Newmarket council will be examining the future direction of the area south of Davis Drive at its upcoming meeting on Monday.
Council will be hosting a workshop on its ongoing South of Davis Drive Area (SODA) study, which aims to guide the future of the massive area just north of the downtown core.
Council will also be reviewing whether to have staff report on a possible windrow program and finalize the creation of a tourism corporation.
Here is what NewmarketToday will be following:
South of Davis Drive development
The area south of Davis Drive in Newmarket could become a “dynamic centre” for culture, business, tourism and social services as the town looks to develop it.
Town council is hosting a workshop for the area as part of an ongoing study. The town has been working to study the zone north of the downtown core, deciding on a future direction for the area as part of an official plan review.
The area includes both a section of Main Street and the residential areas east and west of it. A report to be presented at the workshop describes building up the area as an “urban village" with areas of distinct character.” The report proposes to develop an identity as a basis for branding and design of the area in the future.
The presentation will also delve into land use in the surrounding residential area, and whether to maintain the status quo, allow for some more “gentle density,” or potentially allow for lower-scale mid-rise forms in those areas.
The workshop is an informal discussion. The town will be doing more public consultation on the study in the spring.
Windrow clearing
Newmarket council will consider a motion from Councillor Christina Bisanz to ask staff to explore options for a windrow program.
The issue surfaced in town the past few weeks due to heavy snowfall. While some area municipalities like Aurora and Richmond Hill offer windrow clearing programs for residents, Newmarket does not. Windrows are snow piles created at the end of driveways by plows working on the streets.
The motion from Bisanz would ask staff to investigate options from other GTA municipalities, and the operational and funding implications of going ahead with a windrow program.
Tourism corporation
Town council is set to finalize a motion that stands to bring a town tourism corporation to life.
The corporation is meant to take in some of the funding from a municipal accommodation tax created by the town last year. The province requires that some of the funding go to a designated tourism organization.
The corporation will work to promote and market Newmarket as a destination for tourism.
The municipality is streaming the south of Davis Drive area workshop at 9 a.m. and the council meeting at 1 p.m. March. 3. You can view the meetings at newmarket.ca/meetings or attend in person at 395 Mulock Dr. You can also set up a deputation or send correspondence for the council meeting by messaging [email protected].