Dear Residents,

I hope you have received my Ward newsletter that was delivered in mid-July. We have tried to do something a little different this year with a “cut-out” at the back of the newsletter, which can be kept in a drawer for easy access to resources and phone numbers in an emergency. You can access the electronic version here - under Newsletter tab. Let me know if you require an additional paper copy and we will make arrangements to have one delivered to you.

Below you will find a variety of information on what is happening in Markham, especially in Ward 4.

Don't forget to join our meeting tomorrow night at 7pm via zoom for the "visioning exercise" on the Markham Rd/Mount Joy Corridor. A new secondary plan needs to be developed for a mixed-use corridor and we would like your input. YourVoiceMarkham 

Thank you and have a safe summer! 

Regards,

Karen 

A virtual public Community Information Session will take place on Wednesday, July 29th from 6:30 - 8:30 pm. An in-person or virtual open house will take place in the fall, subject to COVID-19. Please stay tuned for further details.

If there are any specific questions or if you would like to be added to our notification list, please contact dlyons@markham.ca 

-  May 7 Agenda from the Markham Sub-Committee meeting including the presentation

Noise Exemption - 16th Avenue between Mingay Avenue and Williamson Avenue

Public Works/Construction – Tentatively scheduled from fall 2020 to summer 2022. 

The City of Markham has granted York Region's request for an exemption from by-law 2017-74 to permit amplified noise and sound related to public works and construction taking place on 16th Avenue between Mingay Avenue and Williamson Avenue.

York Region continues to make improvements to sections of the York-Durham Sewage System on along this area of 16th Avenue in the City of Markham. 

The first 1.5 kilometres of the planned three kilometres of sewer rehabilitation on 16th Avenue was completed in October 2019. The remaining 1.5 kilometres of planned sewer rehabilitation is scheduled to commence construction in fall 2020 and the work is anticipated to be completed in summer 2022.

Some key construction highlights for noise mitigation that are being implemented under the phase 2 works: 

• Direct hydro power connections are being provided for bypass pumping equipment and ancillary equipment, and will not rely on diesel generator for power. There will be standby power for emergency in case hydro power outages occur that will have acoustic silence/enclosure
• Sound barriers will be installed at the compound areas
• Bypass pumping equipment will be equipped with sound silencer/attenuation enclosure
• Noise monitoring program (day and night time) will be implemented at pre-selected strategic locations

The areas impacted by the work will be fully restored following the completion of the phase 2 project.

If you have any questions, please contact Alberino Scarpato, Construction administrator at alberino.scarpato@york.ca or 289.716.4065.

In addition to the playground area, the City is adding 2 tennis courts. This is awesome news, thanks to all who helped put this together. 

Robert Spindloe Park (formerly Wismer Hammersly Park)

The west entrance is located between 2 houses on Hammersly Blvd & the east edge of the park is along Battista Perri Drive.
Please check my portal page to see the parks layout plans, the playgrounds renderings and images of the play elements at both parks - Councillor Karen Rea portal page - Under City’s projects &  Development Applications tab

Special thanks to the City Planning and Urban Design Department, internal partners and consultants involved in these projects.

We look forward to seeing residents enjoy these parks.

2020 is an active year for the Gypsy Moth.
Operations Forestry staff and the Contact Centre have been receiving a growing number of resident inquiries on the subject of Gypsy Moth infestations in Markham.
The City is working with the Regional Municipality of York on monitoring the activity so we can track the size of the spread. This pest is not isolated to Markham and an effective solution requires coordination with neighbouring municipalities.

Rooming Houses - Report it, it's illegal!

Recently, we have received a number of complaints across the City with respect to possible Rooming Houses. The City takes complaints of this nature very seriously in order to preserve the character and livability of our neighbourhoods. Unfortunately, many of these new complaints are associated to an individual who is alleged to have entered into lease agreements with property owners fraudulently. York Regional Police are investigating.

Markham’s Zoning Bylaws define a “Rooming House” as a “building where 3 or more lodging rooms are provided in return for remuneration or services (or both) and where the lodging rooms do not contain both bathroom and cooking facilities for the exclusive use of individual occupants, but does not include a residential use with support services or a short term rental accommodation” (also prohibited in Markham).

If you suspect there may be a property on your street that is operating as a Rooming House, please notify us via the Contact Centre at 905.477.5530.

