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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 11, 2020 Page 1 of 6 Minutes/Meeting Summary Accessibility Advisory Committee March 11, 2020 Main Committee Room 7:00 pm Attendees: Peter Bashaw Saima Fatima Donna Holmes Dan Hughes Glenn Lang Anthony Lue Megan Thorpe Ross John McLellan, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade Tim Higgins, Staff Representative Rumali Perera, Recording Secretary Guests: Isabelle Janton, Planner II - Site Planning, City of Pickering Sharon Johnston, CNIB Absent: Sue Wilkinson David Wysocki Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 1. Welcome & Introductions T. Higgins welcomed members and guests to the meeting. Introductions made around the table. 2. Disclosure of Interest No disclosures of interest were noted. 3. Review and Approval of Agenda T. Higgins reviewed the agenda items. Agenda approved. Page 2 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 4. Review and Approval of Minutes Moved by A. Lue Seconded by G. Lang That the Minutes of the February 12, 2020 meeting of the Accessibility Advisory Committee be approved. Carried 5. 5 . New Business 5.1 Site Plan Review - S01/20 - TriBro Studios Isabelle Janton, Planner II - Site Planning, City of Pickering, appeared before the Committee to provide an overview of the TriBro Studios site plan which is to be located on the Durham Live property lying immediately southwest of the Pickering Casino Resort complex currently under construction. She noted the following features of the site plan:  Contains 2 entrances and an elevator for the 2 storey component  Floor plans are at grade excluding the 2 storey component  2 universal washrooms close to the entrances  The building contains a production office, storage area, 3 stages, and workshops  Additional parking available behind the building along the loading area  The applicant will need to apply for a zoning amendment application to rezone the lands from an urban reserves zone to a major tourist destination zone Page 3 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) The Committee members discussed the site plan and proposed the following recommendations:  The elevation of the land and if there will be any stairs to the entrances  The importance of wayfinding and input from the Pickering AAC on wayfinding and signage inside the building  The developer should liaise with the committee to introduce best accessibility practices to this building  Written communications that come from the developer should also be accessible  Good lighting in the parking lot is critical due to the close proximity of the loading zone  If there is an allocated area for snow storage 5.2 CNIB - Eyes Forward Sharon Johnston, CNIB, appeared before the committee to introduce the CNIB Eyes Forward program. She noted that seniors are the backbone to the volunteering community and the importance in enabling individuals to continue their volunteer work even if disabilities are adding limitations to their participation. She noted that CNIB Eyes Forward began 5 years ago to provide support to seniors who are experiencing limitations in conducting their everyday activities, adding that they have locations in Clarington, Oshawa, Whitby, and Ajax and will be opening one in Pickering in September, 2020. She noted that the moto of the group is “fix your eyes on what you can do and not on the things that you cannot change”. She further added that CNIB is currently running a program to donate cell phones to seniors, adding that cell phones are a great resource in navigating their everyday lives. Page 4 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) In addition, she noted that beacons allow for visually impaired individuals to navigate around buildings using a mobile app, adding that the City of Oshawa City Hall has implemented this feature. However, it is important that municipalities and businesses wanting to introduce this to their buildings, streamline to one app, as seniors will otherwise need to learn and keep multiple apps on their smartphones. S. Johnston noted that accessible transit is a critical component in the success of these programs, adding that she is relying on private businesses to provide this support as the Durham transit falls short in providing good accessible transit to those in need. D. Hughes noted that Durham Region should begin imposing fees to developers to allocate the revenue to build better transit. 5.3 Residential Accessibility P. Bashaw appeared before the Committee to speak on factory built homes, notably, Royal Homes. P. Bashaw noted that Royal Homes cost around $200-$300 per square foot, however, Pickering has limited availability of lot spaces to allow for such homes. The houses are made in factories, adding greater room for accessibility measures to be placed inside the homes. D. Hughes noted that Rotary of Ontario is currently proposing to build bungalows and townhomes on employment lands across the Pickering Casino. The project is proposing to allow families to remain in the employment homes even after the passing of an employed spouse. A discussion period ensued regarding the following: T. Higgins to invite S. Johnston to a future AAC meeting when the presentation for the City Centre project is available. Page 5 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate)  Star Trek elevators for homes with members suggesting that builders should consider allocating a number of accessible units with extra closet space for future use for elevators as this will be less costly should individuals feel the need for elevators inside their homes.  Difficulties in securing accessible housing, with members noting that, the Participation House is actively looking to relocate families already living in accessible units due to the deteriorating conditions of these units.  The unavailability of apartment buildings with current ones running beyond their expected life cycle.  How the AODA is ineffective in providing good accessibility in comparison to the United States ADA. Members suggested that the committee invite Jerry Coughlan and Craig Marshall from Marshall Homes to a future Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting with T. Higgins adding that the Committee could possibly conduct an innovation lab on accessible housing with OCAD University possibly hosting the lab. J. McLellan to consider Ajax- Pickering Board of Trade collaborating with the City on this initiative. 5.4 TRCA – Plans for Claremont Nature Centre This item was deferred to the next Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting on April 8, 2020. 6. 6 . Other Business & Updates 6.1 Member Updates T. Higgins went around the table asking for an update from each member. Page 6 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) A. Lue noted that that he is currently working on obtaining the Rick Hansen certification and that he will keep the Committee up to date on his progress. T. Higgins inquired if any member would like to volunteer to present the Committee Report at the May 27th Council Meeting. Members to email T. Higgins if interested in presenting to Council at the May 27th Council Meeting. 7. 7 . Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 9:22 pm :rp