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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 3, 2008 (Special) Special Council Meeting Minutes Monday, March 3, 2008 12:28 PM Main Committee Room 1 7 PRESENT: Mayor David Ryan COUNCillORS: D. Dickerson R. Johnson B. Littley B. McLean J. O'Connell D. Pickles ALSO PRESENT: T.J. Quinn E. Buntsma N. Carroll T. Melymuk G. Paterson A. Allison D. Wilcox R. Holborn G. McGregor C.Mearns L. Taylor R. Taylor L. Roberts - Chief Administrative Officer - Director, Operations & Emergency Services - Director, Planning & Development - Director, Office of Sustainability - Director, Corporate Services & Treasurer - City Solicitor - City Clerk - Division Head, Municipal Property & Engineering - Principal Planner - Policy - CEO, Pickering Public Library - Manager, Development Review - Coordinator, City Development - Committee Coordinator (I) INTRODUCTORY REMARKS The Chief Administrative Officer welcomed everyone to the Special meeting of Council. He advised that this would be an informal session for information and discussion purposes with staff. Any formal reports resulting from this meeting would be brought forward to Council. (II) PRESENTATIONS Overview and Update on Duffin Heiqhts The Director, Office of Sustainability, provided a power point presentation with respect to the Duffin Heights Neighbourhood. He noted that the discussion 1 Special Council Meeting Minutes , t. . 'I g Monday, March 3, 2008 12:28 PM Main Committee Room points would encompass the following; background and planning considerations, City lands and proposed community facility; Brock Road design, followed by an In Camera session of Council. A copy of the presentation was provided to all members present. 1) Backqround and Planninq Considerations The Director of Planning & Development, provided a general overview of the three major areas of interest in Duffin Heights, specifically servicing, transportation system and land use designations. He advised that ongoing discussions were being held with the Region with respect to the sanitary sewer (2008 extension of the Central Duffins Collector trunk line). He further advised that the Duffin Heights Landowners Groups currently consists of the Ontario Realty Corporation, Mattamy Homes and Coughlan Homes. Discussion ensued with respect to the population expectations. The proposed population in the 2003 approved Official Plan was 9,500 for 2016, and the proposed population had been 15,000 for 2021. The Director, Planning & Development provided a further review of the transportation plan, explaining the arterial roads, collector roads, Valley Farm extension and the connection to Seaton. The following points were made: · Valley Farm connection will provide a relief valve for the community west of Brock Road . Old Taunton Road will provide a relief valve for the community east of Brock Road · The ESP Plan concluded the connections were not needed, staff agree two should be taken out · Connection into Ajax was not supported at this time, cannot see the benefit of this connection · Funds are being set aside for the bridge over the Ganatsekiagon Creek for the Valley Farm Road extension . Population is currently proposed at 7,000 (2016). He advised that the staff recommendation for the transportation system was that OPA 2007-06 to delete Type C Arterial Roads in Duffin Heights be supported, with the exception of the Valley Farm Road extension which should be retained and extended in a revised alignment to intersect with Brock Road at its most southerly signalized intersection. 2 Special Council Meeting Minutes Monday, March 3, 2008 12:28 PM 0 Main Committee Room A question and answer period ensued with the following comments noted: · Developers not taking advantage of density . Only one area of low density remains . Provided clarification on medium density · Questioned why there were no plans for high rise development · Discussion ensued with respect to the demand for high rise developments and the addition of high rises being incorporated into the plan · Areas along Brock Road should be identified as high density areas, and it was suggested we proceed with these areas first · Need to be pro-active on Go Train discussions · Need to put forward a plan for Pickering and state up front what the City wants · Should be placing minimum density requirements in our plan · Should also look at Mixed use corridor along Brock Road for increased densities · Everyone in agreement that the density is not high enough, we should adjust our plans to reflect the change in density . The need for all of the arterial roads will need to be revaluated if the density in the plan increases. Discussion ensued with respect to transportation routes, with the Director, Planning & Development explaining that any significant increase in densities will require a change in land use designations which is