Inn From the Cold is seeking a ministerial zoning order to expedite a new transitional shelter, with Town of Newmarket staff supporting it.
The charity is planning a new building on Yonge Street using land donated by the municipality and wants to get through the planning process more quickly through a provincial order. Town council will review the idea at its next meeting, Aug. 22, as well as other issues like parking and budgets.
Here is what NewmarketToday will be following:
Ministerial Zoning Order
Newmarket and Inn From the Cold intend to use a ministerial zoning order to speed through the planning process for a three-storey transitional housing shelter.
The move comes as Inn From the Cold tries to get into a new headquarters and emergency housing space before the expiry of its lease at its current location at Penrose Avenue. The lease expires in October 2024 and staff said there would be no opportunity to extend it.
“Due to the pending expiry of IFTC’s current lease and the length of time it would take to process regular planning approvals, staff submit that an MZO is appropriate in this instance,” a staff report said.
The ministerial zoning order could allow the project to go ahead more quickly. The order process also does not require public notice or consultation and cannot be appealed at the provincial land tribunal. However, a future site plan review process would still be needed.
Staff said it believes the proposal already does comply with official plans. The town has previously indicated support for Inn From the Cold’s proposal.
Parking restrictions
The town plans to extend no parking areas on Pleasantview Avenue and Septonne Avenue.
Council will consider approval of the two no-parking areas. The new restriction on Pleasantview would be on the west side of the street from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Meanwhile, the no-parking zone on Septonne Avenue would apply to more than half of a central island on the street.
The proposals came after public consultation, with some residents in both neighbourhoods pushing for more parking restrictions, according to staff reports.
Budget update
The Town of Newmarket is approximately $4.9 million ahead of its budget, but that is due in part to delays in construction.
The second quarter financial update shows expenditures at about $5.6 million lower than expected, compared with revenues at $0.7 million lower than budget.
However, staff said expenditures were due to budgets on projects like roads, playgrounds and repairs not getting spent due to timing.
“These expenditures are anticipated to be spent by year-end, or any remaining budget balances will be transferred to their corresponding reserves at year end,” a staff report said.
However, the report anticipates an approximately $500,000 surplus or the end of the year.
The town will stream the council meeting at 1 p.m. You can view the stream at newmarket.ca/meetings, or attend it in person at the municipal office on 395 Mulock Dr. You can also arrange a deputation or send correspondence by emailing [email protected].
