Cancellation of the Thornhill SPRING/SUMMER 2019 Village Festival After 42 years of serving as the host organization to the Thornhill Village Festival (Thornhill Village Cultural Festival, 2018) the Society for the Preservation of Historic Thornhill (SPOHT) has made the WARD 1 NEWS difficult decision to cancel future Thornhill Village Festival events. UPDATE FROM KEITH IRISH, While the Festival has come to an end, the Society’s mission to celebrate and promote the heritage and With Mayor Scarpitti and members of the Budget Committee. YOUR MARKHAM WARD 1 COUNCILLOR traditions of our community remains unchanged. I’m proud that we kept tax rates low while delivering exceptional services. SPOHT is considering options for a new, more Dear Residents, neighbouring municipalities also have an impact on manageable, event that makes their mission the us. This dilemma requires a coordinated and measured focus. For more information, including membership, Welcome to my first bi-annual newsletter. In addition approach since the Provincial Planning Act states please visit: www.thornhillhistoric.org to semi-regular newsletters by email, I will provide you with timely news of interest about our community that municipalities must consider all development applications they receive. German Mills Community Centre & that you can use. On a personal note, after six months in office I often Heintzman House Rentals Ward 1 is unique. Not only is it Markham’s most Contact Centre populous Ward, with borders shared with three other get asked how it’s going so far. My response is always We are fortunate in Thornhill to have unique facilities, the same: I love representing you and our community. If you have an issue regarding municipal services, municipalities – Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Toronto – we in addition to the Thornhill Community Centre, for rent. I am often reminded of the ancient Greek definition of programs and general inquiries (by-law complaints, have the highest number of seniors, a large Heritage They include halls and meeting rooms in a variety of happiness: “the full use of your powers along lines of garbage pick-up, graffiti, illegal dumping, property Conservation District, a planned subway extension, new sizes with features ranging from fireplaces to kitchen excellence”. The chance to serve the community I have standards) please contact the city at 905-477-5530 development pressures like no other in our city, and even access to auditorium-quality stages. Whatever your called home for over 30 years is both an honour and a or [email protected]. the most sidewalks (which require regular maintenance needs, we have the perfect venue for your special throughout the year and clearing in winter)! privilege and I am determined to make it even better. event. For information please call 905-944-3800. Key Contacts The Provincial Government’s transit announcement To keep up-to-date please visit my Councillor web page CN Public Inquiry in April to build the Yonge North Subway Extension at www.markham.ca > “About The City of Markham” > Markham Events “City Council” > “Regional & Ward Councillors” > 1 (888) 888-5909 from Finch to Richmond Hill Centre, at a cost of $5.6B, Events taking place in the City of Markham can easily “Ward 1 Councillor Keith Irish”. You can sign-up for [email protected] while very welcomed news, is already putting intense be found on the home page of www.markham.ca. development pressure on Markham and Vaughan my electronic newsletter there and even follow me on Simply click on the “See All Markham Events” button Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) along the Yonge Street corridor. Sadly, our current Twitter for more frequent updates. and scroll through the months. Noise Management Office infrastructure cannot accommodate it and while If you have an issue of concern please contact me at (416) 247-7682 I appreciate that developers are anxious to build, [email protected] / 905-948-5101 or my Executive the concerns of residents who live here now should Assistant Joanne Martire at [email protected] / It’s Your Voice Markham! Visit www.torontopearson.com to complete I have always believed that engaged citizens working an online complaint form. not be ignored. Development decisions made by our 905-415-7512. together can accomplish extraordinary things. Your Voice Markham is the city’s online engagement York Regional Police Non-Emergency site that allows you to contribute your ideas and Contact Information In this Issue feedback on city matters important to you. Visit 1-866-876-5423 www.markham.ca and click on the “Your Voice [email protected] Royal Orchard and Bayview Markham” button to get started. Proposed New Development p2 30-60 Steeles Ave. East and 37-63 Highland Park Blvd. Proposed New Development p2 Check out “Ward 1 Talk” on YouTube to @KeithIrish1 Langstaff Gateway Proposed New Development p2 see me talk about issues important to