The Town of Newmarket plans to go ahead with the designation of 48 new properties for heritage protection despite objections from 11 property owners.
Newmarket staff are recommending a mass of properties receive heritage protections after months of work, though some businesses and organizations are objecting. Newmarket council will consider that during its Jan. 13 meeting.
Council will also be considering outstanding directives from 2024.
Here is what NewmarketToday will be following:
Heritage properties
Some Newmarket businesses and organizations are bringing forward strong objections to having heritage designations for their properties.
The town is planning to designate 48 properties at once after the province previously ordered municipalities to designate properties on their heritage registers, or else they would be taken off those lists and completely open to redevelopment. The province did extend the deadline from Jan. 1, 2025 to Jan. 1, 2027, but Newmarket had already done work and was prepared to designate a bulk number of properties that had heritage considerations.
After sending out notices to landowners, the town received 11 objections, along with two messages of support for the designations. Among the objectors include Creekside Dental at 371 Davis. Dr. and the Newmarket Cemetery Corporation for the designation of its house property at the cemetery.
The cemetery corporation board wrote to council that it does not want to potentially financially burden future boards, which it said a designation could do by making the home unalterable to meet future needs. The board also argued the home has had many alterations since its original version.
If designated, the board said the home “could become a financial burden.”
The letter also suggests that the home could potentially be a place to have cremation spaces if necessary, based on the cemetery grounds becoming filled to capacity.
Council will have to respond to the notices of objection received by Jan. 30, 2025. Council must also decide whether to proceed with the designation of all 48 properties, but staff are recommending going ahead based on the homes meeting criteria.
“Through the evaluation and proposed designation of 48 properties, the town demonstrates its commitment to preserving this unique heritage while complying and responding to new provincial legislation, by safeguarding these resources,” a staff report said.
Outstanding matters
Town council has several issues left unaddressed in 2024, including short-term rentals, downtown parking and more.
Council will be reviewing its outstanding matters list from 2024, highlighting the status of several council directives made over the course of the year.
Some of the outstanding matters include reporting back on short-term rentals within zoning, a review of adding an accessible parking space on Main Street, options for downtown recycling, changes to development charges to address derelict buildings and more. All of the outstanding matters are expected to be reported within the first half of 2025.
The municipality is streaming the council meeting Jan. 13 at 1 p.m. You can view the meeting at newmarket.ca/meetings or attend in person at 395 Mulock Dr. You can also set up a deputation or send correspondence by messaging [email protected].
