HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 20, 2024
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Minutes/Meeting Summary
Accessibility Advisory Committee
November 20, 2024
Hybrid Electronic Meeting
Main Committee Room
7:00 pm
Attendees: S. Azhar
D. Currie
B. Ferguson
C. Rudberg-Chin
M. Shackleton
K. Sullivan
M. Wilson
I. Janton, Senior Planner – Site Planning
D. Poida, Senior Project Manager, Capital Projects
T. Higgins, Accessibility Coordinator
A. MacGillivray, Council & Committee Coordinator
Absent: Councillor M. Brenner
Councillor M. Nagy
A. Khan
S. Snyders
A. Topple, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade
Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action
Items/Status
(include deadline
as appropriate)
1. Review and Approval of Agenda
Moved by C. Rudberg-Chin
Seconded by M. Wilson
That the Agenda for the November 20, 2024, Meeting of The
Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting be approved.
Carried
2. Disclosure of Interest
No disclosures of interest were noted.
3. Approval of Minutes
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Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action
Items/Status
(include deadline
as appropriate)
Moved by M. Wilson
Seconded by C. Rudberg-Chin
That the Minutes of the October 16, 2024, meeting of the
Accessibility Advisory Committee be approved.
Carried
4. Presentations/Delegations
There were no presentations.
5. New Business
5.1 Introduction of new Accessibility Advisory Members
T. Higgins provided brief remarks regarding the onboarding of
D. Schick and K. Hale and the retiring of M. Wilson from the
Committee.
D. Schick introduced himself to the Committee and Committee
Members and City staff provided introductory remarks.
5.2 Accessibility Advisory Committee Member Training
T. Higgins provided a high-level overview of the history around
Ontario’s accessibility framework, including the Accessibility
for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario
Human Rights Code (OHRC), and highlighted the City’s
accessibility achievements. T. Higgin continued his remarks,
speaking to:
• the need to learn more about accessibility from a federal
government perspective;
• the recent reports and reviews of the AODA by David
Onley and Rich Donovan;
• the City’s intention to meet or exceed accessibility
requirements; and,
• the City’s 5 Year Accessibility Plan and other training
resources to understand accessibility.
D. Schick to be
sent training
material and
access to the
City’s 5 Year
Accessibility Plan.
5.3 2025 Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting
Schedule
T. Higgins provided a brief overview of the Draft 2025
Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Schedule.
Moved by B. Ferguson
Seconded by K. Sullivan
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Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action
Items/Status
(include deadline
as appropriate)
That the 2025 Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting
Schedule be adopted as follows:
January 15, 2025 - 7:00 pm
February 19, 2025 - 7:00 pm
March 19, 2025 - 7:00 pm
April 16, 2025 - 7:00 pm
May 21, 2025 - 7:00 pm
June 18, 2025 - 7:00 pm
September 17, 2025 - 7:00 pm
October 15, 2025 - 7:00 pm
November 19, 2025 - 7:00 pm
Carried
5.4 Site Plans Review
- Brock Road Duffins Forest Inc., 2055 Brock Road
(S 07/23)
I. Janton provided an overview of the site plan application
for 2055 Brock Road.
Discussion ensued amongst the Committee regarding:
• concerns regarding the site’s proximity to the
floodplain;
• whether there are any accessible units provisioned
for this project;
• whether any units were accessible at grade with
accessible parking;
• concerns regarding only having stair access to the
underground parking from the townhome blocks
and whether a central corridor, an elevator, or
other solutions could be considered;
• clarification regarding accessible egress
requirements from the underground parking facility
to the outside;
• the importance of considering the psychology of
accessibility and avoiding the segregation of those
requiring accessible features;
• whether accessible parking can be considered in
the underground parking facility, close to the
townhome block side of the site; and,
• the limitations of the Ontario Building Code
requirements in terms of accessibility.
Committee
Members to
receive electronic
copies of the site
plan and provide
any further
feedback to staff
to document.
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Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action
Items/Status
(include deadline
as appropriate)
T. Higgins solicited the Committee to continue to
review the site plan and provide any further feedback
to staff.
Discussion ensued amongst the Committee regarding:
• safety concerns regarding one entrance to the
underground parking facility;
• visibility concerns for drivers exiting from Usman
Road once the residential tower is built;
• traffic concerns regarding the intersection of
Usman Road and Brock Road;
• whether to the project was made up of purpose-
built rentals or condominiums;
• concerns regarding the number of elevators and
whether there is provision for a cargo elevator;
• concerns regarding the amount of time provided to
the Committee to review site plans;
• the intent to invite the developer to discuss the site
plan further with the Committee and provide
responses to the concerns raised;
• the history of this planning application and the
decision by the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) on
the matter;
• clarification regarding the scope of the Committees
site plan feedback being the exterior of the
building;
• whether the Committee can request that the
developer seek a Rick Hansen Accessibility
Certification;
• ensuring the playground equipment is accessible;
• whether the Committee will receive information
regarding the finishes chosen for the playground
equipment; and,
• clarification regarding the timelines that feedback is
required by.
5.5 Council Chamber Project
T. Higgins provided introductory remarks regarding the
Council Chamber Project and D. Poida provided an
overview, including the key improvements, AV system,
new floor layout, and conceptual designs.
Discussion ensued amongst the Committee regarding:
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Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action
Items/Status
(include deadline
as appropriate)
• concerns regarding single door emergency exit
from the Councillors Vestibule;
• clarification that the Chambers will be maintaining
its existing footprint;
• whether the seating and desks for Council and staff
will be accessible by design;
• whether closed captioning and sign language
interpretation inside the Council Chambers is being
considered for the project;
• whether other municipalities including York Region
and the City of Vaughan have been consulted for
insights;
• the importance of factoring in emerging
technologies when planning for the project;
• what the overflow space would look like;
• whether additional washrooms could be
considered;
• whether wayfinding signage or markers are being
considered in finding accessible features in the
space;
• whether accessible seating can be considered in
the back of the Chambers as well;
• whether standing areas can be considered;
• concerns regarding the sight line of audience
members with the levelling of the floor; and,
• whether an augmented reality or 3D model of the
proposed design be used for public engagement
on the design.
5.6 Sub-Committee – Update
C. Rudberg-Chin provided a brief update regarding the
work of the Sub-Committee and highlighted the work
conducted in conjunction with the City Development
Department.
B. Ferguson and T. Higgins provided information
regarding the Accelerating Accessibility Coalition, and a
Meeting happening on November 29, 2024 that
Committee Members were invited to attend.
The Committee further discussed:
• the tentative plans for a Symposium Event to
promote more accessible practices to the
development community in Pickering;
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Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action
Items/Status
(include deadline
as appropriate)
• the City of Vaughan’s Building Code; and,
• whether there were opportunities available through
the Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities
Canada (HICC) department of the federal
government.
6. Correspondence
There were no items of correspondence.
7. Other Business
7.1 Recognition of Morgan Wilson
T. Higgins recognized the contributions of M. Wilson to the
work of the Accessibility Advisory Committee.
7.2 Site Plan Accessibility Checklist
I. Janton provided an update on progress made on drafting
the accessibility checklist for site plans
Committee
Members to
review the draft
checklist and
discuss at a future
meeting.
8. AAC Member Roundtable Updates
C. Rudberg-Chin and S. Azhar provided information
regarding upcoming holiday events.
9. Next Meeting – January 15, 2024
10. Adjournment
Moved by M. Wilson
Seconded by B. Ferguson
That the meeting be adjourned.
Carried
Meeting Adjourned: 9:26 pm