288, 290, 292, 294, 296, 298 & 300 John Street— Thornhill Square Shopping Centre
The city is now in receipt of Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment applications, submitted by the Goldberg Group on behalf of Timbercreek Quadrant Four GP INC. (“Timbercreek”) for the 3.13 hectares (7.75 acres) of what is currently the Thornhill Square Shopping Centre at 288, 290, 292, 294, 296, 298 and 300 John Street. The application proposes:
The development of 587 residential (market based rental) units shared between 5 buildings (5 towers) ranging between 8 and 15 storeys
Proposed Site Density is 2.04 FSI
Total Gross Floor Area for Residential uses is 19,273 m2 (207,453 ft2), and
Total Proposed Gross Floor Area for Retail, Office and Commercial uses is 9,000 m2 (96,85 ft2)
A total of 1,016 below ground parking spaces, located within one parking level, and 34 surface parking spaces
A public park fronting on John Street is proposed
The existing heritage building (Santorini’s) will remain
We are at the very beginning of a lengthy planning process and far from making a decision on these applications by Timbercreek. There will be opportunities for all Ward 1 residents to comment on what is being proposed at a future Statutory Public Meeting and a Community Information Meeting. Dates for both are still to be determined.
The city is now in receipt of complete Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment applications, submitted by 7750 Bayview Avenue Limited Partnership, for the 9.07 hectares (22.4 acres) of Shouldice Hospital lands at 7750 Bayview Avenue. With the hospital continuing to operate under a leased arrangement for 16 more years, the development proposal outlines a long-term approach with four directional (north, south, east and west) phases. The North Block (Phase I) application before us now proposes:
The development of 1,287 residential units shared between 3 buildings (5 towers) ranging between 18 and 35 storeys
Gross Floor Area* of 11,712 m2 (1,202,457 ft2), and
A total of 858 below ground parking spaces, located within three parking levels, and 12 surface parking spaces
Redevelopment of the South Block (where Shouldice Hospital is located) and the East Block (bordering Bayview Avenue) are the subject of development applications. The West Block is proposed to remain undeveloped greenspace.
Keith met with city staff on August 10th, 2020 to discuss options for the rehabilitation and repair of the culvert in Huntington Park. Please find a copy of the presentation outlining the current condition of the culvert, as well as the replacement and rehabilitation options below.
Yonge North Subway Extension Intensification Analysis
The City of
Markham undertook a “Yonge North Subway Extension Intensification
Analysis” for consideration by Metrolinx as they deliberate the locations
for potential subway stations from Steeles Avenue to Richmond Hill Centre.
SITE
SPECIFIC APPLICATION TO AMEND THE OFFICIAL PLAN AND ZONING BY-LAW SUBMITTED BY
GREENCAPITAL LIMITED PARTNERSHIP C/O GATZIOS PLANNING AND CONSULTANTS INC:
In late fall 2019, the City of Markham received applications to amend the Official Plan and Zoning By-law (PLAN 19 137814) to permit a multi-building, mixed use high rise development at the northeast corner of Royal Orchard Boulevard and Yonge Street. The proposal includes:
4 Residential towers on the north side of Royal Orchard Boulevard between Yonge Street and Inverlochy Boulevard ranging in height between 25 and 59 storeys
A total of 1560 residential units
Two podium buildings, 4 storeys in height consisting of 3,742 m2 (40,278 ft
2) non-residential uses including, retail, service and office uses
A total of 1,866 parking spaces are proposed (1,545 spaces underground, 321 spaces above ground)
A public park with an approximate area of 0.14 hectares (0.35 acres) is proposed to be located at the northwest corner of Inverlochy Boulevard at Royal Orchard Boulevard
A maximum site density of 9.4 FSI is proposed
The Floor Space Index (FSI) calculation is derived from the total floor area of the buildings divided by the area of the property
The Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment applications have been deemed complete and are currently under review by City departments and external agencies (Note when an application is deemed complete it means that all the documents required to review it have been filed; it does not mean that the application is approved)
Staff are targeting a preliminary report for Development Services Committee for Q2 2020
A Statutory Public Meeting has not yet been scheduled
The City of Markham is in receipt of a complete Zoning By-law Amendment application, submitted by 349-351 John Street Inc., to permit motor vehicle sales, a restaurant, and a recreational establishment (bowling alley) on the subject lands. The applicant is proposing to amend the Zoning By-law to add motor vehicle sales with limited accessory outdoor storage and the display of motor vehicles, a restaurant, and a recreational establishment as permitted uses.
Official Plan and Zoning By-Law Amendment applications have been submitted on behalf of the Ladies Golf Club of Toronto by Tridel.
The proposal is to build a 12 storey residential building, a 14 storey residential building and a public park on 2.46 acres of land, currently comprising the 9th hole of the golf course, located at the southwest corner of Royal Orchard Boulevard and Bayview Avenue.
