Report to: Development Services Committee Report Date: November 18, 2008

SUBJECT: Recommendation Report

GO Transit

Site plan application to permit a temporary access road and parking lot expansion with approximately 627 parking spaces at Unionville Go Station

7970 Kennedy Road

SP 08 121982

PREPARED BY: Anna Henriques, Planner – Central District

RECOMMENDATION:

That the staff report entitled “Recommendation Report: GO Transit. Site Plan application to permit a temporary access road and parking lot expansion with approximately 627 parking spaces at Unionville Go Station, 7970 Kennedy Road” (SP 08 121982) be received;

That the site plan application to permit a temporary access road and parking lot expansion with approximately 627 parking spaces at 7970 Kennedy Road, be endorsed in principle, subject to revisions as outlined in this report; and, the following conditions:

That the Owner enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Town outlining GO Transit’s obligations and a maximum 5 year time limit with respect to the surface parking lot on GO lands and the temporary access road on Town owned lands;

That the Owner comply with all the standard provisions and requirements of the Town, the Region of York, MTO, TRCA and any other public agencies, including providing any financial securities required;

That the Owner submit a storm water management report for review, to the satisfaction of the Director of Engineering and the TRCA;

That the Owner comply with the requirements of the Town’s Fire Department with respect to the fire access route;

That the Owner continue to work with staff on finalizing outstanding site plan issues including but not limited to revisions related to the temporary access road right in/right out median, street trees, pedestrian connections, and the incorporation of preferred parking spaces for car pooling, to the satisfaction of the Director of Planning and Urban Design and the Director of Engineering;

That site plan approval be delegated to the Director of Planning and Urban Design or her designate, to be issued following execution of the MOU and satisfaction of the above conditions. Site Plan approval is issued only when the Director has signed the site plan;

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

Site Area and Context

The subject property consists of approximately 4 hectares (10 acres) and currently supports the Unionville GO Station building and approximately 1200 surface parking spaces. GO Transit recently acquired, from the Ontario Realty Corporation, the land immediately adjacent to the parking lot at Unionville GO Station to expand the parking capacity. The portion of the site that will accommodate the proposed temporary parking lot expansion and access road is vacant, however, staff note that Tributary 5 is aligned north-south along the easterly limit of the proposed parking area. The temporary access road is proposed to be constructed on Town owned lands proposed for the future Canadian Sports Institute (CSIO) facility.

The site is located within Markham Centre’s East Precinct at the south west corner of Kennedy Road and YMCA Boulevard, immediately west of the YMCA building (Figure 3). Surrounding land uses include vacant lands to the north (across YMCA Boulevard), the YMCA Centre to the east, the GO rail line and vacant lands to the west and Highway 407 to the south. Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendment applications have been submitted by the Markham Centre Development Corporation for a mixed use development just north of the subject lands, across YMCA Boulevard and just south of the proposed extension of Enterprise Boulevard.

Site plan application in 2006

In August 2006, GO Transit applied for site plan approval for a parking lot expansion of approximately 160 parking spaces on the subject lands. Site plan approval was never finalized, however, the parking lot expansion was built.

Endorsement of temporary access road

In May 2008, the Development Services Committee received a report from the Town’s Transportation staff and endorsed, subject to conditions, the location of the temporary access road as shown on Figure 4. The endorsement was subject to GO Transit fulfilling the following conditions:

· Submission of an application for Site Plan Approval

· Execution of an agreement outlining GO Transit’s obligations

· GO Transit responsible for all costs and liabilities

· 60 days written notice to GO Transit for closing or removal of the driveway for construction related matters

· York Region approval for YMCA Boulevard entrance location

· MTO and TRCA approval

OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:

Proposal

Go Transit is proposing to expand the existing surface parking lot by approximately 627 parking spaces for a temporary period of time (approximately 5 years). The current single driveway access to the GO Station, off of YMCA Boulevard, is deficient in the weekday afternoon peak periods due to queuing issues resulting in travel delays for GO patrons. As a result, GO Transit is proposing to construct a temporary access road from the Unionville GO Station to YMCA Boulevard. This temporary access road is proposed to be constructed mostly on Town owned lands, adjacent to the Highway 407 right of way and south of the proposed future CSIO site. Staff note that the proposed temporary road will cross over Tributary 5 at the most southern point of the property, on GO Transit lands (Figure 4).

