DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 25, 2012,
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Council Chamber
Meeting No. 20
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 & B
Presentations, Major Studies, and Issues Agenda
Report Agenda
9:00 a.m. – Council Chamber
Attendance
|
Mayor Frank Scarpitti 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 |
Andy Taylor, Chief Administrative
Officer Jim Baird, Commissioner of
Development Services Trinela Cane, Commissioner of
Corporate Services Brenda Librecz, Commissioner of
Community & Fire Services Alan Brown, Director of Engineering Stephen Chait, Director, Economic
Development Catherine Conrad, Town Solicitor Lilli Duoba, Senior Project
Coordinator Michael Fry, Planner Regan Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage
Planning Catherine Jay, Manager, Urban Design Teema Kanji, Senior Project
Coordinator Cheryl Leask, Development Clerk II Brian Lee, Senior Manager,
Development Engineering & Transportation Sepidah Majdi, Senior Development
Engineer Rino Mostacci, Director of Planning
and Urban Design Gary Sellars, Senior Planner Elizabeth Silva-Stewart, Senior
Planner Liz Wimmer, Senior Environmental
Planner Marg Wouters, Manager, Policy and
Research Kitty Bavington, Council/Committee Coordinator |
The Development Services
Committee convened at the hour of 9:08 a.m. in the Council Chamber with Regional
Councillor Jim Jones in the Chair. Regional Councillor Gord Landon assumed the Chair for
Transportation items, Nos. 2, 3, 4, and 11.
The Committee recessed at 12:35 p.m. and reconvened at 1:20 p.m. with all members present except Mayor Frank Scarpitti.
DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
Councillor Valerie Burke disclosed an interest with respect to Agenda Item
#8, the September 10, 2012 Heritage Markham minutes, regarding 26 Colborne
Street, by nature
of owning the subject property, and did not take part in the discussion
of or vote on the question of the approval of this matter.
Thomas West, Firefighter, Fire & Emergency
Services, 25 years
Elias Panzarella, Waterworks Operator 2,
Environmental Services, 25 years
Hugh Allison, Firefighter, Fire &
Emergency Services, 25 years
Donato Capozzi, Parks Labourer/Driver,
Operations, 25 years
Lucy Hau, Secretariat Services Assistant,
Legislative Services, 25 years
Paul Parkin, Group Leader, Operations, 25
years
Brent Marshall, Stockkeeper, Operations,
25 years
Dennis Riggs, Community Facility
Co-ordinator - West, Recreation Services, 25 years
Andrew Taylor, Chief Administrative
Officer, CAO's Office, 20 years
Garry Hale, Building Inspector II,
Building Standards, 15 years
Steven Dahan, Operations Working
Supervisor, Operations, 10 years
Alexander Chan, Fire Prevention Officer,
Fire & Emergency Services, 10 years
Rajagopalan Raman, Senior Manager,
Financial Reporting & Purchasing,
Financial
Services, 10 years
Nick Samfira, Telephony Support
Specialist, Information Technology Services, 10 years
Wendy Bond, Administrative Assistant,
Development Services,
Development
Services Commissioner's Office, 5 years
Natasha Dawood, Tax and Assessment Policy
Analyst, Financial Services, 5 years
Irene Weiss, Administrative Assistant II,
Asset Management, 5 years
Sandra Allen, Administrative Assistant,
Financial Services, Financial Services, 5 years
Rahulan Rasiah, Survey/Asset Technician,
Asset Management, 5 years
Eddy Wu, Manager, Operations &
Maintenance, Environmental Services, 5 years
Brian Bailey, Community Program
Supervisor, Recreation Services, 5 years
Teodor Tecsa, Manager, Applications &
GIS, Information Technology Services, 3 years
Rosemarie Patano, Senior Buyer, Financial
Services, 3 years
Stephen Huycke, Public Services &
Records Coordinator, Legislative Services, 3 years
John Fourtounas, Provincial Offences
Officer II, Legislative Services, 3 years
Cheryl McConney-Wilson, Diversity
Specialist, Human Resources, 3 years
Robert Marinzel, Technical Coordinator,
Operations, 3 years
Tracey Anastacio, Public Utilities
Coordinator, Asset Management, 3 years
Giuseppe Palmisano, Senior Transportation
Engineer, Engineering, 3 years
Mark Timbers, Facility Operator I,
Recreation Services, 3 years
Samuel Kim, 3rd Class Firefighter, Fire
& Emergency Services, 3 years
Brett Dean, 3rd Class Firefighter, Fire
& Emergency Services, 3 years
Matthew McKnight, 3rd Class Firefighter,
Fire & Emergency Services, 3 years
Colin Rose, 3rd Class Firefighter, Fire
& Emergency Services, 3 years
James Douma, 3rd Class Firefighter, Fire
& Emergency Services, 3 years
David McCartney, 3rd Class Firefighter,
Fire & Emergency Services, 3 years
Angela Hrkac, 3rd Class Firefighter, Fire
& Emergency Services, 3 years
James Dinino, Operations Labourer/Driver,
Operations, 3 years
Andrew Kubes, 3rd Class Firefighter, Fire
& Emergency Services, 3 years
Alexander Marshall, 3rd Class Firefighter,
Fire & Emergency Services, 3 years
Blair Gallant, 3rd Class Firefighter, Fire
& Emergency Services, 3 years
Rebecca Ellis, 3rd Class Firefighter, Fire
& Emergency Services, 3 years
Roman Mosor, 3rd Class Firefighter, Fire
& Emergency Services, 3 years
Tewerai Janda, 3rd Class Firefighter, Fire
& Emergency Services, 3 years
Kirk Berthiaume, 3rd Class Firefighter,
Fire & Emergency Services, 3 years
Andrew Ireland, 3rd Class Firefighter,
Fire & Emergency Services, 3 years
Francine Perinet, Manager, Art Gallery,
Culture, 3 years
Alan Brown, Director of Engineering, gave a brief introduction to this item.
