MINUTES FROM THE FIFTH MEETING OF THE

MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE IN 2007

 

Town of Markham

York Room - Civic Centre

 

May 16, 2007 – 5:30 p.m.

 

 

Members                                                                      Regrets

Keith Thirgood                                                             Frankie Rose

Peter Ross                                                                    Michelle Sukul-Chan

Helen Walter                                                                Jonathan Mingay

Councillor J. Webster                                                   Deirdre Kavanagh

Councillor C. Moretti                                                               

Diane More                                                                 

Phil Howes, BIA

                                                                                   

Staff

Regan Hutcheson, Heritage Planner

Alida Tari, Committee Clerk

 

The fifth meeting of the Main Street Markham Committee meeting in 2007 convened at

5:35 p.m. with Councillor J. Webster in the Chair.

 

 

1.         MINUTES FROM THE APRIL 18, 2007 MEETING OF THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE

 

            The Committee members suggested the following amendments to the minutes:

·        change the name Frankie Ross to Frankie Rose under “Regrets”

·        (c) Environmental Assessment – Highway 48: include “As well as the Council endorsed Markham Main Street Streetscape & Traffic Management Study” was added to item 3.5

·        (k) Newspaper Boxes on Main Street: change last name Ross to Rose and change he to she

·        (n) Leanery Park change it to Linear Park and add an ACTION notation with Linda Irvine’s name

·        (o) first sentence change the word purchased to “agreed to pay for”

·        (p) third line change the word another to “an additional”

 

THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

 

That the Minutes of the Main Street Markham Committee meeting held on April 18, 2007, be adopted with the suggested changes.

 

CARRIED

 

 

2.         COMMITTEE MEMBERS

           

Councillor John Webster advised the Committee members that he received a letter of resignation from Frankie Rose.  The letter will be forwarded to the Committee Clerk so that the membership list can be updated.

 

Councillor John Webster will send a letter of appreciation to Mrs. Frankie Rose for her contributions during her term on the Committee.

                                                                                                ACTION:  Councillor John Webster

 

3.         UPDATES:

 

(b)        Environmental Assessment – Highway 48

           

            Councillor Carolina Moretti advised the Committee members that there will be a lot of public input during the whole process of the Environmental Assessment.  She recommended members to pass the message on in their neighbourhood. 

 

(c)        Strategic Plan – Markham Main Street:  Master Plan Subcommittee

 

            The Committee decided some of the items in the Strategic Plan are dependant on the outcome of the Environmental Assessment.  It was agreed to add: (*EA) next to those items.

 

            The Committee suggested the following changes be incorporated into the Strategic Plan:

            Page 1

·        Bump-out study should also include Main Street Markham Streetscape and Traffic Study Management

·        Construction of Bypass North of 407 under way with completion scheduled for 2005 underway -  change to completed

 

Page 2

·        Tannery Pond, designed and built [and expanded through tax repossession] add completed

·        “Bump Out” study to determine location and feasibility of changing the nature of Main Street completed ; remove

·        Take measures…..change to “Review measures” and put it back on as an ACTION item for 1 year term

·        Determine the configuration of Main Street from 16th to Bur Oak completed ; add (*EA)

·        Establish a phasing policy regarding Bypass completed ; add (*EA) short term

·        Consider traffic signals on other streets (Gleason, Springdale?) This was referred to consultants undertaking the bump out study completed; add (*EA)

·        At Vinegar Hill, signs and landscaping indicate….delete the word landscaping

 

 

 

Page 3

·        It covers sections of Main Street….replace the word “it” with “Town Signage” and remove the words “Walking Tour brochure”

·        Under Progress change “Guidelines completed????” to completed

·        Under Progress change “1st half transferred, northern section to come” to completed

 

Page 4

·        Main Street:  North of 16th Avenue to Bur Oak…..add (*EA)

·        Improved shuttle service to GO station; change to “both GO stations”

·        A broad walkway, well back from the line of traffic…..add (*EA)

·        Bicycle lanes also encourage residents to commute to and from the GO station by bicycle.  Bicycle lanes encourage bicycle commuting; change the wording to “Bicycle lanes are not feasible although bicycle routes are encouraged”

·        The Museum buildings and location are given prominence.  Some Museum buildings (such as an interpretative centre) are set to close to the street; should be moved under ONGOING VIGILANCE

·        Test special “timed” signals (Robinson & Main) should be moved under ONGOING VIGILANCE

·        Main Street revitalization of streetscape: Detailed plans…..add (*EA) and mark it as started

 

Page 5

·        Construction of Phase One; mark it as started

·        Consult with Heritage Markham, Public Art Committee & individuals…add (*EA)

·        BIA Event signs; should read initiated under “Progress”

·        Signage identifying parking lots are noticeable and inviting. Review of parking signage required. Tie this into the parking lot directional sign already designed; should be moved under ONGOING VIGILANCE

 

Keith Thirgood agreed to incorporate all the changes into the master copy of the Strategic Plan and forward an updated copy to the Committee Clerk.

                                                                              ACTION:  K. Thirgood

 

Mr. Phil Howes, Markham BIA, reported he has been in contact with property owners regarding the letters mailed out to plant at least one tree from the from the list of tree varieties identified as “Village Trees.”  Mr. Howes has agreed to follow up on the progress.

                                                                                    ACTION:  P. Howes

 

Mr. Phil Howes reported he has been targeting trucks spotted on Main Street Markham by getting the phone numbers and calling the companies to inform them that it is a no truck zone.

 

           

Ms. Diane More has agreed to call her contact at GO and obtain more information on the shuttle service to both GO stations on Main Street Markham.

 

                                                                                                ACTION:  D. More    

           

Councillor Carolina Moretti reported to the Committee the Museum is looking at upgrading the Ward Building.

           

           

 

4.         NEXT MEETING

 

The next scheduled meeting of the Main Street Markham Committee is June 20, 2007.

 

6.         ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting of the Main Street Markham Committee adjourned at 7:35 p.m.