FIRST MEETING OF THE
MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE
TOWN OF MARKHAM
York Room, Markham Civic Centre
January 15, 2003 - 6:30 P.M.
Members Present: Members Absent:
Dave Adams Morley Lem
David Black Iggy Natoli
Mark Champion Frankie Rose
Marie Jones Corina Sallaberger
Robert Lipka
Judi McIntyre
Jonathan Mingay
Dianne More
Peter Ross
Keith Thirgood
Helen Walter
Councillor Jack Heath
Councillor George McKelvey
Staff:
Linda Irvine, Manager, Parks and Open Space
Planning
Candy Davidovits, Committee Clerk
Helen Fydyshyn, 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 ELEVENTH MEETING OF THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE –
December 18, 2002
THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:
That the minutes of the Main Street Markham Committee meeting held on December 18, 2002, be adopted.
2. WELCOME NEW MEMBERS:
The Committee was advised by the Town Clerk that the following Heritage Markham Committee representatives had been appointed to the Main Street Markham Committee by Council:
Ms. Marie Jones; and
Ms. Elizabeth Plashkes (alternate).
Councillor Heath also advised that the Town of Markham Council, at its meeting held on January 14, 2003, appointed Corina Sallaberger to the Main Street Markham Committee.
The Main Street Markham Committee received the
foregoing information and welcomed Marie Jones to the Committee.
3. UPDATES:
Mural
- 107 Main Street
The Main Street Markham Committee was advised by the Clerk that:
(a) a copy of the photograph of the “Wilson Street Superior Stores” has been forwarded to Heritage Markham for its information; and
(b) the Development Services Committee of the Town of Markham will be considering the Mural proposal, in conjunction with the Town's proposed Public Art Policy, in February 2003.
Linda Irvine circulated a copy of the “Guidelines for Murals in the Town of Markham” (Appendix "A"). Ms. Irvine advised that Council has requested staff to submit a report to a future Development Services Committee meeting respecting this mural, to be considered in conjunction with the Town of Markham’s proposed Public Art Policy. Linda Irvine also advised that an application and supporting documentation now needs to be submitted to the Building Department and to Heritage Markham for approval of the mural. Following the submission of the application and payment of the fee of $60.00, staff will prepare and submit a report to the Development Services Committee. At that point a decision will be made to either approve the mural or deny it.
Judi McIntyre agreed to undertake the preparation of the necessary paperwork to submit the mural application to the Building Department and to work with Keith Thirgood and Helen Walter on the design of the mural.
Tannery
Pond
The Main Street Markham Committee was advised by Councillor McKelvey that funds for the installation of signage at Tannery Pond will be available in the 2003 budget; that staff must ensure that the sign complies with the Town of Markham’s city-wide signage policy before it can be installed; and that it is hoped that the signage will be completed in the current year.
Judi McIntyre advised that the Markham BIA is going to produce a heritage walking tour and brochure; that Helen Walter and Keith Thirgood are helping out with this project; and that the walking tour brochure will include a stop at Tannery Pond.
Peter Ross reminded the Committee that at its October 2002, meeting, the Committee requested that Mr. Harrington be invited to the April 2003 meeting of the Committee to provide an update respecting Tannery Pond.
Main
Street Markham Traffic Management and Streetscape Study (bump-outs)
Linda Irvine advised the Committee that Ken Hoyle has submitted a draft final report respecting the bump-out study. Copies of the report will be distributed, both externally and internally, for comment to all relevant parties and to members of the steering committee involved in the project. Comments will be provided to Ken Hoyle and a final report will be submitted to the Transportation Committee and Council for adoption.
The Committee was advised by the Clerk that, as requested by the Committee at its last meeting, the new members of the Committee have been provided with the Vision Statement, the Streetscape Guidelines, the list of things to do from the Vision, and the link to the web site in regard to the Main Street Markham Committee.
Peter Ross advised the Committee that the subcommittee has not heard back from staff in regard to the report (December 15, 2002) which it submitted respecting the Official Plan amendment. Peter Ross asked Linda Irvine to mention to Regan Hutcheson that the subcommittee is waiting to hear him respecting the date of the next meeting.
