Development Services Committee Meeting

That the minutes of the Development Services Committee meeting held on November 10, 2025, be confirmed.

That the December 9, 2025 presentation titled “Yonge North Subway Extension- Project Update” by Metrolinx, be received.

That the presentation dated December 9, 2025, entitled “Vancouver Planning and Transit- Oriented Development – Best Practices”, be received; and further, That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

That the written submissions from Edgar De Souza, Stephen Kertesz, and Stephen Reid providing comments regarding the above subject matter be received.

That the report entitled “Demolition Request for an Accessory Building within the Thornhill Heritage Conservation District, 86 John Street, (Ward 1)” dated December 9, 2025, be received; and, That the recommendation from the Heritage Markham Committee to not object to removal of the accessory building to accommodate a proposed rear yard addition be received as information; and, That Council supports the proposed demolition of the existing accessory building at 86 John Street within the Thornhill Heritage Conservation District; and further, That staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

That the report entitled “Demolition Request for a Fire-Damaged Detached Dwelling within the Thornhill Heritage Conservation District, 16 John Street, (Ward 1)” dated December 9, 2025, be received; and, That Council approves the proposed demolition of the fire-damaged dwelling at 16 John St. in the Thornhill Heritage Conservation District on the condition that the owner constructs a historically accurate replica of the heritage portion of the house, in the same general location on the property, based on measured drawings and archival photographs, using brick salvaged from the existing dwelling as recommended by the Heritage Markham Committee on November 12, 2025; and further, That staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

1) That the report dated December 9, 2025 entitled “Comments on Bill 60 – Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025” be received; and, Amendments to the Planning Act 2) That Council not support the change granting the Minister authority to set prescribed percentages, permitting as-of-right variances; and, 3) That the Province add a provision to prohibit as-of-right variances in zones designated for environmental protection and natural hazards; and, 4) That the Province consider authorization of as-of-right variances to be granted at the municipal-staff level for detailed technical review prior to the approval of the minor variance; and, 5) That Council not support the change that would allow the Minister to override key policy direction outlined in the Provincial Planning Statement, 2024; and, 6) That Council recommend for municipalities to be granted a formal opportunity to consult with the Minister on Minister‘s Zoning Order agreements; and, 7) That Council requests the Province to consider implementing a mediation conflict resolution process to resolve disagreements prior to the Minister referring to the Ontario Land Tribunal; and, 8) That Council not support the requirement for Ministerial approval of official plan amendments that permit residential uses on all lands within Protected Major Transit Station Areas be removed; and further, 9) That Council support the expansion of Community Improvement Plans to include all upper-tier municipalities; Consultation on simplifyin

That the report dated December 9, 2025, entitled “Proposed Regulations to Enable the Special Economic Zones Act, 2025 and Species Conservation Act, 2025”, be received; and further, That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

That the report dated December 9, 2025, entitled “Comments on the Proposed Consolidation of Conservation Authorities and Creation of the Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency”, be received; and, That this report be forwarded to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks as the City of Markham comments on the ERO posting of the “Proposed boundaries for the regional consolidation of Ontario’s conservation authorities” (ERO 025-1257); and, That Council support the recommendation that the existing boundaries for the Toronto Region Conservation Authority (proposed to be renamed to the Central Lake Ontario Regional Conservation Authority) be maintained; and, That Council support the recommendation that legislative changes not reduce conservation authority board and municipal autonomy over non-mandatory local programming and services delivered by the new regional conservation authorities; and, That Council support the recommendation that the governance structure for the new Central Lake Ontario Regional Conservation Authority Board maintain the current representation and one-member appointment allocated to the City of Markham; and, That Council support the recommendation that the Province retain the current minimum consultation requirements in the Conservation Authority Act and regulations for the review and approval of conservation authority budgets and not limit the ability for the regional conservation authorities to modify or tailor their budget consultations with

That the report titled “Citywide Parking Strategy – Final Report” and the presentation titled ”Citywide Parking Strategy Final Study Recommendations ” be received; and, That parking and associated paid parking initiatives in Unionville be moved from a long-term objective to a short-term objective ; and, That Council endorse the Citywide Parking Strategy (CWPS) as outlined in this report and detailed in the attachment; and further, That Staff be directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

That this item, 9.1 be moved forward on the agenda for consideration after item 4.3.

