Citizens came out in force to tell the Town of Newmarket council about their opposition to a proposed apartment development at Lundy’s Lane.
Dozens of residents provided feedback to council May 31 at a public meeting about the Matera Developments project, a five-floor condominium building with 79 apartment units. The developers are seeking a municipal zoning change in the area to make the structure possible, shifting from a residential-detached dwelling zone to mixed use.
Resident concerns ranged from increased traffic to decreased property values, as well as the loss of mature trees, regarding the change this could bring to the surrounding residential neighbourhood.
“We are proud of our neighbourhood and want to protect what makes us special,” resident Dylan Ferguson said in a deputation. “What is being proposed will change the culture of our neighbourhood.”
Council did not make any decisions about the proposed amendment. Mayor John Taylor noted there is a mandated process for proposals and the municipality must consider the developer's application. Public comments will be referred to planning staff, who will return with a report for council consideration.
“We’ve received a considerable amount of input already from the public and it shows a high amount of interest and concern,” Taylor said. “We do appreciate that.”
The development would use five properties, including 592 Watson Ave. and 32, 36 and 40 Bolton Ave.
Carleigh Oude-Reimerink of Armstrong Planning, who presented on behalf of the proponent, said it would feature an underground parking lot with 85 resident spaces, alongside 12 for visitors.
Oude-Reimerink discussed the planning justification for the development and said many studies are already completed, including environmental assessments, geotechnical, hydrological and traffic.
“All of these studies concluded the site is suitable for this type and scale of development and can be serviced with existing services that are available,” she said.
But residents questioned whether the area could handle additional traffic they felt the development could bring.
Oude-Reimerink said the developer would consider the feedback and change the application if needed. She said they plan to have committee of the whole consider it by the whole by the end of the year, targeting October.
Councillor Jane Twinney expressed concern about the development, adding there are already traffic concerns with the medical building on the corner.
“I personally don’t feel like it fits in with the community,” Twinney said. “I hope the developer considers that.”
Resident Lauren Merklinger said she is prepared to battle to prevent this apartment from being built.
“I won’t let this go,” Merklinger said. “I will fight this to the bitter end.”
NewmarketToday will provide further updates to this story.
