M I N U T E S

MARKHAMGATE SUMMIT WORKING GROUP

2008-11-26

 

 

Attendance

 

Members of Thornhill Subcommittee:

Councillor E. Shapero

 

 

 

Staff:

V. Shuttleworth, Director of Planning and Urban Design

R. Blake, Manager Development West

S. Bordone, Planner

S. Campbell, Senior Planner

A. Tari, Committee Clerk

 

Applicant & Design Team

Maria Gatzios, Gatzios Planning

Brian Andrew, WZMH Architect

Jeff Greene, Gatzios Planning

Len Abelman WZMH Architect

Kristine Kellestine, Wycliffe

Nupur Malaviya, Davies Howe Partners

 

City of Toronto

Councillor D. Shiner (Ward 24)

Lynn Poole, Senior Planner, Community Planning

 

Residents

Daniel Aufgang

Fred Webber

Frances Halperin

Bob James

Gary Kay

Eileen Liase

Patricia Hough

David Slotnick

Brian Compson

Mary Cook

 

 

The Markhamgate Summit Working Group meeting convened at 6:30 PM with Councillor E. Shapero in the Chair.

 

 

1.         INTRODUCTION

 

Councillor E. Shapero advised the Committee that Ms. Sabrina Bordone has accepted a position at the Region of York.  Councillor Shapero on behalf of the Committee thanked Ms. S. Bordone for all her work and wished her all the best in the future.  Councillor Shapero introduced Ms. Sally Campbell, Senior Planner, to the Committee as she will be the staff contact for this application.

 

Councillor Shapero officially announced the resignation of Mr. David Serkin from the Markhamgate Summit Working Group and introduced Ms. Mary Cook who will be taking Mr. Serkin’s place as a working group member.

 

The Committee Clerk will work together with the members of the Thornhill Subcommittee, the applicant and their representatives to arrange a meeting date in January 2009.

 

Councillor Shapero advised that the working group members have requested that the next agenda include the minutes for the last meeting and add “New Business” as an item for discussion.

 

Ms. Valerie Shuttleworth, Director of Planning and Urban Design, provided the Committee with brief comments regarding the York-Durham Sewage System (YDSS) constraints.  She advised that all residential servicing has been assigned up to 2011 and that York Region is restricting residential development because the wastewater flows require increased treatment capacity. 

 

 

2.         CONSULTANT’S PRESENTATION ON SERVICING

 

Mr. Paul Gioacchini, SCS Consulting Group Limited, delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding the Markhamgate Summit servicing.  He advised the Committee that their analysis is based on the originally submitted site plans. 

 

The following questions were raised by working group members:

 

Q.        Would this proposed development have an effect on the water pressure for the surrounding areas?

 

Q.        Does the storm water drainage need to be connected to the municipal line or will it be separate?

 

Q.        Which option would be the least expensive for the applicant?

 

Q.        What is the anticipated duration of construction?

 

Q.        What issues are associated with alternative servicing methods such as holding tanks?

 

Q.        What is the status of the soft services?

 

General responses were provided to the above questions however, it was noted that future review of the related studies is required.

 

There was discussion regarding the option of a holding tank and how it functions.

 

3.         TRANSPORTATION/TRAFFIC IMPACT STUDY

 

Mr. Brian Lee, Manager, Development Engineering, delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding a transportation plan that will conform to the forecasted growth in Markham.

 

There was discussion regarding the existing infrastructure and the importance of having the appropriate transit that will support the forecasted growth.  Staff advised that this proposal would be developed in phases together with the delivery of transit, road and infrastructure improvements.  Staff also advised that the projected growth relates to the Provincial Places to Grow Act 2005 – Bill 136 and that no future growth is not an option however the Town does have a voice on how and where the intensification will occur. 

 

4.         CONSULTANT’S PRESENTATION ON TRANSPORTATION/

            TRAFFIC IMPACT STUDY

 

Mr. Alan Mihalj, MMM Group, delivered a PowerPoint presentation outlining the technical updates and revision made to the original traffic study from September 2007.  He advised that the study area has been expanded to include two additional intersections (Steeles Avenue and Highway 404 southbound off-ramp terminal, and Steeles Avenue at Woodbine Avenue/Highway 404 northbound off-ramp terminal).

 

The Committee suggested that the future traffic data collection consider the following:

  • Look at number of cars using the site as a short cut to get to Highway 404
  • Increase sample size
  • Take samples during a Tuesday or Wednesday
  • What are the opportunities for alternative standards such as reduced parking standards to reduce traffic impacts?
  • Do the data collection during various weather conditions
  • When considering pedestrian movement as a factor look at all day
  • Include Simonston and Wagners Wells are part of the sample size

 

 

5.         CLOSING REMARKS

 

Councillor Shiner suggested that the next meeting deal with the built form issues.

 

Councillor Shapero advised that built form will be the focus of the next meet and thanked everyone for attending the workshop.