That the report dated December 9, 2025, titled “CMHC Housing Accelerator Fund Update”, be received; and, That the Housing Needs Assessment report dated March 2025, be received; and further, That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

WHEREAS, new infill development standards were introduced to guide appropriate growth, maintain neighbourhood character, comply with the City of Markham’s Official Plan and reduce the number of variances being requested through the Committee of Adjustment; and, WHEREAS, it is important to evaluate the effectiveness of these standards in achieving their intended objectives; and, WHEREAS, tracking applications to the Committee of Adjustment can provide valuable insight into trends, challenges, and potential areas for improvement in the infill development review process; and, WHEREAS, staff will be bringing forward housekeeping amendments to the Comprehensive Zoning By-law in the new year, providing an opportunity to incorporate any necessary minor adjustments to the infill development standards; Therefore be it resolved: That staff be directed to prepare a report on the implementation and effectiveness of the new infill development standards, including any observed impacts on development applications and neighbourhood compatibility; and, That staff include in the report an analysis of Committee of Adjustment applications submitted since the introduction of these standards, identifying key trends, common variances requested, and any emerging issues that could inform the upcoming housekeeping amendments to the zoning standards; and further, That Staff be directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

WHEREAS, the City of Markham recognizes and honours the service and sacrifice of veterans and active members of the Canadian Armed Forces; and, WHEREAS, many municipalities across Canada have introduced veterans-themed crosswalks as a visible symbol of gratitude and remembrance within their communities; and, WHEREAS, such a crosswalk would provide a meaningful way to engage residents, promote awareness, and demonstrate the City’s continued commitment to supporting those who have served our country; Therefore be it resolved: That Staff be directed to investigate the feasibility of installing a Veterans Crosswalk, and provide alternative commemoration initiatives at a suitable location within the City of Markham, in consultation with relevant stakeholders; and, That Staff report back to Council with potential design options, locations, cost estimates, and implementation timelines for consideration; and further, That Staff be directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

That, in accordance with Section 239 (2) of the Municipal Act , Development Services Committee resolve into a confidential session to discuss the following matters:

That the Development Services Meeting adjourn at 3:38 PM.

1. That the presentation dated December 9, 2025, entitled “Vancouver Planning and Transit- Oriented Development – Best Practices”, be received; and further, 2. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution. 6

1. That the report entitled “Demolition Request for an Accessory Building within the Thornhill Heritage Conservation District, 86 John Street, (Ward 1)” dated December 9, 2025, be received; and, 2. That the recommendation from the Heritage Markham Committee to not object to removal of the accessory building to accommodate a proposed rear yard addition be received as information; and, 3. That Council supports the proposed demolition of the existing accessory building at 86 John Street within the Thornhill Heritage Conservation District; and further, 7 4. That staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

1) That the report dated December 9, 2025 entitled “Comments on Bill 60 – Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025” be received; and, 8 Amendments to the Planning Act 2) That Council not support the change granting the Minister authority to set prescribed percentages, permitting as-of-right variances; and, 3) That the Province add a provision to prohibit as-of-right variances in zones designated for environmental protection and natural hazards; and, 4) That the Province consider authorization of as-of-right variances to be granted at the municipal-staff level for detailed technical review prior to the approval of the minor variance; and, 5) That Council not support the change that would allow the Minister to override key policy direction outlined in the Provincial Planning Statement, 2024; and, 6) That Council recommend for municipalities to be granted a formal opportunity to consult with the Minister on Minister‘s Zoning Order agreements; and, 7) That Council requests the Province to consider implementing a mediation conflict resolution process to resolve disagreements prior to the Minister referring to the Ontario Land Tribunal; and, 8) That Council not support the requirement for Ministerial approval of official plan amendments that permit residential uses on all lands within Protected Major Transit Station Areas be removed; and further, 9) That Council support the expansion of Community Improvement Plans to include all upper-tier municipalities; Consultation on simplify

1. That the report dated December 9, 2025, entitled “Comments on the Proposed Consolidation of Conservation Authorities and Creation of the Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency”, be received; and, 2. That this report be forwarded to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks as the City of Markham comments on the ERO posting of the “Proposed boundaries for the regional consolidation of Ontario’s conservation authorities” (ERO 025-1257); and, 3. That Council support the recommendation that the existing boundaries for the Toronto Region Conservation Authority (proposed to be renamed to the Central Lake Ontario Regional Conservation Authority) be maintained; and, 4. That Council support the recommendation that legislative changes not reduce conservation authority board and municipal autonomy over non- mandatory local programming and services delivered by the new regional conservation authorities; and, 5. That Council support the recommendation that the governance structure for the new Central Lake Ontario Regional Conservation Authority Board maintain the current representation and one-member appointment allocated to the City of Markham; and, 13 6. That Council support the recommendation that the Province retain the current minimum consultation requirements in the Conservation Authority Act and regulations for the review and approval of conservation authority budgets and not limit the ability for the regional conservation authorities to modify or tailor their budg