Councillor Karen Rea - Ward 4 March update

Dear Residents,

It has been 2 years since we first heard about the pandemic and I don't think any of us could have envisioned how it would disrupt our world. As we try to have some kind of normalcy in our lives and restrictions are lifted, please continue to be polite and respectful to each other as we all have different levels of comfort as we move forward.

As if the pandemic is not enough, we are now dealing with the emotional turmoil in Ukraine. My thoughts and prayers continue to go out to the people of Ukraine and the Canadian-Ukrainian community here at home and I hope that a peaceful solution will be found soon.

As spring emerges so does the garbage, I want to thank Lindsey for offering to organize a spring clean-up in the Ward.

We have a virtual meeting regarding coyotes on Wednesday and a public meeting regarding the car dealership on Main ST N April 5th.

City staff are continuing to have conversations with the Province about the TOC but our concerns at this time are being ignored.

Further details on all of these items are discussed in the newsletter.

It is a little early to wish everyone a Happy Easter and Passover, but I will not be sending out another newsletter until the end of April, so hoping everyone has an enjoyable holiday.

Regards,

Karen Rea

Neighbourhood Clean-up - Saturday April 23rd

As the snow melts we start to see more litter around the communities and ravine areas. Please join us to help pick up the litter in our spring clean-up.

See attached notice for further details.

Earth Day Clean-up Information

Public Statutory Meeting for 347 Main St N.

Please see attached Notice of Meeting regarding the subject property.

A proposal has been submitted to build 15 three story townhomes at this location.

If you would like to attend this virtual meeting on April 5th at 7pm

Please email clerkspublic@markham.ca

This is your opportunity to make comments and/or ask questions early in the process.

Report from Heritage Markham Committee Agenda

Council adopted the Coyote Response and Co-existence Strategy on Dec 14th

A virtual public meeting is being held on March 23rd at 7pm to respond to any questions and receive comments from the public.

Please email clerkspublic@markham.ca if you would like to attend and participate in this virtual meeting.

This year for the 360Experience, I teamed up with City staff. Our team "Fire and Ice" raised almost $11,000 for at risk youth. Thank you to everyone that donated. It was a cold night as we travelled from Unionville Fire Station to McDonalds where we took shelter for 30 minutes and then made our way to a youth home in the ward. Around 11 pm, we took a bus to Yonge and 7 where we dropped off food to an encampment that was under the 407 bridge and then made our way back to our starting point. Icy sidewalks, bitter cold winds and only enough funds for the bus fare makes you realise how difficult it is for those that are living on the streets and how lucky we are to have a warm place to call home. Click Here for more information on 360kids

The city has taken a proactive approach and provided the province with our comments on the recently released report. The report included 55 recommendations to increase the housing supply but fails to address the affordability issue which should be a top priority.

Staff conducted a detailed review and only 13 of the recommendations seem positive and could be supported. Further clarification was needed on 17 of the recommendations and 25 are not supported as they propose to create a one size fits all approach to planning.

The report recommends allowing "as of right" residential housing up to 4 units and up to 4 stories on a single residential lot; multi tenant housings (rooming houses), unlimited height and density in major transit stations, zoning of 6 to 11 stories on any streets utilized by public transit.

Repeal or override municipal policies, zoning and plans that preserve the physical characteristics of neighbourhoods. These are just a few of the recommendations contained in the report.

Housing Task Force Report

Staff comments

A BETTER GTA - A new residents group has been formed to oppose the overdevelopment of the Provincial High Tech TOC and Bridge TOC Plan (Langstaff area and Richmond Hill) and the Housing affordability issue.

According to their website, if the Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) are built according to the Provincial plans, this area will be the second densest place on earth, 4 times denser than Yonge and Eglinton and six times denser than the Island of Manhattan.

Their analysis also suggests that we do not have a shortage of homes but there are other factors that are contributing to the overpriced housing market.

For more information and statistics on their research please visit: abettergta.com

Transit Oriented Communities (TOC)

Secondary plans establish local development policies to guide growth and development in a defined area. The City has done years of planning for a livable community in the Langstaff area. Our secondary plan for this area that has been approved by Council and calls for heights up to 50 stories and approximately 30 towers across the entire subject land. The province has decided that they want to impose their own plans for this area, which would allow up to 80 stories in height, and although they have approximately the same number of towers it is only using half of the land. Double the density, no additional jobs and an inadequate amount of community facilities including schools, community centres, libraries and parks. Although this is not Ward 4, everyone should be concerned, as this could make other areas in the city vulnerable to changes imposed on us by the province. City staff and Council do not support the TOC as proposed and have asked the province to withdraw it

I would encourage everyone to write to our local MPP Paul Calandra , the Premier and all opposition leaders;

NDP Andrea Horwath

Green Party Mike Schreiner and Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca

to request that the Province respect our secondary plan and let the City develope a complete community guided by our vision and approved secondary plan.

Open Letter to Premier from residents

Staff Report

Presentation DSC Jan 24th

Motion to be discussed March 22nd

Alignment of the subway extension

Last week, I joined Councillor Keith Irish, Metrolinxs and local residents to walk the proposed route on where the subway will go.

We all want the subway to be extended but not to be built under the homes of the community. Many of us feel that Metrolinx and the Province should reverse the decision on the alignment and keep the subway on Yonge St.

For more information or on ways you can help, please visit their website at www.subwayatro.com

News on Curbside Collection

Blue box recyclables and green bin organics will now be collected in separate trucks. Materials are still collected on the same day, but in different trucks at different times. There are no changes to scheduling, continue to follow your regular collection schedule.

Ensure that all of your waste material is set out by 7AM.

View your collection schedule here

Motion to Abolish the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) update

Markham and York Region has joined the growing list of municipalities that passed motions calling on the province to now eliminate the OLT. Motion

Aurora - OLT has outlived its usefullness

Opinion Letter

Burlington Mayor Comments

Markham votes to turf out OLT

Please find attached the latest newsletter issued by York Regional Police - YRP 5 District

CP home Safety Newsletter

Our By-law department will be sending out a quaterly newsletter which will provide residents with information on different topics and information in reference to city bylaws. Link below is for their first edition.

Spring Newsletter

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

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!