HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 21, 2023
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Minutes/Meeting Summary
Accessibility Advisory Committee
June 21, 2023
Electronic Meeting
7:00 pm
Attendees: S. Fatima
S. Snyders
B. Ferguson
A. Khan
C. Rudberg-Chin
P. Milton
I. Janton, Senior Planner - Site Planning
T. Higgins, Accessibility Coordinator (Staff Liaison)
A. MacGillivray, Committee Coordinator (Recording Secretary)
J. Currie, Legislative Coordinator (Recording Secretary)
Councillor M. Brenner
Councillor S. Butt
Councillor M. Nagy
Absent: M. Thorpe Ross
J. McLellan, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade
D. Currie
T. Lyle-Gravlev
R. Rizvi
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 and
suggested the correction of administrative errors
pertaining to the time slots.
Agenda approved as amended.
2. Disclosure of Interest
No disclosures of interest were noted.
3. Approval of Minutes
Moved by B. Ferguson
Seconded by S. Snyders
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Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
That the Minutes of the May 17, 2023 Meeting of the
Accessibility Advisory Committee be approved.
Carried
4. Presentations/Delegations
There were no presentations or delegations.
5. New Business
5.1 Welcome Councillors Brenner and Nagy
Councillor M. Brenner and Councillor M. Nagy
provided introductory remarks and noted the
importance of going above and beyond minimum
standards of accessibility and their commitment
as supporters of the Accessibility Advisory
Committee.
5.2 Accessible Housing
Councillor S. Butt provided an overview of issues
regarding accessibility that are being raised by
Pickering residents. He stated that new housing is
being built without accessibility in mind and that
aging residents are growing increasingly
uncomfortable in their homes. Councillor Butt
noted that he is working with staff on a motion to
push the province to build quality homes for
quality people, encouraging builders to plan
developments with accessibility at the forefront.
Discussion ensued with Committee Members
regarding:
• how the Committee can work to improve
the area of accessible housing;
• whether there were criteria for developers
to include accessibility as part of their
plans;
• how accessibility should be considered
prior to coming to being reviewed by the
Committee;
• the need for units that are both affordable
and accessible; and,
• the importance of rental units to create
more affordability and housing options.
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Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
5.3 Museum Accessibility Plan
T. Higgins provided an overview of the Museum
Accessibility Plan, and noted that it is important to
have in place and that it is a requirement of the
Pickering Heritage & Community Centre grant
funding. He also noted that the objective is to
ensure it mirrors the City’s Accessibility Plan.
K. Pyke describes and highlights various aspects
of the new plan, including providing wellness
opportunities, employment opportunities and use
of green energy. She noted that accessibility is
considered throughout process of planning for
capital repairs at Pickering Museum.
Moved by B. Ferguson
Seconded by C. Rudberg-Chin
That the Accessibility Advisory Committee
endorse the Museum Accessibility Plan.
Carried
5.4 Internship Grant Proposal
T. Higgins outlined the proposed Internship
Program and its goal to allow the City to employ
graduates living with disabilities from Durham
College and Ontario Tech University in Oshawa.
He noted that the proposal would seek to include
six internships that are six months in duration, and
that this program would give an opportunity for
students to transition from the learning
environment to the workforce. T. Higgins indicated
that the City applied for this grant opportunity but
was unsuccessful. He noted that the City intends
to apply again and that the deadline for the grant
submission being at the end of June.
Moved by P. Milton
Seconded by C. Rudberg-Chin
That the Accessibility Advisory Committee
endorse the application for the Internship Grant
Proposal.
T. Higgins to investigate
recognizing the project
during National Accessibility
Awareness Week.
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Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
Carried
5.5 Review of Site Plans
S 04/90(R23) – 1920 Silicone Drive
I Janton provided an overview of the Site Plan for
proposed industrial warehouse at 1920 Silicone
Drive.
Discussion ensued with Committee Members
regarding:
• the purpose of viewing site plans is to
provide feedback from the perspective of
people with lived disability experience;
• the Committee mandate to review site
plans;
• whether there were ramps leading to
sidewalks from accessible parking spaces;
• whether accessibility features were
considered for employees (e.g. loading
dock areas); and,
• whether this property is accessible by
public transit.
S 08/23 - 1786 & 1790 Liverpool Road
I Janton provided an overview of the Site Plan
for proposed mixed use development at 1786 &
1790 Liverpool Road.
Discussion ensued with Committee Members
regarding:
• whether a chair lift/ramp could be
considered for the pool;
• whether there is ample space for mobility
devices to navigate around the pool;
• concerns around the pool enclosure gate
and whether it can be made accessible;
• whether accessible BBQ stations could
be considered; and,
• whether tree and plant allergies can be
considered in the landscaping features.
S 10/23 - Pickering Town Centre - Block 1 &
2
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Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
I. Janton provided an overview of the Site Plan
for the proposed mixed use towers and the
phasing of the project.
Discussion ensued with Committee Members
regarding:
• accessible parking for residents, as well
as visitors;
• the number of accessible units proposed;
and,
• the Ontario Building Code mandate to
provide 15% of units to be accessible
ready.
S 09/23 - 2610 & 2630 Brock Road
I Janton provided an overview of the Site Plan
for proposed stacked townhomes at 2610 &
2630 Brock Road.
Discussion ensued with Committee Members
regarding:
• the challenges of stacked townhomes
and their lack of accessible features;
• the provisions for accessible parking
spaces despite the units being
inaccessible;
• whether there is an opportunity to invite
the applicant to a future Committee
meeting to discuss concerns; and,
• the need to examine processes and
expectations for all developers.
5.6 Canada Day – Final Plan
T. Higgins provided an overview of the Committee
hosting a large tent at the City’s upcoming
Canada Day Event. He spoke to the Committee
Members that have scheduled themselves for the
event and encouraged those who have not
already, to indicate whether or not they will be
available to assist. T. Higgins also noted the
accessible bus service that will be available to and
from the event that evening.
5.7 2023 AODA Compliance Report
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Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
T. Higgins provided an update regarding the 2023
AODA Compliance Report that City must submit
by December 2023. He indicated that the Report
will be reviewed by Accessibility Core Staff Team,
the Accessibility Advisory Committee, and then
forwarded to Council for approval before being
submitted to the Province.
5.8 LEAD Project Update
T. Higgins spoke to reports from the LEAD project
team and encouraged Members to review. He
also spoke to the anticipated six month timeline to
respond to recommendations and creation of an
action plan.
6. Correspondence
There were no items of correspondence.
7. Other Business
7.1 Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI)
Community Working Group
T. Higgins informed the Committee that one or two
volunteers are being solicited to represent the
Committee for the City’s Equity, Diversity &
Inclusion (EDI) Community Working Group.
7.2 Regional Accessibility Awards
T. Higgins spoke to an opportunity for the
Committee to provide nominations for the
Regional Accessibility Award.
7.3 National Research Grant
T. Higgins spoke to research on accessibility
topics, T. Higgins will reach out for ideas of what
kinds of topics we can propose for this grant.
T. Higgins to send
correspondence to Members
regarding the EDI
Community Working Group
opportunity.
T. Higgins to send
correspondence to Members
regarding the Regional
Accessibility Award
nomination opportunity.
8. AAC Member Roundtable Updates
T. Higgins solicited Committee member for updates,
no action items noted.
9. Next Meeting – September 20, 2023
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Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
10. Adjournment
Quorum lost at 9:06 pm. The meeting was adjourned.
Meeting Adjourned: 9:06 pm