MINUTES
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE
2007-02-27
All
Members of Council
Development
Services Economic
Development
Chair: Regional Councillor J. Jones Chair: Regional Councillor T. Wong
Vice-Chair: Councillor J. Webster
PART A
Presentations, Major Studies, and Issues Agenda
9:00 a.m. – Canada Room
Attendance
|
Mayor F. Scarpitti Deputy Mayor J. Jones Regional Councillor J. Heath Regional Councillor T. Wong Councillor V. Burke Councillor J. Virgilio Councillor J. Webster Councillor D. Horchik Councillor L. Kanapathi Councillor A. Chiu |
J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer J. Baird, Commissioner of Development Services A. Brown, Director of Engineering C. Conrad, Town Solicitor S. Heaslip, Senior Planner R. Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning T. Kanji, Senior Planner B. Karumanchery, Manager, East District R. T. Lambe, Manager, Policy and Research V. Shuttleworth, Director of Planning and Urban Design M. Wouters, Senior Planner K. Bavington, Committee Clerk |
The Development Services
Committee convened at the hour of 9:05 a.m. in the Canada Room with Deputy
Mayor J. Jones in the Chair.
DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
Moved by: Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by: Councillor L. Kanapathi
That the minutes of the Development Services Committee meetings, Part A, held January 23 and February 13, 2007, be confirmed.
CARRIED
Staff gave an overview of the subject property and the precinct plan for lands south of Highway 7 and east of Warden Avenue in Markham Centre. It was noted that an application has not yet been submitted.
Murphy Hull, applicant, was in attendance to introduce Hullmark’s Markham Uptown proposal.
Simon Ko of Kirkor Architects & Planners presented
renderings and design concepts for the mixed uses and gateway features of the Grand
Plaza, road patterns, pedestrian routes, opens spaces and parks, a school site,
and the LEEDS technology that will be used. Building heights of 16 to 19
stories are proposed for intensification at the gateway location, opposite the
Markham Civic Centre, and will terrace down with transition development towards
the valley side and the Heritage district to the east. Within the 88 acre site,
27.25 acres will contain 4,200 residential units, and 500,000 sq. ft. of office
and commercial space. Parking will be provided underground. Mr. Hull noted the challenge of portraying both
of
Committee discussed parking requirements for retail
uses fronting on the major roads, the preferred concurrent development with
adjacent properties, and the need for a rapid transit system. It was suggested
that some of the building heights and intensification be shifted easterly, and that
building setbacks be staggered and an alternate material be used rather than
blue glass, to achieve visual relief. With respect to the
Moved by: Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by: Councillor J. Virgilio
That the presentation by staff, and Murphy Hull of Murphy Hull Developments and Simon Ko of Kirkor Architects and Planners, regarding the development proposal at Warden Avenue and Highway 7, be received.
CARRIED
Staff gave an overview of the planning history and the
development proposal for the property east of
Jim Kirk of Malone Given
Parsons Ltd., Steven Wimmer of MBTW Group, and Art Welter of Trinity, representing
the applicant, Miller Paving Limited, presented the Master Plan concept and
compared it to the 2004 conceptual submission. Discussions included the gateway
features, pedestrian routes, public spaces, road patterns, built form, and parking.
One office building is proposed and the rest will be retail buildings.
Committee requested an
integrated signage proposal with the site plan, upgraded building designs
similar to a “life style centre”, improved vegetation and pedestrian components.
The applicant advised that the adjacent gas station owner has been approached
to facilitate a coordinated development.
Moved by: Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by: Councillor J. Virgilio
That the presentation by staff and Jim Kirk of Malone Given Parsons Ltd., Steven Wimmer of MBTW Group, and Art Welter of Trinity, representing the applicant, Miller Paving Limited, regarding conceptual Site Plan and elevations for commercial lands submitted by Miller Paving Limited for 7781 Woodbine Avenue, be received.
CARRIED
Staff provided background information for Cornell Centre, south of Highway 7, intended to function as a centre for the Cornell community and eastern Markham with intensive residential and retail uses, as well as community amenities.
Dan Leeming of the Planning Partnership, representing H & R Developments, reviewed the evolution of the plan since 2001. This proposal includes a first phase of live/work uses with retail and open space, including the woodlot, along an east-west main street. The main street will be a condominium road, and will be privately owned to facilitate maintenance of its unique character. Streetscapes and site plans were displayed. Staff advised that York Region has indicated the private road would be acceptable for transit purposes. The second phase would include transit-supportive mixed use development along a north-south main street, with underground parking.
Committee suggested parking structures may be more practical than underground parking for future phases, and recommended that the building setbacks along Highway 7 be staggered. It was noted that Highway 7 is identified in the drawings as Avenue 7, and staff advised that as jurisdiction shifts to the Region, there may be an opportunity to rename the road. Staff will consult with the Region in this regard.
Sal Crimi of S.C. Land Management Corp., representing Macwood/Springhill Homes Inc., was in attendance to advise the Committee that they will be presenting a proposal in the near future for mixed use development north of the subject property.
Staff will continue to work with the applicant. A presentation will be made to the Cornell Advisory Group, and once outstanding matters have been resolved, a recommendation report will be presented to the Committee.
Committee directed staff to organize a series of bus
tours and walk-throughs of
Moved by: Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by: Regional Councillor J. Heath
That the presentation by staff and a representative of the applicant, regarding conceptual Site Plan and elevations for commercial lands, submitted by H & R Developments (Lindvest Properties (Cornell) Ltd), Cornell Centre, be received;
And that the deputation by Sal Crimi of S.C. Land
Management Corp., representing Macwood/Springhill Homes Inc., be received.
CARRIED
John Livey gave a presentation on his recent trip to
Japan entitled “John and Cheryl’s Excellent Adventure”. The 12 day trip was an
initiative of the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations
(CLAIR), to increase understanding of
Moved by: Councillor V. Burke
Seconded by: Councillor L. Kanapathi
That the presentation by John Livey, CAO, on his recent trip to
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
The Development Services Committee
meeting adjourned at the hour of 12:20 p.m.