NOVEMBER 10, 2009 - 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

MINUTES

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE

Meeting No. 32

All Members of Council

Development Services                                                                 Economic Development

Chair:              Councillor J. Webster                                                                             Chair:             

Vice-Chair:      Councillor D. Horchik                                                                            Transportation Issues

                                                                                                                                        Chair:          Regional Councillor G. Landon

 

Attendance

Mayor F. Scarpitti

Deputy Mayor J. Heath

Regional Councillor J. Jones

Regional Councillor G. Landon

Regional Councillor J. Virgilio

Councillor V. Burke

Councillor E. Shapero

Councillor C. Moretti

Councillor J. Webster

Councillor D. Horchik

Councillor L. Kanapathi

Councillor A. Chiu

J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer

J. Baird, Commissioner of Development Services

A. Brown, Director of Engineering

J. Carnegie, Director of Corporate Communications

C. Conrad, Town Solicitor

S. Kitagawa, Project Manager, Sustainability Office

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.  Regional Councillor G. Landon assumed the Chair for Transportation items, Nos.3 to 5.

 

 

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST

None disclosed.

 

 

1.         DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
- October 27, 2009, Part A (10.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi

 

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

October 27, 2009, be confirmed.

CARRIED

 

 

 

2.         BEST PRACTICES IN SUSTAINABLE
COMMUNITY DESIGN
(10.0)

            Presentation

 

Mr. Stephen Kitagawa, Project Manager, delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding Best Practices in Sustainable Community Design with examples from around the world.

 

There was discussion regarding the motivation factor for these cities to build sustainable communities, including active senior government and municipal involvement and funding, and resource constraint impetus.  Staff indicated that North American cities are increasingly beginning to address sustainable initiatives in new and re-developing communities.  It is an incremental process, and requires cooperation by many stakeholders.

 

There was discussion regarding communities that offer people the opportunity to “live, work and play”.  

 

The Committee discussed the importance of developing the appropriate strategies, policies and action plans to achieve an integration of health and environmental issues.

 

Moved by Councillor V. Burke

Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi

 

That the presentation provided by Mr. Stephen Kitagawa, Project Manager regarding Best Practices in Sustainable Community Design, be received.

CARRIED

 

 

 

3.         REGION OF YORK
TRANSPORTATION PLAN UPDATE
(5.10)

            Presentation

 

Mr. Loy Cheah, Manager, Transportation Planning, Region of York delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding the Region of York Transportation Master Plan Update.

 

There was discussion regarding the future improvements for Kennedy Road and Steeles Avenue.  Mr. Cheah indicated that there are studies underway to assist in defining what improvements are required on these roads. 


 

The Committee inquired about the estimated 2031 Transportation Master Plan Costs and how it will be funded.  Mr. Cheah advised that alternate and non-traditional ways of obtaining the funding will need to be considered and that a key part is the commitment from both Federal and Provincial funding.

 

Mr. Peter Miasek, representing Transport 2000, addressed the Committee with respect to the Region of York Transportation Master Plan Update stating some concerns.  He advised that overall they are pleased with the transit first philosophy however are concerned with the contradiction in the plan that suggests “transit first, new freeways behind”.  Mr. Miasek believes that one of the Region’s recommendations to extend the 404 Highway beyond Ravenshoe Road is not justified by traffic demands.  He is concerned with the potential loss of agricultural land, environmental damage and urban sprawl into the Whitebelt if the 404 Highway is extended.

 

Ms. Marion Matthias, Thornhill resident, addressed the Committee regarding the Region of York Transportation Master Plan Update stating concerns.  She is concerned that with the possibility of road widening as part of the recommended road improvements especially along Bayview Avenue from Highway 7 down to Steeles Avenue.  Ms. Matthias inquired if the recent announcement that Toronto was successful in obtaining the 2015 Pan Am Games will it accelerate the delivery of the Yonge Subway extension.

 

Mr. Cheah advised that the section of Bayview Avenue that Ms. Matthias referred to is a part of a sustainable travel study that is currently being conducted with public input.

 

Mr. Alan Brown, Director of Engineering delivered a PowerPoint presentation providing staff comments with respect to the Region of York Transportation Plan Update.

 

The Committee stated concern with the Region’s process with respect to obtaining comments from the various Municipalities within the Region.   Mr. Bryan Tuckey, Commissioner of Planning and Development Services, Region of York advised the Committee that the Town of Markham staff have been very helpful throughout this process of the Transportation Master Plan.  He indicated that this Master Plan is a 30 year plan at a high level and that this plan is intended to be a living document with the opportunity to be updated more often than the current practice of every five years.

