MINUTES FROM THE SEVENTH MEETING OF THE

MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE IN 2007

HELD ON JULY 18, 2007

Town of Markham

York Room - Civic Centre

Attendance

Members Keith Thirgood Peter Ross Helen Walter Councillor J. Webster Phil Howes, BIA Deirdre Kavanagh Jonathan Mingay Regrets Councillor C. Moretti Regan Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage

Staff Linda Irvine, Manager, Parks and Open Space Development Judy Kee, Committee Clerk

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

5:50 p.m. with Councillor J. Webster in the Chair.

1. MINUTES FROM THE JUNE 20, 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 June 20, 2007, be adopted.

CARRIED

2. UPDATES

a) Capital Projects - 2008 Budget – The Chair requested Members to advise of projects for the 2008 Budget year that would be included on the Councillor Request List.

After some discussion, Committee directed that the following projects be listed:

• Bicycle Racks - $10,000 – Parks staff would install; Urban Design staff should be involved with determining design and locations; suggested inscription: “Markham Village, Incorporated 1872”

• Landscaping – Linear Park; Hwy. #48 south from Hwy #7 - $25,000 – (Discussion re type of gardens, such as: ecological, heritage, peace or memorial; public consultation likely)
• Three (3) Benches and twelve (12) Waste receptacles - $24,000 – (Importance of design)
• Six (6) Replacement Trees - $2700 – (Discussion regarding types of trees to be planted; Linda Irvine to determine the species of trees currently on Main Street)
• Heritage (commemorative) Signage - $15,000
• Integrated Parking Analysis - $15,000 – (Assessment of parking needs and landscaping)
• Historical Walking Tour Booklet (4 colour) - $20,000 – (Discussion regarding gaps in historical information; importance of planning and research; history of buildings and personal stories should be included; target area could include: Vinegar Hill, Linear Park, whole heritage area; and Rouge Park; research/archival expert vs journalist; Deirdre Kavanagh will provide some information on historical homes )

ACTION: Councillor J. Webster,

Linda Irvine and Deirdre Kavanagh

Committee raised the issue of the revitalization of Morgan Park, and it was suggested that the matter be placed on the September agenda for discussion.

b) Environmental Assessment – Highway 48 – Committee requested that an Engineering staff member be invited to attend the September meeting to provide technical information regarding the RFP for the Highway 48 Environmental Assessment.

ACTION: Committee Clerk

c) Strategic Plan – Markham Main Street: Master Plan Subcommittee – Committee agreed to the following in the Strategic Plan:

Page 8

· South of Seven – “Improved North/South pedestrian crossing at 7 & 48” to be added.

d) Highway 48 Transfer of Jurisdiction Discussions – Committee was advised that Highway 48 (16^th Avenue to Major Mackenzie Drive) has been transferred to the Town.

e) Incoming Planning Applications – No Report

f) Master Plan Environmental Sub-Committee – No Report

g) Promotion of Main Street Sub-Committee – Matter referred to September meeting agenda.

ACTION: Committee Clerk

h) Tannery Pond – Mr. Keith Thirgood advised that a meeting was held with Glenn Harrington of Harrington and Hoyle Ltd., Landscape Architects, who will be the consultant for the assessment related to the second phase of the project. Members were advised that work will continue relating to the flora, fauna and signage, and Mr. Harrington will report back.

i) Official Plan and Zoning Review Subcommittee – Matter referred to September meeting agenda.

ACTION: Committee Clerk

j) Merge Lanes on Main Street South – It was noted that there are no merge signs at 16^th and Markham as yet and there is no signage relating to accessing Highway 407 from Donald Cousens Parkway. It was felt that this is a concern due to possible insurance issues.

k) Newspaper boxes on Main Street – Mr. Keith Thirgood noted that the newspaper boxes on Main Street that do not conform with the Town’s policy have still not been removed.

ACTION: Keith Thirgood

l) Trees on Private Property – Mr. Phil Howes advised that he is continuing to follow up on this issue.

ACTION: Phil Howes

m) Status of Town Square Feasibility Study – No Report

n) Heritage Conservation District community signs – This matter was referred to the September meeting agenda.

ACTION: Committee Clerk

o) Mural at 107 Main Street – Following some discussion, it was agreed that this matter would be removed from future Committee Agendas.

ACTION: Committee Clerk

3. NEW BUSINESS

Integration of Parking – Mr. Phil Howes noted that Main Street Markham has a great deal of under-utilized parking. There are many lots on the west side of the Main Street that are inter-connected, but there is no advisory signage. As issues of ownership and maintenance have been raised, it was suggested that Mr. Howes contact David Pearce, Real Property Manager, of the Town’s Legal Department, to discuss the matter further.

ACTION: Phil Howes

Markham Pathways – Mr. Phil Howes raised the matter of a “gateway into Milne Park”, and suggested the feasibility of a bicycle path between the heart of Markham Village (Robinson Street) and Milne Park. The Chair advised that information regarding Markham Pathways is available on the Town’s website.

4. NEXT MEETING

There will be no meeting in August. The next meeting of the Main Street Markham Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, September 19, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. in the York Room.

5. ADJOURNMENT

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