Report to: Development Services Committee Report Date: June 19, 2007

SUBJECT: Work Program and Terms of Reference for Markham Transportation Master Plan

PREPARED BY: Sabbir Saiyed, Manager of Transportation, Ext. 8120

Haran C. Radhaharan, Transportation Coordinator, Ext. 2736

Prasenjit Roy, Senior Transportation Engineer, Ext.2625

RECOMMENDATION:

That the presentation and draft report entitled “Work Program and Terms of Reference for Markham Transportation Master Plan” dated June 19, 2007, be received;

And that the draft Work Program and Terms of Reference for the Markham Transportation Master Plan be approved in principle by Council;

And that Council endorse the establishment of a Steering Committee to finalize the terms of reference and to oversee the preparation of the Markham Transportation Master Plan;

And that Council appoint members of Council to the Steering Committee;

And that staff report back to Council with the final Work Program, Terms of Reference for the Markham Transportation Master Plan, and the recommended consultant selection in Fall-2007;

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

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Not applicable

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

5. Others (Environmental, Accessibility, Engage 21st, Affected Units) 6. Attachment(s)

PURPOSE:

The purpose of the report is to present to Committee the draft Work Program and Terms of Reference for the Markham Transportation Master Plan, and obtain Council’s approval to proceed in forming a Steering Committee to finalize the Work Program and Terms of Reference and to undertake a program of consultant selection. Staff will update Council in Fall-2007 with the final Work Program and Terms of Reference.

BACKGROUND:

Mayor’s Inaugural Address in December 2006 and March 2007 Council Strategic Planning Session

Transportation has been identified as the No.1 issue by Markham residents and businesses. Mayor Scarpitti stated in his inaugural address that:

“During the past few months, I’ve spoken to thousands of Markham residents and their concerns are the same: traffic congestion, traffic congestion and traffic congestion!”

At the recent Council Strategic Planning Session, Council members and senior management also acknowledged that Markham residents and businesses are experiencing increased traffic congestion, infiltration, economic loss, and environmental degradation, all of which negatively affect quality of life. Undoubtedly, it is a result of the tremendous growth that has taken place in Markham and elsewhere in the GTA.

Markham has been growing rapidly in terms of both population and employment. In addition, the surrounding Regions in the GTA have also been growing steadily. Therefore additional, more efficient and effective transportation infrastructure is required, including alternative modes of transportation to meet future transportation needs and to maintain continued high quality of life and economic competitiveness for the Town’s residents and businesses.

Need for Transportation Master Plan

A Transportation Master Plan (TMP) for Markham is needed to develop a transportation vision for the future, and to ensure that future transportation needs for an integrated framework of highways, roads, rapid and conventional transit, cycling and pedestrian facilities, and other necessary infrastructure can be identified, planned and budgeted for.  It will assist the Town reach its emerging objectives of sustainable development, natural environment preservation, economic vitality and healthy communities.

Several transportation related issues will be addressed in a comprehensive and integrated manner, in order to find effective, timely, and affordable solutions. Also, since transportation facilities and services are provided by many agencies, (i.e. Town of Markham, the Region, the Provincial and Federal governments, GO Transit, Viva and the private sector e.g. 407 ETR), an overall vision and a co-ordinated strategy is required. It is therefore imperative that the Town, with active participation of all key transportation providers, develop a short, medium and long-range transportation plan and funding strategy.

DISCUSSION:

The 2002 Markham Transportation Planning Study (MTPS 2002) outlined a four-point transportation strategy which focused primarily on non-auto related initiatives to reduce the increasing vehicular demand for future growth. The MTPS 2002 is now due for an update. However, there are many other important transportation elements that should also be studied together, as a whole, utilizing the master planning process so that a comprehensive Transportation Master Plan (TMP) can be developed.

As acknowledged by Council and senior staff at the March 2007 Strategic Planning Session, there is a need to work in partnership with the Region and other levels of Government, the newly created GTTA and various stakeholders to develop a vision, implementation strategy, and funding model that establishes an integrated GTA road network and transit system.

Transportation Issues:

Several issues, not limited to the following, will be addressed using a comprehensive and integrated approach:

Ÿ The need to achieve a more sustainable and balanced transportation system in the future recognizing the challenges posed by the prospect of reduced availability of cheaper non-renewable energy sources

Ÿ The need to consider the requirements of the entire GTA, and transportation links between Markham and the surrounding municipalities and Regions

Ÿ Integration of all modes of transportation

Ÿ The need to consider more efficient ways for the movement of both people and goods

Ÿ Addressing the impacts of the current/ future transportation system on natural environment (climate change and air quality) and the need to reduce dependence on the automobile

Ÿ Addressing the transportation needs of all sectors of the community including people with special needs

Ÿ The need to review and update intersection control methodologies to suit current traffic conditions

Ÿ Reducing accidents and improving traffic safety

Ÿ The need to address the problems associated with “hot spots” such as Highway 7, Yonge Street Corridor and Highway 404

Ÿ Need to strengthen the Safe Streets Strategic Plan to address the issue of speeding and infiltration

Ÿ The need to provide an implementation strategy including funding model

Ÿ Regard to the Province’s Places to Grow Act as directed by Council

Ÿ The need to actively promote and implement Transportation Demand Management initiatives

Process:

The TMP will be prepared by following the Master Planning Process as set out in Ontario legislation for Municipal Class Environment Assessments (EA). The Master Planning process integrates the planning of municipal infrastructure requirements for existing and future land use with the principles of Environment Assessments and includes the following:

