For nearly four years, a revitalization study by the City of Markham for the Thornlea area has caused controversy and has resulted in numerous conflicts and delays. Now, Coun. Howard Shore is trying to ensure that some progress can finally be made.
In 2011, staff began to examine ways to improve the industrial area, which includes the former Canac Kitchens site. In late 2013, the business community rallied against some of the resulting recommendations, stating that they didn’t feel consulted.
“[Businesses] freaked out,” said Shore. “They said we were taking away their rights.”
Shore and the committee for the project went back to the drawing board and expanded the working group, but it has still been met with resistance from business representatives.
“The residents had tabled, back in March, their position,” said Shore. But they were still waiting on a response from the business community. “It would be productive and helpful if we had a response,” he said, stating that it would help the upcoming meeting be more productive.
In May, Shore tabled a notice of motion to ask for a staff report on the site and a request for recommendations and direction.
“I didn’t put anything substantive. It was to give staff direction to come back to development services after the next meeting [June 9] with whatever their recommendations are.”
He has left the door open for the business representatives to come forward before that date, but he is not optimistic.
“Given that one party is moving forward and one is moving backwards, it doesn’t look like there’s going to be a meeting of the minds. If they come forward, I am more than happy to withdraw my motion, and we can dedicate that whole next meeting to discussing.”
Development manager Ron Blake says that it will still be an uphill struggle from here. “This [motion requesting direction] is really the first sort of hurdle that needs to be decided,” said Blake.
But Shore said it must be done. “Council — no, forget council — the community deserves to have a resolution.”