HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 21, 2024
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Minutes/Meeting Summary
Accessibility Advisory Committee
February 21, 2024
Hybrid Electronic Meeting
Main Committee Room
7:00 pm
Attendees: A. Khan
C. Rudberg-Chin
M. Thorpe Ross
S. Snyders
M. Shackleton
K. Sullivan
J. McLellan, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade
Councillor M. Brenner
M. Murray, Division Head, Culture & Community Programming
I. Janton, Senior Planner – Site Planning
K. Roberts, (Acting) Supervisor, Cultural Services
T. Higgins, Accessibility Coordinator (Staff Liaison)
J. Currie, Legislative Coordinator (Recording Secretary)
Absent: S. Azhar
B. Ferguson
D. Currie
L. Gibbs, (Acting) Director, Community Services
Councillor M. Nagy
Item/
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Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action
Items/Status
(include
deadline as
appropriate)
1. Review and Approval of Agenda
Moved by C. Rudberg-Chin
That the Agenda for the February 21, 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/
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Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
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deadline as
appropriate)
Moved by C. Rudberg-Chin
Seconded by M. Shackleton
That the Minutes of the January 17, 2024 meeting of the
Accessibility Advisory Committee be approved.
Carried
4. Presentations/Delegations
There were no presentations or delegations.
5. New Business
Due to technical difficulties, the order of New Business was
adjusted.
5.1 Canada Day Planning & Participation
K. Roberts provided an overview of the Canada Day Event
proposed Site Plan. K. Roberts outlined a review of the Event in
the past and provided proposed plans for 2024, highlighting
increased efforts to make the event more accessible and
welcoming.
T. Higgins identified past challenges with transit issues arising,
and that a more simplified plan would limit margins for error and
unplanned obstacles.
Discussion ensued with Committee Members regarding:
• clarification of the walking route from the proposed bus drop
off;
• that the path to the event area is paved, but that the event
area is gravel;
• various options to increase accessibility of graveled area such
as “Mobi-Mats” and adaptive golf carts;
• clarification that all transit buses will be designated accessible
buses and that the challenge is managing a safe onboarding
system that can accommodate the busiest departure times;
and,
• the suggested possibility of identified accessibility tickets.
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5.2 Site Plans Review – I. Janton
1125 Squires Beach Road – File: S 07/88(R23)
I. Janton provided an overview of the Site Plan for 1125 Squires
Beach Road. The site plan outlines an existing building and a
proposal for an addition for manufacturing and warehouse
purposes. The property has asked for a reduction of the approved
133 parking spaces down to 52-55 parking spaces and will provide
three Accessible Parking spaces, two located at the front entrance
and one located near a secondary entrance where there is a
depressed curb.
Access to the addition is through the existing building which
currently meets Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act
(AODA) requirements.
Discussion ensued between Committee Members and staff
regarding:
• clarification that the entrances are barrier free and that no
modifications are proposed to the existing building; and,
• that public access would be through the front entrance, which
is accessible.
1355 Kingston Road – File: S13/23
I. Janton provided an overview of the Site Plan for a proposed
seven story hotel, noting that this is a preliminary design and that
proposals are still being sent out to various hotel chains. Decisions
will be finalized when the contract is awarded.
The proposed hotel site is directly across from City Hall and will
provide full access to the Pickering Town Centre. Accessible
Parking will be available and the site will meet AODA
requirements.
Discussion ensued between Committee Members and Staff
regarding:
• that this could be an opportunity to build a flagship example of
accessibility that highlights features that exemplify
accessibility;
• that it is early enough in the planning phase to invite the
developers to discuss and share ideas of accessibility with the
Committee at a future meeting; and,
• clarification that the only outdated AODA requirements that
will be “grandfathered” in are in reference to the Fire Alarm
System currently in place at the Pickering Town Centre,
referring to the colours of the Fire Exit Signage, and that the
new structure will comply with the building code and AODA
requirements of today.
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5.3 Exterior Lighting – City Hall/Library
K. Sullivan provided a slideshow presentation outlining the
importance of adequate lighting in public spaces, specifically
noting City Hall and the Pickering Public Library. Highlights
included the current status and issues relating to Municipal
outdoor lighting, next steps, and ways to improve.
