MINUTES

CORNELL ADVISORY GROUP

April 6, 2009

Members Attending John Webster – Ward 5 Councillor Jack Heath – Deputy Mayor Gord Landon – Regional Councillor Andrew Keyes –Cornell Ratepayers Assoc. Robert Baird – Sherwood-Amberglen Ratepayers Assoc Al Bishop – Landowner Rep. Cornell Sal Crimi – Landowner Rep. Cornell Duncan MacAskill – York Region Planning Christine Hyde - YCDSB Jessica Peake – YRDSB Carolyn Woodland – TRCA Allan Wells – Rouge Park Alliance (TRCA) Staff Attending Valerie Shuttleworth – Director of Planning & Urban Design Marg Wouters – Manager, Development – East District, ext.2758 Wendy Bond – Administrator, ext. 2466

Regrets: Stephen Hood – Cornell Ratepayers Assoc. Phil Howes –Markham Village Business Assoc. Niomie Massey - Landowners Rep. Cornell Rouge Dan Leeming – Consultant - The Planning Partnership Mac Cosburn – Markham Stouffville Hospital David Clark – YRRTC Kevin Huang – TRCA Biju Karumanchery – Senior Development Manager Doris Cheng – Sr. Planner, East Team, ext.2331 Ronji Borooah – Town Architect Guests : Colin Crasey – 10,000 Trees for the Rouge Brian Lee – Mgr, Development Engineering Allen Wu - Sr. Development Engineer Pat Durst – Markham Library Board

The Cornell Advisory Group meeting convened at 6:00 PM with Councillor Webster in the Chair.

1. MINUTES FROM THE January 19, 2008 CORNELL ADVISORY GROUP

Business Arising: VIVA was not available to provide an update for the Cornell terminal; staff will follow up for the June 8^th meeting.

Moved by Andrew Keyes

Seconded by Deputy Mayor Jack Heath

That the Minutes of the Cornell Advisory Group meeting held on January 19, 2009, be adopted.

CARRIED

2. 10,000 Trees for the Rouge

Alan Wells, Rouge Park Alliance Chair and member of the Advisory Group, and Colin Creasey, Chair of 10,000 Trees for the Rouge informed the Group of an upcoming event. 10,000 Trees for the Rouge is a volunteer organization linked with the Rouge Valley Foundation. They are committed to restoring the natural habitat within the Rouge River watershed. Beginning in 1989 an organized public one-day tree planting event has been held each year during Earth Week. To date they have helped to restore over 145 acres of watershed land.

This year, the event is planned for April 26^th beginning at 9:00am. They are looking for volunteers who would be trained as supervisors, as well as planters. More information may be obtained at publicoutreach@10000trees.com

3. Growth Management Strategy – Opportunities to Accommodate Growth

Ms. Valerie Shuttleworth, Director of Planning & Urban Design, delivered a presentation outlining opportunities to accommodate population and employment growth to 2031, addressing provincial and regional policy requirements. The options for accommodating growth include a combination of intensification of the current settlement area and expansion of the current settlement area.

Similar presentations have been made at three community meetings to date, with two more to follow in coming weeks. A summary of the public comments received at these meetings will be presented to DSC in late April/early May, followed by a draft Growth Management Strategy to be presented to DSC prior to summer recess. A final Strategy is expected to be brought forward for Council approval by June 2010.

Workbooks containing a summary of the information presented were distributed to group members to complete.

A member of the Group pointed out that in order to obtain density targets of the Growth Plan; changes to the Town’s height restrictions are needed. Staff indicated that dramatic increases in height are not necessary to meet density targets.

Growth Management – Master Servicing Study

Mr. Brian Lee, Manager of Development Engineering reviewed the Town’s Servicing Study that was begun in February 2009. The Town has retained a consultant to review the existing servicing infrastructure (sanitary, storm, water main), evaluate and recommending new infrastructure upgrades, expansion and ensure no negative impact to existing infrastructure as a result of new development. Completion of the study is anticipated early 2010.

Concern was expressed regarding erosion and safety concerns related to additional stormwater being directed towards the Rouge River, the volume and the speed of water will increase causing erosion and safety concerns. It was noted that stormwater management is a relatively new science and that many lessons have been learned over the past few years, eg., the importance of ensuring water balance and protecting small streams.

Growth Management – Transportation Strategic Plan

Mr. Brian Lee, Manager of Development Engineering reviewed the Town’s Transportation Strategic Plan. The presentation included trends in transportation, key issues facing Markham, the Region’s response to Markham’s needs, and the opportunities and strategic direction Markham are taking. The Town wants to provide a viable alternative to car travel, such as transit, cycling, walking, or car pooling in a pedestrian friendly environment.

Discussion included the need for municipalities to make transit more convenient (i.e., integrated transit fares, improvement in local service) and to make it less convenient to take a car.

New Business

None

Adjournment

The Cornell Advisory Group meeting adjourned at 7:45pm. The next meeting is scheduled for June 15, 2009.