MINUTES

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE

2007-02-20

Meeting No. 6

All Members of Council

Development Services Economic Development

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

Vice-Chair: Councillor J. Webster

PART B

Report Agenda

9:00 a.m. – Council Chamber

Attendance

Mayor F. Scarpitti (9:15) 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 (9:20) Councillor J. Webster Councillor D. Horchik (left – 10:00) Councillor L. Kanapathi Councillor A. Chiu

J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer J. Baird, Commissioner of Development Services A. Brown, Director of Engineering C. Conrad, Town Solicitor S. Chait, Director, Economic Development D. Ciastko, Senior Economic Development Officer R. Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning V. Shuttleworth, Director of Planning and Urban Design K. Bavington, Committee Clerk

The Development Services Committee convened at the hour of 9:00 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. 9.

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST – None Declared

REQUESTS FOR IDENTIFICATION OF DEPUTATIONS

REGARDING MATTERS ON THIS AGENDA

1. DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
- February 6, 2007, Part B (10.0)

Minutes

Moved by: Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by: Regional Councillor G. Landon

That the minutes of the Development Services Committee meeting, Part B, held February 6, 2007, be confirmed.

CARRIED

2. MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE MINUTES
- January 17, 2007 (16.39)

Minutes

Moved by: Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by: Regional Councillor G. Landon

That the minutes of the Main Street Markham Committee meeting held January 17, 2007, be received for information.

CARRIED

3. REPORT ON INCOMING PLANNING APPLICATIONS
FOR THE PERIOD OF JANUARY 1, 2007 TO JANUARY 26, 2007 (10.0)

Report

Moved by: Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by: Regional Councillor G. Landon

That Committee receive the report entitled “Report on Incoming Planning Applications for the period of January 1, 2007 to January 26, 2007” and direct staff to process the applications in accordance with the route outlined in the report.

And that Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

CARRIED

4. DELEGATED APPROVALS REPORT (DM 2001-03) (10.6)

Report

Moved by: Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by: Regional Councillor G. Landon

That Council be advised that in accordance with Delegation By-law 2002-202, and additional site specific delegations authorized by Development Services Committee, the Commissioner of Development Services or the Director of Planning and Urban Design have approved applications listed in the report dated February 20, 2007.

And that Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

CARRIED

5. WYKLAND ESTATES INC.
49 COLCHESTER STREET, CORNELL COMMUNITY
ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT TO PERMIT CONSTRUCTION
OF A SINGLE-DETACHED DWELLING (ZA 06 135585) (10.5)

Report Attachment

Moved by: Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by: Regional Councillor G. Landon

That a Public Meeting be held to consider the application submitted by Wykland Estates Inc. for a Zoning By-law amendment to permit a single-detached dwelling at 49 Colchester Street, in the Cornell Community.

And that Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

CARRIED

6. SMALL STREAMS STUDY FINAL REPORT (10.8)

Report Attachment

Committee received correspondence from the Greater Toronto Home Builders Association – Urban Development Institute.

Staff gave a brief review of the presentation made to the Committee on February 13, 2007. Staff is recommending endorsement of the guidelines in principle, with a draft Official Plan Amendment coming forward in the future. The guidelines are consistent with TRCA policies.

Committee congratulated staff on their work on this project. Committee discussed the correspondence from GTHBA-UDI, asking that the guideline be flexible.

The following matters were also discussed: the guidelines would apply inside the urban boundary on a go-forward basis in whitebelt areas; details of the landowner education and stewardship programs will be brought forward; treatment of golf courses will be part of the inventory and stewardship programs.

With respect to notification and participation of landowners north of Major Mackenzie Drive, staff advised that this has been a multi-year process with many public meetings and the involvement of UDI, the Developers Round Table and Stakeholders meeting, in addition to two recent meetings with land owners. Further meetings can be arranged.

