MINUTES

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE

2007-01-23

Meeting No. 3

All Members of Council

Development Services Economic Development

Chair: Regional Councillor J. Jones Chair: Regional Councillor T. Wong

Vice-Chair: Councillor J. Webster

PART A

Presentations, Major Studies, and Issues Agenda

9:00 a.m. – Canada Room

Attendance

Deputy Mayor J. Jones Regional Councillor J. Heath Regional Councillor T. Wong Regional Councillor G. Landon Councillor V. Burke Councillor J. Virgilio Councillor C. Moretti Councillor J. Webster Councillor D. Horchik Councillor L. Kanapathi Councillor A. Chiu

J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer J. Baird, Commissioner of Development Services A. Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services A. Brown, Director of Engineering C. Conrad, Town Solicitor S. Chait, Director, Economic Development D. Ciastko, Senior Economic Development Officer L. Duoba, Project Coordinator S. Kahn, Business Development Officer B. Karumanchery, Manager, East District R. Kendall, Manager, Central District T. Lambe, Manager, Policy and Research L. Wheeler, Senior Planner K. Bavington, Committee Clerk

The Development Services Committee convened at the hour of 9:05 a.m. in the Canada Room with Deputy Mayor J. Jones in the Chair. Regional Councillor T. Wong assumed the Chair for Economic Development item No. 1.

DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST - None Declared

1. COMPETITIVE STRATEGY PHASE I RESULTS (10.16)

Presentation

Mr. Keith Bray, President and CEO of the Markham Board of Trade, was in attendance.

Staff gave a brief introduction to this item. Markham’s Economic Development Strategy is now over 10 years old and needs to be updated to allow Markham to be globally competitive. There are three phases to the economic development strategy process: Phase 1 - Economic Base Analysis; Phase 2 - Community Engagement; and Phase 3 - Business Planning and Economic Strategy.

Lauren Millier of urbanMetrics inc., highlighted the results of Phase 1, explaining the purpose and methodology, and noting the following significant key economic findings:

- population growth is strong

- labour force and employment is growing

- education attainment is high among residents

- income levels remain high

Other significant findings include:

- the challenge of commuting patterns, wherein 70% of residents commute to employment outside of Markham

- a significant number of employment is concentrated in professional, scientific and technical services

- significant export and investment opportunities exist in: advanced manufacturing; professional, scientific and technical services; finance and insurance; and information and cultural industries

- Markham is recognized as an innovative community with innovative Economic Development projects and investments to drive growth

- the supply of employment land is a challenge. The current 10-year supply is scattered over mostly smaller parcels of land. There is an opportunity for the town to pursue a selective, strategic role as owner/developer.

There are a variety of challenges facing businesses, and the key criteria for site selection are telecommunications, access to customer base, and access to market. Input from stakeholders identified the following for Markham:

Strengths – location and telecommunications

Weaknesses – transportation network

Opportunities – refine the vision

Threats – retaining employment land inventory and strategic sites for employment uses; competition from China and India; transportation network.

In summary, there are four key issues to continue to pursue:

- what role should the Town play in economic development

- which economic sectors are the priority focus for the Town and how should they be addressed

- which global markets are the most opportune for the Town and how should they be addressed

- What role should the Town play in enhancing land and labour availability as economic drivers

Committee requested an updated analysis of employment (up 20% since 2001) and transportation data (post-2001). Discussions included the role and perceived value of Buttonville Airport.

The Phase 1 report will be tabled in February, and with the Committee’s endorsement, it will be released for public discussion. A half-day Economic Strategy Workshop is scheduled in March to seek input from the community to guide development of the Economic Strategy in Phase 3.

Moved by: Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by: Councillor C. Moretti

That the presentation by staff, and Lauren Millier of urbanMetrics inc., regarding the Competitive Strategy Phase I results, be received.

CARRIED

2. DIRECTED GROWTH STRATEGY
AND NEW OFFICIAL PLAN (10.3)

Presentation

Staff provided background information on the proposed Directed Growth Strategy and New Official Plan and related planning initiatives for this term of Council. A report will be presented in February, 2007.

Staff discussed the need to conform with Provincial legislation and the Regional Official Plan,

linking the Town’s Strategic Plan and sustainable development, including financial sustainability. Staff suggested a new Official Plan is warranted, as portions of the current O.P. are 30 years old and the amendments to respond to Provincial and Regional policies will be significant.

Discussions included the preliminary estimates for Markham’s growth to 2031 based on Growth Plan allocations from York Region, which have not yet been finalized; potential housing stock; population and employment growth; providing a structure for directed growth and intensification; and infrastructure requirements. A draft work program schedule was presented.

Committee discussed various matters including the “Whitebelt”, noise contours and impacts from Pickering Airport; demographic changes with respect to growth projection; phasing; anticipated impacts of telecommuting/home based businesses on employment land supply; coordinating the transit strategy for infrastructure investments from senior levels of government; and the importance of a communication plan and public involvement in the development of a Growth Strategy and new Official Plan. Staff encouraged a proactive approach to properly manage growth.

Committee complimented staff for their hard work and for the presentation on this matter. Staff was directed to provide a legal summary on the statutory obligations of described legislation and planning initiatives.

Moved by Councillor D. Horchik

Seconded by: Councillor A. Chiu

That the presentation by staff regarding Directed Growth Strategy and New Official Plan, be received.

CARRIED

3. ROUGE WATERSHED STRATEGY (10.8)

Presentation

Staff gave a brief presentation on the background of the Rouse Watershed Strategy: the purpose, the basis, the process, public consultation, and the watershed context in Markham.

Sonya Meek and Caroline Woodland of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) were in attendance. Ms. Meek described the planning approach and explained the key findings with respect to stream erosion. Proposed management strategies are:

- increase natural cover

- maintain water balance

- build sustainable communities

Staff will continue to work with TRCA and provide input on the draft Watershed Plan and Implementation Guide, and a report will be presented to the Committee in March, 2007.

Committee discussed the definition of “sustainable”.

Moved by: Councillor V. Burke

Seconded by: Councillor L. Kanapathi

That the presentation by staff, and the TRCA regarding the Rouge Watershed Strategy, be received.

CARRIED

4. PRESENTATION ON TRIP TO JAPAN (10.0)

The presentation by John Livey, CAO, on his recent trip to Japan, was deferred to the meeting of February 13, 2007.

ADJOURNMENT

The Development Services Committee meeting adjourned at the hour of 11:50 a.m.