Suzan Challis said she does not like the prospect of a six-storey, 71-unit apartment building overlooking her neighbourhood.
The Town of Newmarket provided notice this week about the proposal from 2570245 Ontario Inc. at 16756 and 16764 Bayview Ave. The town has received a zoning application for an apartment near the Bayview and Mulock Drive intersection.
Challis said she worried about the traffic impact on an already busy street.
“There was a concern with that coming in, the size of (it),” she said. “It’s a little 'in your face'.”
The proposal was filed Feb. 16 and would see two existing homes torn down to make way for the development. It would feature 50 one-bedroom and 21 two-bedroom units, along with rooftop amenities and another outdoor amenity area on the southwest corner of the site. It would have 89 parking spaces, with 72 underground.
The Town of Newmarket has yet to approve the application and council has not yet reviewed it.
Others residents in the surrounding area have expressed concern, as well. Thipphavanh Voradeth said she might accept it if the size was smaller but it is too dense for her taste.
“The traffic’s really congested, and the road is so small,” she said. “I don’t think it’s appropriate.”
NewmarketToday did not receive a reply from the developer before publication time.
The project would include an entrance at Bayview, situated as far north from the intersection “as possible” to avoid conflict according to the application.
In a planning justification report, Weston Consulting said the project would “respect adjacent low-rise dwellings” to minimize shadowing, with stepbacks on higher floors. The report said it is a suitable area for intensification, with the future development of the Mulock GO station.
“Given the location of the subject lands between a collector road and a strategic growth area, it is appropriate for the subject lands to be redeveloped for moderate intensification that will be compatible with the future built form in the area,” the report said.
As far as traffic, a study from Candevcon Limited included in the application estimated 26 additional auto trips during the morning peak hour and 32 trips during the evening peak hour. It recommended increasing the length of the eastbound turn lanes at the Bayview and Mulock intersection by 2024. It recommended further expansion of those lanes by 2029.
Not everyone in the neighbourhood is opposed. Resident Francine Kalligosfyris said she thinks it is a great idea.
“We need more affordable houses, and I think that’s going to be a great location for providing that,” she said. “Newmarket has become a prime location.”
The justification report does not say anything about meeting municipal affordability criteria for the units, though does note the increased affordability compared to detached dwellings.
Peter Hefferman didn't think the apartment building would be too obtrusive.
“It’s consistent with the development you see up and down Yonge Street,” he said. “It’s an appropriate redevelopment for the area.”
The town has not yet scheduled a public hearing but has put up notice signs on the properties.
Challis said she would be reaching out to her neighbours to ensure people are aware of what is happening so they can offer their feedback for the proposal.
She said though she would prefer to avoid having a development there entirely, she feels that is not realistic. Instead, she said she would like to see the size of the building reduced.
“Too often it does happen (and) it’s a little bit too late once the community does know about it,” she said. “I'm just trying to draw attention (to the proposal).”
Editor's Note, March 28, 2022: The story has been updated to correct a mistaken reference to a Mulock Drive entrance for the development. The development's entrance is on Bayview Avenue.