Moved by: Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by: Councillor J. Webster

That correspondence dated February 13, 2007 from Neil Rogers of the Greater Toronto Home Builders Association – Urban Development Institute, with comments on the Markham Small Streams Study, be received;

And that the staff report entitled “Small Streams Study - Final Report”, dated February 20, 2007, be received;

And that the Markham Small Streams Study recommendations and guidelines for the protection and management of small stream features be endorsed in principle;

And that the Small Streams Study classification process and management recommendations be incorporated into the Official Plan and technical engineering manuals and documents as they are updated;

And that staff report back to Council, regarding budget requirements and implementation of a Landowner Education and Stewardship Program for the protection of small stream features;

And that the Environmental Policy Review and Consolidation Study and future Official Plan Amendment, include an inventory of small stream features within the rural area;

And that Transport Canada and Ontario Realty Corporation be engaged to review opportunities for implementation of the Small Streams Study guidelines on Federal and Provincial lands identified as Federal Green Space or Provincially-owned Greenbelt;

And that staff commence review of the Site Alteration By-Law to provide interim protection of small streams features outside the Town’s current urban boundary and report back to Council in late 2007;

And that the Town request the Don Watershed Council and Rouge Park Alliance to consider utilization of the Town’s yearly restoration grants for projects involving the enhancement of small stream features in the urban area;

And that the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, Ministry of the Environment, Region of York Rouge Park Alliance and Don Watershed Council also be provided a copy of the report;

And further that staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

CARRIED

7. MARKHAM EROSION RESTORATION IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (10.8)

Report Attachment

Staff gave an overview of past presentations and discussions with the Committee. The current top 30 erosions site have been identified, and the top 6 are targeted for remedial action this year. The list will be updated every 5 years.

Discussions included the guidelines, categories, easements, designs, construction, and private ownership issues.

Committee received and referred to staff, correspondence from Toinette Bezant of the Bayview Glen Residents Association, requesting Council’s support with respect to the Region’s Environmental Assessment for Bayview Avenue.

Moved by: Councillor V. Burke

Seconded by: Councillor C. Moretti

That correspondence dated February 19, 2007, from Toinette Bezant of the Bayview Glen Residents Association, requesting Council’s support with respect to the Region’s Environmental Assessment for Bayview Avenue, be received and referred to staff;

And that the report entitled “Markham Erosion Restoration Implementation Plan, Class Environmental Assessment,” dated February 20, 2007, be received;

And that the recommended restoration implementation plan to address the erosion along Markham’s watercourses as detailed in the Environmental Study Report be endorsed;

And that Engineering Department staff be authorized to file the Environmental Study for the 30 day public review commencing March 19, 2007;

And that the guidelines to restore erosion sites within private property as set out in this report be endorsed;

And that staff report back to Council as to the funding for remediation of erosion sites on private property on a site by site basis;

And that staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

CARRIED

8. PROPOSED DEMOLITION OF HERITAGE BUILDINGS
FEDERAL AIRPORT LANDS (PICKERING LANDS SITE) (16.11)

Report Attachment

Staff reviewed previous requests by the Town to preserve Heritage buildings on the Pickering Airport site, and Transport Canada’s current intention to demolish three of the buildings.

Committee discussed preservation of the rural community in eastern Markham. It was agreed to add a clause reiterating Markham’s request to Transport Canada to consider privatization of the heritage buildings. This solution may eliminate landlord/tenant concerns of Transport Canada. A preference was noted for the houses to remain on their original sites, if feasible, although it is necessary to confirm the airport location before determining relocation issues.

A stronger stand on the part of Markham was suggested. Committee requested a meeting be arranged at the Federal level with Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transportation, and Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance.

