MINUTES FROM THE EIGHTH MEETING OF THE

MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE IN 2006

 

Town of Markham

York Room - Civic Centre

 

October 18, 2006 – 5:30 p.m.

 

 

Members                                                                      Regrets

Helen Walter                                                                Jonathan Mingay

Keith Thirgood                                                             Frankie Rose

Dianne More                                                                Elizabeth Plashkes

Peter Ross                                                                    Michelle Sukul-Chan

Judy McIntyre                                                              David Black

                                                                                    Amy Pialagitis

 

Councillor G. McKelvey                                               Councillor J. Webster

 

Staff

Nilesh Surti, Town Planning

Regan Hutcheson, Heritage Planning

Bev Shugg Barbeito, Committee Clerk

 

The meeting of the Main Street Markham Committee meeting convened at 5:40 p.m. with Councillor G. McKelvey in the Chair.

 

 

1.                  ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE SEVENTH MEETING OF THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE IN 2006

 

THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

 

That the minutes of the Main Street Markham Committee meeting held on   September 20, 2006, be adopted.

CARRIED

 

2.                  UPDATES

 

a)         Incoming Planning Applications

 

Councillor McKelvey advised the Committee of possible new development at 70-74 Main Street, which might increase foot traffic in the area.


 

 

Nilesh Surti, Town Planning Department, advised that Town staff are working with developers on a few applications for development and made a presentation relating to two of them.

 

The first application is planning for a mixed-use development on the northwest corner of Edward Jeffreys Avenue and Highway 48.  The proposal does comply with most of Highway 48 design study guidelines, the retail units would offer a unique architectural presence and the buildings will be environmentally friendly. Parking will primarily be underground with some provision for parking in front of the units. The Committee expressed its preference to not have parking in front but, overall, the proposal was well received by the Committee.

 

The second application relates to an application to create a Home Depot on the corner of Castlemore Avenue and Highway 48. The Committee was advised that Town staff have concerns about the proposal. They would like to complete a master plan for the area from Castlemore Avenue to Bur Oak Avenue before proceeding with consideration of the proposal. 

 

b)         Highway 48 Transfer of Jurisdiction Discussions

 

The Committee was advised that Town staff are working with Provincial Government staff on this matter but the transfer has not yet taken place.

 

c)         Environmental Assessment – Highway 48

 

It is expected that a call for tenders for the Environmental Assessment will occur later this year.

 

Councillor G. McKelvey will request that the Terms of Reference for the Environmental Assessment be emailed to the Committee for review.

 

d)         Master Plan Environmental Sub-Committee

 

            There was no update on this matter.

 

e)         Promotion of Main Street Sub-Committee

 

It was reported that another member may be needed for this sub-committee should Ms. E. Plashkes resign from the Main St. Markham Committee. Ms. D. More will arrange a meeting with Mr. K. Thirgood and Ms. M. Sukul-Chan.

 

The Committee expressed concern that the promotional boards are not being shown to the community. Glen Taylor will contact Mr. K. Thirgood to discuss the situation.

 

 

 

f)          Tannery Pond

 

Mr. K. Thirgood and Ms. H. Walter are working on the budget for the project.

 

g)         Official Plan and Zoning Sub-Committee

 

            There was no update on this matter.

 

h)         Update on Bypass Signage

 

            The signs have been installed. The official opening of the Markham Bypass is scheduled for the morning of October 26, 2006; Councillor G. McKelvey invited Committee members to attend.

 

i)          Merge Lanes on Main Street South

 

Mr. P. Ross reported that he contacted Mr. Al Brown of the Town of Markham staff and Mr. Bill O’Donnell, Chair of the Regional Municipality of York Works Committee, to explain the issues. Staff were sent to review the situation and it is expected that a further report will be available for the next meeting.

 

j)          Budget Update

 

The current status of budget funds for Main Street Markham Committee projects, including the Town Square Feasibility Study, was reported via email (attached) to the Committee.

 

It was reported that a letter has not yet been drafted for review by the Committee asking the Town to participate in the Town Square Feasibility Study and requesting a commitment to fund the study, nor has the BIA and Old Markham Village Ratepayers Association been approached for their involvement.

 

k)         Newspaper boxes on Main Street

 

            There was no update on this matter.

 

l)          Trees on Private Property

 

            There was no update on this matter.

 

m)        Review of Unspent Budget

 

            This matter was included in the discussions about the Budget Update.

 

 

 

 

 

n)         Status of Town Square Feasibility Study

 

            It was reported that the direction for this study is in the very early stages and the involvement of this committee would assist it to go forward. The Committee was advised that the Markham Village Conservancy has had a study proposal developed and has pledged $10,000 towards the $18,000 cost of the study; it hopes that the Town and the BIA would agree to contribute $5,000 and $3,000 respectively towards this study. D. More agreed to investigate the support that would be needed from this committee.

 

o)         Mural at 107 Main Street

 

            It was reported that Regan Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning was contacted by Ms. M. Sukul-Chan to discuss the possibility of creating a mural on the blank wall at 107 Main St.

 

3.                  NEW BUSINESS

 

No items were identified.

 

4.                  NEXT MEETING

 

The next scheduled meeting of the Main Street Markham Committee is December 6, 2006.

 

5.                  ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting of the Main Street Markham Committee adjourned at 7:30 p.m.


 

Budget Related Information 

 

            6. Main Street Capital Projects Fund Left.

                        A, Tannery pond  phase 2                                 33.342

                        B. Event signs                                                    40,000

                        C  Improvements to Robinson & Hwy 48         22,199

                        D Trees on Main St                                          10,743

                        E  Design Study Entrance Feature                     15,000

                        F  Street Furniture                                            16,192 *

                        G  Main Street Study of Robinson  Creek

                                                & Pathway Study                       14,550

                        H  Heritage Waste receptacles                  2,280 **

                        I   Water Fountain                                                8,307

                        J  Markham Main Street Model Trees       4,850 ***

                        K  Main Street Improvements                             33,858

                        L  Main Street Streetscape & Traffic

                                    Management Phase 1                            199,467

  NOTES   *  Committed for benches in 2006

                  **  Committed in 2006

                  ***  Initial Programme unsuccessful.- no further work

 

7.      2006 money for promoting Main Street Committee

Council Decision of March 15, 2006

That the recommendation of Main Street Markham Committee for a static display celebrating Main street, to be used to raise awareness of Main Street, to be created at a cost not to exceed $2,000.00 to be funded from Capital Account 053-6150-4785-005 Event signs for Main Street, be endorsed

 

Note. As of October 1st no money had been paid out of this account, although I understand Keith was paid for his metal stand. It must have been put through another account. There is $2000.00  approved still in this account.

 

8.      2207 Town Capital Budget.

I have confirmed with Jim Sales and Joel Lustig that the following are still under consideration for the 2007 capital budget.

a)   Continued Research of Heritage properties in the village              5,000

b)    Designer for plaques, signs, kiosks and Bulletin Boards       10,000

c)    Feasibility Study of the parking lot at south east corner of

       Robinson and Main becoming a Town square               10,000

a)      Development & Delivery of a Public Education presentation

      by Markham Conservancy  to promote Main Street                  2,000

b)      Grant to Open Doors Markham to assist with the rental

of a double decked bus in 2007                                            600