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Dear Residents,
The weather is warmer and it feels like summer is here. Despite all the negatives associated with Covid-19, more families are out walking, biking and doing things together. It's great to see so many people out in the neighbourhood and using our trail systems.
If using our MUP through Milne, please use the parking lot off McCowan. You can also park at the Markham Village Library or Community Centre and walk down Vinegar Hill. Our bylaw officers are out regularly and you will receive a ticket if you are parked illegally on any of our local roads.
There are a number of public meetings that are being held in the next couple of weeks that may be of interest to you, including the details of upgrading the infrastructure on the streets that saw extreme flooding a few years ago. Should all the whitebelt lands (land north of Major Mackenzie) be used for growth up to 2051? Join us on May 27th for the Region forecast. Further details are discussed later in the newsletter on how you can participate.
Stay safe and healthy and enjoy the summer.
Regards,
Karen |
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Upcoming Community Meetings & Development Applications
- Tuesday, June 1
Notices of Public Meeting
- Thursday, June 3
Markham Road – Mount Joy Secondary Plan Study
Please join us at our virtual Community Information Session #3 for the Markham Road – Mount Joy Secondary Plan Study.
This session will provide community members with an opportunity to learn more about and provide feedback on the Interim Report and draft demonstration plan for the secondary plan area.
What happens north of 16th Avenue, affects Main St Markham - this is your opportunity to be part of the process before decisions are made.
Where: Virtual Meeting on Zoom*
When: Thursday, June 3, 2021
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 pm
* Links to participate in the Zoom video conference or view the YouTube livestream will be posted on Your Voice Markham
one hour before the meeting starts.
Further information regarding the session will be posted on Your Voice Markham. An email will also be sent to those that have participated in previous sessions.
- Thursday, June 24
Markham Village & Unionville Flood Control Study
As part of Markham’s Flood Control Program, City Staff will be hosting a public meeting to present the findings of the Markham Village and Unionville Flood Control Study on June 24, 2021. Through the study, drainage systems built prior to 1980 in Markham Village and Unionville were reviewed to assess the existing risks and causes of basement flooding. Options were reviewed in each area to determine the best method of reducing flood risk, and future work that has been prioritized based on the existing risk and construction logistics, with a proposed plan for designing and constructing the upgrades spanning 2022 – 2032.
In addition to the long term plan, the City also has a private plumbing rebate program that allows private homeowners to install backflow preventers and complete other improvements to the private portion of the drainage system that will provide an immediate reduction to the flood risk associated with a property.
Representatives of Markham staff will be present at the meeting to answer questions and discuss next steps. If you have any questions, please contact Rob Grech, Manager, Stormwater.
To learn more about the project and rebate program, and provide your feedback, please visit YourVoice Markham. |
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Widening of McCowan Road
City of Markham has been notified of the completion of York Region’s McCowan Road EA. The EA is being filed for a 30-day public review period, ending on June 12, 2021, in which written comments are to be directed to York Region. The environmental assessment is recommending the following:
- Widening McCowan Road to include transit/HOV lanes
- Improving active transportation facilities for pedestrians and cyclists
- Upgrading intersections to meet accessibility requirements
- Improving the bridge over Highway 407 for active transportation
- Constructing an underpass at Centennial GO Station on McCowan Road
- Providing traffic noise barriers where warranted and feasible
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Markham Spring Maintenance Service - Media release
"As the City of Markham braces to enter a second summer with the ongoing pandemic, our Operations department is working hard to deliver road, park and trail maintenance services so residents can safely enjoy public outdoor spaces in the months ahead. In the meantime, a province wide State of Emergency and Stay-at-Home Order remain in effect."
See full media release for more information.
Operations - Parks
Operations park and road staff are working to ensure City parks, public spaces (trails, pathways, streets) are litter free. Do your part to keep Markham clean and safe. Please take all your waste home with you and do not dump on roadways or public spaces.
The Region of York is responsible for maintaining grass and collecting litter on all regional roads within the City. For concerns regarding Regional roads contact Access York or 905.830.4444.
Only properly trained staff are permitted to pick garbage up on our trails and parks this year due to COVID-19. Our staff can respond quickly to all areas of concern. Please call 905.477.5530 or email the Contact Centre to report any waste or dumping that has occurred.
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City’s 2021 Road Rehabilitation Program in Ward 4
The following streets will be entirely resurfaced, between May and November of this year.
