DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
MAY 15, 2012, 9:00
a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Canada Room
Meeting No. 14
All
Members of Council
Development
Services Economic
Development
Chair: Regional Councillor Jim
Jones Chair: Councillor Carolina
Moretti
Vice-Chair: Councillor Don Hamilton Vice-Chair:
Councillor Alex Chiu
Transportation Issues
Chair: Regional Councillor Gord
Landon
Vice-Chair:
Councillor Alan Ho
PART A
Presentations, Major Studies, and Issues Agenda
9:00 a.m. – Canada Room
Attendance
|
Deputy Mayor Jack Heath Regional Councillor Jim Jones Regional Councillor Gord Landon Regional Councillor Joe Li Councillor
Valerie Burke Councillor Howard Shore Councillor Don Hamilton Councillor Carolina Moretti Councillor Colin Campbell Councillor Alan Ho Councillor Logan Kanapathi Councillor Alex Chiu Regrets Mayor Frank Scarpitti |
Andy Taylor, Chief Administrative
Officer Jim Baird, Commissioner of
Development Services Brenda Librecz, Commissioner of
Community & Fire Services Jamie Bosomworth, Manager, Strategy
and Innovation Alan Brown, Director of Engineering Catherine Conrad, Town Solicitor Fion Ho, TDM Coordinator. Biju Karumanchery, Senior Development Manager Sepideh Majdi, Senior Development
Engineer Rino Mostacci, Director of Planning
and Urban Design Rachel Prudhomme, Manager, Special Projects, Engineering Kitty Bavington, Council/Committee Coordinator |
The Development Services
Committee convened at the hour of 9:04 a.m. in the Canada Room with Regional
Councillor Jim Jones in the Chair. Regional
Councillor Gord Landon
assumed the Chair for Transportation items, Nos. 2 and 3.
DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST –
None declared
Moved by: Councillor Alex Chiu
Seconded by: Councillor Colin Campbell
That the minutes of the Development Services Committee meeting, Part A, held May 1, 2012, be confirmed.
CARRIED
Mary-Frances Turner, President of the York Region Rapid Transit Corporation (YRRTC) introduced the project team in attendance and gave an overview of the presentation for the Yonge Subway Extension Conceptual Design.
Paul May, Chief Engineer, YRRTC, gave a presentation outlining the project background, the study purpose, and the final conceptual design report. Details of the Steeles Station, Clark Station, Langstaff Station, Richmond Hill Centre Station, and removal of the Royal Orchard Station were reviewed, as well as the proposed train storage facility. Mr. May explained the capacity improvements and advised that the cost estimate in 2011 dollars is $3.1 billion. Next steps involve YRRTC and TTC developing a scope of work and completing the TPAP for the train storage facility; and assessment of options to continue work on the Yonge Subway Extension project.
Mr. May responded to questions and comments from the Committee regarding pedestrian-related improvements to the existing subway line; an alternate relief line from Union Station to Stouffville; access and entrances to Langstaff and other stations; potential relocation of the storage facility further north; funding issues; increases in costs; tunneling and bridge options; provision of park-n-ride facilities; volume impacts from Spadina line and east/west routes; adding stations in the future; including hydro poles in drawings; and, obtaining provincial and federal funding.
Marion Matthias, Thornhill resident, made a deputation in support of the potential development of the Royal Orchard Station, and discussed accessibility issues.
Moved by: Regional Councillor Jim Jones
Seconded by: Councillor Alan Ho
That the deputation by Marion Matthias regarding
the Yonge Subway Conceptual Design, be received; and
That the Committee requests the Provincial
Facilitator’s Report to be brought forward; and further,
That the presentation provided by Ms. Mary-Frances Turner, President, and Mr. Paul May, Chief Engineer, York Region Rapid Transit Corporation regarding the Yonge Subway Conceptual Design – Final Report be received.
CARRIED
Alan Brown, Director of Engineering, gave a brief introduction to this item and introduced two new staff members: Rachel Prudhomme, Manager, Special Projects; and Fion Ho, TDM Coordinator.
Peter Miasek, Vice Chair, CPAC Committee, made a deputation regarding the Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (CPAC) – 2011 Year End Review and 2012 Business Plan. Mr. Miasek outlined the 5 year implementation program, sidewalk network implementation program, and the status of various projects. He provided an overview of the 2012 Business Plan, the budget proposal of $25,000, providing infrastructure support, and education, outreach and research initiatives.
Mr. Miasek responded to questions and comments from the Committee regarding outreach opportunities with other municipalities; the youth focus of the GIRO event; pedestrian education; adding “Night It Up” to the bicycle valet services; bicycle track on Steeles Avenue in the east end of Markham; and the interface into adjacent municipalities and Rouge Park.
Staff advised that the sidewalk policy will be brought to the Committee in the fall of 2012.
The Committee thanked Mr. Miasek and his team for their work and for organizing successful events.
Moved by: Councillor Howard Shore
Seconded by: Councillor Alex Chiu
That the presentation provided by Mr. Peter Miasek,
Vice Chair, CPAC Committee regarding the Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory
Committee (CPAC) – 2011 Year End Review and 2012 Business Plan be received, with appreciation.
CARRIED
Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services, introduced the preliminary allocation presentation and noted Markham has received additional allocation to 2015.
Jamie Bosomworth, Manager, Strategy and Innovation, gave a presentation providing an update of the current allocation; regional background and protocols; proposed redistribution of current allocation; and proposed distribution of 2015 allocation. Markham’s revised protocol based on the Region’s requirement, was detailed. Markham is one of the few York Region municipalities receiving additional allocation based on performance and is well positioned to receive additional allocation in the next round. Staff will continue to monitor developments progressing to Building Permits, and the “use it or lose it” principle will continue to apply.
Staff responded to questions and comments from the Committee regarding the “use it or lose it” policy; reserves available; population growth; Buttonville development; and constraints from the southeast collector. Industry representatives will be consulted and a final report will be brought forward in June, 2012.
Moved by: Regional Councillor Joe Li
Seconded by: Councillor Colin Campbell
That the presentation by Jamie Bosomworth, Manager, Strategy and Innovation, regarding the Servicing Allocation Update, be received.
CARRIED
NEW BUSINESS
Councillor Logan Kanapathi presented a motion
regarding Steeles Avenue reconstruction. The Committee discussed the past
agreement with the City of Toronto and had several questions. It was agreed to
refer the motion to staff for a review of background information.
Moved by: Councillor Logan Kanapathi
Seconded by: Councillor Howard Shore
That the following Motion be referred to staff for a review of background information and be brought back to Development Services Committee:
·
“Whereas
Steeles Avenue at the south boundary of the Town of Markham is under the
jurisdiction of the City of Toronto; and
·
Whereas
Steeles Ave requires immediate reconstruction and widening to address safety
and capacity problems; and
·
Whereas
the Region of York and City of Toronto have been in negotiations regarding
joint ownership and capital/operating cost sharing;
Now Therefore be it resolved that
the Town of Markham requests both parties to finalize negotiations and proceed
with the reconstruction of Steeles Ave from Markham road to the
York/Durham line within a 3 year time frame; and
That the City of Toronto and Region of York be
advised accordingly.”
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
The Development Services
Committee meeting adjourned at 11:50 AM.
Alternate formats for this document are available upon request.