MINUTES

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES PUBLIC MEETING

2007-09-04 - 7:00 p.m.

Council Chamber

Meeting No. 10

All Members of Council

Development Services

Chair: Regional Councillor J. Jones

Vice-Chair: Councillor J. Webster

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

R. Blake, Manager, West District S. Bordone, Planner G. Day, Planner R. Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning B. Karumanchery, Manager, East District V. Shuttleworth, Director of Planning and Urban Design A. Tari, Committee Clerk

The Development Services Public Meeting convened at the hour of 7:01 p.m. in the Council Chamber with Deputy Mayor J. Jones in the Chair.

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST

Councillor Virgilio disclosed an interest with respect to the 17 Laidlaw Group Ltd. application, as he represents the owner of the property, and did not take part in the consideration or discussion of or vote on the question of the approval of such matter.

1. THORNHILL SECONDARY PLAN
FOR THE THORNHILL PLANNING DISTRICT
(PLANNING DISTRICT NO. 3) (OP 07 120480)
(10.0) R. Hutcheson, ext. 2080
Extract Draft OPA Report Appendix A-C Appendix D Correspondence

The Chair advised the subject of the Public Meeting this date was to consider a proposed amendment to the Official Plan (Revised 1987) to incorporate an amendment to the Thornhill Secondary Plan for the Thornhill Planning District (Planning District No. 3) (OP 07 120480).

The Committee Clerk advised that 373 notices were mailed on August 15, 2007, and a Public Meeting Notice was published in the Markham Economist and Sun, Markham Page on August 23, 2007 and August 30, 2007. One written submission was received regarding this proposal.

Staff gave a presentation regarding the proposal. Staff advised that the purpose of the Secondary Plan Amendment (initiated by Council) was to ensure that the Thornhill Secondary Plan and Thornhill-Markham Heritage Conservation District Plan were consistent with respect to permitted building height. Staff indicated the following amendments to the Secondary Plan policies are included: Maximum building height of 12.0 metres and a minimum building height of 2 storeys within the “Heritage Main Street I” designation; removal of reference to bonus height provision; and removal of reference to “consistent with the Council endorsed “Thornhill Yonge Street Study (2005)” where appropriate.

Committee heard a deputation from Mr. Joseph Ricciuti and Mrs. Diane Ricciute, 8 Eliza Street, both of whom spoke in support of the proposed Secondary Plan amendment.

Mrs. Marion Matthias, 33 Colborne Street, addressed the Committee regarding the height restrictions, and spoke in support of the Secondary Plan Amendment.

Ms. Toinette Bezant, representing the Bayview Glen Residents Association, addressed the Committee stating concerns with the current storm water and sewer capacity in the Thornhill Area. Ms. Bezant indicated her support of the proposed Secondary Plan amendment.

Mr. George Jenkyn, 21 Clark Avenue, addressed the Committee regarding the height restrictions, and spoke in support of the Secondary Plan Amendment.

Mr. Rob Armstrong, 9 Eliza Street, addressed the Committee on the proposed Secondary Plan Amendment, indicating he supports the Secondary Plan Amendment as a means of preserving the heritage area.

Mr. Barry Nelson addressed the Committee and spoke in support of the proposed amendment.

Mr. David Jordon, Thornhill Conservation District Rate Payers Association, read a prepared text stating the Association’s position on the proposed amendment. He stressed the importance of making a decision that will permit reasonable future re-development in the Yonge Street Heritage District area.

Committee heard a deputation from Mr. Bill Wylie, 148 John Street, who spoke in support of the proposed Secondary Plan amendment.

Mel Winch, Winch Planning & Development Services, addressed the Committee with respect to the proposed amendment. He distributed a copy of a Development Services Report dated April 4, 2006 and entitled “Thornhill Yonge Street Study and Draft Amendment to the Markham Official Plan and the Thornhill Secondary Plan. Mr. Winch indicated he does not support the proposed amendment and believes it is inconsistent with the recommendations contained within the April 4, 2006 report.

Ms. Marilyn Ginsburg, 20 Almond Avenue, addressed the Committee with respect to the proposed amendment, indicating her support.

The Committee thanked all the residents for coming out and showing their support to preserve the Heritage area in Thornhill.

Staff advised the Committee that they are still waiting for the letter of exemption from the Regional Municipality of York and have only received verbal confirmation. If the letter is not received prior to the Council meeting of September 11, 2007 they will bring it forward to the September 25, 2007 meeting.

Moved by: Councillor V. Burke

Seconded by: Regional Councillor J. Heath

That the correspondence received from Melvin S. Winch MCIP, RPP, 47 Joseph Duggan Road, Toronto, Ontario in opposition regarding the proposed application for Thornhill Secondary Plan for the Thornhill Planning District, be received;

*That the Record of the Public Meeting held on September 4, 2007, with respect to the proposed amendment to the Official Plan (Revised 1987), as amended, to incorporate an amendment to the Thornhill Secondary Plan for the Thornhill Planning District (Planning District No.3), be received;

That the application by the Town of Markham to amend the Official Plan (Revised 1987), as amended, to incorporate an amendment to the Thornhill Secondary Plan for the Thornhill Planning District (Planning District No.3), as amended, be approved;

And further that the proposed amendment, be enacted without further notice.

