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Main Street Markham Committee
The Main Street Markham Committee is composed of no less than seven volunteers from the public representing the Markham Village community and its associations, two Ward Councillors plus representatives from the BIA. The committee is to develop a Vision for Main Street Markham.
Origin: Created by Council in 1998.
Mandate: The work of the Committee is intended:
- to develop a Vision for Main Street Markham that would make the street a pleasant place to work, to shop, to play and to live;
- to develop the Vision through public participation;
- to recommend to Council a plan or a series of plans and activities that would enable the Vision to be achieved;
- to develop a process of public participation that encourages residents, business owners, land owners and interested citizens to participate in activities on private, institutional and public spaces to create the ambiance envisioned by the Vision;
- to recommend to Council improvements to areas adjacent to Main Street that would supplement the Vision of the street;
- to actively seek participation of interested parties to make improvements in adjacent areas.
Composition:
- a committee of residents, business owners, heritage advocates, environmentalists, and Councillors interested in conserving and enhancing Markham Village.
- No less than seven (7) members of the public representing Markham Village community and its associations and the 2 Ward Councillors, plus representatives from the Markham Village BIA and Associations.
Meeting Chair: Co-chairpersons-- Councillors Ward 4 and Ward 5
Sub-Committees: Master Plan Environmental SC, Promotion of Main Street SC, OP and Zoning Review SC. Others as required.
Staff Resources: Clerks Department provides secretarial services. Staff liaison is provided by Development Services Commission (Manger of Heritage Planning/ Heritage District Co-ordinator or Manager, East District)
Reporting: Reports directly to Council through its minutes and assigned Councillors
Budget:
The committee does not have a budget. A number of projects related to the Vision have been given funding by Council and “nest” in the most appropriate Town departmental budgets. Works and initiatives to implement the Vision Plan are expected to continue as a multi-year program.
Major Projects of the Committee:
a) Tannery Pond Redevelopment
b) Church and Joseph Street Parkette Redevelopment
c) Dorothy Moss Parkette Creation
d) Main Street Traffic Reduction (removal of trucks, proposals for narrowing)
e) Streetscape enhancement (benches, waste receptacles, tree replacements)
f) Promotion of Main Street
g) Heritage Signage (Entry, Parking Lot, Street Name)
Major Policy Initiatives of the Committee:
1. Main Street Markham – A Vision for the Millennium
The Main Street Markham (MSM) Committee with the support of local ratepayer associations, the business community and conservation groups prepared a Main Street Vision Plan in 1999. This document builds on the work of previous studies and plans, and includes contemporary ideas of community members. The Vision was adopted by Council in principle in 2001,
The Plan aims to recreate a pedestrian friendly village with its mix of homes and businesses stretching from Anderson Avenue in the north to Vinegar Hill in the south. The Plan calls for additional trees, entrance features, park features, a farmers’ market, burying hydro lines, introducing traffic calming features, a distinct family of street furniture and signage, and various measures to reduce through traffic and generally improve Main Street Markham and vicinity. The creation of a public square in the middle of the village is also suggested. One of the main objectives of the Vision is to make Main Street more of a ‘local street’ with two lanes of traffic (one each way) from 16th Avenue to Vinegar Hill with trucks using alternative routes and Highway 48 going around the village using a new or existing by-pass.
2. Main Street Markham Market and Planning Review
This document provides an analysis of the Main Street Vision Plan from the perspective of its potential impacts on Main Street merchants, and comments generally on opportunities for commercial revitalization on Main Street Markham. It is a supporting document for local retailers. The study confirmed that the Main Street Vision is appropriate and concludes that the Vision will be a benefit to the Main Street by attracting business and encouraging investment.
3. Main Street Markham Streetscape Guidelines
This document provides streetscape guidelines for Main Street in Old Markham Village. This design framework or guideline was established to ensure the development of an attractive and unified street having a strong, identifiable character through the use of consistent materials, elements and features. It is to be used by both the private and public sectors when designing and implementing particular aspects of the Main Street Vision.
NOTE:
On November 27, 2001, Council endorsed in principle the Main Street Markham Vision for the Millennium, the Main Street Markham Market and Planning Review and the Main Street Markham Streetscape Guidelines. Council also directed that Town staff and other interested parties be guided by the findings and direction provided by these documents when reviewing or initiating proposed changes, in both the public and private realms, to the Main Street Markham environment.
4. Main Street Markham Streetscape and Traffic Management Study (2003)
The purpose was to conceptually design and recommend a new functional plan for Main Street between Highway 7 and 16th Avenue. The goal was to transform the area from a vehicular dominated street into a more liveable and attractive street that supports the commercial activities in the core and provides a higher quality residential district north of the railway tracks. The study recommends a “Transit Friendly Collector Road Option” recognizing the need to service regional transit, but not a commuter or goods distribution highway. The study also recommends landscaped “bump-outs” in the commercial core, landscaped entrance features and a centre median in the residential area north of the railway tracks. The final report was endorsed in principle by Council on October 21, 2003 and funding was allocated for design/implementation at the intersections of Main Street and 16th Avenue and Main Street and Highway 7.
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