The proposal to bring 24 townhouses to a residential neighbourhood at the corner of Hamilton Drive and Davis Drive in Newmarket is making progress as some residents expressed concerns.
Representatives of Fifth Avenue Homes presented the proposal to the municipal council Sept. 16. They plan to put the townhomes on a 0.54-hectare plot of land, using a private road as an entranceway. The proposal would feature 46 parking spaces, with six reserved for visitors.
However, some area residents attended to express concerns and ideas for the project. Colin Sinclair said he was concerned about the possible traffic impact of 80 cars a day leaving the private road to the first turn on Davis Drive.
“The traffic there right now is atrocious,” Sinclair said. “I can’t see another hundred cars a day going in and out of there, parking on Hamilton Street, parking on Burling Place, because there’s definitely not enough parking in this townhouse complex.”
The proposal represents more density in the residential neighbourhood and is right across from a separate townhouse development, also planned for the street.
KLM Planning intermediate planner Lauren Dynes spoke on behalf of the development and said there would be trees and shrubs planted throughout the site, including an amenity area.
“The subject lands will be designed as a visually inviting atmosphere, that is comfortable and pedestrian-oriented,” she said.
After questioning from council, Dynes further said the traffic study confirms the development will “have minimal impact on the future capacity of the surrounding road network … it concludes there should be no concerns.”
Deputy Mayor Tom Vegh also raised concerns with the parking, particularly visitors potentially parking on the street on Hamilton Drive.
Climate Action Newmarket-Aurora member Melanie Duckett Wilson said she hopes the development will look at mature tree replacement with the landscaping and also suggested the potential for solar panelling and an electric vehicle charging station in the parking areas.
“Also energy efficiencies within the home is in order to make them a little bit more affordable for the folks who would be looking for townhomes in Newmarket,” she said.
Council made no final decisions on the development, which was referred back to staff. Zoning approval could come back to council at a later date.
