MARKHAM PARKING ADVISORY COMMITTEE

 

MONDAY, AUGUST 18, 2008

YORK ROOM, MARKHAM CIVIC CENTRE

 

MINUTES

____________________________________________________________________________

 

Attendance:

Regional Councillor G. Landon

Deputy Mayor J. Heath

Councillor J. Virgilio

Councillor A. Chiu

 

Regrets:

Mayor F. Scarpitti

Regional Councillor J. Jones

Regional Councillor T. Wong

 

Guests:

Mr. Ralph Bond, B. A. Group

Ms. Reachel O. Knight, B. A. Group

 

Staff

A. Brown, Director, Engineering

M. West, Manager, Strategic Initiatives

B. Wiles, Manager, Enforcement and Licensing

L. Mele, Transportation Demand Management Coordinator

V. Siu, Senior Business Analyst

J. Kee, Committee Clerk

 

 

The Markham Parking Advisory Committee convened at the hour of 10:05 a.m. with Councillor

J. Virgilio in the Chair.

 

 

1.         MINUTES OF THE MARKHAM PARKING ADVISORY COMMITTEE

            MEETING HELD ON JUNE 10, 2008

 

Moved by Regional Councillor G. Landon

Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu

 

 

 

That the minutes of the Markham Parking Advisory Committee meeting held on June 10, 2008 be adopted.

CARRIED

 

 

 

2.                  DRAFT PARKING MANAGEMENT BUSINESS PLAN

 

Mr. Lorenzo Mele, Transportation Demand Management Coordinator, advised that a draft of the Parking Management Business Plan has been prepared in presentation format for consideration of Committee this date.  Following the presentation, Members would have the opportunity to discuss the proposed phased expansion plan and provide direction to staff.

 

Mr. Mele reviewed the purpose of the Markham Transportation Planning Study, and the purpose of the Parking Management Business Plan, noting that the Business Plan is an operational, short term (3-year) plan to expand parking in the Town. 

 

Mr. Ralph Bond, Consultant with The B. A. Group, was in attendance and presented the draft Business Plan.  He explained the rational of the Plan, noting that it is to provide potential areas for expansion of the pay and display parking program.  Members were advised of the Parking Strategy Objectives for Markham Centre, and were provided with details of the existing parking program within the Town, and the existing financial information.  Mr. Bond noted that the parking program on Frontenac Drive has not worked well to date and staff will be relocating the two parking machines to the YMCA area.  In addition, operational modifications are to be made on Allstate Parkway and Cox Boulevard.

 

Mr. Bond reviewed “proposed” potential parking expansion areas within the Town, with phasing options.  A proposed Phase 1 included the YMCA area, (previously approved); the Markham Civic Centre;  Markham Theatre; Unionville High School; Clegg/Cedarland; and Cornell Village.  Proposed Phase 2 would be the Remington area; and proposed Phase 3 would be Centennial Community Centre and Markham East Community Centre.  Mr. Bond then presented financial information relating to the potential expansion opportunities, including: capital expenditures, gross revenue, and operating expenses.

 

Members discussed the proposals and raised the following related matters:

  • parking situation at Seneca College
  • inclusion of underground parking at Civic Centre
  • incentives to staff, such as transit discounts
  • begin with Visitor Parking initially;
  • once transit is improved, include other Civic Centre areas
  • principles of Markham Centre Parking Strategy: funding to offset losses incurred, and to fund TDM program
  • sustainability issue

 

 

  • include surrounding commercial businesses
  • importance of determining expansion areas as soon as possible for Budget purposes
  • possibility of parking on additional streets in Clegg/Cedarland area on South Town Centre Blvd.
  • consideration of on-street overnight parking (i.e. where condos do not offer additional parking spaces)
  • parameters of IBI Group study and timing of results to Council
  • feasibility of amending zoning by-law to change specific parameters relating to the depth of a building to accommodate additional below grade parking
  • feasibility of using available/vacant underground space in a Commerce Valley building
  • importance of the installation of disabled parking spaces and corresponding curb cuts
  • parking requirements on Country Glen Road; staff are reviewing this area
  • discussion required with GO Transit at Centennial Community Centre; defer until parking garage is constructed; heavy congestion between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.;
  • suggestion that staff conduct a parking study with respect to revenues from parking structures at Centennial C. C. and East Markham C. C.;
  • relationship with Hospital users; and in future the new Bur Oak High School users
  • concerns expressed relating to response of BIA businesses on Main Street Unionville and Markham if paid parking is implemented; need to offer incentive packages; further discussion required
  • advantages vs disadvantages of erecting a parking garage, in general
  • staff to investigate use by “constituents only”
  • staff requested to also review the parking situation on Dudley Avenue in Thornhill
  • examples given of parking strategies in Waterloo, Ottawa, Mississauga, and Portland
  • goal of the parking implementation plan is to control the amount of people on the road and to encourage transit use

 

Members agreed that the first priority in the implementation plan is the Markham Centre area, but it was noted that there is a unique mixture of users for the Civic Centre, Theatre and High School at all times during the day and evening, and this may require further study.  Staff advised that once the locations have been identified and approved by Council, stakeholder meetings will be scheduled for those areas.

 

Moved by Deputy Mayor Jack Heath

Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu

 

That the Parking Advisory Committee recommends that staff proceed with the expansion of the parking program in the following areas:

  • City Hall Visitors (60 spaces)
  • Civic Centre Employees (240 employees)
  • Markham Theatre/Unionville High School (270 spaces)
  • Clegg/Cedarland (150 spaces) (staff to also investigate further streets in the area)

 

 

 

 

And that staff be requested to conduct a pay parking study on the Cornell Village Area and report back;

 

And that staff provide additional information at a later date respecting the parking lots at the Anthony Roman Centre;

 

And that staff proceed, when appropriate, to expand the parking program into the Remington Development area.

CARRIED

 

 

Moved by Regional Councillor G. Landon

Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Heath

 

That staff be requested to conduct a study, prior to the opening of the parking structure at the Markham East Community Centre, to determine how the Town will deal with users, whether hospital staff or residents.

CARRIED

 

 

Staff advised that a draft report will be prepared for the next meeting of the Parking Advisory Committee, which will include the three-year business plan and a public consultation plan.

 

 

 

3.         DATE OF NEXT MEETING

 

It was agreed that the tentative date of the next meeting, (September 16th), be cancelled, and that the Clerk be requested to arrange an alternative date.

 

Subsequent to the meeting, the following date was scheduled:

 

Monday, September 29, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. in the York Room

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Regional Councillor G. Landon

 

That the Parking Advisory Committee meeting adjourn. (12:05 p.m.)

 

CARRIED