MINUTES FROM THE SEVENTH MEETING OF THE

MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE IN 2008

 

Town of Markham

York Room - Civic Centre

August 20, 2008

 

Members

Deirdre Kavanagh                                                        Regrets

Helen Walter                                                                Councillor Carolina Moretti

Keith Thirgood                                                             Ibrahim Ali

Peter Ross                                                                    Dianne More

Diane Kobelansky                                                        Jonathan Mingay

Councillor John Webster                                              

Wil Pialagitis

Phil Howes, BIA

 

Staff

Regan Hutcheson, Manager of Heritage Planning

Alida Tari, Committee Clerk

 

 

The seventh meeting of the Main Street Markham Committee meeting in 2008 was convened at

5:45 PM with Councillor John Webster in the Chair.

 

 

1.         MINUTES FROM THE JUNE 18, 2008 MEETING OF THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE

 

THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

 

That the minutes of the Main Street Markham Committee meeting held on June 18, 2008, be adopted.

CARRIED

 

 

2.         UPDATES:

 

a)         Environmental Assessment – Main Street

 

Mr. Peter Ross distributed copies of materials that were discussed at the second meeting of the Community Advisory Group.  Mr. Ross had put together a document titled “A Modest Proposal:  Leading While Remembering” that was forwarded to all the Committee members prior to the meeting for their comments and/or suggestions. The Committee reviewed the document and suggested the following amendments: 

 

  • First paragraph to read “On behalf of the Main Street Markham Committee, I wish to submit the following draft proposal and scheme of alternatives to the Environmental Assessment Process.
  • delete paragraph 4 on page 1
  • page 2 paragraph one delete “over time, this may lead to the widening of Main Street South to four lanes, but”
  • Page 5 delete the section of “Widen Road”
  • At the end of the document include:  submitted by Peter Ross, CAG representative for Main Street Markham Committee, on behalf of the Main Street Markham Committee

 

There was discussion whether the document “A Modest Proposal:  Leading While Remembering” should be submitted by Peter Ross or by individual representatives of the various community groups.  The Committee agreed that the document should be submitted by Peter Ross on behalf of the Main Street Markham Committee. 

 

b)         Parking Lot Signs

 

Mr. Phil Howes, BIA, advised the Committee that approximately 80% of the parking lot signs have been installed.  This matter will be moved to the list of Parking Lot items.

 

c)         Interpretation Sub-Committee

 

Mr. Regan Hutcheson, Manager of Heritage Planning, advised the Committee that the contract for the Markham Village Interpretive Project – Museum of the Streets (Phase 1) has been awarded to Su Murdoch Historical Consulting.  He also advised that there were no changes to the terms of reference.  Mr. Hutcheson suggested that if any Member has any suggestions with respect to potential oral interview subjects who could speak on interesting aspects of Markham Village’s history please e-mail him directly.

 

 

d)         Winter Damage to Trees and Benches

 

Mr. Howes advised the Committee that all the Heritage benches were damaged.  Mr. Howes also indicated that it is proving difficult to find locations to install the Heritage Benches as they must be bolted into concrete rather than interlock brick.  The Committee discussed having regular benches installed on a temporary basis until the Heritage Benches are available for installation.

 

THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

 

That standard benches be installed on a temporary basis until the Heritage benches are available.

 

CARRIED

 

Mr. Hutcheson advised that he will notify the Heritage Committee of the above resolution.

 

e)         Incoming Planning Applications

 

Mr. Hutcheson advised the Committee that the original application submitted for the corner of Highway 7 and Highway 48 has been revised to allow for two buildings in place of the original proposed three buildings and that green space with trees is being incorporated into the design where the third building was originally proposed.

 

The Committee discussed the future GO Transit parking lot.  Mr. Hutcheson advised that a site plan application is not required for this proposal however, the Heritage Department has submitted their suggestions (ie:  screening the parking lot from Main Street using masonry or stone fence and landscaping, trees around the perimeter of the property, follow the heritage guidelines for any signs on site, request for an interpretive plaque) to GO Transit.

 

3.         NEW BUSINESS

 

a)         Interpretive Plaque for the Mount Joy portion of Markham Village Heritage

 

Mr. Hutcheson presented the Committee with an illustration of the proposed plaques for heritage buildings located in Mount Joy (as prepared by Donna Wigmore and the Markham Village Conservancy).  He has been requested by Council to obtain feedback from various community/heritage organizations (Thornhill, Unionville and the remainder of Markham Village) for their feedback on the proposed plaques and if they would like to see it as a Town wide standard.  Mr. Hutcheson will e-mail the PDF file of the plaque to the various groups in Markham Village (BIA, Old Village Ratepayers, Vinegar Hill Ratepayers).

 

Committee stated concerns with the proposed colour being blue and the proposed size (can it be sized smaller). 

 

b)         Public Washrooms

 

Mr. Howes advised that the public washrooms are being maintained and used.  He also advised that the handicap washroom was not practically designed as a result; it is difficult to get in to and he has been advised that the Town is in the process of making adjustments to it.

 

4.         NEXT MEETING

 

The next meeting of the Main Street Markham Committee is scheduled for Wednesday September 17, 2008 at 5:30 PM in the York Room.

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The Sixth Main Street Markham Committee meeting adjourned at 7:25 PM.