Councillor McKelvey informed the Main Street Markham Committee of the following recent staff changes:
- Jim Baird has been appointed Commissioner of Planning;
- Mary Frances Turner has been appointed Commissioner of Strategic and Innovative Partnerships; and
- Valerie Shuttleworth has been appointed Director of Planning
407
Interchange
Councillor Heath advised that the 407 is required to start building the interchange in the Spring of 2004; that it will take 18 months to complete, therefore, the completion date is December 2005; that there is no guarantee that it will be a full interchange; that the Region of York has discussed advancing the construction of the interchange but no progress has been made in this regard.
Councillor McKelvey suggested to members of the Main Street Markham Committee that they lobby the provincial MPP’s representing the Markham area to express their concerns respecting this issue.
Merry
Diner Card
Judi McIntyre advised the Main Street Markham Committee that the Markham BIA will be overseeing the sale of the Merry Diner Cards; that cards purchased through the BIA will help to raise funds for projects on Main Street Markham; and that further information may be obtained at the following web site: www.merrydiner.ca
Markham Museum
The Main Street Markham Committee was advised by the Clerk that Catherine Molloy from the Markham Museum has agreed to attend the February meeting, and a representative of the Markham Little Theatre has been requested to make a presentation, regarding the Little Theatre building proposed for the site.
Heritage Entrance Signage
The Committee had before it a report (January 15, 2003 - "Appendix "B") from Regan Hutcheson providing an update respecting the Heritage Entry Signage issue.
The Main Street Markham Committee deferred this matter to its next meeting to be held on February 19, 2003.
Master
Plan Subcommittee
Keith Thirgood circulated a draft document entitled “Things to do from the Vision” ("Appendix "C"). Keith Thirgood advised that the subcommittee will have to meet at least once more to complete all of the items on the vision document.
The Main Street Markham Committee requested the Committee Clerk to mail a copy of the draft document to those members of the Committee not present at this meeting with the request that they review the document and submit their comments thereon at the February 19, 2003 meeting.
Judi McIntyre advised the Main Street Markham Committee that a meeting is being held on January 16, 2003, to start planning for the 2003 Farmers’ Market, and suggested that if anyone had any comments they submit them to the planning committee now.
Tremont Hotel
Dianne More advised that the Markham Conservancy does not have much contact with the owners of the Tremont Hotel in order to be able to provide them with the results of the survey recently taken.
The Committee directed that the Markham Conservancy be requested to forward a copy of the results of the survey respecting the Tremont Hotel to Councillor Heath so that he may provide a copy thereof to Mr. Kwok, the owner of the Tremont Hotel.
2003
Budget
Councillor Heath provided a verbal update respecting the 2003 Main Street Markham Committee budget. Councillor Heath advised that the following projects were included in a submission to the Budget Committee in October 2002:
- Improvements to Morgan Park;
- Tannery Pond signage; and
- Streetscape detailed study ($80,000).
Councillor Heath further advised that a report will now be submitted to the Finance and Administration Committee.
Tax Arrears Sale of Property
Councillor McKelvey advised that an auction was held recently to sell a property in the Robinson Street and Tannery Pond vicinity due to tax arrears; that as a result of the auction the property was acquired by the Town of Markham; and that the property will now become part of Tannery Pond.
Marie Jones advised that Heritage Markham has selected 12 sites to be part of Doors Open Markham. Dianne More also advised that an application for funding has been made to the Trillium Foundation in regard to Doors Open Markham.
4. NEW
BUSINESS
Committee Minutes
The Committee was advised by the Committee Clerk that the Development Services Committee has requested that the minutes of all committees reporting to the Development Services Committee be provided in a timely manner as soon as they are completed and before they have been adopted by the relevant committee.
The Main Street Markham Committee concurred with the foregoing request.
Expansion of the Markham Community Library and
Development of Lands to the South of the Library
Councillor Heath verbally reported that the Town of Markham Council at its meeting held on January 14, 2003, approved the expansion of the Markham Community Library. Councillor Heath also provided an update respecting the possible redevelopment of the lands located to the south of the Library.
A number of concerns were raised relating to the relocation of a heritage property, the preservation of trees, possible installation of a bicycle path and a roundabout, setbacks, and the need for a master plan for the entire quadrant.
The Main Street Markham Committee requested Linda Irvine to discuss the foregoing concerns with Jim Baird and submit a report thereon to the Committee at its February 19, 2003, meeting.
5. NEXT
MEETING
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 19, 2003.
6. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting of the Main Street Markham Committee adjourned at 8:25 p.m.