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Dear Residents,
I hope everyone had a Happy Easter! Whether you celebrated the holiday or not, I wish you joy, peace and blessings. May this season be the start of a wonderful spring and summer for all.
The City passed our annual budget earlier this month and residents will see an increase of 3 % for the city portion only. This budget did not take into consideration any of the impacts of Bill 23, which will need to be addressed if the Province does not make any changes to the controversial Bill. There are some important meetings scheduled over the next couple of months that you may be interested in listening to and/or participating in the discussion. I have highlighted the ones that you should be aware of as policy changes could be made that may affect some homeowners.
As we come to enjoy the warmer months ahead of us, please remember to also help keep our ward/city clean. This means not littering our parks and ponds, picking up dog poop when dogs are taken out for walks and placing in your green bin when you get home. We have an excellent waste pick-up service and I am still astounded to the amount of household waste that is being dumped in our parks and public waste containers. Smelly food can be frozen and then placed in the green bin on pick up day. Not only is it illegal but food in public waste containers will attract wildlife, including coyotes and rats. We are all residents of a larger community and let's do our part to keep Markham beautiful.
I hope you find some topics of interest and as always we are here to help with any concerns you may have.
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IMPORTANT Statutory Public Meeting
We will be holding a statutory meeting on May 9th at 7pm for the comprehensive zoning By-law (CZB) This is a consolidation of 46 different zoning bylaws. This CZB is a guide on how lands are used for specific purposes and includes but not limited to, new development standards for in-fill housing, lot coverage, setbacks, heights etc. soft and hard landscaping requirements, garden homes, recreational vehicle parking, home occupations and parking standards. There are pages of definitions and proposed changes and includes updates for residential and commercial areas.
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Development of 347 Main St N - May 2nd 9.30 am
The application for 347 Main St N will be on our next development services meeting on May 2nd.
Original Proposal with prior landowner HERE
This will be your last opportunity to make comments or ask questions on the application.
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Dates to mark on your calendar for topics of interest:
May 2nd - 347 Main St N.
May 9th - Public Meeting Comprehensive Zoning By-law review
May 24th - Markville Mall secondary plan update
June 6th - By-law Enforcement Review -Winter Maintenance & Regional Sidewalk review
June 12th - Special DSC meeting for the Comprehensive Zoning By-law
June 19th - Winter maintenance workshop
June 20th - Blue Box Transition Process update - Tree By--Law update
Dates are subject to change, please confirm on the council calendar for agenda items |
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Councillor McApline and I moved a motion to review our bylaw department and to find ways to address issues in a more pro-active way. I am happy to say that the study is back and is available for review. Review
The meeting to discuss the findings will be held June 6th 2023. |
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Markville Secondary Plan Community Information Meeting (CIM) # 2
This meeting has been scheduled for May 24th from 6pm to 8pm. and will provide an update and share draft land use options for public and stakeholder input.
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There have been a lot of conversations about windrow removal this past winter season about introducing windrow removal to all residents and not just for senior citizens. The financial impact is an increase of about 4.4 million dollars on our winter maintenance budget or a 3 - 4 % tax increase to each homeowner.
We will be holding a winter maintenance workshop on June 19th to further discuss.
This video shows the City of Vaughan's windrow removal service. |
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2023 Ward 4 Road Rehabilitation Areas
The following roads are included in the road rehabilitation for 2023. Work will start April 24th and be completed mid-November.
Heritage Rd - Laidlaw Blvd. - Mayberry Court
Reeve Dr - Freeman Rd - Fry Court- White Ash Dr - Stone Mason Dr - Millpond Place - Waterwheel St.- Partial Raymerville Dr between White Ash and Carpenter Court. |
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The city is undertaking a pilot project to try and address concerns of algae in storm water ponds. This pilot project involves installing and operating an ultrasonic device in the pond. The device is connected to a fenced-off solar panel for power supply. Ultrasound is a low-cost and durable measure used to control algae growth in water-holding facilities, often for drinking water. An ultrasound device in the water impedes algae’s ability to float, sinking algae to lower light levels of the pond where it is deactivated. The low-power ultrasound waves have no effect on aquatic animals, birds or humans. Fencing will go up May 1st and construction will continue in May weather permitting. While construction is occurring, access to the pond pathways leading to the solar panel fenced area will be closed off. All areas disturbed during construction will be restored to their original conditions. To learn about storm water pond management, please click HERE .
