MINUTES

MARCH 3, 2009 - 9:00 a.m.

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE

Meeting No. 7

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 B

Report Agenda

9:00 a.m. – Council Chamber

 

Attendance

Deputy Mayor J. Heath

Regional Councillor J. Jones

Councillor V. Burke

Councillor J. Virgilio

Councillor C. Moretti

Councillor J. Webster

Councillor L. Kanapathi

Councillor A. Chiu

 

Regrets

Regional Councillor T. Wong

Regional Councillor G. Landon

Councillor D. Horchik

 

Absent

Mayor F. Scarpitti

Councillor E. Shapero

 

J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer

J. Baird, Commissioner of Development Services

B. Librecz, Commissioner of Community & Fire Services

A. Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services

A. Brown, Director of Engineering

C. Conrad, Town Solicitor

B. Karumanchery, Senior Development Manager

V. Shuttleworth, Director of Planning and Urban Design

A. Tari, Committee Clerk

 

The Development Services Committee convened at 9:07 AM in the Council Chamber with Councillor J. Webster in the Chair.  

 

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST

 

None disclosed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.         TRAIN WHISTLE CESSATION UPDATE (5.12)

            Presentation

 

Mr. Alan Brown, Director of Engineering delivered a PowerPoint presentation to provide a brief update with respect to the Train Whistle Cessation.

 

There was considerable discussion regarding the mitigation measures for Eureka Street.  The Committee stated concerns with option 2 which would close Eureka Street.

 

The Committee discussed moving forward with the capital work related to the Train Whistle Cessation.  Staff advised that they want to complete the agreements (insurance and indemnification) with the two federal agencies (CN and Transport Canada) prior to beginning the capital work.  If the agreements are completed by the summer staff anticipates beginning the capital work in the Fall 2009.

 

Moved By Councillor J. Virgilio

Seconded By Councillor C. Moretti

 

1)         That the presentation by Mr. Alan Brown, Director of Engineering, entitled “Train Whistle Cessation- Update” be received.

CARRIED

 

 

2.         DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
- February 17, 2009, Part B (10.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved By Councillor J. Virgilio

Seconded By Councillor A. Chiu

 

1)         That the minutes of the Development Services Committee meeting, Part B, held

            February 17, 2009, be confirmed.

CARRIED

 

 

3.         DEVELOPMENT SERVICES PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
- February 17, 2009 (10.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved By Councillor J. Virgilio

Seconded By Councillor A. Chiu

 

1)         That the minutes of the Development Services Public Meeting, held February 17, 2009, be confirmed.

CARRIED

 

 

4.         HERITAGE MARKHAM COMMITTEE MINUTES
            - February 11, 2009 (16.11)

            Minutes

 

Moved By Councillor J. Virgilio

Seconded By Councillor A. Chiu

 

1)         That the minutes of the Heritage Markham Committee meeting held on February 11, 2009, be received.

CARRIED

 

 

 

5.         ZOOM ZOOM STORAGE (RODICK) INC.
APPLICATION TO AMEND THE
ZONING BY-LAW TO PERMIT
A SELF-STORAGE WAREHOUSE
800 RODICK ROAD (ZA 08 126867) (10.5)

            Report     1

 

Moved By Councillor J. Virgilio

Seconded By Councillor A. Chiu

 

1)                  That the staff report dated March 3, 2009 entitled “Preliminary Report, Zoom Zoom Storage (Rodick) Inc., Application for zoning by-law amendment to permit a self-storage warehouse,” be received; and,

 

2)                  That a Public Meeting be scheduled to consider the application by Zoom Zoom Storage (Rodick) Inc. to permit a self-storage warehouse at 800 Rodick Road; and further,

 

3)         That staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.         POWERSTREAM INC.
APPLICATION FOR SITE PLAN
APPROVAL FOR A PROPOSED
TRANSFORMER STATION
WEST SIDE OF RODICK ROAD,
NORTH OF HIGHWAY 407 (SC 08 130837) (10.6)

            Report     1

 

Moved By Deputy Mayor J. Heath

Seconded By Councillor L. Kanapathi

 

That the item was deferred to a future Development Services Committee meeting at the request of the applicant.

CARRIED

 

 

 

7.         TIMES GROUP CORPORATION
            APPLICATION TO PERMIT 792 HIGH DENSITY
            RESIDENTIAL UNITS ON BLOCKS 49 AND 50
            PLAN 65M-3226 (LEITCHCROFT COMMUNITY)
            (ZA 08 129082) (10.5)

            Report     1

 

Moved By Councillor J. Virgilio

Seconded By Councillor A. Chiu

 

1)         That the report entitled “PRELIMINARY REPORT:  Application by Times Group Corporation for Zoning By-Amendment to permit 792 high density residential units on Blocks 49 and 50 Plan 65M-3226 in the Leitchcroft Community (File ZA 08 129082)” be received; and,

 

2)         That a public meeting be held to consider the application by Times Group Corporation for Zoning By-Amendment to permit 792 high density residential units on Blocks 49 and 50 Plan 65M-3226 in the Leitchcroft Community; and further,

 

3)         That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.         EXTENDED DRIVEWAYS
UPDATE ON THE IMPLEMENTATION
AND EFFECTIVENESS
OF BY-LAW 2006-96 AND
ALTERNATIVE PARKING
ARRANGEMENTS AVAILABLE TO RESIDENTS (10.0)

            Report     1

 

Mr. Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services, advised the Committee that the report is a result of a deputation made by Mr. Wong to review his particular situation.  Staff were requested to review the purpose and effect of the current extended driveway By-law (2006-96) and provide options available to property owners.  Mr. Baird indicated that the subject of diagonal parking in the front yard was reviewed by the working group back in 2006 and that they did not support it. 

