MINUTES

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE

2008-04-08 - 9:00 a.m.

Meeting No. 9

All Members of Council

Development Services                                                                 Economic Development

Chair:              Councillor J. Webster                                                                             Chair:              Regional Councillor T. Wong

Vice-Chair:      Councillor D. Horchik                                                                            Transportation Issues

                                                                                                                                        Chair:          Regional Councillor G. Landon

 

 

PART B

Report Agenda

9:00 a.m. – Council Chamber

 

Attendance

Deputy Mayor J. Heath

Regional Councillor J. Jones

Regional Councillor G. Landon

Councillor V. Burke

Councillor E. Shapero

Councillor J. Virgilio

Councillor J. Webster

Councillor D. Horchik

Councillor L. Kanapathi

 

Regrets

Mayor F. Scarpitti

Regional Councillor T. Wong

Councillor C. Moretti

Councillor A. Chiu

 

J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer

J. Baird, Commissioner of Development Services

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 9:05 AM in the Council Chamber with Councillor J. Webster in the Chair.  Regional Councillor G. Landon assumed the Chair for Transportation Item No. 14.

 

 

 

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST

 

None disclosed.

 

 

1.         DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
- March 18, 2008, Part B (10.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones

Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Heath

 

That the minutes of the Development Services Committee meeting, Part B, held March 18, 2008, be confirmed.

CARRIED

 

 

2.         DEVELOPMENT SERVICES PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
- March 18, 2008 (10.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones

Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Heath

 

That the minutes of the Development Services Public Meeting, held March 18, 2008, be confirmed.

CARRIED

 

 

3.         HERITAGE MARKHAM COMMITTEE MINUTES
            - March 12, 2008 (16.11)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones

Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Heath

 

That the minutes of the Heritage Markham Committee meeting held on March 12, 2008, be received.

CARRIED

 

 

4.         MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE MINUTES
            - February 20, 2008 (16.39)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones

Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Heath

 

That the minutes of the Main Street Markham Committee meeting held on February 20, 2008, be received.

CARRIED

 

5.         HERITAGE EASEMENT AGREEMENT
            MILLIKEN PUBLIC SCHOOL
            1711509 ONTARIO INC.
            4600 STEELES AVENUE (16.11.3)

            Report  Attachment

 

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones

Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Heath

 

That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute Heritage Easement Agreement with the owner of the former Milliken Public School, a designated heritage building at 4600 Steeles Avenue; and,

 

That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

CARRIED

 

 

 

6.         MARKHAM CENTRE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
            ENTERPRISE BOULEVARD, WEST OF KENNEDY ROAD
            APPLICATIONS FOR OFFICIAL PLAN AMENDMENT
            AND REZONING TO PERMIT A MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT
            INCLUDING RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS UP TO
            39 STOREYS, RETAIL USES AND AN OFFICE BUILDING
            MARKHAM CENTRE
            FILES:  OP 08 106659 AND ZA 08 106664 (10.3, 10.5)

            Report   Attachment

 

Moved by Regional Councillor G. Landon

Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones

 

That the correspondence from Kate Cooper, Bousfields Inc., requesting deferral of the Item regarding the Markham Centre Development Corporation for 4 weeks, be received; and,

 

That the Item regarding the Markham Centre Developments Corporation (OP 08 106659, ZA 08 106664) be deferred to the Development Services Committee meeting to be held on May 6, 2008.

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.         FOREST BAY HOMES
            ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT
            APPLICATION TO PERMIT TWO
            SEMI-DETACHED RESIDENTIAL LOTS
            ON MONIQUE COURT
            FILE NO. ZA 08 107567 (10.5)

            Report  Attachment

 

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones

Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Heath

 

That the report dated April 8, 2008 entitled “PRELIMINARY REPORT, Forest Bay Homes.  Zoning By-law Amendment application to permit two semi-detached residential lots on Monique Court” be received; and,

 

That Staff be authorized to schedule a statutory Public Meeting to consider the Zoning By-law amendment application.

CARRIED

 

 

 

8.         NEAMSBY INVESTMENTS INC.
            ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT
            TO AMEND THE EXISTING HOLD PROVISION
            ON CERTAIN LANDS NEAR THE NORTHWEST CORNER
            OF MARKHAM ROAD AND STEELES AVENUE
            FILE NO. ZA 08 107413 (10.5)

            Report   Attachment

 

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones

Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Heath

 

That the report dated April 8, 2008 entitled “PRELIMINARY REPORT, Neamsby Investments Inc. Zoning By-law Amendment to amend the existing Hold provision on certain lands near the northwest corner of  Markham Road and Steeles Avenue” be received; and,

 

That Staff be authorized to schedule a statutory Public Meeting to consider the Zoning By-law Amendment application.

