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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 21, 2023 Page 1 of 7 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 Page 2 of 7 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. Page 3 of 7 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. Page 4 of 7 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 Page 5 of 7 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 Page 6 of 7 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 Page 7 of 7 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