ADVISORY GROUP
Minutes
of Meeting – March 25, 2010
|
Members
Attending Peter Miasek- Unionville Ratepayers Assoc. Gord Mah –
Unionville Ratepayers Assoc. Alan Graf – Unionville Resident Duncan MacAskill – Richard Jarrell – Staff Attending Don Hamilton – Councillor, Ward 3 Richard Kendall – Manager, Central District Scott Heaslip – Sr. Project Coordinator, Central District Wendy Bond – MC Administrator Guests Sara Tam – Community Services Brian Lee- Manager of Development |
Regrets Harry Eaglesham - Unionville Ratepayers Assoc. Reid McAlpine –
Unionville Villagers Assoc. Darina Phillips
- Unionville Resident Michelle Lynch - Unionville Resident Tracy MacKinnon – Ted Spence – Barry McFarquhar – Patricia Ruhl – Jessica Peake – YRDSB Jim Baird – Commissioner of Develop. Services |
The
The Minutes of the
CARRIED
The Advisory Chair addressed issues previously identified as future agenda items at the January 28th meeting. As a result and their discussion, it was decided that on a go-forward basis in 2010 Markham Centre Advisory Committee minutes will be sent to Council to be received.
A discussion took place as to whether a Councillor should be appointed to the Committee. Town policy, allows each committee/Advisory to decide this. Members expressed varying opinions from yes, to, Council is aware of the Advisories opinion through DSC reports, letters sent from the Advisory, etc., the Advisory has worked well without Council representation, and Council senses the seriousness of the Advisory and its commitment to the overall vision for Markham Centre. The Advisory decided that appointing Councillor was not necessary under the circumstances and that members of Council were always welcome. Councillor Hamilton indicated that he would be attending on a regular basis because Markham Centre is part of Ward Three.
It was announced that Valerie Shuttleworth, Director of Planning and Urban Design has accepted a position with East Gwillimbury. The Advisory expressed their gratitude and thanked her for her commitment to the Advisory.
- Town of Markham Integrated Leisure Plan
Sara Tam, Manager of Business Planning and Innovation presented the Integrated Leisure Master Plan, this presentation, which has been given to various stakeholders through out the Town, outlines a 10 year strategy to address parks, recreation, culture and library services and facility needs. Markham is one of the few municipalities who include library services in the Recreation Plan. 204 recommendations were made, some project specific, but most were guidelines and best practices. How the study was conducted was explained, trends, results of household surveys outlining priorities expressed by Town residents and Staff recommendations were discussed. The presentation and other information related to the study is available on the Town website, www.markham.ca/Markham/Departments/BMFT/BMFT_Parks.htm
For the plan to succeed partnerships are being developed with other municipalities, stakeholders and community groups. Data that prioritizes the activities and recreation/cultural needs was collected through public and private input.
Concern was expressed that the plan will not support the anticipated population increases in Markham Centre. It was pointed out the Leisure Plan is a 10 year strategy plan, the proposed population increases in Markham Centre will take longer than 10years. The updated Markham Centre Secondary Plan will address the park and open space requirements, developers are incorporating fitness facilities and amenities into site plans and therefore it is anticipated that residents residing in Markham Centre would use these facilities place less demand on Town facilities. A Neighborhood Strategy plan will be implemented as part of the Integrated Leisure Plan, putting staff in the community to monitor and recommend changes as needed.
The plan was being sent to General Committee on April 12, 2010 and Council on April 13, 2010 for approval.
Footnote: Council approved The Town of Markham Integrated Leisure Plan on April 13, 2010.
- Birchmount and Verclaire Gate, Rouge
River Bridge Crossings
Richard Kendall, Manager of the Central Team presented the status of required bridge crossings of the Rouge River at Birchmount Rd. and Verclaire Gate. A public consultation meeting was held on February 25, 2010. The Markham Transportation Planning Study (1994) identified crossings of the Rouge Valley at Verclaire Gate and Birchmount to accommodate transit, pedestrian, cycling and vehicular traffic needs in Markham Centre. An Environmental Assessment (EA) has been initiated for the proposed Verclaire Gate crossing and EA addendum for the Birchmount Blvd. crossing. The study will include the selection of a preferred cross section and location and determination of a preferred structure and span over the Rouge River after a thorough assessment of the impacts. Also for the Birchmount study, the planning and design process will be reviewed in the current environmental setting to ensure that the project and mitigation measures are valid in the current planning context.
Staff will further review Preliminary design concepts for the crossings with the Advisory when available.
- Unionville Rapid Transit Mobility Hub
Brian Lee, Manager of Development Engineering and Transportation presented an IBI Group presentation on the Evolution of Rapid Transit Plans in the GTA, an Urban Strategies presentation that outlines the use of Mobility Hubs in those plans, and a presentation outlining the preliminary design plans for the 407 Transitway from east of Highway 400 to Kennedy Rd. All these presentations were before the Development Service Committee on March 9, 2010 and can be found on the Town of Markham website, follow the attached Link, agenda item #2, www.markham.ca/markham/ccbs/indexfile/html/planning/100309.htm
Markham Centre is being planned as a transit supportive community with limited parking and the Mobility Hub will be planned and designed in such a way the alternate modes of transit will be able to move commuters in and out of the Hub efficiently. When questioned, the 407 Transitway is not part of the 15 year Metrolinx plan.
Brian Lee indicated staff will present the Markham Centre Transportation Plan to the Advisory at an upcoming meeting.
- Other Business:
· Richard Jarrell has completed his term as co-chair, members can make a nomination or Advisory members can communicate their interest in the position to Wendy Bond. Candidates are requested to provide a note indicating what they can offer to the position. A vote will be held at the next Advisory meeting.
Adjournment: Motion to adjourn was made.
Adjournment – 8:00pm
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Centre\Advisory\Minutes\2010\Adv minutes March25_2010.doc