MINUTES

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE

2007-10-23

Meeting No. 30

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 J. Virgilio Councillor C. Moretti Councillor J. Webster Councillor D. Horchik Councillor L. Kanapathi Councillor A. Chiu

J. Baird, Commissioner of Development Services M. Boyce, Senior Policy Coordinator C. Conrad, Town Solicitor G. Day, Planner V. Shuttleworth, Director of Planning and Urban Design A. Tari, Committee Clerk

The Development Services Committee convened at the hour of 9:05 a.m. in the Canada Room with Deputy Mayor J. Jones in the Chair.

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST

None disclosed.

1. DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
- October 2, 2007 and October 9, 2007, Part A (10.0)

Oct. 2 Oct. 9

Moved by Councillor D. Horchik

Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti

That the minutes of the Development Services Committee meeting, Part A, held October 2, 2007, and October 9, 2007, be confirmed.

CARRIED

2. PROPOSED SCULPTURE – LIBERTY DEVELOPMENTS
(10.0)

Staff advised the Committee that there are some issues with respect to the timing of this project. Specifically, the Region of York is in the process of finalizing the route of the VIVA alignment and the proposed site for the sculpture is on Regional land.

Mr. Fred Darvish, Liberty Developments, provided the background story behind the meaning of the proposed sculpture. He advised the Committee that during the original construction phase in 2005 of the Liberty Development, a goose had nested on the site. He had a snow fence erected around the area in order to protect the mother goose and her eggs. Once the three eggs hatched, Liberty Development staff led them to the Rouge River. Mr. Darvish is proposing the placement of a sculpture depicting three flying geese on the site to commemorate this sequence of events.

Mr. Alan Zakbar, Sculptor, presented the Committee with a wax model of the proposed sculpture. He advised the actual sculpture will be approximately 15 feet in height and finished in cast bronze and will be surrounded with landscaping.

Mr. Paul Nodwell, OALA, Landscape Architect, representing Liberty Developments, advised the Committee that the original sculpture design included a water feature at the base of the sculpture to symbolize geese landing on water. Unfortunately, there have been some barriers to doing this. One alternative they are exploring is the use of a black granite base to provide the reflective effect of water.

The Committee expressed their support for the design and thanked Mr. Darvish for spending his time and money on such a wonderful project. The Committee suggested adding a plaque next to the sculpture to advise the public of its background. The Committee also suggested that the sculpture be reviewed by the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee.

The Committee discussed the need to expedite the preparation of a public art policy for Markham.

Moved by Councillor D. Horchik

Seconded by Regional Councillor G. Landon

That the presentation by Paul Nodwell on behalf of Liberty Developments, regarding a proposed sculpture depicting three flying Canadian Geese be received and endorse in principle.

CARRIED

3. METRUS
NEW FIVE STOREY OFFICE BUILDING
SW CORNER OF COMMERCE VALLEY DRIVE WEST
AND HIGHWAY 7 (10.0)

Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services, indicated that revisions to an approved site plan is a delegated staff approval. Staff support the proposal but, given the prominent site and the time that has elapsed since the original approval, staff felt the need to present the proposal to Committee before dealing with it as a delegated approval.

Mr. Geoff Day, Planner, outlined the proposal by Metrus Development to amend an approved Site Plan.

Mr. Tony Baldassara, on behalf of Metrus Development, presented information regarding the Site Plan Application for a five storey office building at the south-west corner of Commerce Valley Drive and Highway 7. He advised that the proposed building will have a three level underground parking and approximately 90 surface parking spaces to accommodate the TD Bank (the primary tenant). A drive-thru will also be included in the plan south of the building. Mr. Baldassara commented on environmental features of the building and site plan.

Committee discussed the benefits of having a drive-thru to accommodate handicapped individuals and parents traveling with small children.

The Committee suggested the current sign along Leslie Street advertising the complex (which includes LeParc Banquet Hall) be redesigned and relocated to be more visable. The Committee also suggested that the transportation department submit a letter to the Region of York enquiring if a right in and right out only access to the site would be allowed. Staff committed to advise Committee with respect to the outcome of the signage and access matters, as well as environmental issues and opportunities for additional landscaping.

