MINUTES
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE
2008-05-13 -
Meeting No. 14
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 A
Presentations, Major Studies, and Issues Agenda
9:00 a.m. – Canada Room
Attendance
|
Mayor F. Scarpitti Regional Councillor J. Jones 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 Regrets Deputy Mayor J. Heath Councillor E. Shapero |
J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer J. Baird, Commissioner of Development Services A. Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services A. Seabrooke, Commission Lead, Library Services, Fire Service, and Recreation & Culture A. Brown, Director of Engineering C. Conrad, Town Solicitor B. Cribbett, Treasurer S. Heaslip, Senior Planner V. Shuttleworth, Director of Planning and Urban Design D. Miller, Senior Project Coordinator, Special Projects A. Tari, Committee Clerk |
The Development Services
Committee convened at
DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
None disclosed.
1. DEVELOPMENT
SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
- April 29, 2008, Part A (10.0)
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor V. Burke
That the minutes of the Development Services Committee meeting, Part A, held April 29, 2008, be confirmed.
CARRIED
2. MARKHAM
INTER-CHURCH COMMITTEE
ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING (MICAH)
PROPOSAL (10.0)
Mr. Scott Heaslip, Senior Planner, provided an introductory overview regarding the proposal submitted by East Markham Non-Profit Homes Inc.
Ms. Christine Pacini, SHS Consulting, delivered a detailed PowerPoint presentation regarding East Markham Non-Profit Homes Inc. (EMNPH) and MICAH (Markham Interchurch Committee for Affordable Housing) Affordable Rental Housing project. She provided background information regarding EMNPH and explained the following requests to the Town: financial incentives; deferral of site plan processing fees; approval for an alternative to LEED certification and confirmation of servicing allocations.
Mr. Jim Baird, Commissioner of Planning, advised that staff are comfortable with the requests made by EMNPH and will work together with Ms. Barb Cribbitt, Treasurer, with respect to the financial incentive requests.
The Committee suggested that the formula for calculating the amount of parkland on this site should remain consistent with the rest of the Town.
Mr. Dave de Sylva, DelRidge
Homes, addressed the Committee stating he is not in support of LEED
certification and believes that LEED certification is overly process oriented. Mr. de Sylva advised that this proposed
building will have numerous green initiatives and energy efficiencies that
would qualify it for Platinum LEED certification. However, the extra step of LEED certification
and the additional consulting costs should not be required for this affordable
housing project. He agreed to have his
engineer and architect provide the Town of
The Committee indicated it is in support of the proposed application and its location. The Committee discussed setting criteria regarding energy reduction and green initiatives, and having it incorporated into development agreements and steps to follow up on compliance with the applicant’s consultant post construction.
Moved by Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong
That the presentation from East Markham Non-Profit Homes Inc. (EMNPH) regarding the proposal for affordable housing be received; and,
That the financial incentive request be referred
to Barb Cribbett, Town Treasurer, for a report to General Committee in June,
2008; and further,
That the fee deferral request, LEED alternative
request, and servicing allocation request, be referred to the planning staff to
be addressed in a report to the Development Services Committee regarding site
plan application in June, 2008.
CARRIED
3. COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT (10.0)
Mr. Dave Miller, Senior Project Coordinator, Special Projects, delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding the role of the Committee of Adjustment (C of A) and the proposed procedural By-law that will establish the rules of procedure/ practice for the conduct of the Committee of Adjustment meetings.
There was discussion surrounding the issue of members of Council being treated in the same manner as members of the public with respect to making submissions to the Committee, etc., and whether members of Council should or should not attend any C of A meetings.
The Committee suggested that staff address the following concerns in its report to Development Services Committee: the current timeframe between application being received by the Ward Councillor and the deadline to submit comments and whether it is appropriate for Councillors to show the attached plans to constituents.
Mr. John O’Gorman, Grandview Area Residents Association (GARA), addressed the Committee advising he is concerned with some of the issues being considered at the C of A. He believes some of the issues are not minor in nature and do not maintain the general intent of the Thornhill Zoning By-law.
Ms. Marion Matthias, Thornhill resident, addressed the Committee regarding the role of the C of A. She believes it is important that Ward Councillors continue to be circulated C of A applications so they have the opportunity to submit comments (if required). Ms. Matthias enquired as to how staff determines whether an application falls under a minor variance.
