MINUTES

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE

2007-05-22

Meeting No. 17

All Members of Council

Development Services Economic Development

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

Vice-Chair: Councillor J. Webster Transportation Issues

Chair: Regional Councillor G. Landon

PART A

Presentations, Major Studies, and Issues Agenda

9:00 a.m. – Canada Room

Attendance

Mayor F. Scarpitti Deputy Mayor J. Jones Regional Councillor J. Heath Regional Councillor T. Wong Regional Councillor G. Landon Councillor V. Burke Councillor E. Shapero 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 R. Borooah, Town Architect S. Bordone, Planner A. Brown, Director of Engineering C. Conrad, Town Solicitor B. Karumanchery, Manager, East District L. Mele, TDM Coordinator V. Shuttleworth, Director of Planning and Urban Design C. Raynor, 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 G. Landon assumed the Chair for Transportation items, Nos. 4, 5 and 6.

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST

None disclosed.

1. INTRODUCTION TO NEW MANAGER, TRANSPORTATION (10.0)

Mr. S. Saiyed, Manager, Transportation, was introduced to Development Services Committee.

2. DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
- May 8, 2007, Part A (10.0)

Minutes

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti

That the minutes of the Development Services Committee meeting, Part A, held May 8, 2007, be confirmed.

CARRIED

3. MOBIUS (10.0)

Mr. R. Borooah, Town Architect, outlined the history of the Markham Road Corridor Study and the revised staff proposal to develop Golden Avenue/New Delhi Drive as a community “Main Street”. It was noted that an earlier iteration proposed that Karachi Drive be the main street but that Golden Avenue/New Delhi Drive is more conducive to such development.

Mr. D. McKay, MHBC Consulting, on behalf of the applicant, showed site plans and elevation drawings and highlighted ways in which the Mobius application has been configured to integrate with the vision for Golden Avenue/New Delhi Drive.

Committee offered a number of suggestions and queried the viability of the retail establishments proposed to front onto Golden Avenue/New Delhi Drive. It was noted that developments planned for the south side of Golden Avenue/New Delhi Drive will provide increased residential density. Committee noted the importance of ensuring that businesses remain viable and it was suggested that the development may have a South Asian theme.

Committee requested that the applicant consider the use of permeable pavers and increased tree cover.

Staff agreed to work with the Ward Councillor to arrange a public information session on the subject.

Moved by Councillor L. Kanapathi

Seconded by Councillor J. Webster

That the presentation from Mr. R. Borooah, Town Architect, regarding the Mobius application and the Main Street concept for Golden Avenue/New Delhi Drive, be received;

And that the presentation from Mr. D. McKay, MHBC Consulting, on behalf of the applicant, be received.

CARRIED

4. 2007 BUSINESS PLAN
TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT (5.0)

Mr. L. Mele, TDM Coordinator provided an overview of Transportation Demand Management (TDM). Markham programs include the Car Pool Zone and transit discounts. It was noted that the 2007 budget for TDM is $250,000.

Mr. K. Bray, Chief Operating Officer, Markham Board of Trade presented information relating to the Smart Commute (SC) 404-7 Program. It was noted that SC has worked with 80 businesses on programs such as the Lunch Express, transit discounts, telework and flexible work hours. It is hoped that an additional 80 businesses will be engaged in 2007.

There was general discussion on TDM and the importance of securing additional private sector funding was noted. It was agreed that key performance indicators be established to measure the progress of the program

Moved by Regional Councillor T. Wong

Seconded by Councillor D. Horchik

That the presentation from Mr. L. Mele, TDM Coordinator, regarding the 2007 Business Plan Transportation Demand Management, be received;

And that the presentation by Mr. K. Bray, Chief Operating Officer, Markham Board of Trade, regarding the Smart Commute 404-7 Program be received.

CARRIED

5. YORK REGION
10 YEAR CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM (5.0)

Mr. D. Basso, York Region, presented an overview of the Region’s 10 Year Construction Program. Mr. Basso also provided information on the Great Streets program which is designed to provide certain enhancements such as a central median and improved landscaping on regional roads. It was noted that 25% of the Region’s 10 year construction budget will be for projects within Markham.

There was general discussion surrounding the projects and road widening policies. Committee requested improved signage on Highway 48 to direct through traffic to the Don Cousens Parkway. Committee also suggested that proposed improvements on McCowan Road and Kennedy Road should be priorities for the current Council term.

There was brief discussion on the need to engage the City of Toronto in order to move forward with improvements to Steeles Avenue.

Ms. T. Bezant, on behalf of Bayview Glen Residents’ Association, spoke in opposition to the proposed road widening of Bayview Avenue, particularly due to the potential stormwater management issues that might be created.

Ms. M. Matthias, local resident, spoke in opposition to the proposed Bayview Avenue road widening and noted that use should be made of existing lanes before roads are widened.

Moved by Councillor J. Webster

Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong

That the presentation from Mr. D. Basso, York Region, regarding York Region’s 10 Year Construction Program, be received;

And that the deputations from Ms. T. Bezant and Ms. M. Matthias, in opposition to the proposed widening of Bayview Avenue, be received.

CARRIED

6. YORK REGION TRANSIT/
HIGH OCCUPANCY VEHICLE POLICY (5.0)

Moved by Councillor J. Webster

Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong

That the presentation from Mr. D Basso, York Region, regarding York Region’s Transit/High Occupancy Vehicle Policy, be received.

CARRIED

7. Servicing Allocation Update,
Proposed Regional Servicing Protocol
for Post 2010 Development (5.5)

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti

That the presentation from Ms. V.Shuttleworth, Director, Planning and Urban Design, regarding Servicing Allocation Update, Proposed Regional Servicing Protocol for Post 2010 Development, be deferred to the May 29, 2007 meeting of Development Services Committee.

CARRIED

8. MAKE IT HAPPEN TASK FORCE
TERMS OF REFERENCE AND
GROUP ASSIGNMENTS (10.0)

Terms of Reference Working Groups

Councillor D. Horchik briefly outlined the work of the Make it Happen Task Force to date. Committee requested that Development Services Committee receive the minutes of Task Force meetings. Staff agreed to circulate the meeting schedules of the Task Force Working Groups.

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Heath

Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti

That the Make it Happen Task Force Terms of Reference be adopted;

And that the list of six (6) key focus areas to be tackled by the Task Force, along with the proposed composition of Working Groups, be received.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

The Development Services Committee meeting adjourned at the hour of 12:40 p.m.