Brian Hollingsworth, Director, IBI Group, gave a presentation
to provide an update from the May 29, 2012 Transportation Committee Workshop.
The presentation included a recap of the MTSP timelines and scope, consultation
summary, clarification of questions from the workshop, network issues, design
issues, supporting initiatives, and next steps. The MTSP is intended to manage
congestion, not to eliminate it. Highlights involved short and mid-term
solutions for arterial roads and design considerations with respect to
Markham’s Vision. Recommendations were outlined for Metrolinx, York Region, and
Markham.
The Committee discussed improvements to dangerous intersections, such as Highway 48 and 14th Avenue. Staff are working with York Region to identify and prioritize intersection improvements by the spring.
The Committee discussed reduced fares for students; the walk-to-school initiative; accelerating completion of Donald Cousens Parkway and identifying it as a By-pass; fare integration and increased fare issues; existing tools such as the GTA Pass; the need for connectivity, convenience and precise timing of services; tax considerations to encourage ridership; dedicated lanes; and the potential for a downtown Toronto relief line.
It was recommended that current and future infrastructure requirements for the Rouge National Park be included in the Plan; that the Province be encouraged to extend the Yonge Subway; and that any road widenings should include HOV lanes.
The Committee was advised that staff will prepare a report to summarize the recommendations and comments. A resolution will be coming forward regarding improvements to Steeles Avenue, and Metrolinx is preparing a report on transit funding strategies. The Committee requested a memo be prepared regarding Rouge Park issues, to present to York Region.
Moved by: Councillor Carolina Moretti
Seconded by: Councillor Logan Kanapathi
That the presentation provided by Mr. Brian Hollingworth, Director, IBI Group entitled "Markham Transportation Strategic Plan (MTSP)" be received.
CARRIED
Alan Brown, Director of Engineering, gave a brief introduction to this item.
Brian Hollingsworth, Director, IBI Group, gave a presentation regarding the Markham Centre Transportation Plan, outlining the study assumptions; transportation analysis of 2031 and post-2031 land use projections; recap of findings and supporting infrastructure; thresholds; and next steps. Special event traffic is assessed in a separate study by Genivar.
The analysis indicates the road network capacity will be reached under the 2031 Growth Management Strategy demand and supply assumptions for peak hours. The presentation outlined
transportation implications; proposed road, transit, and cycling networks; parking considerations to provide 25,000 parking spaces; and phasing with respect to challenges, approach, targets and triggers.
The next steps are to finalize transportation study reports for Markham
Centre and the GTA Centre, the Markham-wide parking strategy, and Markham
Centre parking business plan. The final Markham Centre Transportation Plan will
be presented to Council. Consolidation of the Precinct Plan and implementation
of development phasing will follow, and transit and road initiatives will be
advanced.
The Committee discussed reconfiguration of Simcoe Promenade with respect to the potential for two-way traffic with the bus lane and creating another access onto Warden Avenue; the connection from Warden Avenue to Yorktech Road; extension of Miller Road; potential use of the hydro corridor; urbanizing the 407 interchanges; reorientation of the proposed arena to provide east-west connectivity; and separation of traffic and cyclists.
The Committee noted that Markham has been working to advance the Markham Centre network for many years. Staff confirmed that all improvements are necessary to accommodate projected employment and population growth in Markham Centre, regardless of the proposed Markham Sports, Entertainment and Cultural Centre.
Moved by: Mayor Frank Scarpitti
Seconded by: Regional Councillor Jim Jones
That the presentation provided by Mr. Brian Hollingworth, Director, IBI Group entitled "Markham Centre - Transportation Plan" be received.
