MINUTES

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES PUBLIC MEETING

NOVEMBER 17, 2009 - 7:00 p.m.

Council Chamber

Meeting No. 14

All Members of Council

Development Services

Chair:              Councillor J. Webster

Vice-Chair:      Councillor D. Horchik

 

Attendance

Mayor F. Scarpitti

Deputy Mayor J. Heath

Regional Councillor J. Jones

Regional Councillor J. Virgilio

Councillor V. Burke

Councillor C. Moretti

Councillor J. Webster

Councillor D. Horchik

Councillor L. Kanapathi

Councillor A. Chiu

 

Regrets

Regional Councillor G. Landon

Councillor E. Shapero

 

B. Karumanchery, Senior Development Manager

M. Wouters, Manager, East District

E. Mak, Planner

G. Sellars, Senior Planner

A. Tari, Committee Clerk

 

 

The Development Services Public Meeting convened at 7:03 PM in the Council Chamber with Councillor J. Webster in the Chair.  

 

 

 

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST

 

Councillor Carolina Moretti disclosed an interest with respect to Item #2 stating that Fieldgate is the current owner of the sales office located on the subject property and her son works for Fieldgate, and did not take part in the consideration or discussion of or vote on the question of the approval of such matter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.         EMBEE PROPERTIES LIMITED
            APPLICATION FOR ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT
            TO PERMIT A WIDER RANGE OF COMMERCIAL USES
            AT 8675 MCCOWAN ROAD
            (ZA 09-119773) (10.5)

             Report  Attachment

 

Mr. Biju Karumanchery, Senior Development Manager advised the subject of the Public Meeting this date was to consider an application submitted by Embee Properties Limited for Zoning By-law amendment to permit a wider range of commercial uses at 8675 McCowan Road (ZA 09 119773)

 

The Committee Clerk advised that 23 notices were mailed on October 28, 2009, and a Public Meeting sign was posted on October 27, 2009.  No written submissions were received regarding this proposal.

 

Staff gave a presentation regarding the proposal, the location, surrounding uses and outstanding issues.

 

There were no comments from the audience with respect to this application.

 

There was discussion regarding the elevations and exterior façade of the buildings.  The Committee stated concerns with the exterior that it does not have a consistent architectural treatment throughout the development. 

 

Mr. Jonathan Rubin, Embee Properties addressed the Committee with respect to the development at 8675 McCowan Road advising that this development is not the construction of a new building rather retrofitting an existing one.  He advised that they have worked with staff throughout this process and have not received any opposition from the residents in this community.

 

Staff confirmed that the purpose of tonight’s meeting is for a zoning amendment to expand the range of permitted uses and that the building is currently under construction.

 

Mr. Michael Baker, Director, Embee Properties addressed the Committee stating that the site plan, building elevations and landscape plan are all approved and confirmed that there will be extensive landscaping on this site.

 

Moved by Councillor C. Moretti

Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones

 

1)         That the Development Services Commission report dated October 20, 2009, entitled “PRELIMINARY REPORT.  Embee Properties Limited.  Application for Zoning By-law Amendment to permit a wider range of commercial uses at 8675 McCowan Road.  File Number:  ZA 09-119773” be received; and,

 

 

2)         That the record of the Public Meeting held on November 17, 2009, with respect to proposed Zoning By-law Amendment by Embee Properties Limited to permit a wider range of commercial uses at 8675 McCowan Road (ZA 09-119773) be received; and,

 

3)         That the Zoning By-law Amendment application (ZA 09-119773) by Embee Properties Limited to amend Zoning By-law 1229, as amended, be approved; and further,

 

4)         That the proposed amendment to By-law 1229, as amended, be enacted without further notice.

CARRIED

 

 

 

2.         THE BRIDGE – A MARKHAM COMMUNITY CHURCH
            APPLICATION FOR ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT
            TO FACILITATE EXPANSION OF PLACE OF WORSHIP
            USES AT 5430 & 5440 16TH AVENUE
            WISMER COMMONS COMMUNITY
            (ZA 09 120930) (10.5)

            Report  Attachment

 

Mr. Biju Karumanchery, Senior Development Manager advised the subject of the Public Meeting this date was to consider an application submitted by The Bridge: A Markham Community Church for a Zoning By-law amendment to facilitate the expansion of a Place of Worship at 5430 and 5440 16th Avenue (ZA 09 120930).

 

The Committee Clerk advised that 61 notices were mailed on October 28, 2009, and a Public Meeting sign was posted on October 28, 2009.  Two written submissions were received regarding this proposal.

 

Staff gave a presentation regarding the proposal, the location, surrounding uses and outstanding issues.

 

Ms. Sarah Baldwin, Larkin & Associates, delivered a presentation regarding the proposal for the Place of Worship at 5430 and 5440 16th Avenue providing an overview.

