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Aileen-Willowbrook Residents Association (AWRA) Inc.

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Aileen-Willowbrook Residents Association (AWRA) Inc.

Aileen-Willowbrook Residents Association (AWRA) Inc.Aileen-Willowbrook Residents Association (AWRA) Inc.Aileen-Willowbrook Residents Association (AWRA) Inc.

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  • Home
  • Area Future
    • Bayview & John Visioning
    • Thornhill Square
    • 2022 Bayview&John Vision
    • Development Stats&Photos
    • A-W Neighborhood
  • Other Projects
    • Windy Hill Park
    • Maple Valley Access
    • Flood Remediation
  • JOIN US
    • Get Involved
    • MEMBERSHIP
  • What's New?
  • About AWRA
    • The AWRA Story
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    • AWRA AGMs
    • AWRA in the News
    • AWRA's Constitution
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Bayview and John Visioning Exercise

Our future is in our hands, let's get our community together

Bayview - John Visioning Exercise subject area


 Aileen-Willowbrook is home to over 10,000 people, representing 23% of Markham's Ward 1 population. We are a welcoming and diverse neighbourhood with a strong sense of community. 


Creating a new vision for the Bayview and John area is crucial for the future livability of our neighbourhoods.

Bayview and John Vision

 We hope the Bayview & John Visioning Exercise will create an opportunity to improve our neighbourhood and to create a vibrant Thornhill Town Centre for Ward 1.


Next Milestone: June/2025 - Draft Staff Report and Public Session


For more information, click on the links below:


  • Working Session Summaries


  • The Road so far (as of May 1st, 2025)


  • Opportunities and Challenges


  • AWRA Next Steps


  • Get Involved to create a future vision!!!


  • Contact us about this exercise


  • Photo Tour: Subject Area


  • How we got here: AWRA advocacy


  • Photo Tour: under construction, planned and proposed


  • Find out what you can do as a resident to make our neighborhood  an even more vibrant place to live, work, shop, and play



Visioning Exercise Working Sessions - Jan & Feb 2025

Jan 13 & 22 and Feb 13 Community Working Sessions

Since Jan 22, you can provide your comments, ideas and suggestions in the Markham Project webpage.

  

Session Summaries:

  • Full Working Sessions Report (April 25)
  • Session 1:  Urban Design, Built Form, and Land Use (Jan 13)
  • Session 2: Transportation and Mobility (Jan 22)
  • Session 3: Community Uses (Feb 13)
  • Discussion Guide (Jan 10)
  • Markham Invitation Letter

Thursday, February 13, Working Session 3: Community Uses

 Community Uses first draft summary was released on April 2nd.


The sub-topics for discussion would include an evaluation of the current parks and open space network and future opportunities to expand these amenities in the Subject Area, and opportunities for intensification/enhancement of the Thornhill Community Centre.


For information about the topics refer to the links below:

  • Markham Integrated Leisure Master Plan
  • Ward 1 Inventory of Local Community  Services & Facilities*

  1. Elementary and Secondary Schools; 
  2. Public Libraries; 
  3. Child Care Centres; 
  4. Community Centres; 
  5. Parks & Open Space; 
  6. Arenas; 
  7. Swimming Pools; and, 
  8. Social Services.

* Source: June 2023 COMMUNITY SERVICES AND FACILITIES STUDY from Bayview & Romfield Plaza development application.

Wednesday, January 22, Working Session 2: Transportation and Mobility

Transportation and Mobility first draft summary was released on Feb 10.

The sub-topics for discussion would include the existing road network and opportunities for improvement, and active transportation. 

We hope several key aspects are clarified to provide proper context for further develop the area future including:

  • Bayview Avenue widening and other traffic measures (south of Hwy 7)
  • Green Lane Go Train Station (check GO "subject to further study" stations)
  • John St traffic management measures (east and west of Bayview)
  • Road and Transit Access to future Yonge Subway stations


For information about the topics refer to the links below:


  • Dec 2024 Markham Transportation Master Plan Project
  • 2022 York Region Transportation Master Plan
  • 2021 Markham Transportation Master Plan
  • 2021 Active transportation Master Plan

Monday, January 13, Working Session 1: Urban Design, Built Form, and Land uses

Urban Design, Built Form, and Land Use first draft summary was released on Jan 21.

