MINUTES

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE

October 14, 2008

Meeting No. 24

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

1:00 p.m. – Canada Room

 

Attendance

Mayor F. Scarpitti

Deputy Mayor J. Heath

Regional Councillor J. Jones

Regional Councillor T. Wong

Regional Councillor G. Landon

Councillor E. Shapero

Councillor J. Virgilio

Councillor C. Moretti

Councillor J. Webster

Councillor D. Horchik

Councillor L. Kanapathi

Councillor A. Chiu

 

Regrets

Councillor V. Burke

 

J. Baird, Commissioner of Development Services

A. Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services

R. Borooah, Town Architect

S. Chait, Director, Economic Development

L. Duoba, Senior Project Coordinator

B. Karumanchery, Manager, East District

V. Shuttleworth, Director of Planning and Urban Design

A. Tari, Committee Clerk

 

The Development Services Committee convened at 1:00 PM in the Canada Room with Councillor J. Webster in the Chair.  Regional Councillor T. Wong assumed the Chair for Economic Development item No. 7.

 

 

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST

 

None disclosed.

 

 

1.         DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
- September 23, 2008, Part A (10.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones

Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi

 

That the minutes of the Development Services Committee meeting, Part A, held September 23, 2008, be confirmed.

CARRIED

 

 

2.         TIMES GROUP MARKHAM CENTRE
            DESIGN CONCEPTS (10.0)

           

Mr. Jim Kirk, Malone Given Parsons Ltd., advised the Committee that the new concept plan being presented today is similar in numbers and volume as previously presented with changes to the built form and design that are in response to feedback received.  He also advised that this is a work in progress with issues that still need to be resolved.

 

Mr. Clifford Korman, Kirkor Architects & Planners, delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding the new proposed master plan concept.  He presented the original concept, new concept and a comparison of the two. 

 

Mr. Paul Nodwell, OALA, Landscape Architect, delivered a PowerPoint presentation with respect to the open space master plan advising the proposal includes a wide range of park types

(eg.urban squares, linear plazas, valley edge parks and natural features) and various sizes.   

 

The Committee enquired of the Conservatory Group lands within Markham Centre.  Staff advised that both applications (Conservatory Group and Times Group Markham Centre) will be looked at comprehensively.  Mr. Korman advised that they have met with the architects and planners for the Conservatory Group and that the proposed network provides an opportunity to proceed either independently or together. 

 

The Committee discussed the opportunity for public art displays within Markham Centre and suggested that the applicant consult with staff and the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee regarding the Municipal Public Art plan.

 

There was considerable discussion regarding the suggested commercial floor space, residential density, transportation issues and architecture.  The Committee suggested the applicant and staff consider the following:

  • Increasing the office floor space
  • Transit issues; requesting that the Region of York  staff provide preliminary comments pertaining to transit services along Avenue Seven
  • Architectural Building Designs (look at other options other than glass buildings)
  • School site (pursuing an urban model school with the Board of Education)
  • Waste; consider an automated waste collection system (ie Envac)
  • LEED certification (what is the possibility of entire development as LEED Plantinum)
  • How it will all be communicated to the public
  • Linear Park Plaza needs to be distinctive to Markham

 

The Committee expressed concern with respect to the existing communities to the north.  Staff confirmed that they are looking at the north side of Avenue Seven as well.

 

Moved by Mayor F. Scarpitti

Seconded by Councillor J. Virgilio

 

That the presentations by Mr. Jim Kirk, Partner, Malone Given Parsons Ltd., Mr. Clifford Korman, Kirkor Architects & Planners and Mr. Paul Nodwell, OALA regarding the design concept for lands south of Highway 7 and east of Warden Avenue, be received.

CARRIED

 

 

3.         MARKHAM ROAD CORRIDOR STUDY (10.0)

            Presentation

 

Mr. Ronji Borooah, Town Architect, delivered a PowerPoint detailed presentation with respect to the Markham Road North Corridor: 16th Avenue to Major Mackenzie Drive. 

 

Staff advised that the Official Plan was never amended to implement the previous Urban Design Study work and that the draft Official Plan Amendment prepared should be revised to reflect the current vision of the Markham Road.  Staff is suggesting it be presented to the public at a statutory meeting. 

 

The Committee suggested looking at the possibility of Markham District Energy service and a waste collection system for this development area.  The Committee thanked staff for a great presentation and commended their forward thinking with respect to built form.

 

The Committee discussed the importance of distinctive architectural design and streetscape, and increasing the public park spaces.  The Committee suggested staff proceed and continue to work with the individual applications.

 

The Committee discussed the possibility of extending the “new local road” north of Edward Jeffreys Avenue.  Staff advised that they will look at it.

 

Moved by Councillor C. Moretti

Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Heath

 

That the presentation by Mr. Ronji Borooah, Town Architect, regarding the Markham Road Corridor Study, be received.

CARRIED

 

 

 

4.         AGRICULTURAL STUDY (10.0)

            Presentation

 

Ms. Margaret Walton, Consultant for Planscape, delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding the Agriculture Assessment preliminary findings. 

 

Ms. Lilli Duoba, Senior Project Coordinator, advised the Committee that a Public Information meeting with the agricultural stakeholders is tentatively scheduled for October 29, 2008 to obtain more information. 

 

The Committee expressed concerns on how the white belt will be discussed at the Public Information meeting.  Staff suggested changing the word “will” to “may” so it reads as follows: “a portion of the white belt may be required…..”

 

Moved by Regional Councillor T. Wong

Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero

 

That the presentation by Ms. Margaret Walton, Consultant for Planscape, regarding the Agricultural Study, be received.

CARRIED

 

 

5.         MARKHAM CHINA BUSINESS MISSION
            POST MISSION UPDATE (10.16)

            Presentation

 

This item was deferred to the October 28, 2008 Development Services Committee meeting.

 

 

 

6.         DEMONSTRATION OF ELECTRONIC KIOSK
            NEW DVD (10.16)

 

This item was deferred to the October 28, 2008 Development Services Committee meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.         MARKHAM 10 YEAR
            ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
            DRAFT FINAL REPORT (10.16)

            Report AppA AppB AppC AppD AppE AppF1 AppF2

 

 

Ms. Christina Kakafliakas, Manager Special Projects, delivered a PowerPoint presentation

regarding Markham’s 10 year Economic Development Strategy. 

Staff advised that today’s presentation is not the presentation that will be used for the public on October 31, 2008.  Staff confirmed that Markham District Energy will be showcased at the launch.  Staff suggested that the proposed dating of initiatives can be revisited to determine which should be brought forward.  Staff also advised that an acknowledgement will be included to state that the Region of York’s Economic Development department will be singularly focusing on greentech/cleantech and that Markham will want to be a part of that using the resources of the Region. Tourism was not included for the reason that it is outside of the mandate of the Economic Development activity for the Town of Markham. 

 

There was considerable discussion regarding the word “city” being used for the presentation of the launch.  Staff suggested that for the purpose of this presentation the word “city” will be replaced with “Markham”.

 

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones

Seconded by Councillor J. Virgilio

 

That the report entitled “Markham 10 Year Economic Development Strategy. Draft Final Report” be received; and,

 

That Council endorse the public launch of Markham’s economic development strategy to be held on October 31st, 2008; and further,

 

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

CARRIED

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The Development Services Committee meeting adjourned at 4:40 PM.