not part of the ESP and would require an amendment to the Council approved land use plan. 2) City Lands and Proposed Community Facility The Coordinator, City Development, provided an overview on land ownership and the strategies for the areas, specifically the proposed community facility block; residential medium density lands; mixed use development lands and various remnant City lands/road allowances. a) Proposed Community Facility Block He noted that the City currently has 111 acres of City lands, of which 59 are developable lands and 52 acres are undevelopable lands. Questions arose on whether the undevelopable land could be exchanged for developable lands in Seaton and further, the need for a school was questioned. Discussion ensued with respect to school sites, partnerships with the Boards of Education when planning for schools, the problems that ensue with respect to the responsibilities of the land for maintenance and parking issues. 3 Special Council Meeting Minutes f) :"; L l, Monday, March 3, 2008 12:28 PM Main Committee Room The Director of Operations & Emergency Services explained the possible components for community facilities, such as indoor soccer, arena with twin ice pads, meeting and multi-purpose rooms, seniors and youth dedicated areas, double gymnasium and library component. He further outlined the site plan concepts in this regard. b) Residential Medium Densitv Lands The Coordinator, City Development provided an overview on the residential medium density lands, the density targets, and stated the City must look at developing a draft RFP plan for a sustainable residential subdivision. Discussion ensued on the need to include both the City's Mixed Corridor and Medium Density lands within the RFP. It was noted that a RFP respondent would have the option on bidding on either or both City owned properties. c) Mixed Use Development Lands The Coordinator, City Development reviewed the lands in total for mixed use development, explaining acreages involved as well as the employment and sustainable design objectives. He explained the need for employment in the Duffin Heights lands and the importance of mixed use for living and working in the area. d) Various Remnant City Lands/Road Allowances The Coordinator, City Development reviewed the various remnant City lands, explaining the amount of acreage to be developed. He indicated that abutting landowners would be given the option to purchase. The following points were presented with respect to these lands: . Look at selling the northern medium density blocks for sustainable residential development · Retain community facility blocks · Retain mixed use development blocks for future disposition to achieve City's employment and sustainability objectives . Dispose of remnant road allowances . Terminate leases on City owned lands Questions arose with respect to how staff is dealing with private land owners. 4 Special Council Meeting Minutes Monday, March 3, 2008 12:28 PM Main Committee Room (-) '1 L~ 3) Financial Considerations The Director, Corporate Services & Treasurer, provided an overview of the financial considerations with respect to the Duffin Heights neighbourhood, noting the following main considerations; revenue from Duffin Heights land sales; community facility in Duffin Heights with 3 funding options to be explored; need to include in the 2008 budget provision for City pre-development costs for Duffin Heights; relocation of the Municipal Operations Centre and the service delivery costs for Duffin Heights development. A question and answer period ensued. The Director, Corporate Services & Treasurer was asked if a study had been done with respect to the service delivery costs, or if there were numbers on developing as commercial rather than residential, so the infrastructure required is not as much. The Director,Corporate Services & Treasurer was requested to advise of any studies in this regard, and provide projected costs. It was noted that development charges were based on a population of 15,000, therefore the Development Charges Study will need to be redone based on the difference in population projections. It was suggested that the study commence, with a by-law presented by the summer of 2009. The Director, Corporate Services & Treasurer, recommended we have the same firm come back to redo the study. Further discussion ensued with respect to existing development charges as it related to the density of development. 