Mr. Khalid Usman, Chair of C of A, addressed the Committee regarding the role of the C of A as distinct from Council. He discussed the process the C of A applies in considering minor variances including comments from staff.
Staff advised that the applicant decides which route to take (C of A or zoning application) and there are pre-consultations with the applicant during which time staff provides their opinion. Staff also commented on the process that the C of A applies in making the decision on whether an application is or is not minor in nature.
The Committee discussed the composition of the Committee of Adjustment.
Moved by Councillor J. Virgilio
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones
That the staff presentation regarding Committee of Adjustment be received; and,
That staff report back to Development Services
Committee with recommendations regarding a Committee of Adjustment Procedural
By-law.
CARRIED
4. INFILL HOUSING BY-LAW (10.0)
Mr. Dave Miller, Senior Project Coordinator, Special Projects, delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding the proposed refinements to some of the development standards that apply in the Town’s older residential area.
Staff advised a future report to Development Services Committee will address concerns regarding accessory buildings and will also include graphics. A statutory public meeting will be required, along with opportunity for additional consultation.
Mr. Randal Dickie, PMG
Planning Consultants, on behalf of
Staff advised that the application will not be delayed by the Infill Study, but there is a separate process whereby staff has been directed by the Committee to review the 1999 Guidelines established for the Oakcrest, Riverbend and Sabiston area.
Mr. Robert E. Briggs, Thornhill resident, addressed the Committee advising that a clear definition of established grade and building height is required. He stated concerns that the Zoning By-laws are being ignored by the Committee of Adjustments and that the Zoning By-laws do not take into account the topography of a community.
Ms. Marion Matthias, Thornhill resident, addressed the Committee regarding the proposed changes to the Infill Housing By-law. She believes that the maximum floor area ratio requirements should not be deleted from the proposed By-law and that the heights in R4 and R4S should not be increased to 9.8 meters because these amendments are not in keeping with the character of the Community. Ms. Matthias is in support of prohibiting reverse slope driveways.
Mr. John O’Gorman, representing GARA, addressed the Committee stating the Thornhill Infill Zoning By-law doesn’t require any amendments. He believes that the building height and floor area ratio should remain as is. Mr. O’Gorman stated a concern with dominant garages at the front of houses.
Mr. Greg Chitilian,
Mr. Andrew Ferancik, Walker
Nott Dragelevic Associates, representing the owners
of
Staff advised they anticipate the review for Oakcrest, Riverbend and Sabiston to be completed by the Fall 2008.
Moved by Regional Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
That the staff presentation regarding Infill Housing By-law be received; and,
That staff report back to Development Services
Committee with recommendations regarding revisions to the Town’s infill housing
by-laws and residential development standards.
CARRIED
5. MARKHAM'S
EAST END
- DIRECTIONAL ROUTE SIGN PLAN (5.10)
Moved by Regional Councillor T. Wong
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
That the staff presentation regarding
CARRIED
6. BILL
64 - AN ACT TO AMEND THE
PESTICIDES ACT TO PROHIBIT USE
OF SALE OF COSMETIC PESTICIDES
(5.7)
Moved by Regional Councillor T. Wong
Seconded by Councillor V. Burke
That Markham Staff Report on Bill 64 –
An Act to amend the Pesticides Act to Prohibit Use and Sale of Cosmetic
Pesticides, dated May 13, 2008, be received; and,
That this report containing recommendations be
submitted as the Town of Markham’s comments to Provincial Environmental
Registry prior to May 22, 2008; and,
That the Town monitor the
progress of this legislation and provide comments; and further,
That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
7. 2015 PAN AMERICAN GAMES BID (3.0)
Mr. Alan. Seabrooke, Commission Lead, Library Services, Fire Service, and Recreation & Culture, advised the Committee that if any members have further questions he can arrange to meet with them to discuss it further.
Moved by Regional Councillor T. Wong
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones
That the presentation by Mr. A. Seabrooke, Commission Lead, Library Services, Fire Services, and Recreation and Culture entitled “2015 Pan American Games Bid” be received.
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
The Development Services
Committee meeting adjourned at