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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 11, 2015 Page 1 of 6 Minutes/Meeting Summary Accessibility Advisory Committee November 11, 2015 7:00 pm Main Committee Room Attendees: P. Bashaw M. Brenner A. Doucette D. Hughes C. Morrison S. Wilkinson S. Bernardo, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade T. Higgins, Staff Representative L. Roberts, Recording Secretary Guests: I. Janton, Planner II – Site Planning A. Mostert – Sr. Coordinator, Landscape & Park Development N. Emery – Coordinator, Traffic Operations Absent: T. Arvisais Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 1. Welcome & Introduction T. Higgins welcomed everyone to the meeting and provided a slide show of photos from the Durham Region Police Children’s Games held at the Recreation Centre in October. 2. Approval of Minutes Moved by M. Brenner Seconded by C. Morrison That the September 16, 2015 minutes of the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting be approved. Carried 3. Business Arising from minutes 3.1) Parking By-law Consultation Planning N. Emery appeared before the Committee to provide an overview on the City’s proposed accessible parking project as well as the consultation process. He provided hand outs for the members, outlining the timelines in their draft work plan. He explained how legislation is changing resulting in a need for Page 2 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) amendments to the City’s existing by-laws in relation to accessible parking. He noted plans for a recommendation report and by-law to be brought forward for Council approval by June, 2016. A discussion period ensued with the following comments being noted:  Flexibility for implementation at an earlier date for new applications (i.e. site plans)  Should consider the design of the development  By-law should compel owner to include accessible parking at both ends and centre as well  Spread out the accessible parking spaces  Placement of curb cuts  Consultation should include other agencies such as March of Dimes, CCRW (Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work), Autism Ontario, the development industry, Transit and Taxi industry and any other agencies dealing with mobility issues, as well as seniors groups  City should negotiate price on curb cuts and offer to owners, or possibly provide service by the City as a way to generate revenue  Hold Town Hall meetings  Provide information on City’s website  In addition to the number and type of accessible spaces, the by-law needs to include provisions for enforcement during temporary events as well N. Emery noted the next steps would be to bring back a plan for the consultation process. T. Higgins asked all members to forward any additional comments onto him. 3.2) Site Plan Review I. Janton appeared before the Committee. Through the aid of a power point presentation, she provided an updated floor plan for the TASCO application. She noted she had provided the applicants with the Committee’s recommendations which resulted in the pedestrian walkway being extended and widened at the entrance, proposal of a paved sidewalk at the bottom of the steps with a curb cut and the addition of a ramp with a handrail. Page 3 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) Discussion ensued, and I. Janton noted that the width of the landing in front of the main access door is adequate for unimpeded pedestrian movement making the requirement for sliding door unnecessary. Members questioned whether there would be room for two wheelchairs to pass along the lower part of the accessible ramp. I. Janton showed the specifications for the proposed lift located inside the building, stating that the proposed lift will be reviewed by the building and fire departments at the building permit application. I. Janton provided members with an overview of the proposed sales centre for Hunley Homes to be located at Taunton Road and Sideline 26. She noted access would be available from Sideline 26. Accessible parking is proposed in the north parking area close to the front of the building. The Committee requested that 2 of the parking spaces be relocated to the west parking area to have access from both sides of the building. She also noted that the proposed building will be one level and fully accessible. She explained that although most sales centers don’t go through the Site Plan approval process, this development requires site plan approval as it will be in place for the next ten+ years while the Seaton community is being developed. Due to the potential length of time this temporary structure will be in place, the City needs to ensure that the site will function properly. Members comments included site plan grading, provision of curb cuts and lighting. Members noted a main area of concern being the provision of single storey accessible housing. It was noted that providing accessible housing was an important concern and should be discussed further at a future meeting. 