The sub-topics for discussion would include the hierarchy of housing form in the Subject Area, evaluation of existing heritage resources, and opportunities for intensification through future redevelopment proposals that may also include affordable and rental housing.


For information about the topics refer to the links below:


  • Urban Design: link to Markham Urban Design Guidelines Project
  • Built Form: link to Markham's Built Form Principles 
  • Land Uses: link to Markham webpage, check out the zoning webpage and the interactive map to see current zoning


Massive developments in Ward 1 (65,373 units - 121,000 people)

  • Yonge Corridor (26,350 units - 58,700 people)
  • Bridge Transit Oriented Community (20,490 units - 36,000+ people) 
  • Langstaff Gateway & East Langstaff MZO (9,283 units - 17,000 people)
  • Other area developments (4,279 units - 9,250 people)


The Road So Far

Last updated May 1, 2025

May 1, 2025 Summary Memo: Session's work completed

April 2, 2025 Session 2 Summary  and Session 3 Summary available

Feb 13, 2025 3rd working session (over 90 people attended), no session summary available yet.

Jan 22, 2025 yourvoicemarkham.ca/bayview-and-john-visioning-exercise project available.

Jan 22, 2025 2nd working session (over 90 people attended), draft session summary published on March 10th.

Jan 13, 2025 1st working session (150 people attended), Draft Session summary available.

No project nor details have been published on yourvoicemarkham.ca yet  (this was supposed to be the main conduit for the project to connect with constituents).


Dec 23, 2024: Markham mailed invitations to participate in 3 community working sessions 

AWRA was the first resident association to meet with the appointed facilitator and been informed of the set schedule. For details see our visioning exercise section.

*Third Party Public Inc. was retained by the City of Markham to facilitate the Bayview John Community Engagement Visioning Process.


July 10th, 2024 as requested in the DSC meeting, AWRA provided a summary of community questions to be addressed (no answer has been provided yet).


June 25, 2024: Markham Development Services Meeting - Visioning Exercise Report Session. For the full original session, click here.

Documents Included:

  • Recommendation Report
  • Appendix ‘A’: John and Bayview Visioning Exercise, July 2023
  • Aerial Photo of Bayview Avenue/John Street Visioning Area (the “Subject Area”)


Key Session Moments (watch our video clip at specific timestamps):

  • Report presentation by Markham staff
  • Mayor Scarpitti's  visioning exercise clarification
  • Mayor Scarpitti and Councillor Keith Irish motion going forward with amendments
  • Councillor Keith Irish on why there are 2 towers considered on Green Lane and Bayview
  • Mayor Scarpitti on why extending the scope to surrounding areas
  • Mayor Scarpitti on Stakeholders and Community Involvement
  • Councillor Keith Irish comments on area developments (Hazelview/Thornhill Square)


Deputations:

  • AWRA's deputation #1
  • AWRA's deputation #2
  • Alena Gotz's deputation (watch video)
  • WOSTRI's deputation (watch video)
  • Barry Nelson's written deputation


Staff estimated exercise will be conducted in Q4/2024

For more information, visit Next Steps and How we got Here.

 

Visioning Exercise Opportunities and Challenges

A Unique Opportunity: AWRA's Vision Objectives

The redevelopment of Thornhill Square and the upcoming Bayview and John Visioning exercise opens the door to pursue the opportunity to improve our neighbourhood and to create a vibrant urban focal point for the surrounding community as intended in the Markham official plan.


The Bayview and John visioning exercise opens unique opportunities including:


  • The creation of a vibrant Town Centre to serve Ward 1 community. It will provide much-needed amenities  where people can get together to interact, to celebrate, to stroll, or just to enjoy day-to-day living.  See this document for a reference.


  •  Aileen-Willowbrook neighborhood becoming a more complete community (a modern urban concept to address the issues faced by commuter communities).  All levels of government support Complete Communities development. This includes Ontario, York Region, and City of Markham.


  • Better community services sized to serve our growing communities.

Focus on building great communities ... not just adding residential units

Population growth combined with  the need to limit further urban sprawl has driven "intensification" within existing urban areas.  