Shouldice Hospital p3 you while promoting local businesses Keith Irish Grandview Park Construction p3 and places of interest. @keith.irish This newsletter is distributed using Canada Post walks; a small amount of Ward 8 residents may also receive this. KINL110_Ward1-NewsletterMay2019_V3.indd 1-2 2019-05-30 4:32 PM Proposed New approves this project, it is my belief on May 23. There will be In recent discussions that have these changes will help aid traffic opportunities for all Ward 1 residents included guidance from Heritage Development: Royal flow and ease congestion currently to comment on the proposal at a Markham staff, the owner has Orchard & Bayview experienced by those heading future Statutory Public Meeting (at agreed to take corrective action Most Ward 1 residents are aware southbound on Bayview, as well the Civic Centre) and a Community using historically appropriate of Official Plan and Zoning By- as those wishing to travel east on Information Meeting (hosted by replica material. law Amendment applications Green Lane. me). Markham Council is awaiting submitted in March 2018 on behalf a preliminary report from Planning On the afternoon of April 4, of the Ladies Golf Club of Toronto Proposed New Staff. Dates for both meetings are Markham’s Fire Department . still to be determined. responded to a house fire at by Tridel Development: 36-60 The proposal is to build a 12 storey 45 John Street, south side just east residential building, a 14 storey Steeles Avenue East Proposed New of Church Lane, in the Thornhill Heritage Conservation District. residential building and a public and 37-63 Highland Development: park on 2.46 acres of land, currently Park Boulevard 45 John Street I have since learned that the Office comprising the 9th hole of the golf Langstaff Gateway of the Fire Marshal considers the The city is now in receipt of complete course, located at the southwest In 2018, Zoning By-law Amendment Shouldice Hospital Melkite Catholic Church, located at cause to be “undetermined”. This is Official Plan and Zoning By-law and draft plan of subdivision 1 Lyndhurst Drive, in March. Those corner of Royal Orchard Boulevard In late March the Superior Court due in part to the amount of damage Amendment applications, submitted applications were received from that live in the neighbourhood or and Bayview Avenue. The proposal of Justice approved the sale of that occurred aided by timber by Zonix Group Inc., for the block Condor Properties Ltd. to build the drive Leslie Street north of John includes plans for 192 units and Shouldice Hospital assets in Markham framing and late detection of the fire, of land currently occupied by 27 first development block (Phase 1A) Street know that the Church suffered underground parking for 367 cars. to “7750 Bayview Avenue Limited which is believed to have started in homes (36-60 Steeles Avenue and within the west Precinct area of the a devastating fire in 2016 and has My Community Information Meeting Partnership”. the basement. 37-63 Highland Park Blvd.) between Langstaff Gateway community. The been unusable. I am pleased to share held on March 27 at the Thornhill There is no information at this time to Dudley Avenue and Willowdale latter is the 47-hectare (116 acre) The City of Markham has confirmed news that the Church leadership Community Centre was standing suggest anything suspicious and the Avenue. area of land bounded by Yonge in that the corporate partner of the has plans to rebuild and has had room only with over 225 people property has since been turned over The proposal includes two 13 the west, Bayview in the east, Holy 7750 Bayview Avenue Limited preliminary discussions with Markham in attendance including nine (of to the owner to determine next steps. storey mixed use buildings on Cross Catholic Cemetery in the south Partnership purchasing the lands is Planning staff to begin the process. 13) members of Markham Council. I am grateful no one was injured. Steeles Avenue and two 8 storey and Highway 407 in the north. For a Liberty Development Corporation Residents heard from representatives residential buildings on Highland development planning purposes, the company, a developer of commercial, of the Ladies Golf Club, Tridel and Grandview Park Park Blvd. The proposed Official Plan area is divided into three precincts: office and residential buildings in Aileen-Willowbrook City of Markham Planning Staff. After interminable delays it appears amendment applies to the entire west, central and east. the GTA. Residents Association While Markham Council awaits a we are edging closer to construction block bounded by Steeles Avenue, The Condor applications include At the time of writing, my first Planning staff report, which considers of the new amenities planned for I have been working closely with Dudley Avenue, Highland Park construction of two 47 and 38 storey meeting with representatives of feedback from the community and Grandview Park.