In 2018, Zoning By-law Amendment and draft plan of subdivision applications were received from Condor Properties Ltd. to build the first development block (Phase 1A) within the west Precinct area of the Langstaff Gateway community. The latter is the 47-hectare (116 acre) area of land bounded by Yonge in the west, Bayview in the east, Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in the south and Highway 407 in the north. For development planning purposes, the area is divided into three precincts: west, central and east.
Applications for Zoning By-law Amendment and Draft Plan of Subdivision submitted by Condor to permit two residential towers of 50 and 45 storeys connected by a 10-storey podium at what is currently 25, 11, 9 and 5 Langstaff Road East were approved, with conditions, by Markham Council in February.
Applications for an Official Plan amendment (Major) and Zoning By-law amendment (Major) have been received by MacNaughton Hermsen Britton Clarkson Planning Ltd. c/o David McKay for 36-60 Steeles Avenue East; 37-63 Highland Park Boulevard. The applications are intended to facilitate the development of two 13-storey mixed-use buildings and two 8-storey residential buildings.
York Region District School Board— 160 Henderson Avenue
A FOURTH REVISED Site Plan Control application has been received from York Region District School Board (Bryan Blackert) c/o MC Architects Inc. for 160 Henderson Avenue. The applicant is proposing to replace the two existing schools with a new two-storey elementary school including a gym and library. The proposed revisions have been submitted in response to comments from external agencies.
New faces change look of Markham city council going forward
October 22, 2018 — The issue: What's next for Markham city council Local impact: How will changes to council impact you? Read the full article on York Region website.
Markham council votes to opt out of allowing cannabis stores within city
December 13, 2018 — Vote on Wednesday was 12-1 to say no to local marijuana shops; Ward 1 Councillor Keith Irish was the lone yes vote. Read the full article on York Region website.
Markham council priorities: transit, seniors issues, housing take the lead
January 3, 2019 — The issue: What are council's top priorities for this term? Local impact: Councillors' priorities determine how they focus their time and energy on the work they do for you. Read the full article on York Region website.
Ward 1 Talk - Ramona’s Kitchen Interview
March 1, 2019 — “Ward 1 Talk” is an opportunity for me to talk about issues important to the residents of Markham’s Ward 1 - Thornhill while promoting local businesses and places of interest. Watch the full interview on YouTube and connect with @ward1talk on Instagram.
Yonge and Steeles is in transition
March 1, 2019
— My first column in the Thornhill Post. Read the full article on Post City website.
‘Wrong to intensify’ Yonge-Steeles ahead of subway, Markham councillor says
March 5, 2019 — Read the full article on York Region website.
Markham committee wants city to eliminate pedestrian, cyclist deaths
April 16, 2019 — Read the full article on York Region website.
Ward 1 Talk - York Farmers Market Interview
May 24, 2019 — “Ward 1 Talk” is an opportunity for me to talk about issues important to the residents of Markham’s Ward 1 - Thornhill while promoting local businesses and places of interest. Watch the full interview on YouTube and connect with @ward1talk on Instagram.
Yonge subway extension to 905 raises questions
June 1, 2019 — Read the full article in the June issue of the Thornhill Post.
Inside The Region with Nirmala Armstrong Interview
June 9, 2019 — Listen to the full recording on 105.9 The Region.
Ward 1 Talk — Hockey Camps International Interview
August 26, 2019 — "Ward 1 Talk" is an opportunity for me to talk about issues important to the residents of Markham's Ward 1, Thornhill while promoting local businesses and places of interest. Watch the full
interview on YouTube and connect with @ward1talk on Instagram and @WardTalk on Twitter.
Yonge North could run above ground? — September 2019
Keith discusses the revelation of a provincial panel that has been tasked with reviewing the Yonge and Scarborough subway extensions as first reported by the Toronto Star, and the panel’s potential impact on the Yonge Street North extension in the September issue of the Thornhill Post. Read more.
Neighbours of Olde Thornhill Village — October 2019
Keith discusses the redevelopment of the Ladies Golf Club of Toronto in the December issue of the Thornhill Post.
Read more.
Ward
1 Talk- An Introduction to the Langstaff Gateway
December 20, 2019 — “Ward 1 Talk” is an opportunity for me to talk about issues important to the residents of Markham’s Ward 1 - Thornhill while promoting local businesses and places of interest. Watch the full interview on YouTube and connect with @ward1talk on Instagram. In this edition, Keith speaks with Regional Councillor and Chair of Markham’s Development Services Committee Jim Jones as well as Sam Morra, Senior Vice President at Condor Properties.
Ban on foreign flags in Markham fails to fly after heated public meeting
February 12, 2020— Read the full article on York Region website.
