A developer's plan to bring a 20-unit townhome development to Old Main Street has some area residents questioning whether it is against the area’s character.
MHBC Planning presented to Newmarket council Oct. 7 on behalf of Pentcore Development, which is proposing the project at 231 Old Main St., in pursuit of the required zoning bylaw amendment.
Longtime resident David Myers said the neighbouring community is concerned about the project and the density it represents, along with other development proposals on the street.
“The vision, I thought, was to have kind of a cottage environment. This doesn’t feel cottagey anymore. This feels like downtown Toronto or across from Upper Canada Mall-type construction. These are the concerns people in our community have,” Myers said.
The development proposal, which dates back a few years, includes 16 semi-detached units, one fourplex and 40 parking spaces. The developer intends to give units backyards and add a side road for service on Old Main.
MHBC partner David McKay said they hope to start construction in mid-2025 if they get approved.
“We believe the proposal is appropriate and represents reasonable intensification,” McKay said, adding it will “provide for additional housing units, variety of different types, than what has commonly occurred and in conformity with the official plan, in our opinion.”
Responding to the question of the fit in the community, Newmarket Mayor John Taylor said that is something the town has considered in planning for the area. The municipality created a tertiary plan for the area to guide development.
The town envisioned development for the area, Taylor said, but added that “the building that interfaces with Old Main, in particular, the ones right at the front, should have certain design characteristics to make them sympathetic to the existing character.”
Stormwater was another concern raised, with one letter writer commenting on how the neighbouring property might impact the water flow.
“I have a deep connection with my land, and I am concerned that changing the zoning bylaw at 231 Old Main St. will negatively impact my land and my use of it,” Julie Archbold wrote.
The area has had flooding issues in the past, but the municipality does plan to do major road work to improve servicing and drainage with a new storm sewer.
The project will “provide better drains away from the properties,” development and infrastructure commissioner Peter Noehammer said. “And to support redevelopment.”
The units are not planned to have any particular affordability elements, something Taylor commented on. He encouraged the developer to find a way to support affordability, even through supporting a local housing charity.
“Everybody comes and says, ‘Well our site doesn’t really do it,’” Taylor said. “We really need everybody to participate in this issue, this challenge. Housing supply is one thing, but affordable housing is another.”
Asked about amenity space, McKay said they focused more on trying to provide backyards, but they are working through a possible private amenity space for residents on the property.
Newmarket council made no final decisions on the hearing. Staff will further review the proposal and the feedback, followed by another report to council at a later date.
