HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 11, 2020
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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