MINUTES

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE

2007-12-11

Meeting No. 34

All Members of Council

Development Services                                                                 Economic Development

Chair:                                                                                                                              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

Regional Councillor 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

Councillor A. Chiu

J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer

J. Baird, Commissioner of Development Services

R. Blake, Manager, West District

A. Brown, Director of Engineering

C. Conrad, Town Solicitor

V. Shuttleworth, Director of Planning and Urban Design

A. Tari, Committee Clerk

 

The Development Services Committee convened at the hour of 9:00 a.m. in the Canada Room with Councillor J. Webster in the Chair.  

 

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST - None disclosed.

 

 

1.         DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
            - November 27, 2007, Part A (10.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Regional Councillor G. Landon

 

That the minutes of the Development Services Committee meeting, Part A, held November 27, 2007, be confirmed.

CARRIED

2.         HWY 404 MIDBLOCK CROSSING BETWEEN
            MAJOR MACKENZIE AND ELGIN MILLS
            CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL (5.10)

 

 

This item was deferred to a Development Services Committee meeting in

January 2008.

 

 

3.         VIVA UPDATE – GTTA (5.14)

 

Ms. M. Frances Turner, Vice President, Viva Transit, provided an update on the Greater Toronto Transit Authority (GTTA) now referred to as Metrolinx, Quick-Wins projects including the funding announcements and timing.  She also indicated that the YRT’s new Request for Proposal (RFP) will include looking at hybrid vehicles and biodiesel component.

 

Mr. David Clark, York Region Transit Corporation provided an update on the status of discussion with IBM relative to the Cedarland Drive alignment alternative.  Mr. Clark advised that IBM is not supportive of having Rapid Transit follow the South Town Centre Blvd. alignment through their property, but are aware of the land required to re-align transit along Cedarland Drive. 

 

Committee requested bigger copies of the coloured maps be sent to them.

 

Moved by Regional Councillor T. Wong

Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Heath

 

That the presentation by Ms. Mary Francis Turner, Vice President, and Mr. David Clark, York Region Transit Corporation regarding York Rapid Transit Plan, VIVA Update - GTTA, be received.

CARRIED

 

 

4.         LIBERTY DEVELOPMENTS
            7161 & 7171 YONGE STREET (10.0)

 

Mr. Peter Walker, Planning Consultant, Walker Nott Dragicevic Associates Ltd., introduced the Liberty Developments proposal at 7161 and 7171 Yonge Street stating that this location is a high profile site and provides an opportunity for the Town to participate in an active role with the redevelopment of Yonge Street.

 

Mr. Robert Glover, Urban Designer, Bousefields Inc, provided an overview of an urban design study he completed on behalf of Liberty Development.  He outlined four essential urban design issues: the role and built form character of Yonge Street; what is the form and magnitude of the transit support system; the form of transition north and south of the site and the potential of improved open space area.

 

Mr. Clifford Korman, Architect, Kirkor Architects and Planners, presented a proposed master plan for the Liberty Development site which includes a pedestrian realm, a public square, LEED environmental design, food court and continuous retail street front.  Mr. Korman advised 100% of storm water will be contained on site and they are considering other environmental initiatives.

 

The Committee requested that Staff and Liberty Development discuss the following:

  • Storm water and sewage
  • Increase green space at ground level
  • How to blend into the surrounding existing communities
  • How to deal with the increase in traffic
  • Lowering parking standards
  • Car and bike share
  • Plan for carbon-neutral design
  • Compatible with the west side of Yonge Street (City of Vaughan side)

 

Ms. Marion Matthias addressed the Committee with respect to the Liberty Development proposal at 7161 and 7171 Yonge Street stating she is not in support of the proposed increased heights for the buildings.  Ms. Matthias stated that this proposal does not reflect the suggestions of the working groups and the Town’s study.

 

Moved by Councillor E. Shapero

Seconded by Councillor V. Burke

 

That the presentation by Robert Glover, Urban Designer, Bousefields Inc. and Clifford Korman, Architect, Kirkor Architects and Planners regarding Liberty Developments, 7161 and 7171 Yonge Street, be received.

