MINUTES FROM THE MEETING OF
THE
Town
of
York
Room - Civic Centre
Members Regrets
Phil Howes Ibrahim Ali
Deirdre Kavanagh Diane Kobelansky
Diane More Jonathan
Mingay
Peter Ross Wil Pialagitis
Keith Thirgood
Helen Walter
Councillor Carolina Moretti
Councillor John Webster
Regan Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning
Kitty Bavington, Committee Clerk
The tenth meeting of the
1. MINUTES FROM THE
THE
THE
That
the minutes of the
CARRIED
2. UPDATES:
a) Interpretation
Sub-Committee
Staff advised that the project is going well and that the consultant is interviewing people of interest, including Lorne Smith. The town is providing archival photographs.
b) Environmental Assessment –
Peter Ross reported that a presentation and
Q & A session will be held at the first Public Information Centre on
November 26 at
Regan Hutcheson advised that staff member
Lloyd Fernandez is leaving the Town of Markham, and Peter commented that he
will be missed by the Committee.
c) Winter
Damage to Trees and Benches
Phil Howes advised that some
trees have been replaced, but no protection is being provided around the trees.
Benches and garbage receptacles have not been replaced to date. He also noted
that the Region is replacing three of the Town’s garage receptacles with three
of the Region’s. The receptacles are badly needed and should be retained
elsewhere on the street, as there are not enough and the existing ones are
always full. Regan Hutcheson agreed to look into this matter and coordinate
with Phil.
d) Incoming Planning
Applications
275 Main Street – A two-car garage is proposed.
45 Peter Street – The proposal is to demolish
the garage.
40 Peter Street - A two-car garage is proposed.
28 Peter Street – A garage is proposed.
23 Church Street – The owners are remodelling the
house.
5 George Street – The building is being
converted to office use.
Three grant requests for façade replacements
have been received for Markham Village:
5 George Street, 96 Main Street Markham, and
116 Main Street Markham. Committee discussed the 2009 budget for this program,
and noted that the signage replacement program did not have any applications
this past year.
e) Status of Town Square
Feasibility Study
Councillor Moretti will pursue an update from
staff (David Pearce).
f) Public Washrooms
Councillor Webster has requested that the washrooms
remain in place until after the Santa Claus Parade. The Committee would have
like them to remain year-round, however, the current facilities are part of a
pilot project and would have to be properly processed through the Heritage
Markham Committee if they were to become permanent. Phil Howes will send a
written request to the Town (Peter Loukes and Commissioner Brenda Librecz).
g) Main Street Markham Budget Sub-Committee
Keith Thirgood provided a draft budget based on the Vision plan, for
consideration. The Committee discussed the items as follows:
The Parkettes: Funds are already allocated for commemorative purposes, but they
need more permanent, attractive features to be added. There is no shade for the
benches and the parkettes need more cleared space, and possibly lighting, to be
functional. It was noted that functional uses are more appropriate for the Town
Square space. Concern was expressed that the gardens are neglected and not
maintained. It was agreed that $7,500 would be an appropriate amount to
purchase upgraded shrubs and perennials, and that volunteers would do the
planting and the Town would maintain them.
The Historical Walking
Route: This may have been included in the previous
budget, but is the allocation sufficient? Staff advised that this is a phased
project that has already been budgeted and is ongoing. It was agreed to not
include the Walking Route in the 2009 budget.
Beautification: New garden spaces were proposed (i.e. at the Fire Station, Canada
Post) but there has been difficulty in communicating with the owners. It was
suggested that the aging planter at Robinson and Main Streets be rebuilt. The
tree in the planter is distressed and may not survive. It was agreed to not
include this item in the 2009 budget.
Parking: Discussion included the possible integration of the parking lots
and the need for an incentive to help eliminate the system of separate lots. It
was suggested incentives could include group liability insurance, or
maintenance and snow plowing by the Town. A sub-committee or mediator to find a
parking solution may be required. The Committee was advised that the Town’s
Parking Advisory Committee has conducted a study and one option is to place
parking meters on Main Street. The lots also need to be made more attractive
from the street view. Green P signs have been installed, but the map signs are
not up yet. The parking issue may be identified in the Environmental Assessment
process. It was agreed to not include a parking item in the 2009 budget.
Washrooms: It was agreed to include $100,000 for the design and installation
of permanent public washrooms on Main Street Markham, in the 2009 budget.
THE
MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:
That
the 2009 Main Street Markham budget request include $7,500 for the purchase of
upgrades shrubs and perennials for the gardens;
And
that the 2009 Main Street Markham budget request include $100,000 for the
design and installation of permanent public washrooms on Main Street Markham.
CARRIED
h) Heritage Conservation Special Events Notification Signs
Staff are waiting for the Town’s sign shop to produce the signs.
4. NEW BUSINESS
Master Plan for Trails and
Pathways
There is government funding for this project, which will include the
Milne Dam Conservation Area. A community meeting has been held, and the minutes
of the meeting with options identified, are on the Town’s website for review,
as well as the full Master Plan. A Public Meeting will be held in the future.
Comments are welcome.
5. NEXT MEETING
The meeting of the
The next meeting of the
ADJOURNMENT
The Tenth