CARRIED
Mary-Frances Turner, President, York Region Rapid Transit Corporation, introduced members of the York Region Rapid Transit team in attendance, and gave a presentation entitled "York Region Rapid Transit Corporation Update". Ms. Turner reviewed the unfolding transformation, ongoing construction at various locations, and phasing/staging plans.
Paul May, Chief Engineer, YRRTC, reviewed the paving plan for Highway 7 and mitigation of disruptions. Mr. May referred to the separate report under Agenda Item # 11, regarding closure of Cedarland Drive, the License Agreement between the City and York Region, and Site Plan Endorsement for a rapid transit station within the City’s municipal right-of-way on Cedarland Drive.
The Committee had questions regarding the timing of projects and phasing; protection of the wildlife corridor; providing non-reflective glass at the stations to prevent bird strikes; shelter from the weather; instilling confidence by ensuring transit travel is on time; syncronizing traffic lights at Enterprise Drive and Warden Avenue when transit vehicles are not present; the new sophisticated signal timing controllers being installed; and pedestrian signals.
Discussions included the timing for commencement of service with respect to demand increases as development progresses. Regional Councillors will follow up on this at the regional level and it was suggested that a presentation be arranged on this issue.
Moved by: Mayor Frank Scarpitti
Seconded by: Regional Councillor Jim Jones
That the presentation provided by Ms. Mary-Frances Turner, President, York Region Rapid Transit Corporation entitled "York Region Rapid Transit Corporation Update" be received.
CARRIED
This presentation relates to Agenda Item # 10, the Report entitled “City of Markham Draft Official Plan” dated September 25, 2012. The Committee received correspondence from Stephen J. D’Agostino of Thomson Rogers.
Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services, introduced the City of Markham Draft Official Plan, stating the importance and complexity of this project. Today’s presentation represents the launch of the public process which will include four Open Houses in the fall and a statutory Public Meeting, with final adoption targeted for the Spring of 2013. Comments will be gathered during the process and will be addressed in a report to the Committee. Mr. Baird expressed appreciation to the project team for their work on this initiative.
Rino Mostacci, Director of Planning and Urban Design, introduced members of the Policy Team, noting the extensive work involved. He highlighted the key features of the document.
Marg Wouters, Senior Manager, Policy and Research, gave a presentation regarding
the City of Markham Draft Official Plan. The document will provide direction
for the development of Markham as a vibrant, liveable urban city, guiding land
use and physical development to 2031 (422,000 pop; 240,000 jobs). It reflects
Markham’s role as an innovative leader in planning, growth management, environmental
sustainability and community design. Ms. Wouters reviewed that in 2010, Council
endorsed a Growth Alternative to 2031 in response to provincial policy, York
Region Official Plan (2010) requirements, and a need to develop a ‘Made in
Markham’ plan for sustainable growth (BMFT).
The presentation outlined the components of the Draft Official Plan document: Vision to 2031; Environment; Healthy Communities; Strong Economy; Urban Design; Transportation/Servicing; Land Use; Implementation; and, Interpretation. ‘Key Moves’, Secondary Plans, site-specific policies, and outstanding matters were discussed. The next steps will include public consultation, adoption, approval, and implementation. Staff will report back on all submissions and comments received.
The Committee discussed planning communities for rail service and creating a predictable environment for growth; the Thornhill Revitalization Working Group; future employment lands as determined by growth patterns; and environmental issues. Staff discussed the vision theme that identifies an “environment first” practice; however, all four elements of the vision are equally important.
John Gladki of Gladki Planning Associates responded to questions regarding the Rouge National Urban Park, outlining the relevant policies that would support Council preferences; however, the Federal government could disregard the policies. The same would apply to greenbelt areas.
Although Markham’s OP must comply with the upper tier OP, the Regional OP is currently under appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board. Staff recommend continuing to advance the Markham OP, and adjust it in accordance with the outcome at the OMB. Concern was expressed that the Urban Boundary may be determined at the OMB, prior to Markham residents having an opportunity to speak on this issue. Staff will advise the Region of Markham’s concern and request consultation on the decision.
The Committee debated the public consultation process, and suggested the Public Meeting be held prior to the community meetings. Staff described the format of the Open Houses and advised that the Planning Act requires that at least one Open House be held prior to the statutory Public Meeting. Committee suggested that a preliminary Public Meeting be held at the beginning of the consultation process, in addition to the statutory Public Meeting that will be held after the Open Houses.