 

Mr. Francois Wong, 292 Ridgecrest Road, addressed the Committee regarding the Town wide Extended Driveway By-law 2009-96 requesting flexibility to the by-law.  He advised that he would like to extend his driveway by three feet beyond the by-law standard to enable him to park his van diagonally in the front yard and create space for a second vehicle on his driveway.

 

Mr. Bill Wiles, Manager By-Law and Enforcement and Licensing, addressed the Committee to advise that they are preparing a report with respect to the enforcement program related to the extended driveways and anticipate it to be completed by April 2009.  The Committee suggested deferring the current item to April to allow the two items (extended driveways and second suites) be dealt with at the same meeting.  Committee suggested that a representative of the Parking Committee be requested to attend that meeting to provide input.  Staff agreed to make the arrangements.

 

Moved By Deputy Mayor J. Heath

Seconded By Councillor C. Moretti

 

That consideration of the staff recommendations be deferred to a future meeting of the Development Services Committee to allow staff to provide additional information on the enforcement program.

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.         TELUS MOBILITY
APPLICATION FOR SITE PLAN APPROVAL TO
PERMITA TELECOMMUNICATIONS TOWER
5546 MAJOR MACKENZIE DRIVE
(SC 07 129393) (10.6)

            Report     1

 

Mr. Robert Dragicevic, Walker, Nott, Dragicevic Associates, on behalf of the applicant addressed the Committee to advise that the conditions outlined in the report are acceptable for his client.  He also advised that his client is prepared to enter into the necessary undertaking to satisfy the proposed conditions.

 

Moved By Councillor C. Moretti

Seconded By Councillor A. Chiu

 

1)         That, the staff report entitled “Application for Site Plan Approval to permit a telecommunications tower at 5546 Major Mackenzie Drive, Telus Mobility, SC 07-129393” be received; and,

 

2)         That the presentation by Robert Dragicevic of Walker, Nott, Dragicevic Associates regarding the proposed telecommunications tower be received; and,

 

3)         That the application for site plan approval be approved subject to the conditions outlined in Appendix ‘A’; and,

 

4)         Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

CARRIED

 

 

 

10.       SECOND SUITES
            ACTION PLAN TO IMPLEMENT A NEW
            STRATEGY FOR SECOND SUITES (10.0)

            Report     A     B      C     D     E

 

The Commissioner of Development Services summarized the proposed strategy and action plan outlined in the Cross Commission report, to regulate second suites.

 

The Committee discussed the importance of additional input from residents and ratepayer groups.  The Committee suggested that further discussion is needed (Workshop of Development Services Committee Part A session) prior to holding the Public Information meeting to have fulsome discussion between Members of Council related to issues such as zoning by-law enforcement, parking, private entrances and property standards.      

 

 

 

Moved By Councillor J. Virgilio

Seconded By Regional Councillor J. Jones

 

1)         That the Report dated March 3, 2009 entitled “Action Plan to implement a new Strategy for Second Suites” be received; and,

 

2)         That  a Public Information Meeting of Development Services Committee be scheduled following a workshop with Members of Council, to obtain public input on the Action Plan to implement a new Strategy for Second Suites; and further,

 

3)         That the report be made available to the public on the Town website and to those in attendance at the May 2008 Public Meeting of Development Services Committee and to those listed with the Town Clerk, as requesting notice.

CARRIED      

 

 

 

11.       YONGE SUBWAY (5.10)

 

Regional Councillor Jim Jones and Ward 1 Councillor Valerie Burke submitted a draft resolution regarding the Yonge Subway Extension Environmental Assessment Report.  The Committee stated concerns that the proposed resolution may delay the process for the Environmental Assessment.  Staff advised that they support the intent of the draft resolution, but suggested certain refinements, which were accepted by the Committee.  The proposed resolution is not requesting a bump up or delay.  It is requesting that during the final design of the working drawings that every effort is made to try and move the station north to improve pedestrian connectivity to the Langstaff Gateway.  Staff also advised that the proposed resolution is consistent with the Council resolution from October 14, 2008.

 

The Committee requested that the proposed resolution be sent to the Minister of Environment prior to Council adoption (with a note indicating it will be at the March 10, 2009 Council meeting) to ensure it is submitted by the March 4, 2009 deadline for submissions on the EA.  

