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January 28, 2021
Dear Residents,
Happy New Year. I hope that despite the lockdowns that you were still able to enjoy the holidays. On a positive note, it is nice to see more people out walking in the neighbourhoods and along the trails, despite the colder weather.
It has been a busy start to the year, outsourced campaigns were initiated about long term care facilities and the use of MZO to bypass a public planning process. I reached out to our local MPP and encourage you to do the same.
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- Long Term Care - Neglect, underfunding and overcrowding
The pandemic has bought many issues to light in a number of areas, but especially within our long term care facilities. I think everyone agrees that appropriate funding is required and changes are needed to ensure that all of our seniors and most vulnerable are taken care of and protected.
All proposed changes need to be led by the Province as this is within their jurisdiction and responsibility.
Your comments should be sent to our local Markham-Stouffville MPP Paul Calandra and leaders of the Ontario Government and opposition as well as the Ministers of Health and Long-Term Care. Below are their contacts:
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- Stop MZOs. Stop Sprawl. Grow the Greenbelt
I included in my last e-newsletter (December 23) the article "Attack on Conservation Authority - Bill 229 - Schedule 6." I also included an article from former Councillor Valerie Burke about the Provincial Bill 229, which has now been published on our local community newspaper.
The City of Markham and many other organizations expressed their concerns with the Bill 229 - schedule 6, prior to its approval by the Ontario government. This bill removed the power from the Conservation Authorities, giving the Minister and developers more power in making decision on new projects in sensitive areas approved without proper consultation. The consequence of these new rules will be evident in the near future, when new applications start to be approved.
Contact your local MPP to express your concerns:
The MZO issue was also recently discussed on January 25 at our Development Service meeting. The Province is seeking input on enhanced MZO authority to address site plan matters and to make amendments to MZOs with respect to any of the enhanced authorities without first giving public notice. This is a complicated subject to try and explain in a few lines.
Please see attached Report and Resolution including the recommendation from Council that we do not support the enhanced authority to address site plan matters in a Minister Zoning Order and the City recommends that it be repealed. |
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For those of you that are visiting Milne Conservation, a friendly reminder that the parking lot off McCowan is open and free. Please use the parking lot instead of parking on local roads - last weekend, many cars were blocking roads due to parking on both sides of a street, parking too close to intersections and in some cases ignoring no-parking signs. By laws have been notified and our officers will be out to make sure that our streets remain safe and accessible for emergency vehicles at all times. Parking on a local road may be closer for you, but remember residents live there, and they should be able to have access in and out of their driveways safely. We are still under a lockdown and outdoor gatherings of more than 5 people is not allowed - see Provincial Regulations.
As always, please reach out to Mylene or myself with any questions and concerns.
Please stay safe and stay healthy.
Regards,
Karen |
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Upcoming Public Virtual Community Information Meeting on Markham Draft Affordable and Rental Housing Strategy
City Staff will present Markham’s draft Strategy, including the work completed to date, and residents will have the opportunity to provide feedback and questions on the draft Strategy.
You can register to participate in the Zoom meeting or watch the livestream on YouTube. Information is available on
- Your Voice Markham ;
- Events page on Markham portal; and
- CityPage on local newspaper.
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Developments and Applications
- Mount Joy Corridor
Pressure is on to intensify along the Markham Rd corridor north of 16th avenue, as we saw at DSC this week when a site plan application asked for approval of 536 units in a phase 1 project and possibly an additional 670 plus units for a phase 2. This property was already approved for 379 units in 2018 for both phases. This will not be the only application that will be looking for more height and/or more units due to the proximity of the GO Station and possibly an extra station at Major Mackenzie.
At this meeting, I asked staff to bring back the presentation/vision for the area between Bullock Dr and 16th Avenue for the revitalization of the Mount Joy area and have asked that funds be allocated to put this project back in the capital budget. This vision was done many years ago and will need an update and more likely a revision, as many things have evolved over the past several years.