'Disconnect' greatest challenge of working from home during COVID-19 crisis
April 16, 2020— Read the full article on York Region website.
Metrolinx considering a route for the Yonge subway extension to Richmond Hill that would take it above ground
June 24, 2020— Read the full article on The Toronto Star's website.
'What took so long?' COVID-19 outbreaks at big box stores raise questions over transparency, lax mask rules
June 29, 2020— Read the full article on York Region website.
'We're all his landlord victims': Dozens gather outside Thornhill home illegally subleased by convicted scammer
July 25, 2020— Read the full article on York Region website.
Ward 1 Talk - Around Thornhill In 6 Minutes
October 23, 2020 — “Ward 1 Talk” is an opportunity for me to talk about issues important to the residents of Markham’s Ward 1 - Thornhill while promoting local businesses and places of interest. Watch the full interview on YouTube and connect with @ward1talk on Instagram. Around Thornhill in 6 minutes- Keith visits German Mills Park, Huntington Park and Grandview Park to discuss issues, project updates and amenities in this installment.
59-story tower tops long list of concerns raised over highrise condo development slated for Royal Orchard Boulevard
November 16, 2020— Read the full articleon York Region website.
Proposed condo development featuring 59-story tower deemed 'outrageous', 'incompatible with existing neighbourhood'
January 6, 2021— Read the full article on Post City Magazines' website.
Markham Council endorses fourth minister's zoning order (MZO) request from Flato Developments Inc. for property in northeast Markham despite opposition from the public
February 18, 2021— Read the full article on York Region website.
I am a 33-year resident of Markham’s Ward 1 having chosen Thornhill as the place I wanted to live after graduating from university. It’s here that I raised my family, operated a business and volunteered.
Markham is a well-managed city with great services and I am proud to live here, represent our community on Council, and work hard every day to make it better.
My background includes being elected at age 26 as a Public School Trustee on the York Region District School Board where I served for six years. In addition, I have served:
As a Board member and Chair, Planning & Finance Committee of the Markham Theatre
As a member of Markham’s Heritage Committee
As a member of the Parent Advisory Council of Thornhill Secondary School
As a member of the citizen panel responsible for rewriting the Thornhill Heritage District Guidelines
As an executive member of the Ward One South Resident’s Association
As a member, from 2014 to 2019, of Markham’s Advisory Committee on Accessibility
As a member of the Society for the Preservation of Historic Thornhill (SPOHT) since 1988
Since January 2017 I have been a member of The Heintzman House Board of Directors and served three years as Chair from 2018 to 2021. I count having coached hockey with the Thornhill Community Hockey League –playing at the Thornhill Community Centre and Clatworthy arenas – for six years, and sponsoring a team, as the highlight of my community involvement.
I began my career with Canadian Pacific Limited where I held a number of progressive management positions culminating in Senior Manager, Public Affairs with Canadian Pacific Railway. Before starting my own business in 1998, I served as Vice President with Canada's largest independently owned public relations firm. Prior to that, I was Director of Corporate Communications in the Canadian office of one of the world's largest public and government relations agencies.
For the past 23 years I have owned and operated my own Thornhill-based corporate communications consultancy, providing strategic communications counsel, advice and writing services to clients across a number of industries including retail, pharmaceuticals, technology, telecommunications, transportation, banking and renewable energy. I have written on a variety of subjects for "Special Editorial Reports" in The Globe & Mail. I am also a guest presenter for the “Introduction to Professional Practice” course at Ryerson University that introduces students to the practice of professional communications.
Neighbours of Olde Thornhill Village— October 2020
Keith discusses the German Mills Meadow and Natural Habitat, who many may not realize was a former landfill site, in the October issue of Neighbours ofOlde Thornhill Village magazine.
Neighbours of Olde Thornhill Village— September 2020
Keith discusses the proliferation of illegal rooming houses in Thornhill and communities across the GTA and what can be done to address this issue in the September issue of Neighbours of Olde Thornhill Village magazine.
Neighbours of Olde Thornhill Village— August 2020
Keith discusses Bill 108, the More Homes, More Choices Act that was introduced and passed by the provincial government last year and its impact on communities across the GTA in the August issue of Neighbours of Olde Thornhill Village magazine.
Keith discusses the history of the seemingly abandoned heritage home at 8127 Bayview Ave. next to Thornlea Secondary School and whether it can be saved in the April issue of Neighbours of Olde Thornhill Village magazine.
Neighbours of Olde Thornhill Village — March 2020
Keith discusses a motion that came before Markham Council seeking endorsement of a "Declaration for Immediate Action on Single-Use Plastics & Litter" in the March issue of Neighbours of Olde Thornhill Village magazine.
Neighbours of Olde Thornhill Village — January 2020
October 22, 2018 
December 13, 2018 
January 3, 2019 