Report to: Development Services Committee                           Report Date: February 17, 2009

 

 

SUBJECT:                          STATUS  REPORT

                                            Times Group Inc. (former Lonsmount lands)

                                            Highway 7 Precinct Plan Study

                                            File Numbers: SU 07 133313 and ZA 07 133350

PREPARED BY:               Scott Heaslip, Senior Project Coordinator, Central District

                                            Extension 3140

 

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

That the report dated February 17, 2009  entitled “STATUS REPORT, Times Group Inc. (former Lonsmount lands), Highway 7 Precinct Plan Study,” be received;

 

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

1. Purpose                2. Background         3. Discussion             4. Financial         5. Environmental

 

6. Accessibility       7. Engage 21st             8. Affected Units       9. Attachment(s)

 

PURPOSE:

 

The purpose of this report is to update Committee on the background and current status of:

and to advise Committee on the next steps.


 

BACKGROUND:

 

In October, 2007, Lonsmount Construction submitted applications for zoning by-law amendment and draft plan of subdivision for the lands on the south side of Highway 7 between Warden Avenue and Sheridan Nurseries.

 

Staff’s preliminary report on the Lonsmount applications (Appendix ‘A’) was considered by Development Services Committee on January 15, 2008.  The report recommended that staff be authorized to continue discussions with the applicant to address the issues outlined in the report, including the required supporting studies and submission of a comprehensive precinct plan.

 

 

Lonsmount subsequently sold the subject lands to the Times Group.

 

On October 14, 2008, Times presented concept plans (Appendix ‘B’) to Development Services Committee. The plans include a series of office and apartment buildings ranging in height from 6 to 20 storeys accommodating approximately 4400 residential units and approximately 46,450 m2  (500,000 ft2) of office and other commercial floor area.

 

On October 21, 2008, the Unionville Subcommittee met to discuss Markham Centre and the Times proposal.   Subcommittee agreed that the Town, rather than the landowners, should take the lead to prepare the required precinct plan for the area between Warden Avenue and the Go Rail line and that the precinct plan process should also include review of the OPA 15 lands on the north side of Highway 7 (see Figure 1), notwithstanding that these lands are not included in the Markham Centre Secondary Plan area.   This will establish a comprehensive vision for the Highway 7 corridor to implement the Markham Centre guiding principle to transform Highway 7 from a suburban arterial road to an “urban boulevard.” As well, a comprehensive precinct plan exercise will ensure an appropriate transition of building types, densities and heights to the existing residential community north of Highway 7 and explore opportunities for open space/pedestrian linkages across Highway 7.    

 

On November 24, 2008, the Town hosted a community information meeting to update the

Markham community on the past, present and future of Markham Centre.  A brief outline of the Highway 7 precinct plan study was included in the staff presentation.    

 

On December 5, 2008, the Times Group submitted a revised draft plan of subdivision (Appendix ‘C’).  Staff note that the plan does not include a number of the local roads shown on the concept plans submitted to Committee in October, 2008. 

 

In January, 2009, staff retained Sweeney, Sterling, Finlayson and Co, a leading Toronto based urban design firm, to assist with the preparation of the precinct plan.     

 

On January 15, 2009, the Unionville Subcommittee received a work program (Appendix ‘D’) for the precinct plan study, as follows:

 

February          -  Consultant meeting with area landowners

March              -  Community Information Meeting

                        -  Design Workshop 1

April                 -  Design Workshop 2 (if required)

May                 -  Preliminary Precinct Plan to Development Services Committee

June                 -  Community Open House

-  Draft Precinct Plan presented to Development Services

   Committee

The later stages of the study may be advanced if the second design workshop is not required. 

 

 

OPTIONS/DISCUSSION:

 

The community information meeting to introduce the precinct plan study has been scheduled for the evening of Thursday March 5, 2009.   The Times Group has also requested the opportunity to present their plans to the community at this meeting. 

A Markham Centre Newsletter is currently being finalized for distribution to the surrounding neighbourhoods in February.  This newsletter will feature the November 24, 2008 community information meeting.  It will also introduce the precinct plan study and provide notice of the upcoming community information meeting.

 

Staff will continue to work with the Times Group to revise their draft plan of subdivision in accordance with the outcome of the precinct plan study. 

 

Lonsmount had submitted a number of the required supporting studies with their applications.  However, Times needs to update these documents to reference the current  development proposal.  These studies include: 

Staff will review the supporting technical submissions once they have been received. 

 

Subject to receipt of an acceptable draft plan consistent with the outcome of the precinct plan study and resolution of any technical issues, staff anticipate that the public meeting to consider the Times Group applications may be held in June, 2009.

 

RECOMMENDED BY:  

 

 

________________________                            ________________________

Biju Karumanchery, M.C.I.P, R.P.P                                       Jim Baird, M.C.I.P, R.P.P

Senior Development Manager                                           Commissioner, Development Services

 

ATTACHMENTS:

Figure 1          - Precinct Plan Study Area        

Appendix ‘A’ - Preliminary staff report on Lonsmount applications

Appendix ‘B’ - Times Group concept plan

Appendix ‘C’ - Times Group draft plan of subdivision

Appendix ‘D’ -  Precinct Plan Work Program

 

File Path:  Amanda\File 07 133313\Documents\Recommendation Report