 

 

BACKGROUND

 

The Region has completed the EA for the Yonge Street Subway expansion and has placed a station in front of the Holy Cross Cemetery instead of in front of the development site. The reason stated is that the radius required to move the subway east to come up under the existing theatre site north of highway 7 required the moving South of our station. Need flexibility in the EA to move the station north if we can find engineering solutions, the other issues we would want to make sure that the EA does not require the relocation of the GO platform nor the relocation of the proposed highway 407 Transitway

 

 

 

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones

Seconded by Councillor V. Burke

 

Whereas the Province of Ontario has passed the Places to Grow Act, 2005 and endorsed the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2006 which gives clear direction for growth in the Greater Golden Horseshoe; and,

 

Whereas the Growth Plan designates the Langstaff area of Markham as a Urban Growth Centre called the Richmond Hill/Langstaff Gateway; and,

 

Whereas the Town of Markham has passed Official Plan Amendment 171 to comply with the Growth Plan; and,

 

Whereas the Town of Markham has through a public process engaged the services of Peter Calthorpe, a world renowned Urban Design Architect to carry out the Urban Design component of the Langstaff Gateway provincially designated Growth Centre; and,

 

Whereas Peter Calthorpe has determined that the Langstaff Gateway site may be the best serviced site in North America from a proposed public transit and existing Road and Highway point of view, and that this site should redefine Transit Oriented Development; and,

 

Whereas the Master Plan for Langstaff has been through an exhaustive public process and is nearing completion and it has been determined that this site has the potential (subject to Council approval) for up to15,000 dwelling units and 15,000 jobs in the Growth Centre, exceeding the minimum requirements of the Growth Plan; and,

 

Whereas the Langstaff Gateway site is being designed to achieve a non-auto modal split of 60% which will put it on the leading edge in the GTA; and,

 

Whereas all facilities in the Langstaff Gateway will be designed to LEED standard; and,

 

Whereas the Region of York recently filed an environmental assessment for the Yonge Street Subway extension from Finch Avenue to just North of Highway 7; and,

 

Whereas the selected route chosen by York Region is East of Yonge Street and next to the CN Bala line and next to Hightech Road in Richmond Hill; and,

 

Whereas this alignment created a radius that the Region of York stated will necessitate that the subway station will have to be in front of the Holy Cross Cemetery south of the Langstaff Gateway and removed from direct access from the Langstaff Gateway High Density Residential and Office Towers; and,

 

Whereas it has been suggested that the Go Rail Station presently located on Langstaff Road and forming an integral part of the Langstaff Gateway Urban Design would be moved North in the vicinity of the  proposed Subway Station at Hightech Rd; and,

 

 

 

Whereas it has also been suggested that the proposed Highway 407 Transitway, an integral piece of infrastructure necessary to the Langstaff Gateway proposal, will be relocated from the proposed alignment next to the Langstaff site to a location in the vicinity of Hightech Road; and,

 

Whereas the Council of the Town of Markham on October 14, 2008 passed a resolution endorsing a number of design principles for the Langstaff/Longbridge Subway station and the Langstaff Gateway Project Design, in particular that the Langstaff/Longbridge subway station should be located on Yonge Street as close as possible to the Langstaff Gateway site for pedestrian connectivity, and that the Highways 407 and 7 transit stations should remain in their corridors ROW and the existing GO Train platform should remain in place and be accessible to both Richmond Hill and Markham’s Langstaff Urban Growth Centre; therefore be it resolved:

 

1)         That the Town of Markham requests the Honourable Minister of the Environment, in accepting or approving the Yonge Subway Extension (Finch Station to Richmond Hill Centre) Environmental Project Report dated Feb 2. 2009,  to acknowledge the intent to move the Langstaff/Longbridge Subway Station as far north as possible in the final design, so as to better serve the Langstaff Gateway Urban Growth Centre; and,

 

2)         That Provincial Ministries and transit agencies involved in the overall planning and design of the interface between the Yonge Subway extension and other modes of transit (including GO Rail, 407 Transitway, VIVA/YRTP Rapid Transit and YRT bus service) at the Richmond Hill/Langstaff Gateway Mobility Hub be requested to ensure that the transit network and mobility hub is designed to provide the best possible transit service to the significant transit oriented development being planned at the Langstaff Gateway in Markham; and further,

 

3)         That the resolution be forwarded to The Premier Of Ontario, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Minister of Energy and Public Infrastructure, Minister of Transportation, Minister of Environment, Region of York, All Local MPPs, Town of Richmond Hill, City of Vaughan, Metrolinx, City of Toronto, Federal Minister of Transportation, Mr. Dale Albers, Chief Communications Officer, York Region Rapid Transit, Rod McPhail, Director, Transportation Planning, City Planning Division, City of Toronto, Charles Wheeler, Deputy Chief Project Manager, Toronto Transit Commission.

 

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12.       IN-CAMERA MATTER (8.0)

 

Moved by Councillor C. Moretti

Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu

 

That, in accordance with Section 239 (2) (e) of the Municipal Act, Development Services Committee resolve into an in-camera session to discuss the following confidential matter:

 

1)         Litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board, with respect to a minor variance appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) – 90 Kennedy Road (8.0).

CARRIED

 

 

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones

Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti

 

That the Committee rise from the in-camera session (10:54 AM)

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The Development Services Committee meeting adjourned at 10:54 AM