MINUTES

MARCH 31, 2009 - 9:00 a.m.

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE

Meeting No. 10

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 G. Landon

Councillor V. Burke

Councillor E. Shapero

Councillor J. Virgilio

Councillor C. Moretti

Councillor J. Webster

Councillor D. Horchik

Councillor L. Kanapathi

 

Regrets

Regional Councillor T. Wong

Councillor A. Chiu

 

Absent

Regional Councillor J. Jones

J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer

J. Baird, Commissioner of Development Services

B. Librecz, Commissioner of Community & Fire Services

C. Conrad, Town Solicitor

B. Karumanchery, Senior Development Manager

L. Duoba, Senior Project Coordinator

M. Boyce, Senior Project Coordinator, Policy

V. Shuttleworth, Director of Planning and Urban Design

A. Tari, Committee Clerk

 

 

 

The Development Services Committee convened at 9:00 AM in the Canada Room with Councillor J. Webster in the Chair.  

 

 

 

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST

 

None disclosed.

 

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

             Minutes

 

Moved by Councillor L. Kanapathi

Seconded by Regional Councillor G. Landon

 

That the minutes of the Development Services Committee meeting, Part A, held March 10, 2009, be confirmed.

CARRIED

 

 

2.         LONG TERM TOURISM DESTINATION
            DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
            REGION OF YORK (10.0)

            Presentation

 

Ms. Brenda McGowan, Manager, Tourism Development, Region of York delivered a high level PowerPoint presentation regarding Long Term Tourism Destination Development Strategy.  She advised that the Region is welcoming all comments and/or input from the municipalities.  Ms. McGowan confirmed that invitations were sent to the individual Business Improvement Area (BIA) representatives within York Region for their comments and input.

 

There was discussion regarding the relation of municipal festivals and York Region Tourism.  Ms. McGowan advised that there is no intention for the Region to run municipal festivals and/or events, but to more willingly to assist and support what is already in place and help take it to the next level (such as provide additional marketing tools or grant funding).

 

Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath

Seconded by Regional Councillor G. Landon

 

That the presentation provided by Ms. Brenda McGowan, Manager, Tourism Development, Region of York regarding Long Term Tourism Destination Development Strategy, be received.

CARRIED

 

 

3.         GROWTH MANAGEMENT STRATEGY
            EMPLOYMENT LANDS STRATEGY (PHASE 1) (10.0)

            Presentation

 

Ms. Valerie Shuttleworth, Director of Planning and Urban Design provided some opening comments with respect to the Employment Lands Strategy (Phase 1).

 

Mr. Peter Thoma, urbanMetrics inc. delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding the Employment Lands Strategy (Phase 1), that will assist in providing an adequate and well-located supply of employment lands, in both the short and long term, and provide for a diverse range of employment opportunities for Markham residents. 

 

There was considerable discussion related to the encouragement of redevelopment of current employment lands primarily in the south Don Mills Road area.  The Committee suggested that a special workshop be arranged to discuss the issues related to redevelopment.  The Committee expressed the importance of having employment lands close to the transit lines.

 

Mr. Nick McDonald, Meridian Planning Consultant Inc., delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding the policy framework related to the Employment Lands Strategy (Phase 1).

 

The Committee discussed the recent closing of some of the big box retails and queried what will be replacing those developments.  Mr. McDonald advised that the issues related to these retail developments will have to be reviewed as they move forward and that one suggestion would be to not plan for big box retail developments in new development areas.   The Committee discussed at length the need for more creative and new thinking when considering future employment land development. 

 

The Committee suggested that any new employment land policy designation or special approach created to address the Markham Centre area should also apply to other key intensification areas such as Cornell and Langstaff.  The Committee discussed the importance of protecting against employment land conversion and suggested that all measure/tools, such as the distribution of servicing allocation, should be utilized to assist in ensuring that the long term strategy related to Employment Lands is successful.  The Committee also suggested that it would be useful to hear from international business leaders and real estate representatives working in the field with regard to industrial trends and future outlook.

 

Staff assured the Committee that today’s feedback and comments will be addressed in the consultant’s report that is anticipated to be presented to the Development Services Committee in May 2009.

 

Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath

Seconded by Councillor V. Burke

 

That the presentation provided by Mr. Peter Thoma, Partner, urbanMetrics inc. and

Mr. Nick McDonald, Partner, Meridian Planning Consultant Inc., regarding Growth Management Strategy - Employment Lands Strategy (Phase 1), be received; and,

 

That staff be directed to arrange a Council Workshop to explore more fully the various aspects of the employment lands strategy, and emerging policy framework, with a focus on strategies to assist in the redevelopment of older existing employment areas.

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.         ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY REVIEW UPDATE (5.7)

            Presentation

 

Ms. Lilly Duoba, Senior Project Coordinator and Mr. Mark Schollen, Schollen and Company delivered a PowerPoint presentation providing an update with respect to the Environmental Policy Review. 

 

The Committee discussed some infill opportunities with respect to the small Hamlets.  Staff will confirm the total acreage of lands being expanded in the Hamlets.  Staff advised that there are limited uses permitted in the Hamlets and Hamlets are not included as part of the intensification strategy.  This review of the Hamlet boundary is a one time opportunity as part of the Town’s Greenbelt conformity exercise to ensure that the Hamlet boundaries are consistent with what currently exists in the area and that notice will be given to the owners in the Hamlets.  The Committee stated concerns with respect to the current policies related to Hamlets. Staff advised that they will look at the Hamlet policies as part of the Official Plan review.

 

There was discussion related to the east/west ecological connection that, following consultation with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), has been relocated further north.  The Committee suggested making the east/west connection wider than the proposed 200 metres and also raised concerns regarding the cost of bringing these corridors into public ownership.  Staff advised that a 200 metre width was arrived at because it was felt to be defensible and that this proposal of east/west connection does not commit the Town to acquire all these lands, but will layout options.  The Committee noted the option to designate the lands needed for the east/west connection under the Greenbelt Act.

 

Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath

Seconded by Mayor F. Scarpitti

 

That the presentation provided by Mr. Mark Schollen, Principal, Schollen and Company regarding Environmental Policy Review Update, be received.

CARRIED

 

 

 

5.         TOWARD A MARKHAM GROWTH STRATEGY:
            OUTLINING AN INTENSIFICATION STRATEGY (10.0)

            Presentation

 

Ms. Shuttleworth delivered a PowerPoint presentation to provide an overview of the report entitled “Toward a Markham Growth Strategy:  Outlining an Intensification Strategy” that was deferred at the March 24, 2009 Development Services Committee meeting.  She confirmed that a summary of the comments being received at the ongoing series of Public Information Meetings about the Growth Management Strategy will be included in a future presentation and report.

 

 

 

 

The Committee suggested that the following be addressed in the proposed intensification principles:

  • Parking issues
  • Public consultation (results and continuation)
  • Heritage Conservation Districts

 

Moved by Councillor V. Burke

Seconded by Mayor F. Scarpitti

 

That staff be directed to add a principle about appropriate infill within the Main Streets of our Heritage Conservation Districts.

CARRIED

 

Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath

Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti

 

That the presentation provided by Ms. Valerie Shuttleworth, Director of Planning and Urban Design regarding Toward a Markham Growth Strategy: Outlining an Intensification Strategy, be received.

CARRIED

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

No new business.

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The Development Services Committee meeting adjourned at 12:30 PM.