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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 15, 2023Agenda Accessibility Advisory Committee March 15, 2023 7:00 pm Electronic Meeting For information related to accessibility requirements please contact: Committee Coordinator 905.420.4611 clerks@pickering.ca Members of the public may observe the meeting proceedings by viewing the livestream. Page 1.Review and Approval of Agenda T. Higgins 2.Disclosure of Interest T. Higgins 3.Approval of Minutes T. Higgins 3.1 February 15, 2023 Meeting Minutes 1 4.Presentations / Delegations 4.1 City of Pickering’s Digital Strategy K. Hayes L. Page 7:05 pm - 7:35 pm 7 4.2 Training/Development/Orientation −Site Plan Reviews I. Janton T. Higgins 7:35 pm - 7:45 pm 23 5.New Business 5.1 Site Plan Review −S03/23 - Caplink Limited - Block 4 −S02/23 - 1030 Salk Road I.Janton 7:45 pm - 8:15 pm 5.2 Accessible Playgrounds A.Mostert 8:15 pm - 8:40 pm 5.3 Snow Removal for Seniors and People with Disabilities S. Snyders T. Higgins 8:40 pm - 8:45 pm 5.4 AAC 2022 Year-End Report & 2023 Work Plan −Draft T. Higgins 8:45 pm - 8:55 pm 5.5 LEAD Project and the Durham Abilities Centre −Update T. Higgins 8:55 pm - 9:00 pm 6.Correspondence Agenda Accessibility Advisory Committee March 15, 2023 7:00 pm Electronic Meeting For information related to accessibility requirements please contact: Committee Coordinator 905.420.4611 clerks@pickering.ca 7. Other Business 8. AAC Member Roundtable Updates 9. Next Meeting – April 19, 2023 10. Adjournment Page 1 of 6 Minutes/Meeting Summary Accessibility Advisory Committee February 15, 2023 Electronic Meeting 7:00 pm Attendees: D. Currie S.Fatima P. Milton R. Rizvi C.Rudberg-Chin A.Khan S. Snyders M. Thorpe Ross J. McLellan, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade S. Douglas-Murray, Director, Community Services I. Janton, Senior Planner - Site Planning T. Higgins, Accessibility Coordinator (Staff Liaison) A. MacGillivray, Committee Coordinator (Recording Secretary) Absent: B. Ferguson T. Lyle-Gravlev Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 1. Review and Approval of Agenda T. Higgins reviewed the agenda items. Agenda approved. 2. Disclosure of Interest No disclosures of interest were noted. 3. Approval of Minutes S. Snyders flagged an error in the spelling of his last name in the Attendees section. Moved by C. Rudberg-Chin Seconded by D. Currie That the Minutes of the January 18, 2023 Meeting of the Accessibility Advisory Committee, with the noted correction be approved. - 1 - Page 2 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) Carried 4. Presentations/Delegations There were no presentations or delegations. 5. New Business 5.1 Memorandum from the Deputy Clerk Re: Amendments to Boards, Committees and Taskforces - Staff Liaison, Chair, and Vice Chair Roles - Council Membership S. Douglas-Murray provided introductory remarks and explained the Memorandum. A discussion period ensued with the Committee discussing: • historical context regarding Chairs and Vice Chairs on City Committees; • the benefit of strong communication with the City under the Staff Liaison led model; • concerns with the potential slowing of communication between the Committee and the City under a Chair led system; • concerns with the workload and responsibilities associated with the Chair role; • the importance of someone with strong knowledge of the history and key issues regarding accessibility chairing the Committee; • the opportunity to revisit the Terms of Reference in the future should the Committee want to change the way the Committee is chaired; • the appointment process for Members of Council on City Committees; • the benefit of hearing issues and seeking answers from Members of Council during Committee discussions; • the benefit of having Members of Council as allies that can be a direct conduit to express concerns to Council; • concerns regarding potential conflict with Council; - 2 - Page 3 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) • whether City or Regional Councillors would be considered to join the Committee; • whether Council representation would come into effect this term or next term; • whether it may be more appropriate to simply invite Members of Council to meetings on an as needed basis; • concerns around the Committee’s discussion being held back or curbed by the presence of a Council Member; • whether the Committee can move to endorse having a both a City and Regional Councillor to address both City and Regional issues; and, • clarification regarding the timelines of when Committee feedback is required. Moved by C. Rudberg-Chin Seconded by S. Snyders That the Accessibility Advisory Committee: a) finds Council representation on the Committee advisable; and, b) amend the Terms of Reference to include 2 Members of Council, one of