3.3) Park Project Planning A. Mostert appeared before the Committee, providing a power point presentation on the current park projects being undertaken by the City. He outlined Kinsmen Park as follows:  Construction could potentially begin this fall  Outlined connectivity of ashphalt walkways to the parking area  Rubber walkway to be installed for a portion on a trial basis next year  Installation of spurs as a barrier free path to fields next year Page 4 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) It was questioned whether a plan was in place for maintenance of the walkways. A. Mostert outlined plans for a splash pad in Amberlea Park, noting this had gone out to tender. He stated that it would be accessible, outlining anti-slip materials to be used, as well as ground jets, bubblers, walkways and the proposed Ergo benches, which are ergonomically correct with a design that is accessibility friendly. Members questioned whether the plans would include residents with visual impairments. A. Mostert provided an outline of the park, explaining that the two pathways would form the only way in and that timers would be installed on the splash pad to control the operating hours to daytime only. A. Mostert outlined a proposal for two Village Greens, one being Lebovic/Tillings development in Duffin Heights and Lebovic/Bradshaw development on Brock Road at William Jackson Drive. He provided an overview of the walkways and children’s play areas, providing members with a sample of the proposed rubber material to be used. He noted the areas would be completely accessible, with ground based structures. 3.4) 2016-2020 Accessibility Plan T. Higgins advised members that the Five Year Accessibility Plan report had been approved at the Executive Committee on November 9th and will be going to Council for final approval on November 16th 3.5) Work Plan Updates T. Higgins noted that the Committee would discuss setting new goals and objectives in accordance with the Five Year Accessibility Plan once it has received Council approval. He noted this would be placed on the agenda for future discussion (January). Action items from the September meeting were reviewed. 3.6) Lunch ‘N Learn S. Bernardo provided an update on the Lunch ‘N Learn set for December 3rd at Ajax Downs. He noted this would be a two part session with topics to include the benefits of hiring persons with disabilities. He stated they have currently Page 5 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) received 14 registrations, and that all members were welcome to attend, but asked that they register for tracking purposes. He also noted information would be available through a link on the Ajax/Pickering Board of Trade website. P. Bashaw noted he would provide Steve with information regarding the Opportunities Fund. 3.7) 2016 Meeting Schedule/Future Agenda Items T. Higgins discussed the schedule of meetings for 2016, noting the Main Committee Room has been booked for the second Wednesday of each month in keeping with our current schedule, with the exception of March, May and September. Alternate locations would be required for these dates. T. Higgins provided members with a listing of future agenda items, providing a brief outline and inviting members to offer additional suggestions. Additional items were noted as follows:  S. Wilkinson had provided a letter which indicated sidewalk areas in the City in need of repair which she had also provided to the Customer Care centre at the City.  D. Hughes noted he was pursuing a matter with a local resident having issues with transit  Importance of having discussions with Durham Transit regarding accessibility  Need to have dialogue on accessible housing with Durham Home Builders  D. Hughes to discuss 100 unit condo development for persons with disabilities, which is in partnership with Durham College T. Higgins invited members to forward any further suggestions for future agenda items onto him. 3.8) Future Events T. Higgins provided members with brochures outlining City events and invited members to advise him of any as well. 3.9) HR Memo P. Bashaw to action Page 6 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) T. Higgins asked members for suggestions on topics for Human Resources to attend a meeting. The following suggestions were offered:  Employment strategies for hiring persons with disabilities  Outreach/marketing strategies T. Higgins noted he would draft a memo. T. Higgins to action 4. Correspondence 4.1) David C. Onley Award for Leadership in Accessibility T. Higgins outlined correspondence received regarding the above. He encouraged members to think about nominations, noting the deadline for submissions is December 3rd, 2015. 4.2) June Callwood Outstanding Achievement Award for Voluntarism in Ontario T. Higgins outlined correspondence received regarding the above. He encouraged members think about nominations, noting the deadline for submissions is December 5th, 2015. P. Bashaw offered one suggestion, and T. Higgins asked members to forward any other suggestions to him. 4.3) Durham Region Transit T. Higgins provided members with correspondence which he had just received from Durham Region Transit regarding specialized services, noting that any comments were required by tomorrow. 5.0 Other Business 5.1) T. Higgins provided a brief overview of a consultation session with Metrolinx at the Abilities Centre in Whitby, as well as a conference in Stratford which he had attended. 5.2) T. Higgins noted he would be emailing members with suggestions for the December meeting. T. Higgins to action 6. Next Meeting: December 9, 2015 Main Committee Room Meeting Adjourned: 9:20 pm Copy: City Clerk