Furthermore,  decades of housing supply deficits, left unchecked by policy makers, have lead to a historic housing affordability crisis.  


This "emergency" housing crisis has led to lowering many urban planning development "barriers". This leaves urban development open to abuse and overdevelopment. This, in turn, threatens the quality of life of current and future residents.


Although the overdevelopment proposed for Shouldice lands was adverted, the Thornhill Square redevelopment (currently on hold due to sanitary capacity constraints) poses another threat to the livability of the area. 


Planning Act changes have shifted the focus of municipal urban planners towards building  more units, not better communities. This can be clearly seen in the draft document presented by staff,  where the only opportunity envisioned in the document is to build 2 towers over 15 storeys in the parking lot fronting Green Lane.


For communities to thrive, they need a more balanced approach. It must ensure they are complete in terms of services, transportation, parks, and more for our communities to be a vibrant place to live, work, shop, and play!

Community Amenities and Services are working at over-capacity

Ward 1 amenities and Community service levels are already overloaded according to City of Markham standards.  Recently approved development will raise our neighborhood's population by at least 15%. We need to fix this service deficit.


But these services reach beyond the AWRA community. They serve all Ward 1, whose population will double in the coming years due to developments in the Yonge North Subway Extension, the Bridge TOC, and the Langstaff Gateway area. 


Yet, regardless of the foreseeable increase in demand, Commercial and Retail services will be drastically reduced if Thornhill Square is redeveloped as per the 2023 settlement agreement (for more info visit our Thornhill Square webpage).

AWRA Next Steps to Support a Successful Visioning Exercise

Working Sessions Participation & Next Steps

AWRA continue to be actively involved in creating a vision for Thornhill Centre. 

Next Steps

  • AWRA will ensure future staff draft report to be subject to residents consideration before any final document is presented to Council 
  • AWRA will kept area residents informed at each step of the process

Working Sessions

  • AWRA engaged in all steps of the working sessions (attended sessions and review all session summaries)
  • AWRA kept the webpage content up to date as the main source of information 


Working Sessions Preparation

AWRA strongly voiced its concerns about the lack of proper communication and timing to enable successful organization and engagement in the scheduled sessions. We will do our best under the circumstances:


  • AWRA members will be participating in the sessions
  • AWRA will add as much content as possible in their website to inform residents
  • AWRA will be promoting residents to attend the sessions by email and social media
  • AWRA will connect with Ward 1 resident associations and advocates


Connecting with Urban Planning Staff

AWRA  is eager  to collaborate with Markham Urban Planning staff (see our email dated February 20th)

We aim to be a conduit to address community questions and concerns. Please see our communications with Markham's Urban Planning Project Lead & team

July 10th and 17th email exchange

July 10th Attachment Community questions and concerns - no answer yet

 July 17-Dec 17, 2024 AWRA continue contacting Markham project leader for updates - No information was provided

Dec 18, 2024 Visioning exercise facilitator contacted us.

Dec 23, 2024 A initial meeting with the facilitator was held. AWRA was informed the working session schedule was decided and already mailed. 

AWRA strongly voiced its concerns about the lack of proper communication and timing to enable successful organization and engagement.

Organizing a Community Working Group

Preparing for the public visioning exercise will help us improve the chance of a successful vision. 

AWRA is organizing a working group to bring together community questions, concerns, and ideas on our area's future. If you are interested, please check out our call for volunteers.

* This action was paused as Markham couldn't confirm any dates for the exercise (originally the exercise was supposed to start on Q4/2024) nor engage in working together.

Unfortunately, the notice sent just into the end-of-year holidays makes this quite challenging  

Call for Volunteers - We live here, Get Involved!!!

JOIN AWRA’s Working Group on Markham’s Bayview and John Visioning Exercise  


Any resident can provide  comments, ideas and suggestions in the Markham Project webpage.


Please join us to help define the future of our area and plan a livable community that is functional, sustainable, and beautiful.


We welcome ALL residents interested, in particular, we are looking for expertise from:

  • Urban Planners
  • Architects
  • Civil Engineers
  • Transportation Planners
  • Environmental Engineers
  • Community Organizers
  • Finance Managers
  • Marketing Experts 


Contact us by phone: (416) 877-3544 or email: awra.thornhill@gmail.com

For other volunteer opportunities, visit our Get Involved webpage.