which will be a Regional Councillor, and one of which will be a City Councillor. Carried 5.2 Terms of Reference Review A. MacGillivray provided an overview of the Terms of Reference review process being undertaken by Legislative Services and requested feedback from the Committee regarding the existing Terms of Reference. There were no comments from the Committee regarding the Terms of Reference. The following motion Carried later in the Meeting: - 3 - Page 4 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) That the Accessibility Advisory Committee approve the Terms of Reference with the following amendments: a) replacement of “Culture & Recreation” in Section 6 with “Community Services”. Carried 5.3 Site Plans Review S21/80(R23) - Vaughan Willard Public School (DDSB) I. Janton, Senior Planner - Site Planning provided an overview of Site Plan Application S21/80(R23), a proposed addition to a public elementary school. The Committee raised questions with regard to the information provided to the Committee prior to the meeting, and sought clarification regarding the scope of the review. I. Janton and T. Higgins clarified the scope of the Site Plan review process as it pertains to the Accessibility Advisory Committee and how information is shared with the Committee through ShareFile. The Committee engaged in discussion regarding: • whether there will be an increase in the number of staff and students attending the school as a result of the addition; • accessibility concerns regarding the double-door entrance to the school; • whether additional accessible parking spaces are provisioned for the site; • the need for the applicant to be cognizant of accessibility needs in areas such as parking, drop-off areas, washroom capacity, corridor and door entrance width; • consideration for the playground area and structures to be accessible to children with mobility devices; and, • whether there are standards around accessible access to playground areas. - 4 - Page 5 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 5.4 AAC 2022 Year-End Report & 2023 Work Plan T. Higgins provided an overview of the Work Plan process that the Committee will undertake including the opportunity to speak at a Council Meeting, the timelines to have the Work Plan completed. 5.5 LEAD Project and the Durham Abilities Centre T. Higgins provided an overview of the ongoing discussions with the Abilities Centre to improve the City’s accessibility processes and services. He informed the Committee regarding the tentative dates for the upcoming Improvement Planning meetings being March 30, 2023 at 2:00pm, and April 19, 2023 and April 26, 2023 9:00am to 12:30pm. T. Higgins encouraged the Committee to check their availability for those dates. 5.6 2023 Budget T. Higgins informed the Committee of the City’s Budget process that is underway and opportunities to share feedback. He further explained the various aspects that accessibility is considered through the City’s budget process and how it is outlined in the 5 Year Accessibility Plan. 5.7 Canada Day (July 1, 2023) T. Higgins provided an overview of the Committee’s past involvement at the City’s Canada Day event, and informed the Committees of the opportunity to get involved in the event this year. He let the Committee know that he will provide updates as more information about the event becomes available. T. Higgins to send the Committee the last report submitted and draft the new Year-End Report and Work Plan for the Committee’s review, prior to the March 15th Meeting. T. Higgins to send out invitations to the Improvement Planning meetings to Committee Members. - 5 - Page 6 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 5.8 AAC Document Sharing A. MacGillivray solicited feedback from the Committee regarding what kind of solution they may be looking for in terms of collaboration and document sharing. He briefly explained the use of ShareFile by the City’s Committee of Adjustment and how they use the platform to organize and store information for reference. 5.9 AAC Meeting Captioning A. MacGillivray explained that meeting captioning has been something that has been considered in the past and that there have been conversations with IT to explore what is possible presently with the City’s meeting software and YouTube. The Committee provided feedback around this feature, speaking to its importance for those that are hard of hearing, and that while accuracy may be an issue, it would at least provide a general understanding of what is happening in the meeting. A. MacGillivray to bring back information to the Committee at a future meeting regarding this matter. A. MacGillivray to bring back information to the Committee at a future meeting regarding this matter. 6. Correspondence There were no items of correspondence. 7. Other Business There was no other business discussed. 