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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 21, 2020 Page 1 of 6 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 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 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 Page 2 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 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. - Page 3 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 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; Page 4 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate)  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. Page 5 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 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. Page 6 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 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.