PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING

MARKHAM’S GROWTH ALTERNATIVES TO 2031

FEBRUARY 16, 2010, 7:00 P.M.

Hilton Suites Hotel, Donald Cousens Ballroom

and

FEBRUARY 17, 2010, 7:00 P.M.

Council Chambers, Markham Civic Centre

...

Attendance

Mayor F. Scarpitti Deputy Mayor J. Heath Regional Councillor J. Jones Regional Councillor J. Virgilio Regional Councillor G. Landon Councillor V. Burke Councillor E. Shapero Councillor D. Hamilton 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. Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services V. Shuttleworth, Director of Planning and Urban Design A. Brown, Director of Engineering T. Lambe, Manager Policy and Research A. Tari, Committee Clerk Region of York Representative Mr. John Waller, Director, Long Range & Strategic Planning Branch, Regional Municipality of York

The Public Information Meeting convened at 7:05 PM at the Hilton Suites Hotel, Donald Cousens Ballroom with Councillor J. Webster in the Chair.

1. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

Mayor Frank Scarpitti welcomed members of the public to the February 16, 2010 Public Information Meeting. He provided some brief comments with respect to the Federal, Provincial, Regional and Municipal legislative requirements and policies.

2. PRESENTATIONS FROM YORK REGION AND TOWN OF MARKHAM

Handout

Mr. John Waller, Director, Long Range & Strategic Planning Branch, Regional Municipality of York, delivered a PowerPoint presentation outlining the Provincial context, Regional Official Plan and Managing Growth. Presentation

Ms. Valerie Shuttleworth, Director of Planning and Urban Design, delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding Markham’s Growth Management Strategy options. Presentation

Staff advised the public that both presentations will be posted on the Town’s website.

3. QUESTION PERIOD

A number of questions were asked by members of the audience regarding the presentations by York Region and Markham that were answered by Mr. Waller and Ms. Shuttleworth.

It was noted that the Town of Markham handout entitled “Growth Management Strategy (GMS)” Figure 2: Option 2 – No Boundary Expansion Option should be corrected to read “Option 3.”

4. DEPUTATIONS

Ms. Joan Jenkyn, Thornhill resident, addressed the Committee and spoke in support of Councillors Burke and Shapero proposed “foodbelt”.

Mr. Donald C. Hindson, Cattanach Hindson Suton VanVeldhuizen LLP, addressed the Committee on behalf of nine families whose farms are located in the whitebelt area and two families who have farms in the Rouge Park Area. He stated their support for urban growth and opposition to the foodbelt proposal. If a freeze were to be put on the lands, it would be a hardship to farm families. Presentation

Mr. Guy Farintosh, local area farmer and Gormley resident, addressed Committee and spoke in support of staff recommendations.

Ms. Charlotte Frisby, Markham resident, addressed the Committee advising that she is a seventh generation farmer. She indicated that although her family continues to raise hogs it is not a viable business. Ms. Frisby believes that the farm landowners deserve the right to obtain fair market value for their properties.

Ms. Esther Lewis, long time dairy Farmer and landowner in Markham addressed the Committee advising that the farmers should have the right to decide what to do with their property. She stated her opposition to the foodbelt proposal.

Mr. Roger Ivar Lohmann, Trent University Professor and Markham resident, addressed the Committee and spoke in support of the foodbelt proposal.

Mr. Jim Robb, Rouge Duffins Greenspace Coalition, addressed the Committee and spoke in support of the foodbelt proposal. He expressed concern with the impacts of urbanization on agriculture and environmental features. Presentation

Mr. David Donnelly, on behalf of the Ontario Greenbelt Alliance, addressed the Committee stating he believes that the Town does not have to conform with the Places to Grow Act, 2005 and should request the Province for an exemption. He also spoke in favour of mid rise residential communities.

Ms. Anne-Marie Markovits, Markham resident, addressed the Committee and spoke in support of the staff recommended growth option. She suggested that the Town consider creative solutions for agriculture including community gardens.

Mr. Tupper Wheatley, Milne Park Conservation Association, addressed the Committee and spoke in support of the proposed foodbelt. A video was also run during his time slot, promoting consumer support for local food production.

Ms. Eileen Liasi, German Mills Ratepayers Association, addressed the Committee and stated concerns with the loss of Class One agriculture lands if the Town endorses the Option 1 (60% residential intensification within the built boundary). Ms. Liasi also spoke to the need to control height and density with respect to intensification.

Mr. Josh Garinkel, Earthroots, addressed the Committee and spoke in support of the proposed foodbelt. His organization is concerned with wilderness, wildlife and ground water protection.

Mr. Patrick O’Hanlon, Kylemore Communities, addressed the Committee and spoke in support of the staff preferred growth option. Presentation

Ms. Marion Matthias, Thornhill resident, addressed the Committee and spoke in support of the proposed foodbelt.