Discussion ensued amongst the Committee Members regarding:
• the importance of addressing outdoor lighting issues as it
pertains to multiple factors such as safety, security, and
accessibility;
• that there is enough evidence presented to prompt a City
Study of the adequacy of Municipal Outdoor lighting;
• the improvement of current lighting contributing to making the
City welcoming and broadening accessibility and
inclusiveness, as well as providing for crime prevention
through environment; and,
• the benefit of providing this presentation to Council with a
recommendation to conduct a study pertaining to the impact of
insufficient Municipal lighting and updating technology to
current standards.
Moved by M. Shackleton
Seconded by M. Thorpe Ross
1. That the Exterior Lighting Presentation by K. Sullivan be
received by Council; and,
2. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee requests Council
endorse an exterior lighting study of the City of
Pickering's City Centre (including City Hall/Library, parking
areas, Esplanade Park and the Chestnut Hill
Developments Recreation Complex); and,
3. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee requests that the
City undertake similar exterior lighting studies of other
Municipal facilities across the City.
Carried
5.4 Valley View Park/City Hall
S. Snyders provided photos highlighting some accessibility
barriers in Valley View Park. S. Snyders noted a storm drain in
disrepair, with cracks in the sidewalk, and an old gate piece
installation, protruding in the middle of the walkway.
Discussion ensued amongst the Committee Members regarding:
M. Murray to
follow up with
the
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Item/
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Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action
Items/Status
(include
deadline as
appropriate)
• that many have experienced trouble maneuvering around the
park;
• there being different storm drains designed to increase
accessibility;
• organizing a walkabout with the appropriate City Staff to
identify deficiencies and prioritizing repairs or redesigns to
meet accessibility standards in the park and on its walkways;
• ensuring that the accessibility of the park is considered more
broadly while reviewing with City Staff; and,
• the importance of addressing these specific barriers
immediately using an interim solution such as large orange
cones to provide public visible warning of the obstacles.
5.5 Council Reports arising from January 17th Accessibility
Advisory Committee meeting (re: Durham Region Transit
Service and the Donovan Report)
T. Higgins summarized that the motions provided by the
Accessibility Advisory Committee on January 17th, 2024, pertaining
to the Durham Region Transit Service Letter, and the Rich
Donovan Report on the 2023 Legislative Review of the Accessibility
for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 will be brought to Council
on Monday, February 26, 2024.
Councillor M. Brenner noted that there was good attendance at the
Durham Region Transit (DRT) Executive Committee meeting, and
that there is a commitment from the DRT Leadership to attend a
Special Town Hall on Transit on March 21 @ 7pm.
T. Higgins noted the beneficial impact of delegations from Members
of the Accessibility Advisory Committee at the Executive Committee
Meeting on Monday, February 26, 2024.
5.6 Creating an Accessibility Advisory Subcommittee – Re:
Building an Accessibility Orientation Symposium
T. Higgins noted that the ACC had indicated the benefit that may
come from communicating with developers early in the City’s
submission process in the form of an Orientation Symposium and
that a Subcommittee could be created to further develop this
project.
T. Higgins will send an invitation to Committee Members to
volunteer for the subcommittee and a motion to strike the
subcommittee will be provided at the next March 20, 2024 AAC
meeting.
appropriate
staff and
organize a
review of park
accessibility,
and to place
Orange Pilons
as an interim
solution.
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Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action
Items/Status
(include
deadline as
appropriate)
5.7 Accessibility Advisory Committee Report to Council:
2023 Year End Report & 2024 Work Plan
T. Higgins summarized the requirements and process of providing
the 2023 Year End Report & 2024 Work Plan.
6. Correspondence
There were no items of correspondence.
7. Other Business
K. Sullivan provided information regarding an Accessibility for
Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) Checklist tool to approach
developers and noted that this could be provided to the proposed
Subcommittee for reference.
8. AAC Member Roundtable Updates
There were no updates shared by Members of the Committee.
9. Next Meeting – March 20, 2024
10. Adjournment
Moved by M. Thorpe Ross
Seconded by S. Snyders
That the meeting be adjourned.
Carried
Meeting Adjourned: 9:06 pm