MINUTES

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE

2008-05-27 - 9:00 a.m.

Meeting No. 16

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 Deputy Mayor J. Heath Regional Councillor J. Jones 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. Baird, Commissioner of Development Services A. Brown, Director of Engineering C. Conrad, Town Solicitor A. Tari, Committee Clerk

The Development Services Committee convened at 9:00 AM in the Canada Room with Councillor J. Webster in the Chair. Regional Councillor G. Landon assumed the Chair for Transportation items, Nos. 2 & 3.

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST

None disclosed.

1. DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
- May 13, 2008, Part A (10.0)

Minutes

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Heath

That the minutes of the Development Services Committee meeting, Part A, held May 13, 2008, be confirmed.

CARRIED

2. METROLINX UPDATE (5.0)

Mr. Joe Perrotta, Director, Transportation and Policy, Metrolinx, delivered a PowerPoint presentation providing an update with respect to the Metrolinx White papers and briefly outlining the next steps. The presentation also outlined four test concepts for the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area (GTHA) transportation system: Business-as-usual; Linear; Radial and Web.

Mr. Alan Brown, Director of Engineering, delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding the Metrolinx White papers including staff’s comments.

The Committee suggested that Don Mills Road be changed to Light Rail Transit (LRT) in place of the proposed Bus Rail Transit (BRT) section. The Committee discussed the need for integration within the transit systems and transit hubs.

Mr. Perrotta, advised the Committee that the purpose of Metrolinx is to collectively look at the various Regions together with Toronto and Hamilton, as a whole and that a comprehensive implementation and funding strategy is required in order for the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) to be a success.

Ms. Marion Matthias, Thornhill resident, addressed the Committee with respect to the Metrolinx White Papers. She indicated that it is extremely important that the Heritage section of Thornhill be respected during Metrolinx’s planning (specifically the area from Arnold Avenue north to Elgin Street).

The Committee suggested that staff provide an update illustrating which comments and/or suggestions from the Green Papers were incorporated into the White Papers. Staff agreed to circulate a draft copy of the updated comments for the White Paper submission and add it as an item on the June 10, 2008 Development Services Committee agenda.

Moved by Councillor J. Webster

Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi

That the presentations by Mr. Joe Perrotta of Metrolinx, Director, Transportation and Policy and Alan Brown, Director of Engineering regarding Metrolinx White Papers Update be received.

CARRIED

3. HIGHWAY 7/WARDEN AVENUE
RAPID TRANSIT UPDATE
AND YONGE SUBWAY UPDATE (10.0)

Mr. Tom Middlebrook, McCormick Rankin Corporation, delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding the Yonge Subway. The presentation included the proposed stations, various construction techniques, crossing of the East Don River, terminal requirements at Steeles Avenue and Richmond Hill Centre and project schedule.

Sam Balsamo, Condor Properties, addressed the Committee with respect to the proposed development by Condor Properties at Yonge Street and Highway 7. He advised that that they are committed to working with VIVA to ensure integrated goals are established between the proposed development and future transit.

There was discussion regarding the proposed subway station at Centre Street in Thornhill and whether it should be built, eliminated, or roughed in for a future station.

Ms. Marion Matthias, Markham resident, addressed the Committee regarding the Yonge Subway, indicating she feels the proposed Centre Street station should be eliminated. Ms. Matthias is concerned that the Yonge Street EA will not protect the Heritage Section of Thornhill. She enquired about the Hydro Poles and whether they will be buried and if Condor Properties will integrate the Munshaw Homestead Heritage House into their development?

The Committee requested that the Region provide additional information with respect to the proposed Centre Street station to assist in determining whether or not that station should be built.

Mr. David Clark, York Region Rapid Transit, delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding the Highway 7 (H3) VIVA design elements, route and next steps.

The Committee discussed the proposed bike lanes along Highway 7 and suggested a physical barrier be installed between the bike lane and car lane to ensure safety for the riders or relocate the bike lane to the boulevard or a side street. Mr. Clark will report back to the Committee regarding this issue. The Committee also discussed the Cross Section of Highway 7 that includes 6 lanes for cars, two bus lanes and two bike lanes. The idea that the car lanes should be minimized to only 4 lanes was raised. Mr. Clark advised that the EA for this area is already approved with Markham Council’s concurrence to such. It was noted by staff that Highway 7 is already 6 mixed traffic lanes therefore, width west of Woodbine Avenue, and that the EA proposes to continue the 6 lanes through Markham Centre, plus dedicated transit lanes from the west to Town Centre Blvd.

There was discussion surrounding how residents north of Highway 7 can conveniently get to the Highway 7 VIVA route without using their cars.

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones

That the presentation by Mr. David Clark, York Region Rapid Transit, and Mr. Tom Middlebrook regarding Highway 7/Warden Avenue Rapid Transit Update and Yonge Subway Update be received.

CARRIED

4. IN CAMERA ITEM (5.7)

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti

That Development Services Committee resolve into an in camera session to discuss the following confidential matter (12:20 PM):

(1) DONALD COUSENS PARKWAY ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

CARRIED

Moved by Mayor F. Scarpitti

Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong

That the Committee rise (12:45 PM)

CARRIED

NEW BUSINESS

5. UNIONVILLE ARMS (16.11)

Councillor J. Virgilio advised the Committee that the demolition that occurred at the Unionville Arms, (which is a Class A heritage building within the Unionville Heritage District) went far beyond the demolition permitted by the Town’s building permit and included most of the building. Town staff is currently working with the owner to address this issue and to ensure that the façade and the limited remaining portions of the side walls of the historic building will not be demolished but integrated into the new structure so that at least a small portion of the original building will remain.

Charges will be laid under the Ontario Heritage Act for alteration/demolition without approval and the Building Department has not indicated if charges are to be laid under the Building Code Act.

Moved by Councillor J. Virgilio

Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero

That the update regarding the demolition of the Unionville Arms building, be received.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

The Development Services Committee meeting adjourned at the hour of 12:50 PM.