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.         PARTIAL RELEASE OF EASEMENT
            – PART OF LOT 24, CONCESSION 3,
            DESIGNATED AS PART 1, PLAN 65R-27851
            WEST CATHEDRAL COMMUNITY (10.0)

            Report  Attachment

 

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones

Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Heath

 

That the April 8, 2008 report entitled “Partial Release of Easements – Part of Lot 24, Concession 3, designated as Part 1, Plan 65R-27851, West Cathedral Community”, be received; and,

 

That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized and directed to execute a partial release of an easement over Part of Lot 24, Concession 3, designated as Part 1, Plan 65R-27851, and any other documents required to give effect thereto; and further,

 

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

CARRIED

 

 

 

10.       APPLICATION FOR DRAFT PLAN OF SUBDIVISION
            AND ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT
            11160 WOODBINE AVENUE LIMITED
            11160 WOODBINE AVEUE
            WEST SIDE OF WOODBINE AVENUE
            NORTH OF ELGIN MILLS ROAD
            HIGHWAY 404 NORTH PLANNING DISTRICT (EMPLOYMENT LANDS)
            FILE NOS. SU 07 128278 AND ZA 07 128288 (10.7, 10.5)

            Report  Attachment

 

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones

Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Heath

 

That a Public Meeting be held to consider the an applications for Draft Plan of Subdivision and Zoning By-law Amendment to permit a plan of subdivision with in the Highway 404 North Planning District, located west of Woodbine Avenue, north of Elgin Mills Road; and,

 

That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.       INTENTION TO DESIGNATE UNDER PART IV
            OF THE ONTARIO HERITAGE ACT
            THE BUTTON HOUSE
            8977 WOODBINE AVENUE
            ASPET ALLAVERDIAN (16.11.3)

            Report  Attachment

 

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones

Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Heath

 

That as recommended by Heritage Markham, the Button  House – 8977 Woodbine Avenue be approved for designation under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act as a property of cultural heritage value or interest; and,

 

That the Clerk’s Department be authorized to publish and serve Council’s Notice of Intention to Designate as per the requirements of the Ontario Heritage Act; and,

 

That if there are no objections to the designation in accordance with the provisions of the Ontario Heritage Act, the Clerk be authorized to place a designation by-law before Council for adoption; and further,

 

That if there are any objections in accordance with the provisions of the Ontario Heritage Act, the Clerk be directed to refer the proposed designation to the Ontario Conservation Review Board.

CARRIED

 

 

 

12.       REPORT ON INCOMING PLANNING APPLICATIONS
            FOR THE PERIOD OF JANUARY 22, 2008 TO MARCH 7, 2008 (10.0)

            Report

 

There was discussion regarding the Attilio Vettese application.  Staff advised that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is being finalized with the key requirement being that the draft plan of subdivision be finalized by June 15, 2008 with the intention that the required properties will be made available to the Region of York by July 1, 2008 for the re-alignment of 14th Avenue and Donald Cousens Parkway construction.  Staff also advised that a recommendation report to call the public meeting for the draft plan of subdivision is scheduled for the April 22, 2008 Development Services Committee meeting.  The report will be recommending that the draft plan of subdivision processing fees be deferred to a later date.    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones

Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Heath

 

That Committee receive the report entitled “Report on Incoming Planning Applications for the period of January 22, 2008 to March 7, 2008” and direct staff to process the applications in accordance with the route outlined in the report; and,

 

That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

CARRIED

 

 

 

13.       MONTE CARLO INN
            SITE PLAN APPLICATION FOR A
            FIVE STOREY HOTEL WITH
            124 ROOMS AT THE NORTH EAST CORNER
            OF WARDEN AVENUE AND DENISON STREET
            7255 WARDEN AVENUE
            FILE NO. SC 07 115242 (10.7)

            Report  Attachment

 

Staff advised the above application is proposing the development of a five storey hotel that will also include meeting rooms and a banquet hall.  The original submission proposed parking in front of the building which has since been deleted.  Staff also advised that the Committee of Adjustment has deferred the minor variance application until the site plan approval has been granted.

 

Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath

Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi

 

That the staff report dated April 8, 2008, titled “RECOMMENDATION REPORT, Monte Carlo Inn, Site plan application for a five-storey hotel with 124 rooms at the north east corner of Warden Avenue and Denison Street, 7255 Warden Avenue (SC 07 115242)”, be received; and,

 

That the site plan application be endorsed in principle, subject to the conditions attached as Appendix ‘A’; and,

 

That site plan approval be delegated to the Director of Planning and Urban Design or her designate, to be issued following execution of a site plan agreement. Site plan approval is issued only when the Director has signed the site plan “approved”, when the conditions in Appendix ‘A’- Conditions of Site Plan Approval have been met; and further,

 

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

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

14.       METROLINX (5.0)

            Presentation

 

Mr. Alan Brown, Director of Engineering, delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding an overview of the Metrolinx Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) process and of the seven ‘green papers’.  He also reviewed staff’s comments relative to each green paper (these will be submitted to Metrolinx by April 15, 2008).

