HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 17, 2021
Minutes/Meeting Summary
Accessibility Advisory Committee
March 17, 2021
Electronic Meeting
7:00 pm
Attendees: Peter Bashaw
Saima Fatima
Dan Hughes
Glenn Lang
Megan Thorpe Ross
John McLellan, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade
Tim Higgins, Staff Representative
Rumali Perera, Recording Secretary
Absent: Anthony Lue
David Wysocki
Guests: Margaret Kish, Principal Planner, Policy, City of Pickering
Margaret Parkhill, IBI Group
Sue Wilkinson
Sinead Zalitach
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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 Committee meeting.
2. Review and Approval of Agenda
T. Higgins reviewed the agenda items. Agenda
approved.
3. Disclosure of Interest
G.Lang advised that he may have a potential
conflict of interest pertaining to Agenda Item 5.1 as
he works for the Regional Municipality of York. G.
Lang noted that should he feel that there is a conflict
of interest, he would excuse himself from the
discussion pertaining to Agenda Item 5.1.
4. Review and Approval of Minutes
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Item/
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-February 17, 2021
Moved by D. Hughes
Seconded by P. Bashaw
That the Minutes of the February 17, 2021 meeting of
the Accessibility Advisory Committee be approved.
Carried
5. Presentations/Delegations
5.1 Margaret Parkhill, IBI Group
Re: Durham-Scarborough Bus Rapid Transit
Project
M. Parkhill joined the electronic meeting via audio
connection to provide information on the Durham
Scarborough Bus Rapid Transit project, and to
present the preferred design in the City of Pickering
and the accessibility components of the project.
Through the aid of a PDF presentation, Ms. Parkhill
discussed key objectives, project benefits, public
input to date, and preliminary designs of the project.
Ms. Parkhill noted that the project would improve
connectivity, remove existing gaps in the active
transportation network, and upgrade the sidewalks
and cycling facilities to meet AODA standards. Ms.
Parkhill concluded her delegation by providing an
overview of the next steps of the project.
A question and answer period ensued between
Members of the Committee, Tim Higgins, and
Margaret Parkhill, regarding:
•whether a two stage crossing would be
provided to mitigate the increased distance to
intersection crossings;
•whether the bus stations would be equipped
with accessible features such as audible and
visible cues;
•employing individuals with disabilities to work
in the operational activities of the project;
•the effect to small businesses during the
construction period of the project and whether
there would be funds allocated to support
small businesses;
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(include deadline as
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• whether there would be connectivity provided
between bus routes and GO bus stations and
ensuring that such connectivity is given
priority;
• ensuring that sidewalks are provided on the
project routes;
• the project implementation date and ensuring
that the Committee continue discussions
regarding interim measures for transit
connectivity between regions until the project
is implemented; and,
• how the project would interface with the
specialized transit system in Durham and
ensuring this interface is simplified as much as
possible.
5.2 Margaret Kish, Principal Planner, Policy
City of Pickering
Re: City of Pickering Housing Strategy
M. Kish joined the electronic meeting to provide an
overview of the Pickering Housing Strategy Study.
Ms. Kish discussed the background of the Study,
noting that Council had directed Staff to undertake a
Housing Strategy through Report PLN 05-20. She
further outlined the purpose and the objectives of the
Study, and provided an overview of the three phases
of the Study noting that the Study was currently in its
first phase. Ms. Kish discussed the housing
continuum, adding that affordable housing means
annual housing costs (rent or mortgage payments)
that do not exceed 30 percent of Gross household
income. Ms. Kish also discussed the Federal,
Provincial, and Regional Government roles in
housing, and highlighted a number of key findings to
date from the Study. Ms. Kish concluded her
delegation by discussing the next steps of the Study
and added that members could email their comments
regarding the Study directly to her.
Sue Wilkinson, a former member of the Pickering
Accessibility Advisory Committee, joined the meeting
via audio connection and noted that she had provided
her comments via email to Margaret Kish. Ms.
Wilkinson discussed concerns regarding stacked
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housing, noting that stacked housing was not
accessible.
T. Higgins noted that much of the site plans that are
considered by the Committee are presented to the
Committee with limited consideration of accessibility.
He further added that it was important to ensure that
a mix of housing was available for the ageing
population in Pickering.
A discussion period ensued between Members of the
Committee and Margaret Kish regarding:
• concern regarding combining affordable
housing and accessible housing together, and
ensuring that these issues are considered
separately to an extent to avoid building
segregated communities;
• the senior population relocating from Pickering
due to the lack of affordable and accessible
housing in the City;
• the City exploring the concept of prefab
housing for those who may fit an affordable
housing criteria;
• ensuring that the Study creates specific goals
for affordable housing and specific goals for
accessible housing in an effort to separate the
two issues to an extent;
• ensuring that the Committee Members are
included as stakeholders during the circulation
of the Draft Strategy and Action Plan;
• the Strategy also considering other factors
such as proximity to jobs, transportation,
hospitals, and other necessary services;
• looking beyond the ten year horizon of the
Strategy as there may be legislative changes
that could impact the Strategy;
• deficiencies with respect to the Ontario’s
Building Code pertaining to accessibility
requirements for residential accommodation;
• the findings of David Onley’s Report regarding
the independent review of the implementation
and enforcement of the Accessibility for
Ontarians with Disabilities Act;
• specific standards regarding accessible design
as outlined in the Americans with Disabilities
T. Higgins to review David
Onley’s Report and highlight
comments pertaining to
people with disabilities and
residential and commercial
accommodation, and how
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Act (ADA) and useful information being found
regarding accessible design through the ADA,
and the Human Rights Tribunal, as opposed to
the AODA;
T. Higgins suggested that Margaret Kish also reach
out to John McLellan, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade,
to receive his input on the subject matter.
Discussion ensued regarding the Metrolinx
Accessibility Advisory Committee and the process
undertaken by the Committee to assess accessibility
of infrastructure.
individuals generate income
to afford living in Pickering.
D. Hughes to provide
additional information
regarding ADA standards
pertaining to accessible
design.
6. New Business
T. Higgins along with Sinead Zalitach provided the
Committee with an update on the Service and
Support Animal Initiative and added that the Post
Innovation Lab Consultation was ongoing and that
the next phase of the project included the writing of
the Monograph. T. Higgins further added that the
Taskforce was working towards launching the
findings of the Initiative during National Accessibility
Awareness Week at the end of May.
7. Other Business & Updates
7.1 Member Updates
P. Bashaw noted that he was engaged in discussions
pertaining to the Rouge National Urban Park and the
new Welcome Centre, and that the Pickering
Accessibility Advisory Committee was included in the
list of stakeholders for the project.
T. Higgins provided the Committee with an update on
the three vacancies in the Committee. R. Perera
advised that the Committee appointments would be
done through Council resolution at the March 22,
2021 Council meeting.
T. Higgins provided a further update on the Service
and Support Animal Initiative noting that they are
currently in the process of amending the Transfer
Payment Agreement with the Province to extend
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project funding beyond the Ministry’s March 31st year
end.
T. Higgins advised that he was putting together an
award nomination for John McLellan for the David
Onley Award. The Committee Members noted their
support for the nomination.
T. Higgins advised members that he was working on
the Five Year Accessibility Plan and the 2020 Year
End Report and the 2021 Proposed Work Plan. R.
Perera added that the Report should be submitted to
the Clerk’s Office by May 14, 2021 to be included in
the May 25, 2021 Council Meeting Agenda.
Due to lack of quorum, the meeting adjourned at 8:50
pm. Informal discussion ensued however, no
decisions of the Committee were made.
Meeting Adjourned: 8:50 pm