- 10-20 Fincham Avenue
The development at 10-20 Fincham Ave is tentatively going to be on our Development Services committee agenda on Feb 22nd at 9:30 am. For further information, please contact the City's Planner Aqsa Malik.
Preliminary Report - February 25th, 2019
Latest drawings per CBRE website.
- 7128 Highway 7 - Springdale Homes
First public Statutory meeting of the year, February 16th at 7pm via Zoom.
Application for 977 apartment units in towers ranging from 18 -24 storeys.
Public Notice
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City of Markham 2021 Interim Tax Bill
The City of Markham mailed out your 2021 Interim Tax Bill the 2nd week of January. Interim property tax bills are calculated based on 50 per cent of the previous year’s total tax levy.
Example: if your total taxes were $5200.00 last year, then your interim bill would be $2600.00
The City of Markham does not have a tax increase this year for our portion only. York Region has not yet completed their budget and we should know in March if they will have an increase or not on the portion of the taxes which goes to the Region (50%.) If the Region decides to have a tax increase then this will be reflective in the final bill issued later this year. |
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Metrolinx - GO Service Updates
On January 23, Metrolinx started to temporarily replace select GO train service on the Stouffville Line with buses in response to the second provincial lockdown. Weekend train service are now replaced with bus trips and there will be less train service on weekday afternoons.
For more information, visit Go Service Updates
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York Region Notice of Construction - Ninth Line and Kenilworth Gate Wastewater Chamber Upgrades
The Regional Municipality of York will be working in the community to upgrade a wastewater chamber at Ninth Line and Kenilworth Gate, starting December 2020. This work is being done to ensure continued delivery of reliable wastewater services in the City of Markham. The work is scheduled to be completed by spring 2021. See attached notice. |
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Let’s embrace winter together!
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If you have a sewer grate in front of your house, please help keep it clear of snow, ice and debris, so water can drain and avoid flooding.
Follow @Markham_Ops on Twitter for winter maintenance updates and learn more at markham.ca/winter
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Icy Roads
In the last big snow event, I received calls about the condition of some of the local roads in the ward. Salt application requires a combination of sunshine and significant volumes of vehicles to help create the salt brine necessary to burn the snow and ice.
In part, this is why roads like Parkway, Wootten Way, Fincham, Williamson and Chancery all drive better after winter storms. Dead ends, cul de sacs, wide corners with little to no traffic will take longer to burn off. We had a number of freeze-thaw cycles over a number of days and despite the salt application, ice was not melting as quickly as we would like. Salt works best when temperatures are above -12 degrees.
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This picture provides an example of the proper spread of salt - our Roads maintenance team only puts down enough salt to create a brine. You should not see left over salt after an application, as it would indicate overuse.
Interesting article on Salt & Ice
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Did you know? One pedestrian pathway in each of Markham’s 8 wards are being plowed, salted & sanded as part of our new Pathway Winter Maintenance Pilot Program.
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PUBLIC SAFETY REMINDER:
It is important to stay off storm ponds. They are not a safe place to play or skate because the ice is unstable and not professionally maintained.
To help communicate the dangers of ice and water conditions, City Communication staff have created a short safety video for you.
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Looking for more information on other areas of the City of Markham and Region?
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Today, January 28 is #BellLetsTalk Day and we are asking Markham residents to share mental health tips, advice or encouragement. Now, more than ever, mental health needs to be recognized and we want to hear from you. Let’s get the conversation started. #WeAreInThisTogether |
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Markham Food Bank Needs our Help
The Markham Food Bank has seen a 38% 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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This winter, you can change the lives of homeless and at risk youth in York Region.
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York Region Police - Visit Community Engagement and Well Being page - "members of YRP establish and maintain partnerships within the community, engaging our citizens according to our shared values."
Stay safe! Report any suspicious activity to Online Reporting
Emergency? Call 911
Non-Emergency? Call 1.866.876.5423
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The City of Markham EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS page has a source of information to help you prepare and plan for emergencies. Emergencies happen.
Are you ready?
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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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