8. AAC Member Roundtable Updates T. Higgins surveyed the Members for updates. S. Snyders raised concerns around snow clearing. T. Higgins to raise the snow clearing issue with the Accessibility Core Staff Team. 9. Next Meeting – March 15, 2023 10. Adjournment The Committee lost quorum at 9:26 pm and the meeting was adjourned. Meeting Adjourned: 9:26 pm - 6 - Wherever business takes you 1 Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Digital Readiness and Strategy Wherever business takes you March 15, 2023 - 7 - Wherever business takes youWherever business takes you 2 Today’s Objective 1.Provide an overview of the City’s Digital Strategy initiative and goals. 2.Discuss how the City’s Digital Strategy can enable accessible digital services for the community. - 8 - Wherever business takes youWherever business takes you 3 Katie Hayes Senior Manager, Digital Advisory Lisa Page Consultant, Digital Advisory Welcome and Introductions - 9 - Wherever business takes youWherever business takes you 4 Welcome and Introductions •Tell us who you are. •Share one expectation or inspirational thought for today’s session. - 10 - Wherever business takes you The City of Pickering is embarking on a transformation journey to become a municipal leader in citizen-centred digital services. The purpose of this project is to complete a Digital Readiness Assessment and develop a Digital Strategy which will provide short-and long-term recommendations, including a clearly defined set of projects and actions related to technology architecture, selection and implementation of technology solutions, digital governance, and technology investment that will enable the City to achieve this goal. 5Wherever business takes you Digital Readiness and Strategy - 11 - Wherever business takes you 6 Public Engagement Activities Digital Strategy Pop-Up Booth at Recreation Complex Digital Strategy Pop-Up Booth at Central Library Facilitated Discussion with Adults 55+ Group Virtual Meeting with Cultural Advisory Committee Workshop with Pac For Teens Volunteer Group Virtual Meeting with Accessibility Advisory Committee Facilitated Discussion with Retirement Home Residents LetsTalkPickering Surveys for Community, Youth and Businesses - 12 - Wherever business takes you 77 Expectations of municipalities around the world have changed. They are faced with operating in a period of rapid change, and citizens today want a more open, integrated, accessible, and interactive experience. Drivers for digital change - 13 - Wherever business takes you Understanding Expectations 8 Flexible Accessible Responsive Seamless Transparent As digital tools continue their seamless integration into everyday life, citizen expectations have increased. Citizens are interested in accessing information and services when it is convenient for them through a easy to navigate online platform. - 14 - Wherever business takes you 9 Potential Digital Strategy Focus Areas Digital Service Delivery Digital Communications Open Data and Analytics Community Connections Digital Literacy and Skill Development Innovative Partnerships - 15 - Wherever business takes youWherever business takes you 10 Discussion #1 How can the City’s Digital Strategy support the long term vision to ensure Pickering is a caring and responsive community known for its commitment to equity, inclusion and accessibility? - 16 - Wherever business takes youWherever business takes you 11 Discussion #2 What barriers to accessibility and inclusion exist currently with the City’s digital services? - 17 - Wherever business takes youWherever business takes you 12 Discussion #3 What benefits can be achieved through an increased offering of digital services to the community? - 18 - Wherever business takes youWherever business takes you 13 Discussion #4 What digital initiatives should the City prioritize to increase accessibility and inclusion? - 19 - Wherever business takes youWherever business takes you 14 Discussion #5 What other ways can we reach the community to gather additional perspectives on the City’s digital initiatives? - 20 - Wherever business takes youWherever business takes you 15 Next Steps 1.Complete public engagement activities. 2.Analyze results. 3.Create “What We Heard” report. 4.Leverage learnings to inform the City’s Digital Strategy. 