MINUTES FROM THE TENTH MEETING OF THE

MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE

Town of Markham

York Room - Civic Centre

 

October 20, 2004 - 6:30 P.M.

 

 

Members

Regrets

Dave Adams

Amy Pialagitis

Councillor G. McKelvey

Morley Lem

David Black

Iggy Natoli

Frankie Rose

Elizabeth Plashkes

Mark Champion

Corina Sallaberger

Michelle Sukul-Chan

Helen Walter

Jonathan Mingay

 

Dianne More

 

Councillor J. Webster

 

Peter Ross

 

                                                 

 

Staff

Chris Raynor, Committee Clerk

Scott Heaslip, Senior Project Coordinator

Ron Wark, Project Consultant

 

The Main Street Markham Committee meeting convened at the hour of 6:30 p.m. with Councillor G. McKelvey in the Chair.

 

 

1.                  ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE NINTH MEETING OF THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE

 

THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

 

That the Minutes of the Main Street Markham Committee meeting held on September 15, 2004, be adopted with the following amendments:

 

Item 2c):           That this paragraph be deleted;

Item 4:              That the words, “but that work is still required on the traffic lights at the intersection”, be added to the first paragraph, following the words, “Major Mackenzie Drive and Highway 48”.

CARRIED

 

2.         MARKHAM VILLAGE LIBRARY EXPANSION

 

Mr. G. Shoalts, Shoalts and Zaback Architects Ltd., provided information relating to the expansion of the Markham Village Library, and presented a massing model of the proposed design. Mr. Shoalts advised that a design proposal for the village green will be forthcoming.

 

The Committee suggested that it may be useful to provide a book drop off facility on the north side of the building. It was stated that there will be no public access on the extreme north side as it could pose a security risk. It was noted that the overall program space in the facility will remain the same.

 

There was some discussion of the access points to the Library. It was suggested that such details will be addressed at the next public meeting concerning the development. It was noted that construction is expected to begin in July 2005, and be competed by November 2006.

 

The Committee commended the architect, and Town staff, for keeping the public informed on the development.

 

 

3.         BUDGET SUB-COMMITTEE UPDATE

 

Councillor G. McKelvey provided a summary of the October 18, 2004 meeting of the Budget Sub-Committee.

 

The Main Street. Markham Committee agreed to consider the following items in the 2005 budget:

·        New Service Club signs;

·        Three benches;

·        Determining Town owned, leased, and agreement, parking lots and installing appropriate signage;

·        New three or two stream recycling containers;

·        Two month summer student to research and update, in conjunction with Museum staff, the village walking guide, and;

·        Installation of “current event” signage at the north and south entrances to Main Street.

 

 

4.         UPDATES:

 

a)         Update on Greenbelt

 

There was no update on this matter.

 

 

 

b)         Wismer Commercial Design Guidelines

 

Mr. S. Heaslip, Senior Project Coordinator, advised that three (3) studies have been initiated. They are a market impact study of developments north of 16th Avenue, on Main Street and Highway 7; a peer review of studies completed previously by John Winter Associates Ltd.; an urban design study for Highway 48, from 16th Avenue to Major Mackenzie Drive, examining transition issues, best practice for commercial developments and streetscape requirements.

 

Further, Terms of Reference are being formulated for an environmental impact study of the widening of Highway 48, from 16th Avenue to north of Major Mackenzie Drive. The Committee was informed that if commercial development applications are received in the meantime, the Town has discretion to enact an interim control by-law.

 

The Committee requested that staff provide ongoing updates on the reports when possible.

 

c)         Public Space Recycling Containers on Main Street Markham

 

The Committee was advised that work is ongoing on the final design of the recycling containers. Also, it is not yet confirmed that the Town’s waste contractor will collect organic waste.

 

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

 

The Committee requested that staff provide an update on the Streetscape Study at the December 15, 2004 meeting.

 

e)         Master Plan Environmental Sub-Committee

 

Mr. J. Mingay advised that he will write a letter regarding a clean-up outside the Canada Post facility. The Sub-Committee is also working on the possibility of tree-planting by private entities, as well as examining which parks are “public”, and the feasibility of installing plaques on the street.

 

f)          Master Plan Sub-Committee

 

There was no update on this matter.

 

g)         Tannery Pond

 

There was no update on this matter.

 

 

 

 

h)         Official Plan and Zoning Review Subcommittee

 

Mr. P. Ross advised that a draft document is still under review by staff. Mr. R. Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning, will be available to provide an update at the next meeting.

 

i)          Farmers’ Market

 

Ms. M. Sukul-Chan advised that the market is now closed until next season. It was agreed that the item can be removed from the agenda.

 

j)          Heritage Signs

 

The Committee was advised that the painting of the heritage signs is complete.

 

k)         Morgan Park

 

Councillor J. Webster agreed to examine the Town’s design plans for Morgan Park. The Committee also requested information on the trust fund for the park.

 

l)          Quick Start transit stops

 

It was agreed that this item can be removed from the agenda.

 

 

m)        Canadian Municipal Incentive Program

 

The Committee agreed to defer discussion of this matter until the next scheduled meeting.

 

n)         Development at Wedding Cake House

 

It was suggested that there may be a pending law suit against the development. Staff agreed to examine the matter.

 

 

4.         NEW BUSINESS

 

Merge Lanes on Main Street South

 

Mr. P. Ross requested that the matter of merge lanes on Main Street South close to the 407ETR be added to the next agenda as appropriate signage has not yet been installed.

 

 

 

 

Publicity of pending streetscape improvements

 

Ms. F. Rose suggested that publicity should be generated for the new streetscape designs for Main Street. Staff suggested that Corporate Communications could be contacted and that a press releases could be issued to coincide with the pending opening of the Markham By-pass.

 

The Committee agreed that “Publicity for the opening of the by-pass” be included for consideration within the 2005 budget.

 

 

5.         NEXT MEETING

 

The next meeting of the Main Street Markham Committee is scheduled for November 17, 2004.

 

6.         ADJOURNMENT

 

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