Study Subject area vision creation


    How we got here

    Advocating for the betterment of our area

    For years, AWRA has been advocating for a comprehensive approach to planning the urban future of the our area. In particular, the creation of a vibrant Thornhill Town Centre on Bayview and John.   


    AWRA scrutinizes new development and redevelopment applications carefully,  We advocate and work hard to make sure that proposals help improve our community.


    We fought hard, won some, lost some.


    • Shouldice lands development (averted and now a new public park)
    • Thornhill Square redevelopment (settled and to be overdeveloped)
    • Tridel Ladies' Golf development (under construction)
    • Romfield plaza redevelopment proposal (under review)

     

    We were heard: 


    In his inaugural speech in November 2022, Mayor Scarpitti said,  "We in Council, we  understand the importance of place. We’ll move forward to create a new vision for the Bayview/John precinct in Thornhill”  (click here to watch a video clip of key statements).


    Supported by the Mayor, on February/2024, Ward 1 Councillor Keith Irish presented a motion to start a visioning exercise (see Feb 6  Thornhill Centre Vision Motion). 


     AWRA supported the motion and suggested that more work needs to be done to better define the scope and outcomes, The Development Services Committee (DSC) welcomed this suggestion and incorporated a request for Urban Planning Staff to present a detailed proposal by the end of Q2/2024.

     

    On June 25, 2024, Urban Planning staff presented their detailed proposal at DSC (see the details above). 


    We were surprised to see that they included a draft  August 2023 report (Appendix A)  This  report only identifies an "opportunity" to build two  15+ storeys high-rises on the parking lot fronting Green Lane. But, it does not mention building a great community or a town centre, or recalibrating community services.


    Councillor Keith Irish did not approve of including that document as it was  (click here to watch).


    Mayor Scarpitti's direction was to have an open canvas mentality (click here to watch).  He also requested changing one of the main topics from "Height and Density" to a broader category of Urban Design / Built form/ Land Uses" (click here to watch).


    Staff developed their plans without any communication with resident associations nor providing any updates.


    On Dec 23, 2024 AWRA was informed 3 sessions has been scheduled starting Jan 13,2025.


    For the latest updates on the motion, click here.

    Overall AREA developments: under construction, PLanned and Proposed


      Share your Thoughts and interest

      Please share with us your thoughts about the Bayview and John visioning exercise or send us an email to awra.thornhill@gmail.com

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      <WHAT RESIDENTS CAN DO>

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      Discover what is going on in your neighborhood and Ward and the forces at work shaping our future. Visit  

      • AWRA's website
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      • City of Markahm website

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      VOLUNTEER

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      Volunteer your time and/or expertise!

      We are looking for people to help us carry out actions and/or review proposal documents, and/or watch and report on Markham Council meetings.

      JOIN OR DONATE

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      JOIN OR DONATE

      Join or donate to the Aileen-Willowbrook Residents Association, Inc. to support our ongoing work on this proposed development.

      WATCH

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      CONTACT

      Watch our elected officials talk about  the future and conduct city business

      • 2023-2026 Inauguration speech takeaways
      • Markham Meetings

      CONTACT

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      CONTACT

      Contact Mayor Scarpitti or your Ward 1 Councillor, Keith Irish, to express your interest and concerns.

      Disclaimer: Several of the Images used on the above webpage come from City of Markham's documents from public committee meetings, and other publicly available documents


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      AWRA Updates

       As of May 1, 2025 content has been updated on:


      • Thornhill Square Redevelopment status


      • Bayview & John Visioning Exercise
        Creating a new vision for the Bayview and John area is crucial for the future livability of Markham-Thornhill. Check out working session summaries and next steps
      • Windy Hill Spring Clean Up & Meet was a Success!!
        Over 10 people helped to keep the park beautiful  including residents, area students and Councilor Keith Irish


      • 2025 AWRA Annual General Meeting on April 3rd was a success!! Check out AWRA Executive and Ward 1 Councilor Keith Irish slide decks


      Learn More