The Town of Newmarket could change a policy to require developers to remove derelict buildings faster.
Newmarket council will consider a study on the issue at its next meeting Nov. 18.
Council will also consider fee deferrals for homelessness charities to advance new developments.
Here is what NewmarketToday will be following:
Derelict housing
Newmarket wants to alter a policy giving developers credit to get derelict buildings demolished faster.
Newmarket Mayor John Taylor has brought forward a resolution for staff to study the issue. Currently, developers will get credit for having existing buildings on the property, with a four-year window after a building is taken down to apply this credit on a new development. This was meant as a way to encourage more speed in development.
But Taylor said the issue is that developments can take longer than that to make happen, based on market conditions. As such, developers are incentivized to leave derelict buildings up on the property — which poses hazards.
The policy “was well-intentioned but actually never on the ground worked the way it was meant to,” Taylor said, adding that a change would “make things safer for our community.”
One example of a derelict home was on Bolton Avenue. An abandoned home slated for redevelopment experienced a fire there last June.
Fee deferrals
Newmarket could defer 50 per cent of development fees requested by housing charities Blue Door and Inn From the Cold.
The two charities have sought to defer more than $225,000 each for a period of 10 years for ongoing developments. Council is slated to direct staff to tentatively defer 50 per cent of the requested fees for each organization.
The fees would be deferred for 10 years but then waived completely if the facilities are still operating as non-profits 10 years from now.
The town has a policy for fee deferral for certain charities and non-profit organizations if they are developing land in the community to the benefit of the community.
Inn From the Cold is currently working on a new shelter and headquarters space, while Blue Door is transforming its Kevin Place property in Newmarket.
New developments
Two new developments in Newmarket are set to get zoning approval.
A development proposal for a retail and storage complex at 514 Davis Dr. is set to get approval to go ahead with site planning.
Another project, a townhome development at the corner of Davis Drive and Hamilton Drive, is also set to get zoning approval from council.
The municipality is streaming the council meeting Nov. 18 at 1 p.m. You can view the meeting at newmarket.ca/meetings or attend in person at 395 Mulock Dr. You can also set up a deputation or send correspondence by messaging [email protected].
