MINUTES

FEBRUARY 24, 2009 - 9:00 a.m.

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE

Meeting No. 6

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 G. Landon Councillor V. Burke Councillor J. Virgilio Councillor C. Moretti Councillor J. Webster Councillor D. Horchik Councillor L. Kanapathi Councillor A. Chiu Regrets Regional Councillor T. Wong Councillor E. Shapero

J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer J. Baird, Commissioner of Development Services B. Librecz, Commissioner of Community & Fire Services A. Brown, Director of Engineering R. Borooah, Town Architect M. Shatil, Manager of Facilities C. Molloy, Manager of Museum C. Conrad, Town Solicitor B. Karumanchery, Senior Development Manager S. Marsh, Senior Planner, Urban Design G. Sellars, Senior Planner R. Blake, Manager West Development 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 items, Nos. .

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST

None disclosed.

1. DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
- February 10, 2009, Part A (10.0)

Minutes

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Councillor D. Horchik

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

February 10, 2009, be confirmed.

CARRIED

2. ACCESSIBILITY GUIDELINES UPDATE (12.1)

Presentation

Mr. Shane Holten, Access Consultant, SPH Planning & Consulting delivered a PowerPoint presentation providing an update with respect to the Town of Markham’s Accessibility Guidelines Project.

There was discussion regarding parking spots for the disabled and how to ensure that they are placed in the proper location once a building is constructed. Mr. Holten advised that there has been discussion with staff and the building department regarding this issue. The Committee stated the importance of public awareness and requirements related to the different types of disabilities.

The Committee discussed the need to find more ways to assist residents in modifying their homes to enable them to remain in their residences as they age and/or should they experience mobility impairments.

Committee also noted the need to be aware of the needs of the disabled in lane based developments where garages are at the rear and where some access to the dwelling may be required from the front.

Moved by Councillor J. Virgilio
Seconded by Regional Councillor G. Landon

That the presentation provided by Mr. Shane Holten, Access Consultant, SPH Planning & Consulting regarding Accessibility Guidelines Update, be received.

CARRIED

3. MARKHAM MUSEUM ADDITION
TO VISITOR CENTRE (10.0)

Presentation

The Commissioner of Development Services provided background information regarding the project, which has been authorized by Building and Parks Committee to proceed to final drawings, submission of site plan application and construction tendering, but which has not yet received site plan approval from the Town. Development Services Committee is the Committee of Council responsible for site plan approval, and that is why the project is here today, to provide a status update to Development Services Committee. There are two basic options following the presentation today: Development Services Committee can delegate approval authority to Planning staff or the application can come back to a future meeting of Development Services Committee with a staff report and recommendation.

Mr. David Ecclestone, Project Architect, Ventin Group Architects delivered a PowerPoint presentation that provided preliminary information regarding the site plan application for the proposed addition to the Markham Museum Visitor Centre. He advised that the sundial will be re-located.

There was considerable discussion regarding the proposed number of parking spots behind the secured gated area. Ms. Cathy Molloy, Manager of Museum, addressed the Committee to advise that the proposed number of parking spots in the secured area is related to the following reasons: to provide access to the theatre; open up the route to the site and provide the opportunity to work closely with individuals of each event; provide some form of security for staff who are there on weekends and late in the evenings and provide an opportunity for volunteers to have parking spots.

Members of staff and Committee also noted the control point and security function provided by the gate, to provide uncontrolled vehicular access onto the museum grounds.

The Committee requested clarification related to pedestrian access to the site. Mr. Ecclestone pointed out the two proposed walkways on site which link to the public road. He advised that they are proposing a large pedestrian zone at the front of the site.

The Committee suggested that the site plan application be delegated to staff to expedite the process. Mr. Ecclestone advised that he will be submitting the site plan application in the next few days and anticipate going to tender in early April 2009. Staff will provide an update memo to Members of Council following the delegated approval of the site plan application.

Moved by Councillor C. Moretti
Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu

That the presentation provided by Mr. David Ecclestone, Project Architect, Ventin Group Architects regarding the Markham Museum Addition to Visitor Centre, be received; and,

That the site plan application be delegated to staff; and

That staff provide an update memo to Members of Council.