Mr. Lorne McCool, Markham resident, addressed the Committee and suggested that residential growth should be achieved in a moderate and balanced approach through good urban design. He does not believe that the foodbelt proposal is necessary to protect the Town’s agricultural lands. Presentation

Ben Cook, student at Markham District High School, addressed the Committee and spoke in support of the proposed foodbelt.

Mr. Faisal Moola, David Suzuki Foundation, addressed the Committee and spoke in support of the proposed foodbelt. Presentation

Mr. Stephen Dupuis, BILD, addressed the Committee and spoke in support of the staff preferred growth option. It is the position of BILD that each municipality should accept its share of growth, and lowrise housing should continue to be an option in Markham. Presentation

Ms. Ella Haley, Sustainable Brant spoke to the effects of development in Brant County and supported the proposed foodbelt.

Mr. Emil Dysangco, Markham resident, addressed the Committee and spoke in opposition to the no urban boundary expansion option. He believes that growth should occur in a balanced manner.

Mr. Michael Bunce, Professor at the University of Toronto, addressed the Committee and stated his support for the proposed foodbelt. He supports expanding the Greenbelt. Presentation

Mr. Dan McDermott, Sierra Club Ontario, addressed the Committee and spoke in support of the proposed foodbelt. He feels there is public support for the foodbelt. Presentation

Mr. Clyde Smith, Councillor at the Town of Stouffville, addressed the Committee and spoke in support of protecting agriculture on the whitebelt lands. He also quoted from a February 5^th resolution of the Rouge Park Alliance endorsing the foodbelt proposal. Presentation

Mr. Frank Markovits, Markham resident, addressed the Committee and stated his support for both the staff preferred growth option and the York Region’s adopted official plan option. He believes that the proposed foodbelt is unrealistic.

Mr. Tom McCormack, Real Estate Consultant, addressed the Committee and stated that he believes intensification beyond 52% is unrealistic for Markham in relation to the GTA residential housing market. Demographics in Markham, and the Town’s Economic Development Strategy for new employment, point to housing needs for new single detached dwellings. Presentation

Mr. Kevin Thomason, Thornhill resident, addressed the Committee and spoke in support of the proposed foodbelt. He referenced Kitchner Waterloo as an example of best practices. Presentation

Mr. Brian Drudge, farmer and landowner in Markham, addressed the Committee and spoke in opposition to the proposed foodbelt. He also spoke of the difficulty in making a viable living from farming.

Mr. Peter Walther, Markham resident, addressed the Committee and spoke in opposition to the staff preferred growth option.

Ms. Lori Stahlbrand, Local Food Plus, addressed the Committee and spoke in support of the proposed foodbelt. She spoke to the importance of farming in Ontario for employment and tax benefit. Presentation

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones

Seconded by Mayor F. Scarpitti

That tonight’s meeting adjourn at midnight and be reconvened on Wednesday February 17, 2010 at 7:00 PM to hear the remaining registered deputations at the Town of Markham Civic Centre, 101 Town Centre Blvd., Council Chambers.

CARRIED

The Committee thanked everyone for attending tonight’s meeting.

ADJOURNMENT

The Pubic Information Meeting adjourned at the hour of 12:00 AM.

The Public Information Meeting re-convened at 7:00 PM in the Council Chamber with Councillor J. Webster in the Chair.

Attendance

Mayor F. Scarpitti Deputy Mayor J. Heath Regional Councillor J. Jones Regional Councillor J. Virgilio Regional Councillor G. Landon Councillor V. Burke Councillor E. Shapero Councillor D. Hamilton 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. Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services V. Shuttleworth, Director of Planning and Urban Design T. Lambe, Manager Policy and Research R. Capocci, Chief of Staff A. Tari, Committee Clerk

1. DEPUTATIONS

Ms. Tracy Phillippi, Toronto Youth Food Council, could not be in attendance this evening and had her deputation heard via a U-tube video. She stated her support for the proposed foodbelt and local food production.

Ms. Kim Empringham, York Region Federation of Agriculture, addressed the Committee and spoke in opposition to the proposed foodbelt. She spoke to the challenges facing farming as a business in York Region.

Dr. Gideon Forman, Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, addressed the Committee and spoke about health and well being in relation to local food production and in support of the proposed foodbelt.

Kevin Wong, St. Augustine Catholic High School, addressed the Committee and stated his support for farm lands in Markham and for the proposed foodbelt. Presentation

Mr. Reuben Tang, Markham resident, addressed the Committee and spoke in support of the proposed foodbelt. He also stated his opposition with respect to any growth beyond Major Mackenzie Drive.

Ms. Helen Pruka, Markham resident, addressed the Committee and spoke to the quality of life in Markham and the need to protect neighbourhoods from over intensification.

Mr. Gerhard Schickendanz, Markham farmer and landowner, addressed the Committee and spoke in support of the 60% residential intensification within the built boundary. He believes that the proposed foodbelt is unrealistic.

Ms. Patricia Foran, Aird & Berlis, on behalf of three Markham landowners, addressed the Committee and spoke in support of the staff options that combine residential intensification with some outward growth for a mix of housing types. The no urban boundary expansion option is not realistic and would not meet Provincial growth requirements.

