenway adjacent to Highway 48;

 

(2)        Through the library expansion project, it will be the responsibility of the individuals involved (Steering Committee/Library Board) to work with Town staff to develop a suitable site plan for the existing Markham Library property as it relates to the library expansion;

 

(3)        Town planning and urban design staff  will be involved in both of these initiatives (as noted above); and

 

(4)        If through these initiatives, additional planning or design work is needed, a budget request can be made through the 2005 Capital Budget Process.

 

Councillor Heath advised that he will speak with Jim Baird with respect to inclusion of $15,000.00 in the 2003 capital budget for the additional planning or design work referred to in the foregoing communication (February 13, 2003) from Linda Irvine.

 

 

 

 

4.         NEW BUSINESS

 

There were no items of new business.

 

 

5.         NEXT MEETING

 

The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 19, 2003.

 

 

6.            ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.