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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 17, 2021 Minutes/Meeting Summary Accessibility Advisory Committee February 17, 2021 Electronic Meeting 7:00 pm Attendees: Peter Bashaw Saima Fatima Dan Hughes Glenn Lang Megan Thorpe Ross David Wysocki John McLellan, Ajax-Pickering B oard of Trade Tim Higgins, Staff Representative Rumali Perera, Recording Secretary Isabelle Janton, Senior Planner - Site Planning Vince Plouffe, Manager, Facilities Capital Projects Absent: Anthony Lue Guests: Sinead Zalitach Item/ Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action Items/Status Ref # (summary of discussion) (include deadline as appropriate) 1. Welcome & Introductions T. Higgins welcomed members and guests to the electronic Committee meeting. 2. Review and Approval of Agenda T. Higgins reviewed the agenda items. Agenda approved. 3. Disclosure of Interest No disclosures of interest were noted. 4. Review and Approval of Minutes - January 20, 2021 Moved by D. Hughes Seconded by G. Lang That the Minutes of the January 20, 2021 meeting of the Accessibility Advisory Committee be approved. Page 1 of 6 Item/ Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action Items/Status Ref # (summary of discussion) (include deadline as appropriate) Carried 5. New Business 5.1 Site Plan Review S12/02 (R20) 1400 Squires Beach Rd. Isabelle Janton, Senior Planner - Site Planning, provided an overview of the proposal noting that the applicant proposes to add a canopy to the existing building, additional parking space, a loop for truck movement, and a loading area under the canopy. A question and answer period ensued between Members of the Committee and Isabelle Janton, regarding: • why there are a large number of parking spaces for a warehouse; • providing a pathway into the property from the intersection of Bayly Street and Squires Beach Road for employees that may be using public transportation; • whether there are employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities; • the need for sidewalks for both Bayly Street and Squires Beach Road; • the associate entrance to the warehouse being the best location to place the connecting pathway to public transportation; and, • whether the second storey office is accessible S 02/19 9004807 Canada Inc. – Stonepay Phase II Isabelle Janton, Senior Planner - Site Planning, noted that the first phase of the proposal, which was before the Committee in 2019, was approved in December and the applicant is now be moving forward with construction. She added that a pre– consultation meeting had been requested by the Page 2 of 6 Item/ Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action Items/Status Ref # (summary of discussion) (include deadline as appropriate) applicant to review a proposal for Phase II of the development. Ms. Janton provided the Committee with an overview of the proposal which include 108 stacked townhouses and 14 standard townhouses and noted that the proposed Site Plan is almost a mirror image of the approved Phase I lands. A brief question and answer period ensued between Members of the Committee and Ms. Janton, regarding the recommendations that were made by the Accessibility Advisory Committee in 2019 during Phase I and whether these recommendations were followed through by the applicant. Tim Higgins enquired whether there are plans for transit routes to the subject lands, availability of parklands, and the width of the right of way for Palmer’s Sawmill Road. Tim Higgins suggested that Isabelle Janton attend the upcoming Core Accessibility Team Meeting t o discuss the recreational potential and value of the subject lands. Pickering Museum Vince Plouffe, Manager, Facilities Capital Projects, through the aid of site plan images, provided an overview of the site plan for the Pickering Heritage Community Centre and discussed available parking, access to the building, and major features of the building. A brief question and answer period ensued between Members of the Committee and Vince Plouffe regarding: • access to the second floor and whether the elevator would provide access to the basement; and, • whether the r emaining portion of the East wing w ould be structured such that a Page 3 of 6 Item/ Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action Items/Status Ref # (summary of discussion) (include deadline as appropriate) second floor could continue along the entirety of the wing. Tim Higgins enquired whether there is any potential use for the rooftop space and whether the Indigenous Community had been consulted on the project. Mr. Plouffe advised that there would be no open access to the rooftop due to the rooftop being used for a number of different functions and that Staff are working with the Indigenous Community on a key exhibit. Vince Plouffe provided the Committee with an update on the Recreation Complex noting that demolition had already begun. 5.2 Service & Support Animals Initiative D.Wysocki provided the Committee with an update on the Service & Support Animals Initiative, noting that the innovation labs had begun taking place. He noted that through the Survey designed by the Taskforce, four key stakeholder groups were identified which include front facing businesses, users of support animals, advocacy groups, and the different levels of government. He added that the last innovation lab is being held tomorrow where participants would be discussing solutions to the issues that were identified a nd creating a persona. D. Wysocki outlined the next steps of the project which include a monograph and the public launch of a awareness webinar. Sinead Zalitach joined the Committee meeting v ia audio connection and stated that she was a participant of the innovation, lab and noted that creating a persona through discussion was both rewarding and challenging. D. Wysocki added that the innovation l abs allowed people to step outside of themselves and address issues that any one particular group or persons could not normally address. Tim Higgins provided the Committee with an overview of a number of highlights from the project. Page 4 of 6 Item/ Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action Items/Status Ref # (summary of discussion) (include deadline as appropriate) Members of the Committee noted the importance of action that should be taken by the City in response to the findings of the initiative. 5.3 Accessible/Affordable Housing Tim Higgins advised that there is a formal consultation process that is being undertaken by the City regarding accessible and affordable housing, and that the next formal meeting would be taking place next Thursday where the Committee could present issues relating to accessible and affordable housing. Discussion ensued between Members of the Committee and Tim Higgins regarding: • various accessible housing designs such as stacked bungalow houses or townhouses; • affordable housing and ac cessible housing being two separate issues and concerns regarding the creation of low income communities by integrating the two issues; • lack of accessible housing for seniors; • whether there is a business model to entice builders to create affordable or accessible housing; • the need for affordable and accessible housing being dependent on the age groups; and, • looking at a new structure of financing for affordable housing. Members of the Committee enquired whether the members of the Study would be able to attend the next Accessibility Advisory Committee to receive input from the Committee. 6. Other Business & Updates 6.1 Member Updates D. Hughes advised that the site plans for the Axess Condominium project had been submitted to the City. Page 5 of 6 Item/ Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action Items/Status Ref # (summary of discussion) (include deadline as appropriate) G. Lang enquired whether the Region would be looking at potential issues relating to accessibility and access to the COVID-19 vaccination clinics. J. McLellan thanked the Committee for nominating him for the City of Pickering Civic Awards. 7. Adjournment Meeting Adjourned: 9:25 pm Page 6 of 6