CARRIED

 

 

5.         MARKET VILLAGE (10.0)

 

Mr. Sean Lawrence, Kohn Architects Inc. provided a presentation proposed urban redevelopment by The Remington Group for Market Village at the northeast corner of Kennedy Road and Steeles Avenue (immediately east of the Pacific Mall).  He advised this will be a multi- stage project.

 

Mr. Paul Stagl, Planning Consultant advised there is ongoing discussion with the City of Toronto with respect to improvements that can be made to integrate the sites.  He indicated that there has been informal discussion about a pedestrian linkage between the City of Toronto site and the Town of Markham site.

 

Mr. A. Brown, Director of Engineering, acknowledged the traffic issues that already exist at this location and indicated he will continue to work with the Remington Group and the traffic consultants to address these issues.  Mr. A. Brown agreed to e-mail the Committee regarding the intended timing of the proposed railway grade separation at Kennedy Road and Steeles Avenue.

 

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi

 

That the presentation by Mr. Sean Lawrence, Kohn Architects Inc., regarding Market Village, be received.

CARRIED

 

 

6.         MARKHAM STOUFFVILLE HOSPITAL (10.0)

 

Mr. William Nankivell, Bregam + Hamann Architects and Mr. Vas Georgiou, Senior Vice President for Infrastructure Ontario provided a presentation on the Markham Stouffville Hospital (MSH) expansion (including site plan approval and process; update on MSH master plan and an overview of Design Build Finance and Maintain (DBFM)).  The following are the relevant timelines to meet the requirements of both the Province and the Town of Markham:

·        Submit master plan – February 2008

·        Illustrative Design – August 2008

·        Project Specific Outward Specs (PSOS) – November 2008

·        DBFM – RFP – end of 2008

·        DBFM submission – Spring 2009

·        DBFM award – Fall 2009

 

The Committee suggested changing the target date for Illustrative Design preliminary site plan approval to June 2008. There was also considerable discussion with respect to the role of Infrastructure Ontario (the Crown agency that ensures that the delivery of the Government of Ontario’s major infrastructure projects in a cost effective manner).  The Committee requested the following concerns be addressed at subsequent meetings:

  • Limit the amount of surface parking
  • Entrance off of Bur Oak
  • Fire Hall – allocation for some land
  • Wellness Centre – having an indoor gathering place
  • District Energy
  • High School relationship
  • Community Centre relationship
  • Will a legal agreement be required between the MSH and Town of Markham?
  • What cost implications on the Town of Markham

 

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones

Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Heath

 

That the presentation by Mr. William Nankivell, Bregam + Hamann Architects and Mr. Vas Georgiou, Senior Vice President for Infrastructure Ontario , regarding the Markham Stouffville Hospital, be received.

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

7.         9TH LINE AND STEELES AVENUE (5.10)

 

Mr. A. Brown, Director of Engineering advised that the City of Toronto staff confirmed that they would check the warrants for a signal at 9th Line and Steeles Avenue in February 2008 and would report to their Committee in Spring 2008.  If the warrants are met then the intersection would be placed on a prioritization list for construction which would be at least 11/2 years.  Mr. Brown advised that in order to expedite the installation of a signal the following steps by Engineering staff be authorized:

  • Undertake the warrant analysis in January 2008
  • Review Toronto's requirements and the cost for a signal at 9th Line/Steeles Avenue
  • Obtain proposals from consultants for the design of the signal
  • Pursue with the City of Toronto and Region of York opportunities to advance construction of the signal

Engineering staff will update Council as to the results of the above-noted actions in late February 2008 and will seek direction as to next course of action.

 

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Heath

Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi

 

That staff be authorized to undertake the steps as outlined by the Director of Engineering with respect to traffic signals at the intersection of Steeles Avenue and Ninth Line;

 

And, that staff report back as to status in late February 2008.

 CARRIED

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The Development Services Committee meeting adjourned at the hour of 12:30 p.m.