Once a complaint is received, the City will notify Fire Prevention who will commence an investigation. A Fire Prevention Officer may contact you. In order for the City to commence an investigation, your complaint must go beyond mere suspicion and you may be asked a series of questions to verify this when contacted by an investigator. Anonymous complaints cannot be investigated unless there is an urgent public safety or fire hazard because City investigators may require your evidence for a successful prosecution should the investigation lead to charges against the property owner or tenants (or both).  

Once a property is confirmed to be operating as a Rooming House, the case will be referred to the By-law Enforcement Division for investigation. Based on the results of the investigation, and the level of cooperation received by the property owner, By-law Enforcement may issue a Zoning Notice to bring the house back to a single family residence. If the owner does not demonstrate that they are taking reasonable steps to bring the property back into compliance as quickly as possible voluntarily, the City will commence a legal process for Fire Code and Zoning By-law violations as applicable. If the property owner is co-operative and for some reason unable to have the tenants leave voluntarily – the owner must apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) to have the tenants evicted. This process usually takes several months because of circumstances beyond the city’s control such as the backlog of cases awaiting a Hearing with the LTB.

Visit our portal to learn more about City of Markham By-laws at https://www.markham.ca/wps/portal/home/about/city-hall/bylaws/bylaw

Removing or cutting a tree?
Removal of any tree requires a permit. Check with us before you cut! Apply for a tree removal permit and on-site consultation at the City portal.

Anyone contravening the Tree Preservation By-law and found guilty of an offence will be subject to penalties. 


Help Keep Our Trees Green
Trees need water to help them grow. With your help, the new trees will grow to beautify your neighborhood and increase Markham's tree canopy. Operations- Forestry initiated watering in June and have been able to make a small impact on selected trees and areas.  Your help is appreciated!  See attached flyer for more information.

Play it safe with your pool this summer
Whether you are home or on vacation this summer, all homeowners must ensure that their pools are safe. This is why you need to apply for a permit, and familiarize yourself with safety standards before installing a pool or a fence to enclose the pool. All pools and fences enclosing pools need to be in good repair at all times. View the City’s Pool Enclosure By-law here

Extended Driveways
The Extended Driveways By-law 2006-96 applies to all driveways in the City of Markham. It controls the extent to which driveways may be widened, in order to maintain the beauty and value of our neighbourhoods while satisfying homeowners’ increasing need for more parking on their properties.
All driveways must comply with the City’s Extended Driveways By-Law, but there are some exceptions. If you are not certain that your present or planned driveway meets these general guidelines, please contact the City’s Contact Centre at 905.477.5530 or customerservice@markham.ca to discuss your situation. You will be put in touch with an officer who will advise you of all the options available within the by-law.

Got a dog or cat? Get a License.
It's not just the law. A license is a great way to reunite with your pet if they should become lost or injured.
Dog license tags can be purchased at the Animal Services page. Upon successful completion of this online request and payment, your new animal tag(s) will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days.
It’s easy to apply for one - click here to access the portal page

Donations to the City of Markham Animal Services can also be made online when you are applying for or renewing your license.

Improving the State of Infill Housing - Work Plan
DETAILS HERE  Item 7.1 

Many of our streets are experiencing new infill construction. While many builders work within the bylaws, some do not. This presents a challenge for all involved. Builders who are anxious to build a new home and existing residents having their lives disrupted for months and sometimes years by ongoing construction. Tension is created before anyone moves into the home. City staff is going to bring back a report before the end of the year to help with the ongoing issues and to put in more measures to address concerns and develop a strategy to minimize adverse effects of infill construction on existing residential neighbourhoods. 

Please note: If you are having landscaping done at your home or a small renovation, that requires machinery, bins, or materials to be stored on our boulevards or road overnight - you must apply for an overnight parking permit for machinery and/or a road occupancy permit (ROP) for materials or bins. Call the City to see what permits are required.
Apply for a Road Occupancy Permit 

Markham Multi-Use Pathway - MUP

Another reminder that the MUP is for everyone to enjoy – Cyclists need to SLOW DOWN, this is not a cycle path only. Remember that you are sharing the pathway with pedestrians, including many seniors and children. Our bridges are narrow and pedestrians have the right of way, always.
According to the Highway Traffic Act, every bicycle “shall be equipped with an alarm bell, gong or horn, which shall be kept in good working order and sounded whenever it is reasonably necessary to notify pedestrians or others of its approach.” Be polite, be respectful and let us all enjoy the MUP safely.

Markham Food Bank needs our help. For donations, please follow this link:  https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/markham-food-bank/