5.Present Digital Strategy to City Council. - 21 - Wherever business takes you Thank you! Lisa Page Consultant, Digital Advisory MNP Digital Lisa.Page@mnp.ca Katie Hayes Senior Manager, Digital Advisory MNP Digital Katie.Hayes@mnp.ca - 22 - pickering.capickering.ca Accessibility Advisory Committee March 15, 2023 - 23 - pickering.ca What is Site Plan Approval Site plan approval is a land use control mechanism which forms an essential component of the development review process. Its purpose is to implement the objectives of the Official Plan and to compliment the requirements of the zoning by-law. Site plan control allows the City to review and approve development details for a property such as building location; massing and exterior design of buildings; loading and parking facilities; landscaping; grading and servicing; and accessibility and sustainable design matters in order to ensure that the City’s, the Region’s and other agency requirements are satisfied. The purpose of the site plan process is to achieve cohesive and appropriate development solutions. - 24 - pickering.ca The Planning Act Site Plan Control Section 41 of the Planning Act sets out a municipality’s powers to regulate development through site plan control. In an area designated as a site plan control area, no person can undertake any development unless the municipality (or the Tribunal in the case of an appeal) approves certain plans and buildings showing the proposed new buildings and structures and the design of the site. - 25 - pickering.ca Site Plan Control Bylaw On June 25, 2018 City Council passed by Bylaw 7632/18 to designate the entire City of Pickering as a Site Plan Control Area. The by-law provides clarity on what is considered “development” for the purposes of applying site plan approval and provides clarity on what types of development are exempt from the Site Plan Approval process. Development is defined as "Development" means the construction, erection or placing of one or more buildings or structures on land or the making of an addition or alteration to a building or structure that has the effect of substantially increasing the size or usability thereof, or the laying out and establishment of a commercial parking lot or of sites for the location of three or more trailers as defined in clause 164(4)(a) of the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended, or of sites for the location of three or more mobile homes as defined in subsection 46(1) of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.13, as amended; - 26 - pickering.ca Applicants are required to provide the following: •plans showing the location of all buildings and structures to be erected and showing the location of all facilities and works to be provided in conjunction therewith including those facilities and works referred to in subsection 3.2 of this By-law and, including facilities designed to have regard for accessibility for persons with disabilities; •drawings showing plan, elevation and cross section views for each building to be erected which drawings are sufficient to display, •the massing and conceptual design of the proposed building; •the relationship of the proposed building to adjacent buildings, streets, and exterior areas to which members of the public have access; •the provision of interior walkways, stairs, elevators and escalators to which members of the public have access from streets, open spaces and interior walkways in adjacent buildings; •matters relating to exterior building design, including without limitation the character, scale, appearance and design of buildings, and their sustainable design, but only to the extent that it is a matter of exterior design; •sustainable design elements on any adjoining highway under municipality’s jurisdiction, including without limitation, trees, shrubs, hedges, plantings or other ground cover, permeable paving materials, street furniture, curb ramps, waste and recycling containers and bicycle parking facilities; •facilities designed to have regard for accessibility for persons with disabilities. - 27 - pickering.ca As a condition of approval of the plans and drawings referred to in subsection 3.1 of this By-law, the City may require the owner of lands being developed to provide to the satisfaction of and at no expense to the City any or all of the following: •widenings of highways that abut on the land •access ramps, curbing and traffic direction signs •off-street vehicular loading and parking facilities •walkways and walkway ramps •facilities designed to have regard for accessibility for persons with disabilities; •facilities for the lighting of the land or of any buildings or structures thereon; •walls, fences, hedges, trees, shrubs or other ground cover or facilities for the landscaping of the land or the protection of adjoining land; •facilities and enclosures for the storage of garbage and other waste material; •easements conveyed to the City •grading for the disposal of storm, surface and waste water from the land and from any buildings reports and/or studies demonstrating conformity with the policies of the City's Official Plan, approved urban design guidelines and the Zoning By-law. •maintain to the satisfaction of the City and at the sole risk and expense of the owner any or all of the facilities or works including the removal of snow and ice from access ramps and driveways, parking