Addendum to Newsletter - Development Activity & Forecasted Growth

Dear Residents,

New:

Our committee agenda has just been revised to include a presentation on the cities growth numbers, specifically, for all intensification areas which will be discussed prior to the MRMJ Secondary Plan on Tuesday April 23rd.

The links provided previously within yourvoicemarkham portal expired prematurely and has since been corrected. All links are now working.

I apologize for the second email but with the revised item added and updated links, this will provide everyone with current information on approved and active applications and proposed growth numbers for the City within the identified intensification areas..

Regards

Karen Rea

City of Markham Growth Numbers to be discussed April 23rd report HERE

Population in Markham October 2023 is 358,000 and 178,270 jobs

Population Growth to 2051 is 619,200 and 309,200 jobs.

Report on April 23 2024 - Intensification numbers added up are:

Units 145,973 population x 2.13 = 310,922 (2.13 is used by the city to calculate population/units)

Lands outside of the intensification areas which are NOT included in the report.

Cornell - units 9,000 population 17500 (per Secondary Plan 2008)

North Markham Future Urban Area - units 17,000 population 45,000 (URA Newsletter)

White Belt lands 37,000 units population 80,150 (my estimate only, based on 1145 hectares of land being included)

Forecast on Urban Boundary Expansion (white belt lands)presentation HERE (April 19th 2021)

Sept 12 2021 Presentation comments to the Region.

By my calculations, we are way over our required growth numbers. I am sure we will have an interesting discussion on Tuesday. While I agree that intensification should happen around GO stations and public transit instead of urban sprawl. I have yet to understand why the amount of density is being recommended for Mount Joy and Markville.

Fly Over Video from April 2021 You tube Video

Video was made before the revised plan which was presented in July 2022 which I believe only reflects 13500 people and 14500 jobs

Correction - updated links to reports.

The study for the Markham Rd corridor spanning from 16th Avenue to Major Mackenzie commenced in 2019 with the aim to provide policy recommendations and to help guide development along this corridor.

Our first emerging demonstration plan on December 15th 2020 provided the following vision and guiding principles:

90 hectares of area

13,500 Residents

14,500 Jobs

7 public parks (not able to locate number of hectares)

2 pedestrian bridges

1 multi-use-path 2.5 km

One new Elementary School

For complete details updated link click here

July11th 2022 a revised demonstration plan was received which revised the following items;

Increased the area to 97 hectares

Increased population to 28,000 residents

Decreased the number of jobs to 8,000

and 10 hectares of parkland.

For complete details updated link click here

During this time the city received a number of applications from developers to build in this area, some of these projects have started and some applicants are waiting on the Secondary Plan to be adopted.

The final report that we will be discussing on Tuesday, has increased the population to a minimum of 33,000 residents

Jobs have decreased to 6,000

Two new schools are being recommended

and 9.8 hectares of park land - 9 parks

Final Secondary Plan Study update link Report Here

The Provincial Growth Plan and the York Region Official plan requires a minimum of 200 people and jobs per hectare.The MRMJ Secondary Plan is recommending 400 people and jobs per hectare. Double the amount of density that is required in a Major Transit Station Area. The recommended density isn't essential to reach the city's growth targets. Our planned growth in designated intensification areas and undeveloped low-rise areas will far exceed our targets up to 2051.

The Secondary Plan provides an opportunity to transform Markham Rd into a more attractive, vibrant and pedestrian friendly street with additional green spaces and public squares, and while I support the overall policies in the secondary plan study report and the vision that has emerged, I have serious concerns over the density being proposed.

Residents can email comments or attend our meeting in person or virtually to ask questions or comment on the proposal. Planning is complex, and this vision spans 25+ years, but it's important for you to know what is happening in our area and to have a chance to share your thoughts.

Development Services Committee agenda for Tuesday 23rd. Item 10.1 covers the Secondary Plan and 9.1 is the development activity forecasted growth.

Please note anything highlighted in this newsletter provides a link to more information

Participating in Public Meetings

All public meetings are now hybrid and livestreamed from the city website.

Residents can attend in person at the council chambers or you can attend virtually. Written submissions can be emailed to clerkspublic@markham.ca by 5pm the day before the meeting.

Residents who wish to speak on a topic can fill out an online request to speak form or email clerkspublic@markham.ca. If someone does not have access to email they can call the clerk's office at 905.479.7760 on the day of the meeting to make a deputation (speak).

Paving at Milne Park

As part of our 2024 parking lot lifecycle replacement, the city will be undertaking pavement rehabilitation of the roadway in its entirety at Milne Dam. We expect the work to start April early May. Vehicles will only be able to park within the west lot and will not be able to drive on the roadway beyond that point. Once we remove the existing asphalt the paving should take 2-3 days to complete.

Community clean-ups. May 14th marks the Provincial Day of Action on litter and we are rallying residents for a community clean-up initiative. If you are passionate about keeping our neighbouhood pristine and want to lend a hand, we would appreciate the help. To participate in a clean-up effort in a specific area within the ward, please reach out to Savindi at sjinasena@markham.ca. We can provide all the necessary supplies including bags, gloves and assistance with the removal of the waste collected.

Choose a date, gather your neighbours, and let's team up to keep our ward clean.

2024 Spring Compost Giveaway & Wood Chip Mulch Availability

Environmental Services will be holding its annual compost giveaway over the first two weeks of May. Residents will be able to register online for the giveaway.

Additionally, wood chip mulch will also be available at the locations listed above during the first three compost events. Mulch is offered on a first come, first serve basis. Residents are required to bring their own shovels/containers and load mulch independently.

The closest location for Ward 4 Residents would 8100 Warden Avenue. Please visit the City of Markham Website next week as more information on registration will be provided.

Please see our By-law and Regulatory Services Division Spring Newsletter featuring: Parking operations

Property standards

Tree Preservation

Bright Spots

Newsletter Click Here

Upcoming Events of Interest

April 18th - Yonge Corridor Secondary Plan Community Info. Meeting #1 (Council agenda)

April 20 - Earth Day at Markham Centre (Enterprise Rd)

May 4th - VE Day ceremony at Markham Viilage Cenotaph

May 8th - McHappy Day

May 23rd - Main St. Markham Traffic Calming Presentation Meeting #2

Aggressive driving continues to be a concern in the city, our own local ward and across the entire GTA. Moving violations are under the jurisdiction of York Regional Police (YRP) and reports can be filed through RoadWatch. For general concerns you can use the community concerns online reporting HERE

Visit YourVoiceMarkham.ca to learn about great projects our staff are working on! Consider joining the conversation by registering on the site or sign-up to follow specific projects that interest you. Share your ideas and opinions!

Markham Food Bank Needs our Help

The Markham Food Bank has seen a great increase in the number of families using the food bank during the pandemic. Help our community members in need during these challenging times.

For donations, visit Canada Helps - Markham Food Bank

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If you have any municipal inquiry, please send an email to customerservice@markham.ca or call 905.477.5530. Our staff can investigate and address your concerns.

Contact me!