Newmarket could be getting a new Montessori school, but council expressed some concerns about parking at the site of the proposed facility.
2660252 Ontario Inc. plans to build a three-storey building for up to 183 students to attend. The school at 17188 Leslie St. would include a toddler daycare program and students in grades 1 to 3, with eight classrooms, a gymnasium and 17 parking spaces. Town council held a public hearing on the proposal Sept. 30.
Newmarket Mayor John Taylor praised the concept and design of the building. But he said he struggled with the idea of only 17 parking spaces, despite the fact it meets the town’s bylaw standards.
“I know we need this. I love the building, Leslie Street could use redevelopment,” Taylor said but questioned how the school could handle parking for special occasions like graduation or parent-teacher nights. “I don’t know if they’re going to park across at (the) retail (location) on the other side (of the street) and then run across four lanes …I hope we look very carefully at that aspect.”
The proposed building is on a plot of land currently containing a single detached residence. The proposal would include a privacy fence and have no connections to any surrounding residential neighbourhoods, only using Leslie Street for entrance and exit. The developer also plans to have a dedicated right-turn entrance into the building from Leslie Street.
Deborah Alexander, Alexander Planning principal, spoke on behalf of the owner. She said early child care is in high demand and similar schools in nearby communities have waitlists of more than two years.
“There is significant demand for new, licensed, early education spaces in your region and new spaces are urgently needed,” she said. “The introduction of 183 new spaces will assist the town and the region in meeting this growing demand.”
Councillors Jane Twinney and Victor Woodhouse questioned the access to the building and the pickup and drop-off times. Alexander assured that these times would be staggered to help prevent any traffic issues.
Regarding parking concerns, Taylor said there should be plenty of staff occupying parking spaces.
“I know land cost matters in a business model, but this is a tiny, tiny site to try to build a school,” he said.
The 17 parking spaces will include two accessible spaces, one staff parking space and one carpool space at ground level. Alexander noted the parking number meets requirements, but Taylor rebutted.
“Sounds like we need to review our bylaw,” Taylor said, later adding, “I have to rely a little bit on common sense.”
Resident Charles Clutterbuck, who spoke during the public hearing, said access needs to be kept away from the neighbourhood bordering the south side of the property, and he also expressed some concerns about privacy.
Council made no final decision on the building, with staff to review feedback with the developer before it potentially comes forward for approval.
Taylor said it would be important to look at the parking matter.
“We have to be really sure this works, and that’s up to us.”