CARRIED

2. CHAK CHENG
APPLICATION FOR A ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT
TO REZONE 7165 BAYVIEW AVENUE FROM
GREENBELT RESIDENTIAL (GR) TO PERMIT
A FUTURE SEVERANCE OF THE LANDS
INTO TWO LOTS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF
TWO SINGLE DETACHED DWELLINGS
ZA-07-110055 (10.5) G. Day, ext. 3071

Report Attachment

The Chair advised the subject of the Public Meeting this date was to consider a Zoning By-law amendment by Chak Cheng to rezone 7165 Bayview Avenue from Greenbelt Residential (GR) to permit the severance of the lands into two lots for the construction of two single detached dwellings (ZA 07 110055).

The Committee Clerk advised that 123 notices were mailed on August 15, 2007, and a Public Meeting sign was posted on August 8, 2007. No written submissions were received regarding this proposal.

Staff gave a presentation regarding the proposal, the location, surrounding uses. Further detailed review of the top bank, environmental buffer, proposed building footprints and future road widening of the Bayview Avenue right-of-way will be required.

The owner, applicant and engineer were in attendance to respond to any questions.

Mr. John O’Gorman, 29 Grandview Avenue, addressed the Committee on the proposed zoning application. Mr. O’Gorman does not object to the proposal, but also stated the 10 metre required buffer is essential for the protection of the owner and the environment.

Mrs. Marion Matthias, 33 Colborne Street, stated her concerns with the proposed application. Ms. Matthias would like the 10 metre required buffer to be increased to protect The East Don River which bisects the subject property. She also stated that the mature trees on the property are essential and should not be removed.

Ms. Toinette Bezant, 2 Sunflower Court, that, while she did not object to the proposed zoning application, she was concerned with the erosion of the East Don River and the effectiveness of current storm water retention services in terms of providing support to the development.

Mr. Jim Kirk, Malone Given Parsons, representing the owner, presented the Committee with an aerial photo of the subject lands. Mr. Kirk stated that as the plans are currently designed only two trees on the property will need to be removed.

The Committee stated concerns with the 10 metre environmental buffer suggesting it should be larger. The Committee also suggested considering an amendment to the current design which would remove the patio from the buffer area.

The Committee suggested a review of infill by-laws should be undertaken within the Thornhill area. It was determined that this should be discussed at the next Development Services Committee meeting.

Moved by: Councillor V. Burke

Seconded by: Councillor E. Shapero

That the Development Services Commission report dated June 19, 2007, entitled “Preliminary Report – Chak Cheng, Application for a Zoning By-law Amendment to rezone 7165 Bayview Avenue from Greenbelt Residential (GR) to permit a future severance of the lands into two lots for the construction of two single detached dwellings” be received;

That the Record of the Public Meeting held on September 4, 2007, with respect to the proposed amendment to By-law 1767 be received;

And that the application made by Chak Cheng to amend By-law 1767 be referred back to staff for a report and recommendation.

CARRIED

3. APPLICATION FOR A ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT
TO PERMIT RETAIL SALES IN ONE UNIT WITHIN AN
INDUSTRIAL BUILDING AT 17 LAIDLAW BOULEVARD
ZA 07 114387 (10.5) S. Bordone, ext. 8230

Report

The Chair advised the subject of the Public Meeting this date was to consider a Zoning By-law amendment application submitted by 17 Laidlaw Group Ltd. to permit retail sales in one unit within an industrial building at 17 Laidlaw Boulevard (ZA 07 114387).

The Committee Clerk advised that 88 notices were mailed on August 15, 2007, and a Public Meeting sign was posted on August 14, 2007. No written submissions were received regarding this proposal.

Staff gave a presentation regarding the proposal, the location, surrounding uses and noted that there are no outstanding issues to date.

There were no comments from the audience with respect to this application.

The Committee asked if there are any restrictions on the type of retail sales that may be permitted at this location. Staff advised that the site is currently zoned to permit industrial uses and retails sales would be restricted to one unit (Unit 1) only within the industrial building because there is not sufficient parking space to permit it to the other units.

The Committee enquired if this application was circulated to Stephen Chait, Director of Economic Development. Staff advised it was not circulated to Mr. Chait. It was suggested to circulate the application to Mr. Chait for his input.

Moved by: Councillor C. Moretti

Seconded by: Councillor D. Horchik

That the memorandum to the Chief Administrative Officer dated August 2, 2007, entitled “Delegation of Authority to CAO to call a Public Meeting, Zoning Amendment Application to permit retail sales in one unit within an industrial building at 17 Laidlaw Boulevard, Markham, ZA 07 114387” be received;

That the Record of the Public Meeting held on September 4, 2007, with respect to the rezoning application submitted by 17 Laidlaw Group Ltd. to amend By-law 1229, as amended, be received.

That the rezoning application by 17 Laidlaw Group Ltd. to amend By-law 1229, as amended, be approved;

And that the proposed amendment to By-law 1229, as amended, be enacted without further notice.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

The Development Services Public Meeting adjourned at the hour of 8:37 PM.