Planning progress is continuing for the affordable housing development to come at 62 Bayview Parkway in Newmarket as Housing York wraps up its term.
Demolition and site restoration on the property is now complete, according to an update delivered to the Housing York board Sept. 15. Staff said they are now looking for archaeological assessment services before starting on planning applications in the spring.
“Planning for community housing development is underway,” Housing York general manager Kathy Milsom wrote in a report. “A planning firm has already been retained through a competitive request for quotation process. The award of the architectural contract will be a major milestone in the development of the project.”
Affordable housing is set to come at the former home of York Region’s headquarters on Bayview Parkway, but its exact form has yet to be determined. The region demolished the old structure to make room for future housing development.
The regional non-profit housing provider also provided an update on its efforts across the region. Most of its yearly business plan is on track, according to a report, with 75 per cent of planned actions in progress.
The organization is preparing for other affordable housing projects, such as one in Whitchurch-Stouffville that just started construction.
Housing York is also meeting with organizations for co-development opportunities and is seeking land availability. Milsom said they plan to meet with the Town of Newmarket this fall to identify possible pilot sites.
The board of directors is preparing to wrap up its term, with Sept. 15 its last scheduled meeting before the October municipal election.
Housing York chair and Newmarket Mayor John Taylor said the board has been “incredibly engaged” in the past four years, with a strong membership with representatives from each municipality.
“Each of you are showing to the importance of housing, and Housing York and housing affordability,” he said. “Thank you to everybody for that engagement and that great, ambitious conversation we’ve been having throughout that term.”