Moved by: Councillor Valerie Burke
Seconded by: Councillor Alex Chiu
1)
That
correspondence from Thomson Rogers dated September 24 and 25, 2012, on behalf
of McCowan-48 Owners, be received and referred to staff; and,
2) That the presentation provided by Ms. Marg Wouters, Manager, Policy & Research entitled "City of Markham Draft Official Plan" be received; and further,
3) That
a preliminary Public Meeting be added to the public consultation process, to be
held prior to the community open houses.
CARRIED
Moved by: Councillor Carolina Moretti
Seconded by: Councillor Colin Campbell
That the minutes of the Development Services Committee meeting, Part A and B, held September 11, 2012, be confirmed.
CARRIED
Moved by: Councillor Carolina Moretti
Seconded by: Councillor Colin Campbell
That the minutes of the Development Services Public Meeting, held September 11, 2012, be confirmed.
CARRIED
Councillor Valerie Burke disclosed an interest with respect to Agenda Item
#8, the September 10, 2012 Heritage Markham minutes, regarding 26 Colborne
Street, by nature
of owning the subject property, and did not take part in the discussion
of or vote on the question of the approval of this matter.
Moved by: Councillor Carolina Moretti
Seconded by: Councillor Colin Campbell
That the minutes of the
Heritage Markham Committee meeting held September 10, 2012, be received for
information purposes.
CARRIED
Moved by: Councillor Carolina Moretti
Seconded by: Councillor Colin Campbell
1) That the report entitled “PRELIMINARY REPORT, Mahamevna Bhavana Asapuwa Toronto, 11175 Kennedy Road, East of Kennedy Road, north of Elgin Mills Road, Applications for Official Plan, Minister’s (Airport) Zoning Order and Zoning By-law Amendments to permit a place of worship, File No.: OPA ZA 12 117122” be received; and,
2) That a Public Meeting be held to consider the applications for
Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments; and further,
3) That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
Note: See
the following links for Appendix 'A' - City of Markham Draft Official Plan,
Part I, September, 2012.
Table
of Contents Chapter
1 Chapter
2 Chapter
3 Chapter
4 Chapter
5 Chapter
6
Chapter
7 Chapter
8 Chapter
9 Chapter
10 Map
1 Map
2 Map
3 Map
4 Map
5
Map
6 Map
7 Map
8 Map
9 Map
10 Map
11 Map
12 Appendix
A Appendix
B
Appendix
C Appendix
D Appendix
E Appendix
F Appendix
G Appendix
H
This report relates to Agenda Item # 5, the presentation entitled “City of Markham Draft Official Plan”.
Moved by: Councillor Colin Campbell
Seconded by: Councillor Alan Ho
1) That the Report entitled “City of Markham Draft Official Plan” dated September 25, 2012, be received; and,
2) That the City of Markham Draft Official Plan, Part I, September 2012, contained in ‘Appendix A’ of this report, be circulated for comment; and,
3) That staff be authorized to proceed with a public consultation program including Open Houses in the fall, and a Public Meeting in late 2012/early 2013, as outlined in this report; and,
4) That staff be directed to report back on comments received regarding the City of Markham Draft Official Plan and make final recommendations on the Official Plan; and further,
5) That
staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to
this resolution.
CARRIED
The Committee was advised that VIVA has consulted with condominium developers along the route regarding construction coordination.
Moved by: Councillor Colin Campbell
Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Jack Heath
1) That the report titled ‘VIVA Rapidway on Town Centre Boulevard and Cedarland Drive, Closure of Cedarland Drive, License Agreement between the City and York Region, and Site Plan Endorsement’ be received; and,
2) That Cedarland Drive, between South Town Centre Boulevard and Warden Avenue, be closed from late October 2012 to the end of February 2013 and subsequently be opened to one way, single lane eastbound traffic from March to September 2013 subject to conditions listed in this report; and,
3) That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute an amendment to the existing License Agreement or a new License Agreement between the City and York Region to further identify and clarify the responsibilities of future operation and maintenance of a shared storm system and streetscape on South Town Centre Boulevard and Cedarland Drive; and,
4) That site plan application file no. SC 12 109306, for a rapid transit station within the City’s municipal right-of-way on Cedarland Drive, be endorsed; and,
5) That Site Plan Approval be delegated to the Director of Planning or his delegate (Site Plan Approval is issued only when the Director has signed the site plan “Approved”); and further,
6) That staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
Moved by: Councillor Carolina Moretti
Seconded by: Councillor Don Hamilton
That, in accordance with Section 239 (2) (e) of the Municipal Act, Development Services Committee resolve into an in-camera session to discuss the following confidential matter:
1) Litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board (Ward 3)
CARRIED
Moved by: Councillor Colin Campbell
Seconded by: Councillor Carolina Moretti
That the Development Services Committee rise from in-camera session at 3:45 PM.
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
The Development Services Committee meeting adjourned at 3:45 PM.
Alternate formats for this document
are available upon request.