MINUTES FROM THE SECOND MEETING OF THE

MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE IN 2007

2007-02-21

 

Town of Markham

York Room - Civic Centre

 

 

Members                                                                      Regrets

Keith Thirgood                                                             Councillor C. Moretti

Peter Ross                                                                    Frankie Ross

Helen Walter                                                                Michelle Sukul-Chan

Dianne More                                                                Jonathan Mingay

Councillor J. Webster                                                  

 

Staff

Regan Hutcheson, Heritage Planning

Lloyd Fernandes, Sr. Capital Works Engineer

Blair Labelle, Committee Clerk

 

 

The meeting of the Main Street Markham Committee meeting convened at 5:55 p.m. with Councillor J. Webster in the Chair.

 

 

1.         MINUTES FROM THE JANUARY 17, 2007 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 January 17, 2007, be adopted;

 

And that a letter of appreciation be forwarded to Ms. Bev Shugg Barbeito, Committee Clerk, for her excellent work on the Committee.

CARRIED

 

 

2.         ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT – HIGHWAY 48

 

Mr. Lloyd Fernandes, Sr. Capital Works Engineer, was in attendance to present an update on the Highway 48 Environmental Assessment (EA) process. The Committee had before it a draft Terms of Reference for the EA. Mr. Fernandes highlighted central components of the draft indicating the consultant selection process was currently underway in which a final Request for Purchase (RFP) would be released sometime in mid March 2007. The recommendation for the preferred consultant(s) would be reported to Council for approval following a four (4) week period where applicants would be asked to develop a submission based on the Terms of Reference.

 

Mr. Fernandes noted the duration of the EA was not definitive, but would likely run until the end of 2008. He noted that there would be four points of consultation built into the process including a notice of commencement period, followed by two (2) public information meetings concluding with a final EA documentation preparation phase.

 

The Committee discussed the composition of the Technical Advisory Committee and the Community Advisory Group (CAG) recommended by the draft Terms of Reference. Members discussed the potential for the Main Street Markham Committee to act as the CAG. There was agreement that the Committee at hand would have some involvement with the CAG but details relating to structure and membership would be determined at a later date. Mr. Fernandes noted the importance of both groups in dealing with the broad spectrum of issues that will result from the Highway 48 development process. Some of the specific challenges noted were the Rouge River, the adjacent heritage area, Main Street, and the new area north of 16th Avenue. He noted that both technical and socio-economical matters will need to be addressed and that both groups would allow for a forum in which proper communication of all issues involved could be addressed. It was agreed that the preferred consultant would require experience in a number of areas and that his/her specialization not be limited to transportation matters.

 

Staff suggested the typical design phase following an EA can take up to two (2) years. Mr. Fernandes commented that there may also be significant time dedicated to any land acquisition that may be necessary for completion of the project. Although staff indicated that it was too difficult to determine a completion date, it was suggested that 2011/2012 would be a reasonable estimation barring any set backs or major complications. Staff also noted that the construction would require alignment with the Town’s Master Capital Plan. Mr. Fernandes estimated the project would likely be implemented in phases but cautioned that current legislation restricted a piecemeal approach whereby the overall project would be compartmentalized into separate initiatives. 

 

The Committee suggested that their contributions toward previous development in the area be noted as a part of the Preliminary Design and Cost Estimation section within the Terms of Reference. It was also recommended that the Committee be referenced within the Background portion of the final document. Members also suggested staff continue to liaise with the Main Street Markham Committee to ensure they are kept up to date and able to contribute when possible. The Committee expressed concerns that work would not commence in the core village area and that the roadwork, including the bridge, would not be widened to two (2) lanes.

 

 

3.         COMMITTEE INFORMATION

 

Mr. Hutcheson presented the Committee with a “Main Street Markham – Information Sheet” and a “Main Street Markham Capital Budget”.

 

THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

 

 

 

 

That the “Main Street Markham – Information Sheet” and “Main Street Markham Capital Budget” statement be attached to all future Main Street Markham Committee agendas and that the documents be updated by staff on a regular basis to ensure their accuracy.

 

And that notation of this attachment be reflected on the Agenda document.

CARRIED

 

 

4.         UPDATES:

 

a)      Incoming Planning Applications

 

Mr. Hutcheson provided an update on recent planning application submissions. The Committee discussed the proposition to set back the building on 29 James Walker Court and reaffirmed their opposition to the undertaking.

 

b)      Tannery Pond

 

The Committee discussed an allotment of funds remaining from an allocation in 2002 towards the meandering component of the Tannery Pond project. Mr. Hutcheson advised that a transfer of the surplus could be reallocated towards a similar project. He advised that staff had identified a number of potential projects which could be reviewed at a later date.

 

THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

 

That this matter be deferred to the next meeting of the Main Street Markham Committee.

CARRIED

 

 

c)      Official Plan and Zoning Review Subcommittee

 

Mr. Hutcheson advised that the intention of staff was to begin work on re-drafting the OPA-108 by the fall, but due to a number of other priority items in progress, he could not provide an exact date. He noted that after the draft was complete a number of public consultation meetings would be held.

 

THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

 

That this matter be deferred to the September 19, 2007 meeting of the Main Street Markham Committee.

CARRIED

 

d)      Budget update

 

Mr. Hutcheson advised that he had compiled an account of budget items relating to the Committee dated back to 2004. He advised that the binder containing the information would be brought to all forthcoming meetings.

 

 

The Committee discussed details surrounding funding allocated through Markham Museum for the research of heritage districts. The Committee questioned the status of the project and whether the student researcher had been retained for a second period to complete the work.

 

 

e)      Mural at 107 Main Street

 

Mr. Hutcheson provided a brief update on the entry sign/mural at 107 Main Street.

 

 

4.         NEW BUSINESS

 

The Committee agreed to defer discussion of all remaining items to the next agenda and to prioritize the items for discussion at the onset of the next meeting.

 

 

 

NEXT MEETING

 

The next scheduled meeting of the Main Street Markham Committee is March 21, 2007.

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting of the Main Street Markham Committee adjourned at 7:30 p.m.