Mr. Ira Kagan, Kagan Shastri Barristers and Solicitors on behalf of Kennedy Elgin Developments addressed the Committee and spoke in support of the staff preferred growth option. He indicated that a large area of rural land in Markham is already protected by the Provincial Greenbelt.

Mr. Donald Given, Malone Given Parsons, on behalf of North Markham Landowners Group, addressed the Committee and spoke in support of York Region’s adopted Official Plan (52% intensification in Markham) option. This option reflects policy requirements and market preferences. He believes that farming opportunities should be focused on Greenbelt lands. Presentation

Mr. David Richardson, MMM Group, on behalf of Romandale and Angus Glen Developments, addressed the Committee stating that he believes that the 52% residential intensification within the built boundary is the most reasonable and achievable target from a transportation and traffic distribution perspective. Presentation

Ms. Nancy Mather, on behalf of two Markham landowners, addressed the Committee and spoke to environmental engineering and stormwater management aspects of regulating growth and development approvals.

Mr. Ronald Meiers, Angus Glen Ratepayers Association, addressed the Committee and spoke in support of the staff preferred growth option. He feels that managing intensification will be a challenge.

Ms. Meg Stokes, Angus Glen Ratepayers Association, addressed the Committee and spoke in support of the option 1 – staff’s preferred growth option. She spoke to the quality of Markham’s new residential communities and the quality of life in Markham.

Ms. Marion Matthias, Ward One South Residents, addressed the Committee and spoke in support of preserving the whitebelt lands.

Ms. Marianne Yake, Richmond Hill Naturalists, addressed the Committee and spoke in support of the proposed foodbelt. She believes that an aging population will support intensification housing options. Ms. Yake advised the Committee of her objectives to protect natural habitat and the environment.

Ms. Gloria Marsh, York Region Environmental Alliance, addressed the Committee and spoke in support of the proposed foodbelt.

Mr. Bruce Pearce, Land Use Council, addressed the Committee and spoke in opposition to the proposed foodbelt from the perspective of impact on property rights. Presentation

Mr. Tom Farrar, Markham resident, addressed the Committee and spoke in support of a balanced approach to growth.

Ms. Shelley Bourne, Boyington Heights Ratepayers Association, addressed the Committee and spoke in support of the proposal for a permanent foodbelt that would preserve the agricultural lands within the whitebelt area. She also spoke of the need to support farmers.

Mr. Jose Etcheverry, Professor at York University, addressed the Committee and spoke in support of the proposed foodbelt. He supports more growth through sustainable intensification and infill development. Presentation

Mr. Gordon Stollery, Markham resident, addressed the Committee and spoke in support of option 1- staff’s preferred growth option. He believes the no urban boundary expansion and the proposal to permanently preserve the agricultural lands for farming is unrealistic.

Mr. Glen Crosby, Markham resident, addressed the Committee and spoke in opposition to the proposed foodbelt.

Mr. Chris Shea, Markham Soccer Club, addressed the Committee and suggested that lands should be preserved for future sports parks and recreational facilities. He is in favour of Markham continuing to be a family friendly community, and not all high rise.

Mr. Richard Herold, Unionville and Milliken Soccer Club, addressed the Committee and questioned how the intensification option will affect the Town’s Leisure Master Plan. He wants Markham to continue the pattern of development that has made this community a success.

Mr. David Gray Eagle Sanford, representing the Mohawk Confederation of Six Nations, addressed the Committee and requested that he be consulted prior to any decisions being made.

Mr. Roger Beaman, on behalf of Trinison Management Corporation, addressed the Committee and spoke in support of the York Region adopted official plan option for 52% residential intensification within the built boundary.

Mr. Gary Otten, Ontario Landowner Association, spoke in opposition to the foodbelt proposal from the perspective of landowner rights.

Mr. Terry Goodwin, Thornhill resident, addressed the Committee suggesting that the Places to Grow Act, 2005 does not protect the existing communities and that too much intensification is inappropriate in Markham. Presentation

Ms. Maureen Flynn, Wingsong Wildlife Preservation Alliance addressed the Committee and spoke in support of preserving the whitebelt lands for farming, natural heritage and wildlife habitat.

Mr. Tony Kenny, Ontario Landowner Association, addressed the Committee and spoke in opposition to the proposed foodbelt. He believes that if the municipality would like to preserve the whitebelt lands that they should purchase them from the owners at fair market value.

Mayor Frank Scarpitti thanked everyone for attending the meeting again tonight. He extended a special thank you to Ms. Valerie Shuttleworth, Mr. Tim Lambe and Ms. Teema Kanji for all their work to date with respect to the Growth Management Strategy. Mayor Scarpitti indicated that a recommendation report is anticipated to be presented to the Development Services Committee in April 2010.

ADJOURNMENT

The Pubic Information Meeting adjourned at the hour of 11:15 PM.

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