THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF MARKHAM

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Ms. Valerie Shuttleworth, Director of Planning and Urban Design, delivered a PowerPoint presentation providing a high level overview of the Draft Regional Official Plan.  The staff comments are preliminary, and further Town comments can be forwarded to the Region as Council provides further direction on the Town’s own Growth Management Strategy and future infrastructure to support growth.

The Committee requested that a Workshop be scheduled to discuss the staff’s detailed comments (Appendix A) further, prior to them being forwarded to the Region.  Staff indicated that they will advise the Region of the upcoming workshop and emphasized that the process is not finished.   The Committee agreed to review “Appendix A” and forward the items that they would like to discuss at the Workshop to the Director of Planning and Urban design by Friday October 16, 2009.  It was agreed that items not flagged for further discussion can be forwarded to the Region immediately.

Mr. Jim Robb, Friends of the Rouge Watershed, delivered a PowerPoint presentation suggesting alternative ideas to protect Markham’s quality of life.

There was discussion regarding intensification and urban growth options.

The Committee discussed the importance of public consultation regarding the Draft Regional Official Plan.  Staff pointed out that the Region has had over an extended period of time, public consultations and there will continue to be opportunities for the public to attend future Committee and Council meetings at the Region.

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi

That the presentation by Mr. Jim Robb, Friends of the Rouge Watershed be received.

CARRIED

Moved by Councillor E. Shapero

Seconded by Councillor V. Burke

1)         That the presentation provided by Ms. Valerie Shuttleworth, Director of Planning and Urban Design regarding the Draft Regional Official Plan, be received; and,

2)         That the report to Development Services Committee entitled “Draft York Region Official Plan”, be received; and,

3)         That Development Services Committee members forward any item(s) to staff that need to be pulled from “Appendix A” for further discussion at the Workshop, by Friday October 16, 2009 and any items not pulled be forwarded to the Region as Markham’s preliminary response to the Region’s request for input on the draft Regional Official Plan; and,

4)         That a Special Workshop of the Development Services Committee meeting be held to discuss the “pulled” comments and final comments from the Workshop be provided to the Region as Markham Council comments on the draft Regional Official Plan; and further,

5)         That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things to give effect to this resolution.

CARRIED