MINUTES FROM THE MEETING OF THE

MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE

Town of Markham

York Room - Civic Centre

October 21, 2009

Members Regrets

Phil Howes Diane Kobelansky Jonathan Mingay Richard Morales Diane More Peter Ross Keith Thirgood Helen Walter

Ibrahim Ali Deirdre Kavanagh Councillor Carolina Moretti Wil Pialagitis Councillor John Webster

Staff

Regan Hutcheson, Manager of Heritage Planning

Linda Irvine, Manager, Parks & Open Space Planning

Kitty Bavington, Committee Clerk

The seventh meeting of the Main Street Markham Committee meeting in 2009 convened at 5:55 pm with Regan Hutcheson as Acting Chair.

1. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE SIXTH MEETING OF THE

MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE IN 2009

Peter Ross provided wording for the Environmental Assessment discussion. The Committee requested staff to bring the latest drawing of the Village Shoppes on Main Street project to the next meeting.

THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That the Minutes of the Main Street Markham Committee meeting held on

September 16, 2009, be adopted, as amended.

CARRIED

2. PRESENTATION – TANNERY POND

Ms. Linda Irvine introduced Mr. Glenn Harrington of Harrington McAvan Ltd., consultant for the Town, and gave a brief overview of the Tannery Pond Environmental Improvement Project.

Mr. Harrington presented the draft concept plans for the Tannery Pond and Robinson Creek system restoration. He discussed environmental constraints, endangered species and habitats, erosion control, and plant and tree varieties that are found in the area. As a follow-up to the improvements completed five years earlier, the current project will improve the water quality and flow, and the wildlife habitat. He noted the difficulty in obtaining permits for the work from the Ministry of the Environment, due to the endangered species involved.

The Committee discussed several aspects of the project, and indicated support for the proposal. A Public Information Meeting may be held to inform the public of this follow-up phase to the original project.

THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That the presentation on the draft Tannery Pond Environmental Improvement Project by Mr. Glenn Harrington of Harrington McAvan Ltd., be received;

And that the Main Street Markham Committee endorse the proposed Tannery Pond Environmental Improvement Project, as a second phase enhancement to the original Tannery Pond improvement initiative.

CARRIED

3. ACCESSIBILITY TRAINING

Staff advised the Committee of the provincially-mandated accessibility initiatives to ensure all municipal staff, advisory committee members, and volunteers are trained in accessible customer service. Training brochures were distributed to the members, and the members signed an acknowledgement sheet.

4. UPDATES:

a) Interpretation Sub-Committee

Dianne More advised that more material has been received on additional sites, and that the Consultant is doing a great job on this project. A presentation of the final plan will be made to the Committee next month. An electronic copy of the report will be sent out in advance to give the members an opportunity to review it.

b) Environmental Assessment – Main Street Markham

An update was not provided.

c) Incoming Planning Applications

Staff advised of several applications:

- A Minor Variance application has been submitted to the Committee of Adjustment by Sierra Homes regarding Markham Village Lanes for a variety of zoning requirements including a parking reduction.

- Site plan and Minor Variance applications have been submitted to convert a single family dwelling to a tri-plex at 23 Washington Street.

- St. Dimitrija Church at 201 Main Street N. has submitted a Site Plan Control application and is proposing additions to fill in the porch at the front of the church, to cover the ramp at the side, and to build a small addition to the back of the building.

- Franklin Public School has a Site Plan Control application to increase the parking area.

- The Minor Variance for 26 Albert Street, to incorporate the Heritage building into a new house, has been appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board. The Committee requested staff to advise them of the outcome of the hearing.

- The proposal to sever 60 Rouge Street and the subsequent demolition permit and site plan applications have been appealed to the OMB and possible settlement discussions are ongoing.

d) Public Washrooms

Phil Howes advised that the proposed washroom building with a storage addition will be presented to Council shortly.

e) Budget Subcommittee

Keith Thirgood discussed several proposed budget items, but is waiting for information from Council members before presenting the budget proposal to the Committee at the next meeting.

The items discussed were:

- The Interpretive Subcommittee project and funding for the resulting implementation and the installation of interpretive panels/features. Staff provided a handout outlining the stages of the Interpretive Project for Markham Village and describing the three phases. Phase 1 used $19, 465 of the $35,000 budget set aside for this project. Phase 2 will involve the detailed development of the interpretive signage text and illustrations and a supporting brochure to expand upon the themes in the interpretive signs. The form of interpretive signage will be developed at this stage. A qualified consultant will be engaged to provide innovative concepts for the interpretation of local history for consideration. Phase 3 would be the actual implementation. Committee discussed whether an additional $5,000 should be added to the budget to allow Phase 2 to be fully completed.

- Heritage-style benches for winter replacement

- Trash receptacles

- Maintenance for Tannery Pond – do funds need to be set aside, or will it be done as part of operations maintenance?

- At the completion of the Environmental Assessment, do funds need to be indentified for additional work? The detail design is the next phase – will the downtown core be a priority? Staff will review the past funding allocation for this project and report back to the Committee.

- Funding for Linear Park will depend on the Environmental Assessment.

- Heritage bus shelters should be provided at the N/W corner of Princess Street and Main Street S., and at the S/E corner of James Scott Road and Main Street S. Staff will check on this and report back.

5. NEW BUSINESS

a) Special Event Signage

The Committee questioned the status of the Special Events Signs. Phil Howes agreed to follow up on the signs.

b) Tree Removal at Linear Park

The Committee asked staff to check into trees that were recently removed at Linear Park.

6. NEXT MEETING

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

ADJOURNMENT

The Main Street Markham Committee meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.