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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary, 18, 2026 Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Main Committee Room February 18, 2026 - 07:00 PM Present: S. Azhar B. Ferguson C. Rudberg-Chin D. Schick M. Shackleton K. Sullivan S. Snyders V. Plouffe, Division Head, Facilities Management & Construction D. Poida, Senior Project Manager, Capital Projects I. Janton, Senior Planner, Site Planning T. Higgins, Accessibility Coordinator (Staff Liaison) A. MacGillivray, Council and Committee Coordinator (Recording Secretary) Regrets: D. Currie K. Hale Councillor M. Brenner Councillor M. Nagy A, Topple, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade Review and Approval of Agenda T. Higgins reviewed the agenda and spoke to changes due to the inclement weather. Moved By C. Rudberg-Chin Seconded By K. Sullivan That the Agenda for the February 18, 2026 Meeting of the Accessibility Advisory Committee be approved. Carried 1. 1 Disclosure of Interest No disclosures of interest were noted. Approval of Minutes Minutes, January 28, 2026 T. Higgins provided an overview of the Meeting Minutes of January 28, 2026, highlighting items for follow-up. Discussion ensued amongst the Committee regarding: the City's removal of snow from accessible parking spaces at City facilities in a timely manner; • the Committee's recommendation regarding accessible power-operated doors that was made at the January 28, 2026 Committee Meeting; and, • clarification regarding the ongoing concerns pertaining to accessible power- operated doors at City facilities. • Moved By D. Schick Seconded By M. Shackleton That the Minutes of the January 28, 2026 Meeting of the Accessibility Advisory Committee be approved. Carried Delegations/Presentations There were no delegations. Onila Miranda, Pickering Resident Re: Love Is a Human Right — Make Ableism a Global Crime This matter was deferred to a future meeting. New Business Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) - Ableism Policy This matter was deferred to a future meeting. 2. 3. 3.1 4. 4.1 5. 5.1 Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes February 18, 2026 2 Seaton Recreation Complex & Library – Project Update V. Plouffe provided a preliminary update on the Seaton Recreation Complex & Library Project including an overview of various areas within the site plan. Discussion ensued amongst the Committee regarding: distribution of accessible parking spaces;• the recess of the ice pads;• evacuation protocol and pathways from the second floor;• concerns regarding the staggering of entrance/exit doors;• provision for pick-up and drop-off locations;• concerns regarding potential use of unilock pavers or cobblestone;• the provision for two public elevators to access the second floor;• the spectator capacity on the second floor and whether that would be factored into planning elevator use; • whether the City could consider accessible program equipment as part of the facility amenities; • the opportunity to potentially engage Autism Home Base on programming opportunities; • whether mental health and wellness would be factored into the design (e.g. community gardens and landscaping); and, • the importance of factoring in a wide variety of disabilities, not just those living with mobility challenges. • V. Plouffe indicated that a more detailed design is expected to come back to the Committee for feedback prior to the summer recess. George Ashe Library and Community Centre – Application for Enabling Accessibility Grant D. Poida provided an overview of the Enabling Accessibility Grant application for accessibility improvements at the George Ashe Library and Community Centre (GALCC). Discussion ensued amongst the Committee regarding: whether there was an opportunity to target any improvements for indigenous persons living with disabilities to enhance the grant application; • the installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations; and,• whether there was an opportunity to expand the facility as part of the grant, • 5.2 5.3 Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes February 18, 2026 3 given the anticipated growth in the City. T. Higgins invited the Committee to forward any further feedback on this project to him at the earliest opportunity to provide to staff. Site Plan Review S 04/25 - Burkholder Drive I. Janton provided an overview of the 7 commercial buildings proposed as part of Site Plan Proposal S 04/25 on Burkholder Avenue. Discussion ensued amongst the Committee regarding: whether there were provisions to make the neighbourhood and site more pedestrian-friendly, especially for those with mobility challenges; • whether pedestrian way-finding signage could be considered;• whether additional accessible parking spots could be considered in proximity to the anticipated Shoppers Drug Mart on-site; • the gas pipeline easement on the property provisioned for a multi- use path and whether there was an opportunity for incorporating lighting on the path; and, • whether or not all units have accessible power-operated doors.• S 01/26 - 1970 Brock Road I. Janton provided an overview of the two towers consisting of residential and commercial units proposed as part of Site Plan Proposal S 01/26 at 1970 Brock Road. Discussion ensued amongst the Committee regarding: transit service along Kingston Road and Brock Road and whether there was opportunity to factor transit access into planning for the site; • concerns regarding the development's potential impact to pedestrian and vehicle safety at the intersection of Brock Road and Kingston • 5.4 5.4.1 5.4.2 Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes February 18, 2026 4 Road, and whether there are safety improvements required; clarification that this development would replace the current commercial plaza on the site at some point in the future; • concerns regarding potential glare from the building that could impact traffic safety at the intersection of Brock Road and Kingston Road; • concerns regarding the limited number of total parking spaces anticipated for the site, for both residential and commercial users; • promotion of accessible features throughout the development; and,• the anticipated Wendy's restaurant featuring a drive-through. • Other Business C. Rudberg-Chin informed the Committee that she now sits as the Vice-President of the Accessibility Club at Seneca College; • K. Sullivan inquired about the status of the exterior lighting study project.• M. Shackleton spoke to the level of development happening throughout the City and whether the City has a plan in place to meet the needs of the new developments; • I. Janton spoke to the Accessibility Checklist provided to the Accessibility Coalition, and inquired as to whether any feedback had been received; and, • T. Higgins spoke to ongoing discussions regarding the City potentially joining the Accessible Housing Coalition. • Correspondence There was no correspondence. Next Meeting - March 18, 2026 Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:22 pm. Dated this 18th day of February, 2026. 6. 7. 8. 9. Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes February 18, 2026 5