4) Brock Road Desiqn The Division Head, Municipal Property and Engineering provided a detailed overview of the Brock Road Urbanization - Region of Durham issues, along with the Brock Road Centre median. He noted that this matter (the urbanization of Brock Road), has been noted as a high priority within the Region's capital budget forecast (2009-2012) and that it be constructed to an urban profile, which includes curbs and storm sewers. He further advised that the Region has deferred design of Brock Road/Rossland Road intersection until Ajax has completed an EA study. He further advised that estimated costs for the Brock Road centre median to the City were estimated to be $560,000 from Third Concession Road to CP underpass, and $165,000. for the section south of Third Concession Road. Discussion ensued with respect to the different benefits of centre medians. Points included were safety, economic and environmental benefits. The Director, Planning & Development provided views of various centre medians through the power point presentation and additional maps. The types of median breaks were explained. 5 Special Council Meeting Minutes ) f) 1._ L- Monday, March 3, 2008 12:28 PM Main Committee Room The Director, Planning & Development outlined the recommendations that staff are putting forward: 1) That a 5 metre wide landscaped centre median design with street lights be supported in principle for the urbanization of Brock Road through the Duffin Heights Neighbourhood; 2) That a similar centre median design approach be supported in principle for the urbanization of Brock Road south of the Third Concession, north of the Ganatsekiagon Creek; 3) That City and Regional staff work together to investigate and design an implementation plan that introduces breaks in the centre median on an interim basis, to allow vehicular access to existing developed commercial, institutional, and residential properties until such time as alternate access is available from the internal collector road system, and report back to Council; and 4) That the City approach the major benefitting landowners in the Duffin Heights Neighbourhood with the objective of securing financial partnerships for the median landscape works. A question and answer period ensued with respect to the points made above. Further points were noted as follows: . Six lanes is very far into the future . More intersections are needed, this is not pedestrian friendly . Medians can work where you have a mix of commercial and residential areas . Fifth lane in the middle is needed for a turning lane · Median will not work if you want to promote business in the area · Bike lanes - 3 metre platform for pedestrian and bike lanes combined - the two lanes need to be clearly distinguished . What will be done in the winter months with the snow clearing process . Landscaped centre median would assist in achieving the City's urban design vision for Brock Road and encourage a variety of uses along Brock Road . Ensure natural elements are included in the design · Plan encourages business through the parking plan . Cemetery to remain, will have access . Concern was raised with the number of breaks in the median for ease of turning into a business · Opportunities to introduce other land uses along the cemetery's Brock Road frontage 6 Special Council Meeting Minutes Monday, March 3, 2008 12:28 PM Main Committee Room ,.- -j ./ ,~) · Utility relocation - this must be underground, but cost may be too great - need to take a resolution to Veridian Board with respect to this issue · Report required for a resolution for underground utility wires (III) CONFIDENTIAL MATTERS In Camera Meetinq of Council In accordance with Procedural By-law 6746/07 and the provIsions of the Municipal Act an In Camera meeting of Council was held following the regularly scheduled special meeting. Resolution # 41/08 Moved by Councillor McLean Seconded by Councillor Johnson That Council go In Camera in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Act for the purposes of discussions relating to land acquisition matters and labour negotiations. CARRIED a) Duffin Heights Land Acquisition Matters Refer to the In Camera minutes for further information. [City Clerk has custody and control of the In Camera minutes]. Staff direction was provided in the In Camera portion of the meeting. b) Update from the Chief Administrative Officer with respect to Canadian Union of Public Emplovees (Local 129) neqotiations Refer to the In Camera minutes for further information. [City Clerk has custody and control of the In Camera minutes]. Resolution # 42/08 Moved by Councillor McLean Seconded by Councillor Dickerson That the recommendation as presented in the In Camera portion of the meeting with respect to the CUPE Collective Agreement Settlement, be adopted. CARRIED 7 Special Council Meeting Minutes Monday, March 3, 2008 12:28 PM Main Committee Room (IV) CONFIRMATION BY-LAW By-law Number #6839/08 Councillor McLean, seconded by Councillor Dickerson, moved for leave to introduce a By-law of the City of Pickering to confirm those proceedings of the Council of The Corporation of the City of Pickering at its In Camera and Special Meeting of March 3, 2008. CARRIED (V) ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 4:30 pm. MAY '-- ~~aCD l "l'[h~f DEBI A. WILCOX CITY CLERK 8