Mr. Baldassara advised that they will have the litter at the site cleaned. He confirmed that they will work together with Mr. Ronji Borooah, Town Architect, to ensure the landscape complements with current buildings. He also advised that consideration will be made with respect to white/green roof top and use of permeable materials.

Moved by Councillor D. Horchik

Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti

That the presentation by Mr. Tony Baldassara, Metrus Development, regarding a proposal for a five-storey office building on the south-west corner of Commerce Valley Drive West and Highway 7 be received.

CARRIED

4. REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF OTHER
MUNICIPAL EXPERIENCES WITH
PERMITTING SECOND SUITES (10.0)

Presentation

John Waller, Region of York, Director of Long Range and Strategic Planning, provided a PowerPoint presentation on the issue of Second Suites in York Region, highlighting the need for such accommodations and indicating the implementation secondary suite permissions in Markham will assist in achieving affordable housing and intensification targets.

Dave Ruggle, Town of Newmarket, Senior Planner, provided a PowerPoint presentation on Newmarket’s experience with Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU). He provided a synopsis of the process the City undertook prior granting permissions for ADUs, which included the establishment of an ADU Task Force. This cross-representative body was extremely successful in identifying and examining resident concerns (i.e. safety of units; lack of consistency in enforcement of existing policies; property standards; property values; and absentee landlords. Mr. Ruggle confirmed that Newmarket permits ADUs across the entire City and indicated they have been generally well received by residents. He further reported that since 2005, the City has one By-law Enforcement Officer dedicated to the enforcement of ADU regulations.

Tom Taylor, President, Board of Directors Habitat for Humanity and former Mayor of Newmarket, addressed the Committee with respect to Accessory Dwelling Units in Newmarket. Mr. Taylor stated he is supportive of ADUs and advised it has been successful in Newmarket in terms of the provision of affordable accommodation and increasing intensification levels.

Larry Blight, Ward 4 Councillor in the Town of Newmarket, addressed the Committee with respect to ADUs. He reviewed the public consultation Newmarket conducted prior to allowing ADUs, indicating that the Public Meeting that was held on this issue was attended by some 120 residents. Councillor Blight noted that the issues raised at the Public Meeting were ones that were already identified and resolved by the ADU Task Force.

Mr. Neil Carroll, City of Pickering, Director of Planning, addressed the Committee and provided an overview of Pickering’s experience with permitting ADU’s. He advised the City began discussing the permitting of ADU’s in 1997 and finally passed a by-law in 2004. He indicated the City held two Public Meetings on the issue which were poorly attended. Mr. Carroll advised ADUs are permitted across the entire City in single and semi-detached dwellings. He stated permitting ADU’s established a regulatory environment that reflected the reality of the community and improved the safety of these dwellings throughout Pickering. Mr. Carroll emphasized that ADU’s will occur with or without municipal regulations and, that offering such regulations and inspections is important for life safety.

Mr. Rex Heath, City of Pickering, Fire Prevention Officer, addressed the Committee with respect to ADUs in Pickering. Mr. Heath advised that granting permission for ADUs has been a great success from a Fire prevention perspective. He stated complaints are generally received by Fire via neighbours. Mr. Heath also advised that although the City did not hire additional staff to enforce the ADU By-law, the workload of Fire Prevention Officers had to be readjusted to allow them to spend more time on this issue.

Mr. Glenn Dick, Town of Markham, Fire Prevention Officer, addressed the Committee regarding his experience with second suites in the City of Toronto. He advised second suites were permitted in the City of Toronto in the summer of 2000 and that residents were initially very reluctant to comply with the By-law. As a result, the City of Toronto initiated a comprehensive media campaign to advertise the benefits of operating a second suite that was in compliance with City regulations. Mr. Dick advised the City of Toronto does not charge for second suite registration.

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Heath

That the presentations by Mr. John Waller, Tom Taylor, Dave Ruggle, Neil Carroll, Rex Heath, and Glenn Dick, regarding second suites/Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU), be received with thanks.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

The Development Services Committee meeting adjourned at the hour of 12:05 p.m.