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.
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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;
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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:
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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.
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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.
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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
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Wherever business takes you 1
Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting
Digital Readiness and Strategy
Wherever business takes you
March 15, 2023
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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.
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Wherever business takes youWherever business takes you 3
Katie Hayes
Senior Manager,
Digital Advisory
Lisa Page
Consultant, Digital
Advisory
Welcome and Introductions
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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?
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Wherever business takes youWherever business takes you 11
Discussion #2 What barriers to accessibility and
inclusion exist currently with the
City’s digital services?
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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?
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Wherever business takes youWherever business takes you 13
Discussion #4 What digital initiatives should the
City prioritize to increase
accessibility and inclusion?
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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?
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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.
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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
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pickering.capickering.ca
Accessibility Advisory Committee
March 15, 2023
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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.
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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.
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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;
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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.
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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
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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
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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).
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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.
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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.
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pickering.ca
Isabelle Janton
Senior Planner –Site Planning
City Development Department
T. 905.420.4660 ext. 2091
ijanton@pickering.ca
Questions?
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