MINUTES

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE

November 25, 2008 - 9:00 a.m.

Meeting No. 29

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. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer

J. Baird, Commissioner of Development Services

A. Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services

B. Librecz, Commissioner of Community Services

A. Brown, Director of Engineering

D. Cheng, Senior Planner

C. Conrad, Town Solicitor

G. Duncan, Heritage Planner

P. Wokral, Heritage Planner

L. Duoba, Project Coordinator

R. Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning

B. Karumanchery, Manager, East District

V. Shuttleworth, Director of Planning and Urban Design

M. Wouters, Senior Project Coordinator Policy and             Growth Management

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 item, No.6.

 

 

 

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST

 

None disclosed.

 

 

 

1.         DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
- October 28, 2008, Part A (10.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Councillor J. Virgilio

 

That the minutes of the Development Services Committee meeting, Part A, held

October 28, 2008, be confirmed.

CARRIED

 

 

2.         NEW HERITAGE WEB PAGE AND
            HERITAGE REGISTER SEARCHABLE (16.11)

 

Mr. Regan Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning presented the New Heritage Web Page and the heritage property electronic inventory project.  He demonstrated a variety of ways in which searches can be done.  Mr. Hutcheson thanked Diane Sewell, Corporate Communications for all her help in the development of the web page and all the team members in relation to the heritage property electronic inventory project:  Nathalie Orsi, Development Services Commission, Rosanna Punit, Development Services Commission, Peter Wokral, Heritage Section, George Duncan, Heritage Section, Greg Cookson, IT, Freda Lee, IT, Ellen Mistelbacher, IT, Vincent Lai, IT, Peter Wong and Jin Xie.

 

The Committee congratulated Regan Hutcheson and all his team members for their excellent work in developing a extraordinary web page and heritage property search tool.  The Committee suggested providing a link to the Pomona Mills Park Conservation on the Heritage web page.  Staff will work with the Ward I Councillor to incorporate the link. 

 

Moved by Councillor C. Moretti

Seconded by Councillor J. Virgilio

 

That the presentation by Mr. Regan Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning regarding New Heritage Web Page and Heritage Register Searchable be received with great appreciation.

CARRIED

 

 

3.         GROWTH MANAGEMENT
            STRATEGY UPDATE (10.0)

 

Ms. Valerie Shuttleworth, Director of Planning and Urban Design delivered a comprehensive PowerPoint presentation regarding the status of the growth management strategy update. 

 

The Committee sought clarification from staff regarding the definition of “Greenprint” in relation to the Community Sustainability Plan.

There was considerable discussion regarding the conformity deadline date of June 2009 for the new Official Plan.  The Committee suggested writing to the Region of York and the Minister in January 2009 indicating what stage the Town is at and request an extension.  The Committee discussed the Regional Official Plan Amendment (OPA) and the issues of consistency and conformity in relation to the Town of Markham’s Official Plan Amendment.  Staff advised that the current approach is to ensure that the Town’s OPA will be consistent with the Region’s OPA, however there may be, some different approaches such as a slightly higher intensification and more detail on timing/phasing of development.  Staff noted that the Markham Official Plan must comply with the Regional Official Plan.  The Committee discussed the Region’s approach in relaying information to the public.  Staff advised that the Region has held three open houses in Markham and that Town staff is prepared to present together with the Region again in early 2009.

 

The Committee suggested an in depth look at redevelopment, particularly in employment areas, be considered.  Staff advised that they will be reporting back in the first quarter of 2009 and will include consideration of redevelopment in employment areas.

 

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Councillor J. Virgilio

 

That the presentation by Ms. Valerie Shuttleworth, Director of Planning and Urban Design regarding Growth Management Strategy Update be received.

CARRIED

 

 

4.         MARKHAM STOUFFVILLE HOSPITAL UPDATE (10.0)

 

Mr. Mac Cosburn, Vice President of Redevelopment – Markham Stouffville Hospital addressed the Committee advising that the purpose of today’s presentation is to show the early development of the building’s architecture.  He advised that the hospital is investigating the use of Markham District Energy. 

 

Mr. Doug Birkenshaw, Senior Design Partner from B+H Architects presented the Committee with preliminary architectural designs for the Markham Stouffville Hospital expansion.

 

The Committee suggested that representatives from B+ H Architects consult with Ms. Viive Sawler, Manager Markham Energy Conservation Office with respect to solar panels.  The Committee requested that staff consult with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) which offers Green Municipal Fund (GMF) grants on plans that consider environmental, social and economic objectives and include specific targets for environmental performance.

 

Moved by Mayor F. Scarpitti

Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Heath

 

That the presentation by Mr. Doug Birkenshaw, Senior Design Partner from B+H Architects 

regarding the Markham Stouffville Hospital Update be received.

CARRIED

 

5.         ROUGE PARK IMPLEMENTATION
            TASK FORCE REPORT (10.0)

 

Deputy Mayor Jack Heath delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding the Rouge Park: A Park in Progress that included background information; the Rouge Park Implementation Task Force recommendations; matters for further discussion and proposed resolution.

 

The Committee thanked Deputy Mayor Jack Heath, the Committee members and staff for all their work regarding the report titled “Rouge Park:  A Park in Progress.”

 

There was considerable discussion with respect to releasing the draft report prior to staff and Committee’s comments. 

 

Mr. Alan Wells, Chair, Rouge Park Alliance, addressed the Committee advising he is looking forward to working together to assist in implementing the suggested recommendations made by the Rouge Park Implementation Task Force.

 

The Committee suggested the following:

  • Consideration of a continuous link between the Rouge Park and Oak Ridges Moraine
  • Staff report back by end of January 2009 with their comments (outlining the new recommendations and summarizing Council’s positions taken previously)
  • Consider a Council Workshop to further discuss

 

Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath

Seconded by Mayor F. Scarpitti

 

That the presentation by Deputy Mayor Jack Heath regarding Rouge Park Implementation Task Force Report be received; and,

 

That the Rouge Park Implementation Task Force Final Report be received; and,

 

That Council allow the circulation of the Rouge Park Implementation Task Force Final Report as a basis for discussion and negotiation; and,

 

That staff be directed to provide comments on the Rouge Park Implementation Task Force Final Report; and,

 

That Council invite comments from agencies, boards, adjacent municipalities and the Provincial and Federal Governments; and,

 

That Council endorse the Signage proposal, #3 b from the Rouge Park Implementation Task Force Final Report; and further,

 

 

 

 

 

That two working groups and a staff liaison committee be established in consultation with our partners, one to review governance and one to review the other recommendations outlined in the Rouge Park Implementation Task Force Final Report.

CARRIED

 

 

6.         YONGE SUBWAY (5.10)

 

Ms. Mary Frances Turner, York Region Rapid Transit Corporation, delivered a brief PowerPoint presentation regarding the Yonge Street Subway Update. 

 

Moved by Councillor J. Virgilio

Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero

 

That the presentation by Ms. Mary Frances Turner, York Region Rapid Transit Corporation regarding the Yonge Subway be received.

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The Development Services Committee meeting adjourned at 12:15 PM.