• Introduction
• Context for the Study
• Main Street Streetscape Study Process
• Design Principles
• Opportunities and Constraints
• Preferred Streetscape Layout Main Street South
• Public Meeting Summary
• Next Steps

The Town of Markham completed the Main Street Unionville Class Environmental Assessment Study in 2004. It was undertaken to assess the needs and evaluate alternatives for the reconstruction of Main Street Unionville from Highway 7 south to Unionville Gate.

The study was completed with a final Environmental Study Addendum Report endorsed by Markham Council and filed October 2004. The street is to accommodate two vehicular travel lands, bike lanes and on-street parking. As part of the consultation process for the Main Street Unionville EA, staff recommended a future opportunity for the public to provide input as to the streetscape elements for the reconfigured road cross-section.

This first public consultation session was an opportunity for discussion between the public, urban design consultants and Town staff regarding the opportunities and constraints for the Main Street Unionville South streetscape.

• Heritage District planning policy in place
• Environmental Assessment (EA) for Main Street South complete
• Need to evolve streetscape design within Heritage District and EA framework

• Phase 1 Main Street South Streetscape Plan
  • 2 public consultation sessions (February 2, 2005 and February 17, 2005)
  • Detailed plan and cost estimates
  • Presentation to Development Services Committee
    
    
• Phase 2 Highway 7 Streetscape and Urban Design
  • 2 public consultation sessions for input (March 31, 2005 and April 27, 2005)
  • Urban design framework, guidelines and streetscape plan
  • Urban design report
  • Presentation to Development Services Committee

• Extend the Heritage District streetscape character south of Highway 7
• Improve the pedestrian experience
• Provide consistent, balanced, cohesive tree planting and lighting
• Create a visual focal point and gateway at the Highway 7 intersection
• Create a visual focal point and gateway at the Rouge River crossing

• Highway 7 Gateway
  • Address 4 corners
  • Create a Pedestrian Friendly environment
  • Integrate transit
  • Reflect Unionville's heritage character
    
    
• Heritage Streetscape
  • Consistent shade tree lined, lit streetscape
  • Focus parking in high demand areas (medium density residential and commercial uses)
  • Widened sidewalks
    
    
• Rouge River Node
  • Southern gateway to Heritage District
  • Integrate multi-use trail crossing
  • Integrate community identification signage
    
    
• Main Street South of the Rouge River
  • Reflect Markham Centre design guidelines
  • Landscape median or widened boulevard to punctuate the "threshold"
    
    
• Unionville Gate Node
  • Integrate pedestrian and transit facilities

• Reduced parking to achieve an increase in boulevard street tree planting opportunities
• Parking spaces inset within rolled curb (north of Rouge River)
• Heritage style post mounted fixtures (north of Rouge River)
• Shade trees planting along sodded boulevard (maple, oak, elm, hackberry)

Key Issues Raised by the Community:

• Streetscape improvements are needed and will have a positive impact on the community
• The character of the streetscape: where the street should be developed with a heritage or Markham Centre streetscape; where the southern "gateway" into the community should be located
• The desire for pedestrian crossings at the bridge and across the street to the local parkette
• How traffic will be reduced over the short term, before the larger, surrounding road network is built, and over the long term

Community Input:

• Incorporate streetscape elements such as: rolled curbs separating parking from the roadway, decorative paving for the parking spaces and along the ends of private driveways
• Minimize the number of parking spaces to reflect the current visitor parking needs of residents, especially the townhomes; many residents feel that they have sufficient parking on-site
• Create a pedestrian crossing reflecting the current desire line to the parkette and valley trail system; speed humps, paving, lighting
• Create a pedestrian crossing to connect the Rouge River trail east-west at the bridge
• Improve the pedestrian crossings at Highway 7: consider illumination, traffic light phasing, location of transit stop, safety issues
• Develop the streetscape to ensure sufficient room for street-trees and lighting
• Enhance the view corridor: consider the design of the bridge, which might include a median, lighting, hanging baskets, planting and banners. Bridge has possibility of being a focal point
• Consider continuing the heritage character south of the bridge through to Unionville Gate, and establishing Unionville Gate as the southern "gateway" to the Main Street Unionville South community

Concerns Expressed by the Community:

• The impact on traffic intensity of a full intersection at Main Street and Enterprise Drive
• The site design and land use of the former bank property at the southwest corner of Main Street and Highway 7
  
• Access to the future high school from Main Street Unionville South

• Refine plans to reflect community input and recommendations from municipal staff
• Recommend light standards, plant materials
• Conceptualize special feature areas
• Prepare cost estimates
• Next meeting: Thursday, March 31, 2005 and Wednesday, April 27, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. at the Unionville Train Station, 7 Station Lane, Markham