MARKHAMGATE SUMMIT WORKING GROUP

DRAFT Terms of Reference

 

Background:

The 7.1 ha (17.5 ac) site currently supports a shopping centre (Shops on Steeles).  The existing mall is enclosed and contains 22,634 m2 (243,638 ft2) of retail and 2,829 m2 (30,448 ft2) of office space.  The applicant is proposing to gradually phase the redevelopment of the existing mall into a comprehensively planned, mixed-use development with a mix of retail, office and residential uses.

 

A Community Information meeting was held on February 26, 2008 to receive feedback from the public and to obtain names of residents who volunteered to be part of a working group.  

 

Composition of Working Group:

The Markhamgate Summit Working Group (MSWG) will consist of volunteer residents from the City of Toronto and the Town of Markham, the applicant and/or the applicant’s representative(s), Councillor Erin Shapero, and members of the Thornhill Sub-Committee (Councillor Valerie Burke and Councillor Jim Jones).  Staff support will include Transportation/Engineering (as needed), Urban Design (as needed) and Planning.  Councillor Erin Shapero will act as Chair of the MGSW.    

 

The following is a list of residents from the City of Toronto and Town of Markham who have volunteered to sit on the MSWG: 

 

City of Toronto:

David Shiner (Councillor, Ward 24, City of Toronto)

Brian Compson

David Slotnick (Willowdale Residents Association)

Jim Maclean

Marty Belitz

Janice Dancy

Scott MacKenzie  

 

Town of Markham:

Paul Fink (German Mills Ratepayers)

David Serkin (Condo Corp President, Picadilly)

Eileen Liase

Bob James

Frances Halperin

Noha George

Paul Bodach

Daniel Aufgang

Nafisa Pourhassani

Gary Kay

 

Purpose and Role of the Markhamgate Summit Working Group:

The purpose of the MGSW is to obtain more detailed input from residents on the proposal and to work with staff and the applicant to assist residents in gaining a better understanding of the proposal in the spirit of working toward a shared vision for the property.  Revisions and suggested changes will also be discussed and reviewed.  As well, resident working members are expected to relay information regarding the progress of the application, and any revisions, back to the larger community.  Staff plan on holding a series of working group meetings to review the proposal in depth with more focused discussion than the larger community information meeting forum permits.  It is proposed that the MGSW will review the proposal, consider development options and explore urban design, development principles and other issues (e.g. traffic) as identified in the Development Services report dated March 18, 2008, and at the community meetings held to date.

 

Applicant/Consultant:

To be supplied by applicant

 

Reporting Procedure:

The MSWG meeting notes will be posted on the Town of Markham’s website.  Protocol with respect to reporting out to the Town’s Development Services Committee is to be determined.

 

Remuneration:

None

 

Frequency of Meetings:

The first meeting will be held as soon as representatives are finalized.  A schedule of meeting dates will be finalized at the first meeting.  The expectation is that a series of 5 or 6 meetings will be held.  Meetings will start and end at a designated time and will be approximately 2.5 hours in duration.  A copy of the proposed meeting outline is attached to this Terms of Reference (Appendix A).

 

Duration of Appointment:

Meetings will take place between the months of May - November.  It is expected that all members will remain available for one month (30 days) after the last agreed scheduled meeting. 

 

Staff Support:

Ron Blake, Development Manager, West District (905)477-7000 ext. 2600 rblake@markham.ca

Sabrina Bordone, Planner, West District (905) 477-7000 ext. 8230 sbordone@markham.ca

Valerie Shuttleworth, Director of Planning & Urban Design (905) 475-4713 vshuttleworth@markham.ca


MARKHAMGATE SUMMIT WORKING GROUP

Appendix A

 
DRAFT MEETING OUTLINE

 

 

MEETING 1 – INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND (May 21, 2008)

    • Purpose/Context
    • Expectations/role of working group
    • Process & Planning Overview

 

 

MEETING 2 – BUILT FORM (June 11, 2008)

    • Height/Density of Buildings
    • Outdoor Mall (Lifestyle Mall) Concept
    • Parking Structure Next to Townhouses

 

 

MEETING 3 – TRANSPORTATION (September 10, 2008)

    • Traffic
    • Transit

 

 

MEETING 4 – SERVICES (October 1, 2008)

·        Provision of soft services (schools, parks, community facilities)

·        Provision of hard services (sewer/water)

 

 

MEETING 5 – OPTIONAL (October 22, 2008)

·        Outstanding issues

 

 

MEETNG 6 – WRAP-UP (November 12, 2008)

·        Content to be determined

 

 

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