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As Newmarket is marking increased density and infill development, the town is moving ahead with new guidelines for urban design.
Council’s committee of the whole approved the new urban design guidelines, a non-binding document that will provide developers with desired objectives, on Aug. 23 in a bid to ensure that new developments fit well with surrounding buildings and mitigate impacts on neighbouring properties.
Mayor John Taylor said the guidelines are an important step for the town.
“We’re seeing more infill and more complex development,” Taylor said. “More density introduced to our town. So it’s important to make sure it’s the best it can possibly be, so we can be proud of what occurs.”
The guidelines provide eight objectives for developers to follow:
- Fit harmoniously into the established context;
- Mitigate impacts on adjacent properties 3;
- Create attractive, human-scaled buildings;
- Support walkability and active transportation;
- Minimize vehicle presence in the public realm;
- Promote vibrant streets;
- Provide amenity space for all residents;
- Ensure safety and accessibility for all.
Though the guidelines are not binding, manager of planning services Adrian Cammaert said they are based on official plans that have mandatory requirements.
The document has been in the works since January 2020 but was stalled by the pandemic. Consultant company Fotenn Planning + Design held two public workshops, which project manager Matt Reid said were used to refine the guidelines.
Councillor Trevor Morrison said the objectives make him feel good about the document.
“We struggle when we see some of these applications come in, and they just don’t seem to work properly,” he said. “This can really address the developers and the property owners who are looking to change their property or develop within Newmarket to something that we can all really appreciate down the road.”
Taylor raised concern about one provided example of a large development site on an arterial road. It states that townhouses should provide a transition between mid-rises and existing neighbourhoods, but he noted that could clash with the town’s “like-to-like” development philosophy of ensuring future developments feature buildings that match their surrounding area.
Cammaert said compatibility does not necessarily mean identical, at least in urban centres, but the guidelines and town policy can mitigate the elements of change.
“It’s something that perhaps isn’t the best practice of moving forward,” he said. “It’s something, for, especially on the fringes of our urban centres, we have to accept that there is an element of change that’s being presented in those areas."
Cammaert added this is only in the context of urban centres. He said intensification in subdivisions, like stacked townhouses, requires compatibility studies that staff and council can vet.
Councillor Kelly Broome said that the ‘like-to-like” philosophy is something other municipalities admire.
“I am very glad I can use the term,” Broome said. “It’s kind of really important we do continue to strive to do that.”
