MINUTES FROM THE MEETING OF THE

MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE

Town of Markham

Canada Room - Civic Centre

November 18, 2009

Members Regrets

Phil Howes Deirdre Kavanagh Jonathan Mingay Peter Ross Keith Thirgood Helen Walter Councillor John Webster

Ibrahim Ali Diane Kobelansky Richard Morales Diane More Councillor Carolina Moretti Wil Pialagitis

Staff

George Duncan, Senior Heritage Planner

Regan Hutcheson, Manager of Heritage Planning

Kitty Bavington, Committee Clerk

The eighth meeting of the Main Street Markham Committee meeting in 2009 convened at 5:50 pm with Councillor John Webster as Chair.

The Chair noted two items of information:

- Two new Heritage Special Event signs have been installed, on Main Street at Hwy 7 and at Bullock Drive;

- The starting time of the Markham Santa Claus Parade has been changed this year from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. It was requested that, if acceptable, an enhanced sign providing notification of the new start time, be added to the Event signs. The Committee agreed to the request and staff will look into the matter.

1. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE SEVENTH MEETING OF THE

MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE IN 2009

THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

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

October 21, 2009, be adopted.

CARRIED

2. MARKHAM VILLAGE INTERPRETIVE PROJECT

PRESENTATION BY SU MURDOCH, CONSULTANT

George Duncan gave a brief explanation of the project, which endeavours to educate and interest the public in the history of the area. The first phase identifies the themes and outlines the research. He introduced Su Murdoch, Consultant.

Ms. Murdoch provided an in-depth review of the research and findings regarding the cultural heritage of the Markham Village Heritage Conservation District. The presentation included a review of the research objective, methodology, information station selection, and the rationale for Vinegar Hill, Markham Village, and Mount Joy themes, as well as design considerations, tour options, and accessibility issues.

The Final Report was provided, with the draft information station text and illustrations. The next steps will involve: confirming the budget; finalizing the station locations; determining the design and technology; finalizing the text and graphics; and developing optional tours.

The Committee thanked Ms. Murdoch for her extensive research and efforts on this project, and thanked staff and the Interpretive Sub-Committee for their supporting work.

Discussions included the potential budget and costs. Staff advised that appendices to the report are available to any members who are interested.

THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That the presentation on the Markham Village Interpretive Project, by Su Murdoch, Consultant, be received, with appreciation to Ms. Murdoch for her extensive research and efforts.

CARRIED

3. UPDATES

a) Environmental Assessment – Main Street Markham

An update was not provided.

b) Incoming Planning Applications

Staff advised that there are two demolition permit applications for 7 and 9 Rouge Street.

An update was provided regarding the final plans for the Sierra Development project on Main Street. Revised rendering were displayed, with refined design details. The Committee of Adjustment is currently considering Minor Variances regarding the rear and front yard setbacks, and parking issues. It was noted that the developer has been very cooperative during the approval process.

The Committee inquired about the status of the proposal for 17 Mill Street. Staff will provide an update at the next meeting.

c) Public Washrooms

Phil Howes advised that the $300,000 request for the proposed washroom building with a storage addition has been included in the draft budget, and will be considered by Council at the December 1^st meeting.

e) Budget Subcommittee

Keith Thirgood advised that the Subcommittee is waiting for information from staff.

The items discussed were:

- The Interpretive Subcommittee project and additional funding requirements

- Winter benches have been purchased and are being installed, and look very good

- Funding may be needed for the receptacles

- Ongoing maintenance of Tannery Pond will be a Parks Department expense, but the Committee will monitor this item to ensure funding allocation is included

- Funding for the detailed design of a portion of Main Street is already in the budget (street changes coming out of the EA project)

- Previous budget discussions had recommended that volunteers perform the parkette gardening so that funding could go towards upgrading the plantings, as listed in the Streetscape Guidelines. Staff advised that the 2008 budget included $7,500 for the plantings. Councillor Webster will arrange a meeting with Deirdre Kavanagh and Commissioner Librecz to coordinate the plan.

4. NEW BUSINESS

a) Parked Items

The Committee reviewed and updated the Parked Items list.

b) Heritage Conservation Entry Signs

It was noted that Heritage Conservation entry signs are frequently damaged and in need of repairs. Any damage should be reported via the on-line process through the reporting website, which is linked on the BIA’s website. The repair cost is included in the Town’s maintenance budget. The Committee recommended that staff be contacted to see if this is a recurring problem. Phil agreed to contact Operations staff.

c) Business Sign

The Main Street sign that points towards the Parkettes, and includes the local businesses, is a Town sign. It was suggested that, if the budget is available, that a new, interchangeable sign be prepared. This could be considered for a joint Town/BIA project. Directional signs for the washrooms are also needed.

d) Linear Park

An update was provided regarding the recent activity in Linear Park. The Committee thanked Town staff, Linda Irvine and Cathy Jeffery for ensuring that the clean-out of the trees in the park is being done.

5. NEXT MEETING

The December 16, 2009 is cancelled.

The next meeting is scheduled for January 20, 2010.

ADJOURNMENT

The Main Street Markham Committee meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.