Residents of Newmarket’s old Main Street expressed opposition to a new 20-townhome development proposal, but council decided that rezoning could proceed with some changes.
Pentacore Developments is proposing to place the townhomes on an existing residential property in the area. The developer plans to install 16 semi-detached units and a fourplex at 231 Old Main St., currently containing a single detached home and sheds.
Council gave tentative approval for a rezoning to allow the development to proceed Feb 3. But the concept garnered concern from neighbouring residents, who worried about the impact of the added density in the area. Resident David Myers said he felt the proposal would go against the more rural, cottage-like vision for the area set out in a town tertiary plan.
“It will be another highly packed, urban subdivision that will further clog up our roads with cars,” he said. “It will diminish the unique character of the neighbourhood. We need to take a step back. This is bigger than just one development.”
The area is subject to a tertiary plan developed in 2019-20, charting out a vision for the area currently filled with mostly single-detached dwellings. But the town has approved more development in the area in recent years that have not yet come to pass, including 12 semi-detached units in 2019 where building permits were not filed and 19 townhouse units in the area in 2021.
Myers also raised concern with the height of the units, with Pentacore's designs seeming to indicate three storeys, versus the two-storey limit laid out in the tertiary plan.
Other residents also came forward to speak about concerns about density and traffic in the area.
“The existing traffic conditions are causing significant trouble for residents,” John Hall said, adding that adding more traffic to the area will “further deteriorate the quality of life.”
But Newmarket Mayor John Taylor said the development can work for the area, and the tertiary plan is meant to prevent things like midrises in the community. He said Newmarket and all municipalities are challenged by a housing crisis that must be addressed.
“We have a housing crisis, and that’s a real crisis. There are people for real in my office in tears not knowing where to live,” Taylor said. “I won’t pretend growth doesn’t come with impact. It comes with cars. It comes with a construction period that’s unpleasant. There’s downsides to it. But this is a very significant moment … We have to move forward.”
Councillor Trevor Morrison also supported the development, but said he agreed with concerns regarding height. He proposed amendments, approved by council, to ensure that the limit on buildings would be to two storeys and the height would be in line with that.
“I believe there is potential for balanced and applicable development in the street and the area,” he said. “Not allowing for extreme over-development, extreme overmassing or heights, but making sure we find that balance for appropriate growth but then as well maintaining the integrity of the street.”