and loading areas and walkways •enter into one or more agreements with the City to address the proposed development •convey part of the land to the municipality or Region of Durham for a public transit right of way - 28 - pickering.ca The City’s Site Plan Control By-law identifies the following class or classes of development as exempt from site plan approval: •residential development of 1 or 2 dwelling units per lot •agricultural and farm related buildings or structures that are used in farming operations, including new buildings or structured use for agricultural purposes within the Natural Heritage System of the Greenbelt Plan (provided that the new buildings or structures are located outside of the 30.0 metres minimum vegetation protection zone from a key natural heritage or key hydrologic feature identified in the Pickering Official Plan) •tents and similar structures to be erected for a temporary period not exceeding 12 weeks •accessory buildings or structures not exceeding a total gross floor area of 50 square metres •any expansion or enlargement of a building or structure that is less than 20 square metres or less than 10 percent of the total floor area of the building, whichever is less •any building or structure owned or operated by the City, the Region of Durham, a conservation authority, the Government of Ontario, or of Canada •any building or structure being re-built that were destroyed by fire, explosion or flood or other similar causes, subject to conditions, and •development of sales offices and model homes - 29 - pickering.ca The role of the Accessibility Advisory Committee The Accessibility Advisory Committee is a Committee of Council, responsible for reviewing Site plans and drawings described in section 41 of the Planning Act and providing advice and comments related to accessibility as outlined by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) The design of the physical environment that we build around us can create barriers, not only for people with mobility problems, but also for people with many other types of disabilities such as hearing or vision impairment, or various types of learning disabilities. Elements of a site plan that impact accessibility could include: •buildings •driveways •entrances •curbs or ramping •parking areas •sidewalks •landscaping •fences •exterior lighting All new buildings and parking areas should be designed to be accessible to people with disabilities. Applicants are required to ensure that their site conforms with the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians (AODA) Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR). - 30 - pickering.ca Bill 23 More Homes Built Faster Act The passing of Bill 23 made significant changes to a number of municipal tools but the key changes to the Site Plan approval process are as follows: New Forms of Development Excluded from Site Plan Approval Bill 23 now expands the list of exempted forms of development that are not subject to site plan control. Previously, only the placement of portable classrooms on school sites that existed prior to January 1, 2007, were excluded from the need to obtain site plan approval. Now, new subsection 41(1.2) also exempts any residential development that contains no more than 10 residential units (except for the development of land lease communities). Exterior Design of the Building No Longer Regulated The type of plans and drawings that can be reviewed through the site plan control process are set out in subsection 41(4). Previously, drawings showing the exterior design of a new building, include its character, scale, appearance, and design features, were required to be submitted for approval. Bill 23 proposes to delete paragraph 2.(d) of subsection 41(4) and remove the requirements to provide drawings showing matters of exterior design. The new legislation goes further by adding exterior design to the list of matters expressly excluded from site plan control under subsection 41(4.1). However, matters relating to exterior access to a building that contains affordable housing units can still be reviewed. - 31 - pickering.ca Public Notification •Under the Planning Act the applicant is only person/body that has the ability to appeal the decision or non decision of the municipality. •Site Plan Applications are a technical review and not subject to public consultation. Public comments are provided during the review of the land use proposals (Zoning and Official Plan Amendments) •We have on occasion consulted with neighbours when applications have a high degree of interest/impact. The applicants participation in this process is entirely voluntary and cannot be mandated by the City. - 32 - pickering.ca Isabelle Janton Senior Planner –Site Planning City Development Department T. 905.420.4660 ext. 2091 ijanton@pickering.ca Questions? - 33 -