 

The Committee discussed the composition of the Metrolinx Board and also requested that the following amendments be incorporated in its staff comments on each ‘green paper’:

 

Green Paper 1 (Towards Sustainable Transportation):

 

  • Expand background context re climate change
  • Include commentary on relationship between transportation and the economy

 

Green Paper 2 (Mobility Hubs):

 

  • Amend Markham comments to include distinction between “Primary” and “Secondary” Mobility Hubs
  • May give examples of specific locations, but list is not final
  • The last point to read “Other Secondary Mobility Hubs such as 407 Transit line, along commuter rail lines (including Havelock) and others as identified through the Region of York and Markham’s Transportation Studies; Growth Management Strategy including the Intensification Study.”

 

Green Paper 3 (Active Transportation):

 

  • Add reference to “seamless integration and coordination of transportation services between municipalities”
  • Add reference to bicycle facilities

 

Green Paper 4 (Transportation Demand Management):

 

  • Include the issue of transit fares affordability
  • Include discussion on carbon tax as an alternative
  • Transit fares to be related to distance traveled
  • Address smart card and fare integration
  • Include bike share and auto share
  • Need to suggest shuttle buses and Van Pooling

 

 

 

 

 

 

Green Paper 5 (Moving Goods and Delivering Services):

 

  • Include coordination of truck routes
  • Toll rates need to be affordable for trucks; consider incentives to direct trucks to toll highways
  • Consider different modes such as rail lines, water and air and promote the one that causes the least amount of green house emissions
  • Work with the private sector on just in time delivery; support locally produced goods and services to reduce long distance transport
  • Consider limitations on truck travel during peak congestion periods

 

Green Paper 6 (Roads and Highways):

 

  • Amend the first bullet to refer to transportation capacity (not road capacity alone), and emphasize transit based solutions
  • Prioritize TDM, HOV, transit lanes
  • Road widening should be low priority
  • With the last bullet, emphasize need for Metrolinx to act as the forum for interregional connectivity and coordination, and include examples such as Highway 404/DVP and Steeles Avenue
  • Include optimization of transit networks to minimize networks
  • Include integration of transit systems, and including higher order transit in arterial and highway corridors
  • Address need for improved intermodal connectivity and parking at transit hubs

 

Green Paper 7 (Transit):

 

  • Amend point from “BRT vs. LRT” to “BRT and LRT”
  • Consider transit fares by distance traveled, reduce family and student fares, and look at other incentives and subsidies
  • Give competitive price advantage to transit users
  • Re-evaluate the GO Transit regarding service and stops (e.g. need for station at John Street and Bayview Avenue)
  • Need for improved transit integration with City of Toronto – e.g. Yonge Subway Extension Now, and transit links from Markham to Scarborough Subway/LRT
  • Forum to discuss inter-municipal transit network
  • The Higher Order Transit Corridors should determine the Province's plan regarding ‘Places to Grow’
  • Need to accelerate Hwy 407 Transitway

 

 

 

 

 

Staff agreed to provide the Committee with a copy of the revised draft comments before they are submitted to Metrolinx.  Staff advised that a presentation by Metrolinx on white paper is scheduled for May 2008 to the Development Services Committee.

 

Moved by Councillor J. Webster

Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones

 

That the presentation provided by staff regarding Metrolinx revised to include the amendments made at the April 8, 2008 Development Services Committee, be received.

CARRIED

 

 

 

15.       MARKHAM VILLAGE BIA
            NEW URBAN DEVELOPMENT
            "DOWNTOWN MARKHAM" (10.0)

            Letter

 

The Committee discussed the importance of the Town’s demonstrating its ongoing support for the Markham Village BIA.

 

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones

Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi

 

That the correspondence received from Mr. Phil Howes, Manager, Markham Village BIA, expressing concerns about the marketing of the new urban centre on previously undeveloped land is being referred to as Downtown Markham and it should only be in the heritage district of the original Town of Markham, be received.

CARRIED

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

16.       JOHN STREET BRIDGE (5.10)

 

The Committee thanked staff for the repair work for the John Street bridge.  The situation of the emergency closure was handled very professionally and everyone at the Information Meeting that took place on April 7, 2008 was well informed.  Staff advised that the problem is structural and an investigation is currently taking place.

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

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