Report to: Development Services Committee                                 Report Date:  June 10, 2008

 

 

SUBJECT:                          PRELIMINARY REPORT

                                            Marander Montessori School

                                            Zoning By-law Amendment Application to permit a private elementary school at 5906 16th Avenue.

                                            File No. ZA 08 114478

 

PREPARED BY:               Doris Cheng, Senior Planner, extension 2331

 

 

RECOMMENDATION:

That the report dated June 10, 2008 entitled “PRELIMINARY REPORT, Marander Montessori School,  Zoning By-law Amendment Application to permit a private elementary school at 5906 16th Avenue.” be received. 

 

That Staff be authorized to schedule a statutory Public Meeting to consider the proposed Zoning By-law amendment application once a site plan application has been submitted to accompany the proposed zoning by-law amendment.

 

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

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Not applicable

 

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Not applicable

1. Purpose                2. Background         3. Discussion             4. Financial         5. Environmental

 

6. Accessibility       7. Engage 21st             8. Affected Units       9. Attachment(s)

 

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to provide preliminary information regarding the application for Zoning By-law amendment to permit a private elementary school and to amend the development standards to accommodate the proposed use.  The report also seeks authorization to hold a statutory public meeting with respect to these zoning amendment matters, once an accompanying site plan application has been submitted.


 

BACKGROUND:

Property and Area Context

The subject land is approximately 0.392 hectares (0.97 acres) in area and is located on the north side of 16th Avenue west of Highway 48, east of Heritage Corners Lane (the access road to the Heritage Estates subdivision) (see Figure 1).  To the north and west of this property are portions of the Heritage Estates subdivision.   East of the property is the Rouge Valley senior’s residence which incorporates two homes listed on the Markham Inventory of Heritage Buildings. South of the property, across 16th Avenue, are residential homes backing onto 16th Avenue.

 

 

 

 The site contains an existing single detached one-storey dwelling with a detached garage connected to the dwelling by a canopy.  The lot is vegetated with mature growth along the north, east and west property lines.  There is a row of mature trees fronting on 16th Avenue.  There are no other natural features on the site.

 

Current Zoning and Official Plan Designation


The Official Plan, as amended, designates the lands as Urban Residential.  Official Plan Amendment 102, which was tailored for the current use in 2003, provide for a daycare and private elementary school. 

 

The site is zoned ‘Institutional’ under By-law 1229, as amended, which permits a range of public and private institutional uses, including a daycare.  Site specific Zoning By-law 2003-113 restricted the use on the property to a daycare licensed for not more than 40 children.  The By-law also provided site specific development standards, including a reduction in the required number of parking spaces.

 

Proposal

The site is currently operating as a daycare, supporting 40 children.  The proposal is to amend the zoning bylaw to also permit the private elementary school, in conformity with OPA 102 and to amend the development standards to permit the expansion of the existing facility. 

 

OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:

Planning History

In 2003, staff identified in the report (dated April 22, 2003), that the day care centre on the lands was appropriate due to the context of the area including the proximity of the developing Wismer Commons Community.  However, staff also noted that to “ensure orderly development and compatibility with existing and proposed uses in the area, a day care centre will be the only institutional use provided for on the lands”.

 

As noted above, Official Plan Amendment 102 re-designated these lands to ‘Urban Residential’ to provide for a daycare and private elementary school.  However, By-law 1229 as amended by By-law 2003-113 zoned the site to ‘Institutional’ but restricted the use to only a daycare, and limited the occupancy to 40 children and a maximum building height of 6.0 metres.  The owner is now requesting a Zoning By-law amendment to permit expansion of the Montessori School to provide opportunities to accommodate school aged children.

 

Site plan approval is expected shortly


A site plan application has not yet been submitted, however, the applicant has provided a conceptual development plan (see Figure 4).   This plan may require changes to address concerns raised by internal departments and external agencies, such as adequate parking supply, sufficient landscaping, road widening, etc.   The applicant has advised that they will submit a site plan application shortly.

 

 

Potential Benefits of Approval of the Proposal:

The proposal will provide an additional child care facility/Montessori School for the local community.

 

Concerns/Issues to be resolved:

The following is a brief summary of concerns/issues raised to date.  These matters, and any others identified through the circulation and detailed review of the proposal will be addressed in a final staff report to be presented to Committee at a later date.  Concerns and issues include:

 

FINANCIAL TEMPLATE (external link):

Not applicable.

 

ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PRIORITIES:

The proposed rezoning application will assist with the implementation of the Town of Markham Strategic Priority of Growth Management.

 

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

The application submitted by Marander Montessori School has been circulated to various Town departments and external agencies and is currently under review.  Requirements of the Town and external agencies will be reflected in the preparation of the Zoning By-law and in the preparation of a final report if necessary.

 

CONCLUSIONS:

Staff recommend that a statutory public meeting be held to consider the proposed amendments, once an associated site plan application has been submitted for the property.

 

RECOMMENDED BY:  

 

 

 

________________________________                    ______________________________

Valerie Shuttleworth, M.C.I.P, R.P.P                                                 Jim Baird, M.C.I.P, R.P.P

Director, Planning & Urban Design                                      Commissioner, Development Services

 

 

ATTACHMENTS:

Figure 1 – Location Map

Figure 2 – Area Context/Zoning

Figure 3 – Air Photo 2007

Figure 4 – Conceptual Site Plan

 

AGENT:      Mr. Ben Quan

                     QX4 Investments Limited – Consulting Services

                     17 Bauer Crescent

                     Markham ON  L3R 4H3

                     Tel: 416-564-0351  Fax: 905-479-4517

                     Email: ben.quan@rogers.com 

 

File Path:     Amanda\File 08 114478\Documents\Recommendation Report

 

Figure 1 – Location Map