Ÿ Consultation with stakeholders and public

Ÿ Consideration of reasonable range of alternatives

Ÿ Identifying and considering the effects of each alternative on all aspects of environment

Ÿ Evaluating the alternatives systematically to determine their cumulative environmental effects and selecting a preferred alternative

Ÿ Providing clear, precise and complete documentation of the planning process

Major Tasks:

The following major tasks and studies will be undertaken for the TMP:

Ÿ Data Collection Surveys

Ÿ New and updated Transportation Model for Markham based on current and projected OP forecasts

Ÿ Transportation and Transit Needs Study

Ÿ Discussion papers on transportation trends, transportation and the environment, transportation and energy, transportation and the economy, and transportation and the community

Ÿ Transportation Demand Management Plan: next steps

Ÿ Goods Movement Study

Ÿ Intelligent Transportation Systems

Ÿ Access Management

Ÿ Traffic Operations Management Plan

Ÿ Transportation Funding Model

Ÿ Implementation Strategy and/or Plan

Steering Committee

It is recommended that the preparation of the TMP be coordinated by a Steering Committee. The Committee will be chaired and co-chaired by members of the Council appointed by the Council. The Steering Committee will be comprised of councillors, senior staff from various departments of the Town and the Region, consultants’ Program Manager and key members of the consortium of consultants.

The Steering Committee will be responsible for primary planning, direction and management of the Transportation Master Planning process. It will approve project deliverables, help resolve issues, recommend policy positions, approve changes in scope if necessary, and provide direction and guidance to the undertaking. The Committee will report to, and receive feedback/approval from, the Town Council on a regular basis.

The draft Terms of Reference for the Steering Committee are shown in Attachment 3.

Extensive public consultation

The TMP should reflect the needs of Markham residents and businesses. Extensive consultation with the public and stakeholders will therefore be employed in the preparation of the TMP. The following are planned and will be finalized by the Steering Committee:

Ÿ Mayor’s Town Hall Meetings (3 meetings)

Ÿ Community Meetings in all four Markham communities: Thornhill, Unionville, Milliken and Markham (12 meetings)

Ÿ Council Workshops (3 workshops)

In addition, stakeholder workshops will be conducted as part of individual component studies.

Media coverage will be sought to ensure communication on matters pertaining to the TMP. The public will be encouraged to provide input into the process.

Timelines

The preparation of the TMP is expected to be spread over a 2-year period with final completion by Fall-2009. A detailed schedule is shown in Section 13 of the Terms of Reference (Attachment 1).

Deliverables:

The Work Program and TMP will provide the following deliverables:

Ÿ Schedule for completion of tasks, milestones, reports and the undertaking

Ÿ Transportation vision: goals and objectives

Ÿ Transportation scenarios, which will be based on current and projected OP forecasts.  (Growth management scenarios will be developed in consultation with the Steering Committee and the Planning Department and will address the Regional Master Plan recommendations)

Ÿ Conducting stakeholder and public consultations, address concerns

Ÿ TMP final report and associated transportation study reports

Ÿ Policies, schedules guiding principles and performance targets dealing with such matters as coordination of transportation to support land use and densities, transit modal split, Transportation Demand Management, asset management and development phasing

Ÿ A framework for priority setting of activities to reach the TMP goals

Ÿ Short (2011), medium (2016 and 2021) and long term (2031) transportation networks, needs and alternative solutions to address those needs

Ÿ Short and medium term (5 and 10 year) priorities and action plans

Ÿ A full list of infrastructure needs including roads, transit, pedestrian facilities etc.

Ÿ Funding requirements to ensure sustainable development for transportation

Ÿ Process for performance monitoring, review and assessment

Places to Grow

It should be noted that the Region of York is conducting their second public information meeting to be held in Markham this September to provide an update on their Transportation Master Plan. As part of their update, the Region is considering several transportation scenarios to coordinate their growth management initiatives and to review the impact of the Province’s ‘Places to Grow’ growth forecasts. The Markham TMP should review these development and growth scenarios to respond to both the Region’s and the Province’s growth forecasts in consultation with Council, the Steering Committee and the Planning Department. In order to undertake this review, the Planning Department will have to advance their review of the Region’s growth forecasts and land use scenarios.

Next Steps

A final Terms of Reference will be finalized with input from the Steering Committee. Staff will report back to the Council with the final Work Program and Terms of Reference in Fall-2007.

An RFP will be issued in Summer-2007 for the selection of a consultant for the preparation of the TMP. It is expected that the recommendation for consultant selection will be brought forward to Council in the early Fall-2007. The draft RFP evaluation criteria, the selection process and contract award are explained in Section 12 of Attachment 1. Council will be requested to approve the final work program, terms of reference and consultant selection prior to the study proceeding.

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED

The Planning Department has reviewed and commented on this report and the draft Work Program and Terms of Reference. The Planning Department will be a part of the project team in the development of the TMP.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND TEMPLATE: (external link)

Currently, $250, 000 has been approved in the 2007 Capital Budget. Additional funding through Development Charges may be required through the 2008 Budget process.

RECOMMENDED BY:

________________________ ________________________

Alan Brown, C.E.T. Jim Baird, M.C.I.P., R.P.P.

Director of Engineering Commissioner, Development

Services

ATTACHMENTS:

Attachment 1: Work Program and Terms of Reference for Markham Transportation Master Plan (Draft)

Attachment 2: Presentation

Attachment 3: Steering Committee Terms of Reference