What's Going Up is a regular NewmarketToday series highlighting growth and development that is proposed and ongoing in town.
More development could be coming to Davis Drive and Bolton Avenue in Newmarket as a developer proposes a massive new condominium complex with 767 residential units.
Fernbrook Core is proposing the project on multiple addresses at the corner of the two streets, across the street from Southlake Regional Health Centre and adjacent to its Medical Sciences Building. It would include two different apartment buildings, underground parking and retail.
Newmarket council is hosting a public hearing on the proposal April 29.
Some residents are expressing their misgivings. Longtime Bolton resident Sue Dunn said it is upsetting to see all the development in the area.
“My quiet little home is really not going to be my quiet little home anymore,” she said.
The proposal dates back to 2022, when the developer made a pre-application submission. Now, the development has been updated with an additional property on Bolton, where the developer is planning a six-storey residential building with 287 units and 350 parking spaces, including underground.
On Davis, the developer plans a 15-storey, 480-unit apartment building with 264 residential parking spaces, including underground and retail space, along with 114 retail parking spaces. All existing buildings, which could include the medical offices currently at 615 Davis Dr., would be demolished to make way for this new project.
“The surrounding area has seen a significant amount of growth and development, including the establishment of residential, institutional and service/retail commercial uses surrounding the subject site,” planning firm Macaulay Shiomi Howson Ltd. wrote in a justification report, adding that residential use is desirable on the site and “is in the public interest.”
The area has seen other projects in recent years. An planned apartment building in the works on a lot between Bolton, Watson Avenue and Lundy’s Lane. A new seniors living facility is also planned for the other corner of Bolton and Davis.
Watson Avenue resident Carlo Ianni said he does not have any issue with the development in the area.
“It’s a good idea,” he said, adding that there is “a need for that kind of building … there would be more people, and there would be more revenue for tax and everything.”
Still, Dunn said she worries about how the neighbourhood is changing, as well as the difficulties likely to come from years of construction.
“Bolton Avenue used to be a simple residential family street,” Dunn said. “I don’t know what the parking is going to be like. It’s going to be all coming through here. It’s going to be crazy, and I don’t think they thought it through.”
The planning hearing will take place at the town offices at 395 Mulock Dr. at 1 p.m. April 29. You can watch the meeting in person or online via a stream from newmarket.ca/meetings. You can also arrange a deputation or send correspondence by emailing [email protected].
Council will not make any final decisions on the proposal at this meeting.
