MINUTES

Thornhill Subcommittee

Meeting No. 1

February 23, 2010

Members Mayor F. Scarpitti Deputy Mayor J. Heath Regional Councillor J. Jones Councillor V. Burke

Staff J. Baird, Commissioner of Development Services V. Shuttleworth, Director of Planning and Urban Design D. Miller, Senior Project Coordinator, Special Projects M. Boyce, Senior Policy Coordinator A. Brown, Director of Engineering B. Lee, Manager Development Engineering & Transportation A. Tari. Bavington, Committee Clerk Project Team B. Hollingsworth, IBI J. King, MMM Group Via Video P. Calthorpe, Calthorpe & Associates D. Glanz, Calthorpe Associates Others S. Balsamo, Condor Properties A. Duffy, Condor Properties M. Montgomery, AGS Consultants P. O’Hanlon, Angus Glen P. Walker, WND A. Ferancik, WND S. Keir, Keir Corp.

The Thornhill Subcommittee video conference (Calthorpe Associates, Berkeley, California, USA) meeting convened at 2:05 PM in the Canada Room.

1. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

Mr. Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services provided some comments related to the draft Thornhill Secondary Plan pointing out that there is a consensus with the landowners and discussions are continuing with the Region of York. He indicated that there is the potential of opposition from the Town of Richmond Hill. Mr. Baird advised the Committee that on Friday February 19, 2010 there was a meeting held with some of the transit representatives, some Members of Council and Town staff to discuss the Yonge Subway and provided a brief overview of the meetings’ outcome.

There was discussion regarding the proposed configuration of the 407 Transitway. Mr. Alan Brown, Director of Engineering advised the Committee that there will be a two hour Transit Overview presentation to the Development Services Committee on March 9, 2010 with representatives from IBI Group, Urban Strategies, York Region Transit and the Ministry of Transportation Ontario.

2. SUMMARY OF DRAFT OFFICIAL PLAN AMENDMENT AND

NEW SECONDARY PLAN

Mr. Dave Miller, Senior Project Coordinator, Special Projects presented the PowerPoint presentation he is proposing to present at the March 2, 2010 Statutory Public Meeting. Mr. Baird advised that once staff receives Calthorpe’s presentation Dave Miller will work together with Danno Glanz to ensure that there is no duplication of information.

There was discussion regarding the cemetery lands on the north side of Langstaff Road. Staff advised that they are proposing to remove Langstaff from the Thornhill Secondary Plan and maintain the current Thornhill Secondary Plan provisions for the cemetery lands.

The Committee inquired about a pedestrian link to the south adjacent to the CN Rail. Mr. Al Duffy, Condor Properties, advised the Committee that Paul Ferris has reviewed that proposed connection and believes that it is worth pursuing. He also indicated that in order to achieve that connection it would require significant Council involvement and agreement with CN Rail.

The Committee suggested that the presentation on March 2, 2010 include the anticipated number of cars generated from the Langstaff Gateway Phase One. Staff indicated that the presentation from Mr. Brian Hollingsworth, IBI will speak to that.

3. SUMMARY OF LAND USE & BUILT FORM MASTER PLAN

Mr. Peter Calthorpe, Calthorpe & Associates presented the PowerPoint presentation that he is proposing to present at the March 2, 2010 Statutory Public Meeting.

The Committee suggested that Mr. Calthorpe’s presentation be amended as follows:

• Remove all the information related to development phasing
• Incorporate slides that relate to sustainability
• Have some back up slides to respond to constituent questions

There was discussion regarding the proposed transit interface at the Richmond Hill Regional Centre that includes GO Trains and buses, Yonge Subway, 407 Transitway, local York Region Transit and VIVA buses and the primary objective. The Committee discussed the importance of achieving a transit system that will effectively move 30,000 commuters by ensuring there is a seamless connection to the Yonge Subway and GO Trains; and the need to re-examine the currently proposed configuration of the 407 Transitway.

Staff and Mr. Hollingsworth emphasized that by approving the proposed Official Plan Amendment and the new Thornhill Secondary Plan does not preclude the continuation of discussions (with the various agencies and other municipalities) with respect to the proposed transit hub and that these plans are not approving the proposed location for the transit hub.

4. SUMMARY OF TRANSPORTATION STUDY

Mr. Brian Hollingsworth, IBI advised the Committee that they completed their report in August 2009. He briefly described the guiding principles that he proposes to present at the March 2, 2010 Statutory Public Meeting. Mr. Hollingsworth indicated that his presentation will consist of approximately 10 slides. He also suggested articulating the cycling networks and connections for commuters travelling south at the March 2, 2010 meeting.

5. SUMMARY OF SERVICING STUDY

Mr. Jeff King, MMM Group advised that they have completed their service plan and have reviewed it with Town staff. He briefly described his proposed presentation that includes the reduction of peak flow pressure and improved water quality for the March 2, 2010 Statutory Public Meeting. Mr. King indicated that his presentation will be approximately 10 slides in length and that he will also provide boards for the public to review. Mr. Baird suggested that Mr. King’s presentation be linked to the sustainability portion of Calthorpe’s presentation.

6. DISCUSSION

Mr. Calthorpe indicated that he is considering putting together a carbon footprint analysis of the proposed Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) for Langstaff versus a low density development. Staff advised that they have retained a consultant to create a greenhouse gas emissions modelling for the Growth Management Strategy and that the consultant has been preparing base line data. Staff will forward the request for base line data to the Town’s consultant and request that, if available, it be forwarded to Mr. Calthorpe for his analysis.

Staff indicated that they are targeting to bring a recommendation report to the Development Services Committee with respect to the Official Plan Amendment for Langstaff and New Secondary Plan for Thornhill prior to the summer recess.

The Thornhill Subcommittee adjourned at 3:45 PM

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