Report to: Development Services Committee Report Date: April 3, 2007

SUBJECT: PRELIMINARY REPORT

1039954 Ontario Limited

Southeast corner of Major Mackenzie Drive & Ralph Chalmers Avenue

Wismer Commons Community

Proposed plan of subdivision and implementing zoning by-law amendments

SU 02 118676 (19TM-02016 – Phase 3) and ZA 07 108332

PREPARED BY: Sabrina Bordone, Planner, East Development District (ext. 8230)

RECOMMENDATION:

That a public meeting be held to consider the applications submitted by 1039954 Ontario Limited for draft plan of subdivision (19TM-02016 –Phase 3) approval and implementing zoning by-law amendments to permit a residential plan of subdivision within the Wismer Commons community.

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

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Not applicable

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Not applicable

1. Purpose 2. Background 3. Discussion 4. Financial 5. Environmental

6. Accessibility 7.Engage^21st 8. Affected Units 9. Attachment(s)

The purpose of this report is to provide background information regarding applications for draft plan of subdivision approval and implementing zoning by-law amendments within the Wismer Commons community and to recommend that Committee authorize the scheduling of a public meeting to consider the applications.

BACKGROUND:

The subject lands (Figures 1, 2 and 3) consist of 0.39 ha (0.96 ac), which are located at the southeast corner of Major Mackenzie Drive and Ralph Chalmers Avenue within the Wismer Commons community. The lands constitute the next phase of a larger draft plan of subdivision that has been partially draft approved, zoned and registered in phases based on the availability of servicing allocation. The subject lands are vacant and do not contain any significant natural features.

To the north (across Major Mackenzie Drive) are agricultural lands. To the west (across Ralph Chalmers Avenue) are vacant lands for which a plan of subdivision has been recently registered. To the south (across Macadam Road) are single and semi-detached residential dwellings. To the east is an existing single-detached dwelling, which is currently subject to an application to rezone the lands from Rural Residential Four (RR4) to Major Commercial (MJC).

Official Plan and Zoning By-law

The Town’s Official Plan designates the lands Urban Residential. The Wismer Commons Secondary Plan designates the lands Medium Density Residential. The lands are currently zoned Rural Residential Four (RR4) by By-law 304-87, as amended.

Servicing Allocation

On June 27, 2006 Council distributed servicing allocation to secondary plan areas and to specific projects that are ready to proceed. The distribution was based on previously approved criteria and other considerations as outlined in the February 15, 2005 servicing allocation report. Servicing allocation for 384 units (1,178 population) was assigned to the Wismer Commons community for the purpose of filling in several of the holes in the fabric of this community. The Trustee of the Wismer Developers’ Group has indicated that servicing allocation is available for the proposal described below.

Proposal

Applications for draft plan of subdivision approval and implementing zoning by-law amendments have been submitted for the subject lands. The draft plan includes one single detached lot and five semi-detached lots (total – 11 units). The single detached lot has a frontage of 17.3 m (56.7 ft) and the semi-detached lots have frontages of 15 m (49.2 ft) (Figure 4).

Public Meetings

A Public meeting was previously held for the proposed plan of subdivision. However, as the public meeting was held more than 2 years ago, a new public meeting is required.

POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSAL:

The proposed plan of subdivision will fill in one of several holes in the emerging fabric of the Wismer Commons community.

OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:

No concerns/issues have been raised to date. Any concerns/issues identified through the circulation and detailed review of the proposal, will be addressed and incorporated in the final draft plan and conditions of draft approval.

As noted previously, the subject lands comprise a phase of a larger draft plan of subdivision that has been partially draft approved, zoned and registered in phases based on the availability of servicing allocation (Figure 5). Therefore, in accordance with the recent amendment to the delegation by-law adopted by Council on June 27, 2006, the current phase of this draft plan will be dealt with as follows:

Following the Public Meeting to consider the applications for draft plan of subdivision approval and implementing zoning by-law amendments, staff will continue to process the applications.

After staff have completed their review of the proposal, and if staff support the proposal, then staff will forward the implementing zoning by-law amendments with a covering memo to Council for approval.

Delegated approval of the draft plan of subdivision by the Director of Planning and Urban Design would follow Council approval of the implementing zoning by-law amendments.

However, if significant issues are identified at the Public Meeting then, once staff have completed their review of the proposal, a report will be brought forward to Development Services Committee for consideration which will identify the issues raised and how they have been addressed, prior to the implementing By-law(s) being forwarded to Council.

FINANCIAL TEMPLATE (external link):

Not applicable.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Not applicable.

ACCESSIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS:

Not applicable.

ENGAGE 21^ST CONSIDERATIONS:

Approval of the proposed draft plan of subdivision is consistent with a key goal set out in “Engage 21^st Century Markham” with respect to Managed Growth. The proposed development will complete the urban fabric of a key parcel within the Wismer Commons community.

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

The proposal is currently in circulation to other Town Departments and agencies.

All conditions and requirements received will be addressed and incorporated in the final draft plan and conditions of draft approval.

RECOMMENDED

BY: ________________________ ________________________

Valerie Shuttleworth, M.C.I.P, R.P.P Jim Baird, M.C.I.P, R.P.P

Director, Planning & Urban Design Commissioner, Development

ATTACHMENTS:

Figure 1 – Location Map

Figure 2 – Area Context/Zoning

Figure 3 – Air Photo

Figure 4 – Proposed Plan of Subdivision

Figure 5 – Phases of Development

APPLICANT/AGENT:

James M. Kennedy

KLM Planning Partners Inc.

64 Jardin Drive, Unit 1B

Tel: 905-669-4055

Fax: 905-669-0097

File path: Amanda\File 02 118676\Documents\Recommendation Report