Zoning

The subject property is zoned BP*175 (100%/150%)(H) pursuant to By-law 177-96, as amended. This zoning designation permits the proposed parking lot expansion.

Impact on proposed future CSIO site

The temporary access road is proposed through Town owned lands. The MOU will need to clearly state that once the Town requires the lands for the future CSIO facility, GO will have to relinquish any claim on the temporary road. Should the Toronto Greater Horseshoe bid be awarded the 2015 Pan-Am games, it is anticipated that the land may be required by the Town within 3-5 years to support the construction of event facilities. It is anticipated that GO will partner with the Town, CSIO and other stakeholders to provide future structured parking at this location at the time of development of the CSIO site.

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining GO Transit’s obligations required

An MOU between the Town and GO Transit will be required to clearly outline matters with respect to the proposed temporary access road such as timing, maintenance, cost, liability, duration of use, restoration, etc. This agreement will be executed prior to site plan approval.

Site Plan issues to be resolved:

Revisions to median required for proposed temporary access road

The proposed temporary access road will only provide for right in/right out movements at YMCA Boulevard (Figure 4). A right in/right out median is proposed, however, Engineering staff have requested that the proposed median be enlarged in order to discourage illegal movements. This revision will need to be incorporated into the site plan prior to site plan endorsement.

Transportation Demand Management Measures

Due to the large amount of parking proposed, the Transportation Department has requested that GO Transit implement some Transportation Demand Management (TDM) measures to help reduce the total number of single occupancy vehicle (SOV) trips to and from the station. Staff have requested that preferred parking spaces (close to the platform) for carpooling and secure bicycle racks be provided. GO has agreed to provide secure bicycle racks as part of the proposal, however, they have yet to commit to provide preferred parking spaces for carpooling.

TRCA comments

The TRCA has identified the feature (Tributary 5) along the east side of the proposed parking lot as a watercourse which provides direct fish habitat. GO Transit is not subject to TRCA approval and a permit is not required. However, subject to TRCA’s level III agreement with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), TRCA staff will complete the fisheries review for this project and will provide a Letter of Advice on behalf of the DFO once all TRCA comments have been addressed. The TRCA comments include but are not limited to the request for a Storm Water Management Report including potential sustainable measures for parking lot bio filters and enhanced drainage swales, as well as habitat planting in the riparian zone which are not currently reflected in GO’s proposal.

Ministry of Transportation (MTO) permit required

The MTO has yet to provide comments on the proposed temporary parking lot expansion and temporary access road. Prior to site plan endorsement, staff will need to confirm with the MTO that all their requirements have been addressed.

Pedestrian connections required

Staff have requested that GO Transit provide direct and safe pedestrian connections to and from the station throughout the proposed expanded parking lot. The Region of York has also requested that clear pedestrian connections be provided. A revised site plan indicating the location of the pedestrian connections will be required prior to site plan endorsement.

Street trees required

Due to the temporary nature (approximately 5 years) of the proposed parking lot, staff have not requested that landscaping be provided within the parking lot itself, however, staff have requested that street trees be provided within the YMCA Boulevard right of way. This will provide for a continuation of the street treatment established by the YMCA Centre. GO Transit has agreed to provide street trees. The site plan will need to be revised to reflect this prior to site plan endorsement.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:

This application has been circulated to the TRCA for consideration with respect to Tributary 5 and the fish habitat.

ACCESSIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS:

None at this time.

ENGAGE 21^ST CONSIDERATIONS:

The proposal aligns with the Town’s strategic priorities of Transportation and Growth Management.

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

This application has been circulated to applicable departments and agencies for comment, and their requirements have been included as conditions of approval

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