 

The Committee suggested the following be included with the comments to be forwarded to the Region of York:

·        That the order of priority from Markham Council with respect to transit is: Yonge Subway Extension, 407 Transitway and all day GO service (on GO lines that come into the Region of York)

·        Stronger link between intensification and delivery of rapid transit

·        Ensure the interface with City of Toronto is sorted out for the Donald Cousens Parkway (DCP) and  that the construction of the northerly section (Major Mackenzie to Hwy 48) of the DCP moves ahead

·        Further discussions regarding any Bayview Avenue widening (following the completion of the sustainable travel study) is required

·        More consideration toward sustainability

·        Improved integration (fare by distance and a transit GTA wide service)

·        Further discussion regarding grade separations along 404 Highway (primarily the one at Highway 7/Hwy 404)

·        Need for sufficient transit in the south east part of Markham

 

Staff advised that they can meet directly with any Committee members to further discuss any concerns and/or issues and that Members of Council can e-mail their concerns to staff.  The Committee suggested that the updated staff comments with respect to the Region of York Transportation Master Plan be brought back to the first Development Services Committee meeting in December 2009.

 

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones

Seconded by Councillor J. Webster

 

That the presentation provided by Mr. Loy Cheah, Manager, Transportation Planning, Region of York and regarding the Region of York Transportation Plan Update, be received; and,

 

That the presentation provided by Mr. Alan Brown, Director of Engineering providing staff comments on the York Region Transportation Master Plan Update, be received; and,

 

That staff amend the comments that will be forwarded to the Region of York with the suggestions received at the November 10, 2009 Development Services Committee meeting and with any further suggestions received from Members of Council; and further,

 

That staff report back with the amended comments with respect to the York Region Transportation Master Plan Update at the December 1, 2009 Development Services Committee meeting.

CARRIED

 

 

 

4.         REGION OF YORK
            WATER AND WASTEWATER MASTER PLAN UPDATE
            (5.0)

            Presentation

 

Mr. Jonathan P'ng, Manager, Water and Wastewater, Region of York delivered a PowerPoint presentation with respect to the Region of York Water and Wastewater Master Plan Update. 

 

There was discussion regarding the water tower at Wootten Way North which is proposed by the Region to be decommissioned.

 

The Committee inquired about how the costs are going to be funded.  Staff advised that once the study is completed it will be reviewed by the Regional Finance Department to determine the percentage to be funded by Development Charges, grants etc.

 

Mr. Alan Brown delivered a PowerPoint presentation providing staff comments regarding the Region of York Water and Wastewater Master Plan Update.

 

There was discussion regarding whether the current sewer systems are sufficient to sustain the proposed intensification.  Staff pointed out that a key issue in certain built up areas is the infiltration of storm water into sanitary sewers and that they will be reporting back to Development Services Committee in January 2009 with proposed policies on Storm Water Management.

 

The Committee suggested that the staff comments be amended with the suggestions from today’s meeting and that any further comments will be e-mailed to staff.  The Committee requested that the amended comments with respect to the Region of York Water and Wastewater Master Plan Update be brought to the first Development Services Committee meeting in December 2009.

 

Moved by Councillor J. Webster

Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti

 

That the presentation provided by Mr. Jonathan P'ng, Manager, Region of York Water and Wastewater Master Plan Update be received; and,

 

That the presentation provided by Mr. Alan Brown, Director of Engineering providing staff comments on the York Region Water and Wastewater Master Plan Update, be received; and,

 

That staff amend the comments that will be forwarded to the Region of York with the suggestions received at the November 10, 2009 Development Services Committee meeting and any further suggestions received from Members of Council; and further,

 

That staff report back with the amended comments with respect to the York Region Water and Wastewater Master Plan Update at the December 1, 2009 Development Services Committee meeting.

CARRIED

 

 

 

5.         MARKHAM CENTRE
            TRANSPORTATION STUDY
            (5.10)

            Presentation

 

Mr. Brian Hollingworth, Director, IBI Group, delivered a PowerPoint presentation providing their results with respect to the Markham Centre Transportation Study.

 

There was brief discussion regarding the land use scenarios developed for analysis purposes.

 

The Committee requested that staff forward a coloured copy of this presentation to the Members of Council that includes the numbers of the sustainability implications that Mr. Hollingworth presented.

 

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones

Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi

 

That the presentation provided by Mr. Brian Hollingworth, Director, IBI Group regarding the Markham Centre Transportation Study, be received.

CARRIED

 

 

 

6.         TORONTO STAR ARTICLE (10.0)

 

Deputy Mayor Jack Heath indicated that there was an article in the Saturday November 7, 2009 Toronto Star newspaper regarding surprise charges that purchasers were faced with on their final closing of condominium units at a medium-high rise building near Warden Avenue and Enterprise Drive in Markham.  He requested that staff provide more details if possible.

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The Development Services Committee meeting adjourned at 12:44 PM.