 

There was discussion regarding the current parking spaces available and the gravel space on the property that is also used temporarily for parking. 

 

The Committee inquired why The Bridge is keeping the existing 1 storey structure on the west parcel (formerly a sales office). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the Church Pastor’s addressed the Committee advising that 1/3 of their members are under the age of 18 and currently their parish is at capacity with respect to the available space for the children.  They are proposing to move the Pastor’s office into the existing 1 storey structure to create more space for the children.  He indicated that they are a non-profit organization and that utilizing the existing structure in the place of building a new one is more cost effective. He pointed out that they will be adding a grass field and that members of the Community are welcome to use it.

 

The Committee requested that the details of the site plan be provided to the Committee prior to its approval.

 

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Councillor V. Burke

 

That the correspondence from Kelly Javier and Jian Wang & Ying Sun be received.

CARRIED

 

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones

Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Virgilio

 

1)         That the Development Services Commission report dated October 20, 2009, entitled “PRELIMINARY REPORT.  The Bridge – A Markham Community Church.  Application for Zoning By-law Amendment to facilitate expansion of place of worship uses at 5430 & 5440 16th Avenue, Wismer Commons Community.  File Number:  ZA 09-120930” be received; and,

 

2)         That the record of the Public Meeting held on November 17, 2009, with respect to the proposed Zoning By-law Amendment by The Bridge – A Markham Community Church to facilitate expansion of place of worship uses at 5430 & 5440 16th Avenue (ZA 09-120930) be received; and,

 

3)         That the Zoning By-law Amendment application (ZA 09-120930) by The Bridge – A Markham Community Church to amend Zoning By-laws 304-87 and 177-96, as amended, be approved; and further,

 

4)         That the proposed amendments to By-laws 304-87 and 177-96, as amended, be enacted without further notice.

 

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.         PEOPLES CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
            245 RENFREW DRIVE
            BLOCK 4, PLAN 65M-2409
            SOUTH OF 16TH AVENUE, WEST OF WOODBINE AVE
            APPLICATIONS FOR ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT
            AND SITE PLAN APPROVAL TO PERMIT A
            PRIVATE SCHOOL AND DAY CARE WITHIN AN
            EXISTING WAREHOUSE BUILDING
            (ZA 09 119448 AND SC 09 119478) (10.5, 10.6)

             Report  Attachment

 

Mr. Biju Karumanchery, Senior Development Manager advised the subject of the Public Meeting this date was to consider an application submitted by Peoples Christian Academy for Zoning By-law amendment to permit a private school and day care within an existing warehouse building, South of 16th Avenue, West of Woodbine Avenue (ZA 09 119448).

 

The Committee Clerk advised that 61 notices were mailed on October 28, 2009, and a Public Meeting sign was posted on October 28, 2009.  One written submission was received regarding this proposal.

 

Staff gave a presentation regarding the proposal, the location, surrounding uses and outstanding issues.

 

Ms. Christina Lam, President, Peoples Christian Academy, addressed the Committee with respect to the proposal to permit a private school and day care at 245 Renfrew Drive and spoke in support.  She thanked Markham Council for their support.

 

Mr. David Scherbinsky, addressed the Committee with respect to the proposal to permit a private school and day care at 245 Renfrew Drive and spoke in support.

 

There was discussion regarding the drop-off process at the school.

 

The Ward Councillor advised the Committee that the applicant has worked positively with staff in addressing outstanding concerns primarily the potential traffic congestion.

 

Mayor Frank Scarpitti on behalf of Council welcomed the school and invited them to participate with the Olympic Torch Relay event scheduled for Thursday December 17, 2009.

 

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Virgilio

 

That the correspondence from Benjamin Rutherford, Elia Associates, Barristers and Solicitors be received.

CARRIED

 

 

 

Moved by Councillor D. Horchik

Seconded by Mayor F. Scarpitti

 

1)         That the report entitled “Preliminary Report, Peoples Christian Academy, 245 Renfrew Drive, Block 4, Plan 65M-2409, South of 16th Avenue, west of Woodbine Ave.,  Applications for zoning by-law amendment and site plan approval to permit a private school and day care within an existing warehouse building, File No.: ZA 09 119448 and SC 09 119478”, dated October 20, 2009 be received; and,

 

2)         That the Record of the Public Meeting held on November 17, 2009, with respect to the proposed amendment to Zoning By-law 165-80, as amended, be received; and,

 

3)         That the application by Peoples Christian Academy to amend Zoning By-law 165-80, as amended, be approved; and further,

 

4)         That the proposed amendment to Zoning By-law 165-80, as amended, be finalized and enacted without further notice.

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The Development Services Public Meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM.