THE SEVENTH MEETING OF THE

EASTERN MARKHAM STRATEGIC REVIEW COMMITTEE

TOWN OF MARKHAM

Ontario Room - Markham Civic Centre

MARCH 21, 2003

MINUTES

Attendance

Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell

Regional Councillor T. Wong (10:35)

Councillor G. McKelvey

Councillor J. Heath

Staff

V. Shuttleworth, Director of Planning and Urban Design

S. Chait, Director of Economic Development

T. Lambe, Manager, Policy and Research Division

S. Heaslip, Senior Project Coordinator

L. Wheeler, Senior Planner

K. Bavington, Committee Clerk

Consultants and Residents

Joanna Kidd, LURA - project facilitator

Harry Cummings of Harry Cummings and Associates Inc. - agricultural consultant

Don Murray of Harry Cummings and Associates Inc. - agricultural consultant

Paul Peterson - legal consultant

Mike Whittamore, resident

The Eastern Markham Strategic Review Committee convened at 9:30 a.m. with Councillor J. Heath in the Chair.

1. Introductions

The participants of the meeting were introduced.

2. Review of Minutes

The minutes of the Eastern Markham Strategic Review Committee meetings held March 7, 2003 were still under review by staff, and were not presented.

3. Follow-up and New Business from March 4th Meeting

· ORC letter of March 5, 2003 to tenants east of the Little Rouge Creek

- correspondence was received

· ORC participation

- no progress has been made and the Committee directed this matter be removed from the agenda

· Meeting with Minister Tsubouchi

- no progress has been made and the Committee directed this matter be removed from the agenda

· AZR Open House Scheduled

- Transport Canada met with stakeholders. The Open House is scheduled for April 30, from 4-7 p.m., in the Canada Room. A Presentation will follow at 7 p.m., with a Q & A session. A second Open House will be held on May 3 with the same format, at a location to be determined.

The deadline to submit comments is June 11. Transport Canada will meet with stakeholders on June 9 to assess comments received. There have been some interesting questions asked so far.

A staff report will be presented to the Committee with respect to the impacts of the AZR and the process. Indications are that there is not a great deal of concern, due to mitigation techniques. Prior uses will be grandfathered.

· Follow-up re: Transportation Influences

· Transportation influences (maps and chart) revisions

- staff will revise as directed and present them to the Committee

· GTAA Map of Transportation Base Case

- Committee discussed the possibility of the GTAA Transportation Consultant being requested to make a presentation on the base case maps

- Staff are not aware if the GTAA study will include non-airport generated traffic (employment uses)

· Implications of Stouffville plans on Reesor Road

- staff have reviewed Stouffville's transportation plans and advised that Reesor Road will remain two lanes. 9^th Line and Town Line will be four-laned mid-term, and may be re-routed to accommodate the runways

- GTAA Transportation Master Plan is targeted for this time next year

4. Presentation re: Provincial Lands in Eastern Markham

Staff gave a presentation regarding the Provincial Lands in Eastern Markham, providing a history of the ownership and disposition of the lands. Within the study area, the lands are almost evenly split into three categories - Provincially-owned; Federally-owned; and privately-owned. The Tenant Purchase lands comprise 12% of the total

Mike Whittamore advised that approximately 6 or 7 tenants still have deposits with ORC pursuant to agreements of purchase and sale from approximately 1996.

5. Presentation and Discussion re: Future of Agriculture in Eastern Markham

Agricultural Consultants reviewed previous discussions. It was noted that 82% of the total farmland in the study area is rented or leased (38% owned by government) compared to 47% in the GTA.

5.1 Economic and other influences on Agriculture in Eastern Markham, and

5.2 Implications for viable medium and long term agricultural uses

Challenges to the sustainability and viability of the agricultural economy were discussed:

- commodity prices

- increased environmental regulations (i.e. Ont. Nutrient Management Act)

- who pays for required upgrades?

- food safety - quality management protocols

- bio-safety/disease - trade barriers, maintaining export markets

- shrinking government commitment to agricultural sector

- need to adopt business and production management practices

- consolidation of supplies and wholesale retail sectors

- shifting demographics of consumers

- access to capital

- lack of affordable, skilled workers and local trading centres

- climate change

- inconsistent land use structure and policies

- impending sale of provincial lands and implications

- Pickering Airport site and AZR regulations (restrictions re: bird hazards)

- ORM/RNMP constraints (fragmentation, introduction of parks)

Discussions involved the lower income per farm in Eastern Markham, due to the land being used for crops, which is an appropriate use for leased land. Long-term leases are required, to provide security for investments (livestock, buildings). It was questioned whether long term leases would prevent uncertainty relating to alternate use of public lands (cemeteries, landfill and domed stadium proposals).

5.3 Discussion re: alternative strategies for agriculture in Eastern Markham

Legal and Agricultural consultants discussed agricultural viability. High intensity farms are more viable than quaint country operations. Land prices are a key determination in the viability of agricultural production. Mike Whittamore noted the tenant's strong desire to own the land, but cannot afford to pay $4,000 - $6,000 per acre to grow cash crops. Public "Vision", or expectation, is helpful to ensure preservation, but the farming activity must be economically viable.

Paul Peterson discussed strategies of the Town, independently. Would the Town's objective be strengthened if the land was considered Open Space, available for farming? The Town has to recognize there is only so much that can be done - farmers can't be forced to farm, and Markham does not control land use planning in adjoining municipalities or on Federal lands. Land values have to be dealt with, possibly by spending public funds, land trusts, or transfer of density.

Legal and Agricultural consultants will meet with the Committee again, after the Public Forum.

6. Economic Opportunities associated with the possible Pickering Airport

The Director of Economic Development gave a presentation regarding the potential economic development issues associated with the possible Pickering Airport. The discussion centered on two aspects:

1. How the possible airport is perceived in terms of economic development

opportunities; and

2. Buttonville Airport: replacement and alternate land uses.

The mandate for Economic Development in Markham is focused on high-tech within the urban envelope. The eastern area of Markham has an imbalance of jobs versus residents, and Pickering airport could provide a stimulus for employment. Pickering Airport will likely function as a Tier Two International Airport, rather than a minor Regional Airport. Staff discussed its proximity to transportation and strategic infrastructure of GTA, and potential for industrial/commercial growth opportunities.

Markham Airport may close as a result of the new airport. Buttonville may also close, however, the services of a flight school, general aviation, and short flight commuter airlines that it provides could be relocated to Pickering if this happens.

Lands surrounding Buttonville were zoned/protected greenfields 25 years ago, and imposed height restrictions on some of the most valuable land in GTA, e.g. Beaver Creek, Allstate Parkway, Highway 7, and Woodbine Avenue. Uses immediately surrounding the Toronto-Buttonville Airport are owned by the airport - offices and light commercial, and they enjoy valuable visibility from Highway 404. Pickering will likely be able to attract high-end business to Eastern Markham if sufficient road infrastructure is built in time, such as an arterial access to Highways 407, 401, and 404.

The GTAA study includes the economic impacts to Buttonville. If it closes, it will be for business reasons, not as a design or flight safety requirement, however, it is in the Town's best interests to keep it open. Closing would impact 600 jobs, taxes, and Markham's attractiveness to high-end businesses. If it closes, the owner has committed to extend Allstate Parkway and the business park.

Staff anticipate the ancillary and office uses will be in the west end of Pickering, but the high-end housing will be closer to GTA. The Director expressed his opinion that Markham should continue to identify lands in the area for Business Park, to capture the opportunity. Council should harness the high-order office component. Areas that can service the airport need to be identified - such as the intersection of 10^th Line and 407 (proximity to new GO Train line).

Committee discussed tax implications and cash-in-lieu payments for development on Federal lands. It was noted that AZR do not apply to Federal lands.

Committee was advised the annual Community Information Meeting of Buttonville Airport will be held on April 7, 2003, in Markham's Civic Centre. Economic Development staff will provide a memorandum to the Committee summarizing the presentation.

7. Preparation/format of Public Workshops

The workshops will be in a generic format. Clipboards and pens will be supplied and presentations will be made. Boards will be displayed indicating the influences and jurisdictions that control them. Participants will be asked how they would like the Town to use its limited influence. Facilitated discussion will consist of specific questions in order to direct the discussion.

7.1 Natural and Cultural Environment, Monday March 31, 4 – 6 p.m., Canada Room

- ORM to be added to display

7.2 Agriculture and Rural Land Use, Monday March 31, 7 – 9 p.m., Canada Room

- presentation will use "context of agriculture in Eastern Markham" and "future potential" instead of the term "viability"

7.3 Transportation and the possible future Pickering Airport, Thursday, April 3, 7 – 9 p.m., Canada Room (Council Chambers if too many persons)

Future Schedule:

March 31 and April 3 - Public Workshops

April 11th, April 25^tand May 9^th - 9:30-12:30 - EMSR Committee meeting - Ontario Rm

Week of May 12^th - Possible Public Forum re: draft principles and recommendations

May 23rd, 9:30 - 12:30 - EMSR Committee meeting - Ontario Room

June 13th, 9:30 - 12:30 - EMSR Committee meeting - Ontario Room

June 17th, Presentation to Part A - Development Services Committee re: final principles and recommendations