Bylaws and "Bike Buses"
Good Morning Markhamites,
If you’re headed into the city this weekend using GO Transit, the Stouffville line ends at Kennedy Station on Saturday and Sunday as they are doing track repairs to the main corridor into Union Station. What a perfect excuse to keep it local and check out some of the events in town below.
Today’s read time is less than 4 minutes.
Ward 8 Councillor holds info session to help residents understand many of Markham’s bylaws.
Last week, Ward 8 Councillor Issa Lee invited residents of her ward to a bylaw info session meeting. Three city departments were on hand to clarify Markham’s many bylaws. Some hot topics included extended driveways, building codes for basement apartments and coach houses.
One of the more notable departments was Fire Chief Chris Nearing, who provided a POV on fire safety bylaws, underscoring the city’s commitment to keeping its residents safe.
Residents often have trouble navigating what they can and can’t do within the city’s bylaws regarding adding onto their property or retrofitting it for a basement suite. Opening a dialogue between the city representatives and residents gave a deeper understanding of how to work together.
Councillor Lee ended the session by stressing the importance of contacting the city before undergoing any projects to avoid visits from bylaw officers.
Toronto Neighbourhood implements “Bike Bus” to get kids moving to school.
Living in a car-centric community like Markham makes it easy to drop kids off at school by car. However, this increases pollution, traffic and sedentary kids. A community not too far away is bucking that trend. A Scarborough neighbourhood has implemented a “Bike Bus” program to get more kids active and biking to school. Part of the reason the bike bus works is that there is safety in numbers while cycling. What started out as a family bike ride to school has turned into a bicycle convoy that has received funding from the city. In the many walkable communities in Markham, like Cornell and Greensborough where schools are close by on local roads, a program like this could be eligible for funding under Markham’s sustainable neighbourhood small grant. It might be a bit too late to apply for 2024, but it’s the perfect time to get a project like this to make the most out of 2025.
Community notes
Remember the washroom that has taken 9 years to build in Wismer? It also costs 2.3 Million.
Markham School among finalists in a STEM contest with an innovative environmental solution
Community unites at festival of colours night market gala to raise funds for youth mental health.
What’s Happening in Markham this week.
May 2
8:00 PM - Flato Markham Theatre - Matthew Whitaker - Tickets here
May 3
7:00 PM - Rouge River Brewery - The Evelyn Ross Trio
May 4
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM - Markham Fairgrounds - Monster Trucks All Out - Tickets here
12:00 PM - 6:00 pm - Rouge River Brewery - Crafteria craft market - Free Admission
4:00 and 8:00 PM - 360 Allstars trick shot BMX breakdancing show - Tickets here
May 5
2:00 PM - Flato Markham Theatre - MCB Rocks again - Tickets here
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