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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).
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Our animal care staff are working 7 days a week and attending bird pick up calls that are reported. Please call 905.415.7531, the phone number is monitored 24/7 or you can email animalservices@markham.ca with the location of the bird. |
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Markham Citywide Parking Strategy
The city is undertaking a strategy to look at current parking conditions and future demands on parking. It will investigate the availability, sustainability, technology and financial operations of parking. Do we allow overnight street parking? How many parking spaces should be provided for housing units? The study will provide recommendations to be endorsed. Have your say on this important topic and provide your feedback. HERE
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Recycle your gas-powered or electric lawn mower at a Markham Recycling Depot to get an instant rebate of $50 off the purchase of a select Ryobi lawn mower at a participating Home Depot location in Markham, and receive a bonus Ryobi outdoor tool for free. Offer is valid until May 21st, 2023.
Visit markham.ca/RecyclingDepot for more details.
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City of Markham Alerts - We have been advised that a company is sending out flyers offering flood protection services in the conservation area, where the city is undergoing water main replacement. This is strictly a sales pitch and has nothing to do with the city project.
The City of Markham's current water rmain replacement project is taking place outdoors, and the city's contractors will not be inspecting homes. If you receive phone calls or flyers which you believe to be scams, please email customerservice@markham.ca or call 905-477-5530.
Grandparents Scam Alert - Grandparent Scams are known to target senior citizens, praying on their love for their grandchild and attempt to defraud them. Scammers will tell senior citizens their grandchild is an emergency. Then they would ask seniors for financial information and attempt to defraud them. This video focuses on a resident who experienced such a scam.
Pizza Scam Alert -YRP has been warning residents about the increase in pizza delivery fraud scams. For more information, visit this webpage, which explains how the scam works and provides information on how to protect yourself.
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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. |
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GO Train Expansion- Track Undercutting North of Markham GO Station
From April 28, 2023 to May 1, 2023, work will be performed by contractors to remove and replace ballast and rail ties. The repairs are required to ensure the safety and integrity of the track infrastructure within the rail corridor. Work is being performed overnight to prevent disruption to train service. Full Details HERE
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In response to changing travel patterns and ridership trends, starting April 8, Metrolinx has made some changes to its schedule. Please check gotransit.com before travelling so you up to date on bus and train schedules. Changes have been made to Route 71- Stouffville Train-Bus route. |
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Frequently Asked Questions
I have received a number of emails about the No Right on Red (NROR) and what would happen if a driver ignores the signs. If a driver is caught, the offence is Disobey Sign section 182(2) of the Ontario Highway Traffic Act and will result in a $110.00 ticket and 2 demerit points. I have included the info below again on why York Region implemented the signs. |
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NO RIGHT ON RED (NROR)
York Region implemented safety measures in 2019 at four signalized intersections. Data was collected before and after this implementation and Staff found that overall the total number of collisions was reduced by more than 60% and angle collisions by 75%. Given the success in reducing collisions and conflicts, more intersections were added in 2022. York region staff are studying intersections where the NROR measures are implemented and are exploring options to reduce delay for motorists while continuing to protect pedestrians and cyclists. The studies include observation and assessment of any road user conflicts, compliance concerns, and assessment of further improvement measures. Results of Pedestrian & Cyclist Pilot Measures |
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Alectra will be replacing their aging underground distribution cables this spring. Cables will be replaced around the area of 16th Ave and Markham Rd. Alectra's civil contractor
Trans Power Utility Contractors Inc will commence construction starting approximately on April 24th, 2023. Minor service interruptions may occur during the process of replacing these cables. However, Alectra will provide advance notice to customers when these short interruptions occur.
For any questions please contact Alectra's Customer Outreach Department at 1.877. 983.6900 option 9 and reference this project using work order number, 641236 Letter HERE |
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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! |
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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.
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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. |
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