HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 21, 2020
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Minutes/Meeting Summary
Accessibility Advisory Committee
October 21, 2020
Electronic Meeting
7:00 pm
Attendees: Peter Bashaw
Saima Fatima
Glenn Lang
Anthony Lue
Megan Thorpe Ross
Sue Wilkinson
David Wysocki
John McLellan, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade
Tim Higgins, Staff Representative
Rumali Perera, Recording Secretary
Devin Poole, Clerk - Typist
Guests: Isabelle Janton, Senior Planner - Site Planning, City of Pickering
Absent: Bianca D’Souza
Donna Holmes
Dan Hughes
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1. Welcome & Introductions
T. Higgins welcomed members and guests to the
electronic meeting.
2. Disclosure of Interest
No disclosures of interest were noted.
3. Review and Approval of Agenda
T. Higgins reviewed the agenda items. Agenda
approved.
4. 4
.
Review and Approval of Minutes
- September 16, 2020
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Moved by G. Lang
Seconded by P. Bashaw
That the Minutes of the September 16, 2020 meeting
of the Accessibility Advisory Committee be approved.
Carried
5. New Business
5.1 Site Plans
i) Fieldgate Homes
Isabelle Janton, Senior Planner, Site Planning,
appeared before the Committee via electronic
participation to present a site plan application for a
one storey sales pavilion for Fieldgate Homes. She
noted that the proposed development is to be
located at Taunton Road and Brock Road, noting
that the proposed development would include
access from Peter Matthews Drive, flush entry into
the building, interior bathrooms, accessible
parking, and accessible washrooms.
Members noted that the proposed sales pavilion is
a model for accessibility and that the sales pavilion
could be used as an opportunity to profile
accessibility in the model homes.
ii) Marshall Homes (Finch) Ltd.
Isabelle Janton, Senior Planner, Site Planning,
provided a brief overview of the site plan
application for Marshall Homes. She noted that the
proposed development would be located at Finch
Avenue and Rosebank Road with two access
points into the development. Ms. Janton noted that
the proposed development would include 42 single
detached units, double garages, 11 visitor parking
spaces, accessible parking, and sidewalks and
internal roads within the proposed development.
She further noted that the proposed units would be
over 11 meters wide. Ms. Janton through the aid of
PDF documents provided an overview of the
architectural drawings and the landscape designs
for the proposed development.
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Discussion ensued among Committee Members
regarding:
whether Finch Road would be widened and
would include a bus stop near the proposed
development;
whether the access into the basement from
the main floor would be accessible;
whether Marshall Homes would provide
accessibility design options for buyers;
whether there would be a maintenance fee
for common elements such as the internal
roads;
the benefit of the ability to easily transform a
common space room within the main floor to
a bedroom;
the benefit of having a large floor plan in
relation to installing elevators and other
accessible elements;
whether the access from the garage to the
mudroom is at grade;
the need for builders to provide accessibility
design options to buyers during construction
to avoid expenses in introducing
accessibility after the home is built;
affordable and accessible housing options in
relation to nearby accessible schools;
wider interior doors of 36-38 inches as a
default;
creating front doors and garage entry doors
close to grade to allow for a simple ramp
addition to the entry;
the importance of avoiding sunken rooms;
the need for straight run staircases as
opposed to staircases that curve or L-shape
to enable affordable installation of stair lifts
and stair glides;
the need for large double overhead garage
doors (14’-16’) as opposed to two 7’ or 8’
single doors as pulling a vehicle into the
center of a double garage allows for easier
load and unload of persons;
building the main floor powder room with an
option for large three-piece accessible
washroom with a barrier free shower option
for wheelchairs;
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whether there would be sidewalks on Finch
Avenue near the proposed development;
and,
using the Development Charge Reserve to
build sidewalks for developments for local
roads that are under the Municipality’s
jurisdiction.
Brief discussion ensued regarding encouraging the
Pickering City Development department to engage
the Accessibility Advisory Committee at the early
stages of a planning application to provide
actionable advice to Council. Isabelle Janton,
Senior Planner, Site Planning, noted that all active
planning applications are available on the City’s
website for the public’s viewing.
Members noted that upon substantial completion of
any new site development, the City of Pickering
should ensure sidewalks and connections exist for
safe and unencumbered access to adjacent
residential and/or commercial developments, as
well as schools, parks and municipal infrastructure.
5.2 Accessible Housing
Members discussed the lack of affordable housing
in Pickering noting that the current property fees for
condominiums are very expensive. T. Higgins
noted that Sue Wilkinson is currently working on a
draft motion on affordable housing to present to
Pickering City Council for information.
Peter Bashaw noted that he had submitted an
email to Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy, MPP,
regarding the lack of affordable housing, stating
that he had requested the Minister to collaborate
with Architects College to develop design concepts
for accessibility. Mr. Bashaw further noted that
Municipalities should designate lands as
accessible lands to address accessibility issues
pertaining to elevation.
Further discussion ensued regarding formulating
the motion to Council to direct Staff to bring a
Report on affordable housing.
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Members noted that students in a Switzerland
College had designed a wheelchair that could
climb stairs, noting that they are currently seeking
a developer to produce the wheelchairs. Members
added that Kubota or the GM plant in Oshawa may
benefit from this initiative.
5.4 Service & Support Animal Initiative (SSAI)
David Wysocki provided a brief overview of the
initiative and noted that the taskforce had received
approval for the funding from the Province, adding
that the scheduled timeline had been reduced
significantly. Mr. Wysocki noted that due to the
COVID-19 Pandemic, the innovation labs would be
conducted virtually, adding that the taskforce would
need technical support. He further added that the
taskforce is currently working to create modules to
the innovation labs. He noted that he would be
circulating a contact list for potential invitees for the
Members to review and provide comment.
T. Higgins noted that Devin Poole, Clerk – Typist,
is currently helping to research some of the
information gaps on a potential invitees list from
various organizations.
Members inquired whether the taskforce had a
personnel assigned to lead the virtual innovation
labs, and whether the taskforce had explored co-op
student placement opportunities. D. Wysocki noted
that the taskforce does have designated personnel
to lead the labs, however, would need technical
support during the virtual labs. He noted that the
taskforce is hoping to receive help from the OCAD
University.
Other Business & Updates
T. Higgins surveyed the Committee members for
updates and final remarks. No action items from
updates.
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T. Higgins commended Devin Poole, Clerk –
Typist, for his work on the Durham Regional Police
Children’s Games, noting that he had suggested
and provided leadership to implement a “Games in
a Box” virtual event to ensure continuity of the
program notwithstanding challenges posed by the
COVID-19 pandemic.
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 9: 05 pm.