CARRIED

4. SITE PLAN APPLICATION FOR
HIGH DENSITY MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT
LIBERTY DEVELOPMENTS INC.
7171 YONGE STREET (10.0)

Presentation

Mr. Steven Kirshenblatt, Partner, Kirkor Architects & Planners delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding the site plan application for Liberty Developments Inc. at 7171 Yonge Street. He indicated that the project will be Silver LEED certified including green roofs, and that they are aware of the FLAP guidelines. Mr. Kirshenblatt advised that they are in discussions with Markham District Energy regarding the installation of a cogeneration system that would provide electricity generation for the buildings. Mr. Kirshenblatt noted that the applicant is consulting with wind experts and believed that the proposed design will mitigate the impacts of tall buildings and wind.

The Committee stated their contentment with the further revisions made to the application resulting in a reduction in density to be in keeping with the Yonge Steeles Corridor Study, and the numerous environmental aspects being incorporated. The Committee suggested that a working group be established to assist in working through some of the residents concerns such as building materials, architectural design and sanitary sewage issues.

Ms. Marion Matthias, 33 Colburne Street, addressed the Committee with respect to the proposed Liberty Development at 7171 Yonge Street and suggested that “Thornhill” references be incorporated into the development. Ms. Matthias stated concerns with transportation and the existing infrastructure. She also stated concerns with a future street connection to Dudley Avenue because of potential infiltration.

The Committee inquired of the next steps. Staff advised that the site plan application is going through the Town’s normal review process and they would like site plan approval to remain with the Town rather than the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB). Staff also advised that they are targeting for a Public Information Meeting to be held on March 24, 2009 to update the community. Staff anticipates that the staff recommendation report will be presented to the Development Services Committee in June 2009 at the earliest.

Moved by Mayor F. Scarpitti

Seconded by Regional Councillor G. Landon

That the presentation provided by Ms. Lezlie Philips, Project Planner, Liberty Developments Inc. regarding Site Plan application for high density mixed use development, Liberty Developments Inc., 7171 Yonge Street, be received; and,

That staff together with the Ward Councillor arrange for a Public Information Meeting; and further,

That a Working Group be established with staff, the Ward Councillor, and members of the community to engage in discussions related to building materials and architectural design.

CARRIED

5. MILNE DAM CONSERVATION AREA
MULTI-USE PATHWAY UPDATE (6.3)

Mr. Alan Brown, Director of Engineering, addressed the Committee to provide a brief update with respect to the February 19, 2009 Public Information Meeting for the Milne Dam Conservation Multi-use Pathway and proposed next steps.

The Committee discussed some of the issues raised at the Public Information Meeting such as: protection of the wet lands, width of the pathway; impact on the existing residents and excess parking currently occurring on residential streets. The Committee believes that a working group should be established to review the proposed alignment of the pathway and report back to the Development Services Committee in April 2009. The Committee stated that the working group needs to be well balanced and include the following: staff and Council representatives, a representative from the Cycling and Pedestrian Committee; three area residents, a representative from the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and a few residents from the broader community area.

There was discussion related to the timing of a decision on the preferred route and consequently whether the proposed alignment should be endorsed at this time or endorsed in principle only. The Committee is concerned with it being endorsed prior to receiving comments from the TRCA.

Moved by Councillor D. Horchik

Seconded by Councillor J. Virgilio

That the presentation from Mr. Alan Brown, Director of Engineering, regarding the Public Information Meeting held on February 19, 2009 for the Milne Dam Conservation Area Multi-use Pathway preferred alignment and next steps be received; and,

That Council endorses in principle the preferred alignment; and further,

That staff meet with representatives of interested stakeholders and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) in a working group to review the proposed final design of the preferred alignment and report back at the April 14, 2009 Development Services Committee meeting.

CARRIED

** NOTE** Amended as follows at the March 10, 2009 Council meeting:

Moved by Councillor J. Webster

Seconded by Councillor D. Horchik

1) That the presentation from Mr. Alan Brown, Director of Engineering, regarding the Public Information Meeting held on February 19, 2009 for the Milne Dam Conservation Area Multi-use Pathway preferred alignment and next steps be received; and,

2) That Council receive the following delegations from the March 10, 2009 Council meeting regarding Milne Dam Conservation Area Multi-Use Pathway:

- Matt Chapman

- Reuben Tang, Bandfield Home Owners Group

- Michael Landry

- Maureen Cowan, Milne Community Alliance

- Shelley Bourne, Boyington Heights Ratepayers Inc.

- Tupper Wheatley, Milne Park Conservation Association

- Evelyn Johnston; and further,

3) That staff report back to the March 24, 2009 Development Services Committee meeting with a proposed Terms of Reference and the composition for a working group to review options for a multi-use pathway.

ADJOURNMENT

The Development Services Committee meeting adjourned at 12:25 PM.