Moved by: Councillor J. Webster

Seconded by: Regional Councillor T. Wong

That the Federal Minister of Transportation be advised that the preservation of heritage resources is a key strategic objective of the Town of Markham in achieving a quality community;

And that the Town of Markham appreciates earlier Federal initiatives to encourage dialogue with local municipalities regarding the future of heritage resources within the Pickering Lands Site and the cultural heritage objectives of their draft Green Space Master Plan;

And that Council is therefore very concerned that the current approach of Transport Canada, to demolish a number of Heritage Buildings, will result in the continued loss of locally significant heritage resources and rural communities, creating a large depopulated area in the north-east part of Markham;

And that Council is further concerned that the current Transport Canada approach to demolish heritage buildings is not consistent with the policies of the Draft Federal Green Space Master Plan;

And that the Town of Markham respectfully requests that no demolitions of any heritage buildings on the portion of the Federal Pickering Airport Lands Site within the boundaries of the Town of Markham, including the buildings located at 9664 York Durham Line, 10472 Reesor Road and 10987 Ninth Line, occur at this time, and that strategies for short term and long term preservation of significant heritage buildings be finalized as per the Office of the Ministry of Transport letter of July 2005;

And that Council direct Town staff to continue to work with Transport Canada to develop a cultural heritage protection strategy:

1. that is consistent with the stated principles and vision for the Federal Green Space lands, and;
2. that will provide interim cultural heritage protection for the non-green space Pickering Airport lands until such time as the long-term use of the non-Green Space lands in Markham is determined.

And that Transport Canada be requested to re-convene the Transport Canada Heritage Steering Committee to complete its mandate to develop a Heritage Strategy for building deemed locally significant;

And that Transport Canada again be requested to consider as part of the strategy deliberations, privatization of the heritage buildings from government and agency-owned to privately-owned, as described in previous resolutions of the Town of Markham;

And that a meeting be requested at with Federal Minister of Transportation, the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, and the Federal Minister of Finance, the Honourable Jim Flaherty;

And that copies of this report and resolution be forwarded to MP’s and MPP’s representing lands within the Pickering Airport Site, and to the Region of York, Region of Durham, City of Pickering and Town of Uxbridge, and to the Rouge Park Alliance;

And that Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

CARRIED

9. COMPETITIVENESS STRATEGY, PHASE ONE REPORT (10.16)

Report Appendix A Appendix B

Regional Councillor T. Wong assumed the Chair for the Economic Development item.

Staff reviewed the presentation made to the Committee on January 23, 2007, and outlined the next steps of releasing the report, distributing surveys, and hosting an event at Angus Glen on March 21, 2007.

Lauren Millier of urbanMetrics inc., gave highlighted of the January 23^rd presentation and answered questions from the Committee.

John O’Gorman of 29 Grandview Avenue, made a deputation and provided a written submission with observations regarding affordable housing, employment lands, mixed uses, and agricultural contributions. Mr. O’Gorman invited the Committee to attend the annual meeting of the GTA Agricultural Action Committee on March 28 at Black Creek pioneer Village.

Committee had comments regarding intensification, reducing parking lots, affordable housing, and the importance of agriculture. Questions were raised with regards to clear definitions and how to measure success. Ms. Millier agreed to investigate possible redevelopment of parking lots as part of the March 21 event.

Staff confirmed that this is the fact-finding phase, and the issues raised will be addressed. The key factor will be what is Markham’s vision for urbanization. The economic aspect is just one part of a long term development strategy, which includes Provincial influences as well.

Moved by: Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti

Seconded by: Regional Councillor J. Jones

That the deputation and written submission from John O’Gorman of 29 Grandview Avenue, with comments regarding the Economic Development Strategy, be received;

And that the report entitled “Competitiveness Strategy, Phase One Report” be received;

And that Staff be authorized and directed to take the actions set out in this report;

And Council approve the expenditure of $26,000.00 for Phase Two (Community Consultation Event) of the Competitiveness Strategy study to be funded from the Markham Competitiveness Strategy capital account #86-5399-6776-005;

And that Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

CARRIED

NEW BUSINESS

10. SEMINAR ACCOMMODATION FOR COUNCIL MEMBER (16.23.2)

Moved by: Mayor F. Scarpitti

Seconded by: Deputy Mayor J. Jones

That overnight accommodation be provided for Regional Councillor G. Landon for two events: the Canadian Urban Institute Seminar, and GTA Transportation Summit, for medical reasons.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

The Development Services Committee meeting adjourned at the hour of 10:40 a.m.