- Senator Reesors Drive
- Harry Corsen Place
- John Dexter Place
- Berczy Gate
Notification to affected residents business owners and schools will be provided prior to commencement of works.
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Covid-19 Vaccination Information
York Region announced the opening of additional vaccination appointments and expand eligibility to include:
These new eligible groups plus all other previously eligible priority groups can book an appointment for their COVID-19 vaccination through York.ca or by calling Access York at 1.877.464.9675. Access York is available to receive calls 7 days a week between 8:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. The Health Information Line is 1.800.361.5653. More information on preparing for a vaccination appointment can be found at this link. York Region residents age 18+ can also book a vaccination appointment at any participating pharmacy in the province. |
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Volunteer Services for Seniors
A local group, PinkCars, has been established to help seniors register for vaccines and to drive them to and from vaccine appointments. If you or someone you know needs help, please contact PinkCars.
Volunteer drivers are also welcome.
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Enforcement of Covid19 Related Violations
We are receiving a number of emails and calls about people or businesses that are not adhering to the restrictions that have been implemented by the Province - information is provided below on who to contact for complaints and/or questions.
- Food Establishments, Personal Service Settings or Recreational Water Facility Violation
These establishments include:
- Restaurants and bars
- Grocery stores, convenience stores, discount and big box retailers selling groceries
- Tattoo studios, body piercing shops, aesthetics salons, and hairdressing and barber shops
- Public pools, spas, beaches, splash pads and wading pools
Call Access York at 1.877.464.9675 from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday to Friday.
- All Other Businesses or Public Spaces, Prohibited Private Social Gatherings & Organized Public Event Violations
Call the City of Markham Contact Centre at 905.477.7000 x2050 or email .
- People Who Have Tested Positive for COVID-19 & Are Not Quarantining
York Region Health Connection at 1.800.361.5653 or TTY 1.866.512.6228 from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday to Friday.
- Price Gouging Related to COVID-19
Call 1.800.889.9768 between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday, or by filing a report online.
- York Regional Police
For non-emergencies, contact York Regional Police toll free at 1.866.876.5423.
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Coyote Sightings in our Neighbourhood
We have received emails regarding coyote sightings in the ward. Under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act we are only allowed to relocate wildlife within a 1 km radius of where they are found. Removing wildlife more than 1 kilometer from their home is considered inhumane as they do not have an understanding of the new surroundings, i.e. no shelter (den), food source etc, leaving them to basically starve to death in the most extreme cases. Additionally, they may be infringing on another family’s territory. This can cause conflict between two families. Coyotes specifically do not travel in large packs like people believe, they are a one family group that consists of a mother, father and young and each family spans no more than 1 kilometer away from their den. Coyotes are naturally curious, which is why they will watch you, or follow you, this can be misinterpreted as "stalking".
If you are walking a dog, it is extremely important to keep your dog on a leash at all times, no longer than 6 feet in length. If your dog is off leash, it can be seen as a threat to the coyote, which may cause the coyote to warn your dog as it is a threat to its family.
The City has a partnership with Coyote Watch Canada and staff are working on an action plan for our urban coyotes, which will be presented at a general committee meeting in the coming weeks. The City is aware of this coyote family inhabiting the area and staff are monitoring the situation closely. Animal care officers are patrolling the areas to educate residents and to also monitor the family.
Please see attached links for further information: training module on coyotes.
Ontario.ca - Living with Wildlife.
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Project ERASE Kick-Off
Project ERASE, Eliminate Racing Activities on Streets Everywhere, targets drivers who think they can use the roads as raceways.
Call 9-1-1 if you see dangerous driving practices that could cause personal injury or loss of life. When contacting police, try to note the vehicle’s location, direction of travel, make, model, license plate number and driver’s description.
See full press release
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C o m m u n i t y N e w s
Volunteer Markham provides essential services across York Region through the generous support of the UW GTA and in collaboration with Volunteer Toronto and Volunteer MBC. Check out their May Volunteer News for Top Pick Resources and supports; Spotlight on 360 Kids and Nightstop; Recent Volunteer Opportunities posted; Change the World Youth Volunteer Program update; Volunteer Recognition Program Highlights for York Region; and so much more!
Canada Goose Defense
With spring comes the nesting season for our native birds, including the Canada goose.
Please enjoy this informative text from our local resident and Bird Artist, Illustrator
Barry Kent MacKay.
Cackling “Aleutian” Goose
(Anser hutchinsii leucopareia)
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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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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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Help to change the lives of homeless and at risk youth in York Region.
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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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