from:
http://www.yorkregion.com/news/article/1035564--mini-manhattan-approved
‘Mini Manhattan’ approved
But Richmond Hill opposes Markham’s desire to move ahead with Langstaff Gateway
Langstaff Gateway.
CONSTRUCTION LEADS TO ROAD CLOSURE
If you drive on Langstaff Road, you may need to find an alternate route starting next week.
The road will close between Huntington Road and Hwy. 27 from July 4 to Aug. 8 for construction work.
The work includes regrading and construct a new crossing at Rainbow Creek.
Local traffic will still be allowed on the stretch.
This is the third and final closure of Langstaff for improvements, dating back to November 2010.
Markham can finally move forward with what its mayor describes as “the leading urban growth centre in North America†but not everyone is happy about it.
Regional council gave its approval last week to Markham’s secondary plan for the Langstaff Gateway.
The approval allows developers and the town to move forward with the first phase, totalling 5,000 units, on the island of land between Bayview Avenue and Yonge Street, south of Hwy. 407.
A motion by Richmond Hill Mayor Dave Barrow to hold off for a few months failed to pass. He and his fellow Richmond Hill councillors raised concerns about the region putting the cart before the horse, approving Markham’s local plan while a regional official plan amendment governing both Markham and Richmond Hill awaits approval.
“I agree it would be the leading growth centre in North America, but it has to be looked at in context of other growth in the area,†Mr. Barrow said. “We seem to be here looking at it as two halves.â€
The growth centre is one of 25 earmarked by the province for high-density development, but it’s the only one split between two municipalities, roughly bisected by Hwys. 7, 407 and the hydro corridor. The confluence of transit — Viva, YRT and a future subway and rapid transit along Hwy. 407 — has lead to planners envisioning it as a “Union Station North,†with densities exceeding the provincial minimums by as much as 500 per cent.
When fully developed decades from now, the entire site should house about 48,000 residents and 30,000 jobs.
“We had a process here. We agreed to it and now we’re being told to push it aside because half the partners are ready to proceed,†Richmond Hill Regional Councillor Brenda Hogg said.
Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti told concerned Richmond Hill officials that the official plan amendment was based on the principles in Markham’s plan and there was neither a conflict nor any new information that would change things before that amendment comes before regional council for final approval in the fall. The town spent four years developing the plan and already waited 18 months to co-ordinate efforts with Richmond Hill, which is still months away from its own detailed plan for the north half.
“We’ve been single-family low-rise ... and to step outside of that, to have a bold vision to go beyond what’s been typical... all of a sudden, people pay a lot of attention,†Mr. Scarpitti said.
Regional planning commissioner Bryan Tuckey agreed the plan was sound and there was no reason to delay approval.
Richmond Hill already approved 2,000 units and Markham can soon go forward with 5,000 more along with crucial infrastructure such as new roads.
When the Yonge subway extension is announced, another 2,000 units will be available across the site but the highest densities will only be achieved when the subway opens, followed by the launch of the 407 Transitway bus service.
The plan includes numerous sustainable features including on-site energy, a rehabilitation of Pomona Creek in Thornhill and a target of up to 70 per cent of trips taking place by transit rather than cars.
Both Richmond Hill and Vaughan sent letters officially questioning how Markham would achieve its densities and what they would mean for the surrounding area.
Further stoking the fires at a planning committee meeting the previous week was Pat Berne, representing Yonge-Bayview Holdings.
The ownership group that includes Metrus owns 14.5 acres on the Richmond Hill side and has long-term leases for properties such as SilverCity, precisely where the region aims to construct a transit hub. They are displeased with the lack of co-operation so far, Mr. Berne said.
“I’m not being negative, I’m being practical,†he said, warning the region they have no backup if the subway doesn’t materialize and urging flexibility in the plan.
Because Markham’s plan is transit-dependent, phasing is crucial. Regional monitoring will ensure development does not proceed without adequate infrastructure.
“This is not carteblanche at all ... there’s a lot more to be done,†regional chairperson Bill Fisch said.
