The Town of Newmarket gave tentative approval today, Feb. 5, to a new development of 20 townhomes on Gorham Street.
Gorham Developments 849 Inc. is planning to develop the three-storey homes by building out a 0.42 hectare lot containing only one home currently. In the works for several years, residents raised concerns about the proposal, including the density, the lack of a direct affordable housing component and tree loss.
Newmarket Mayor John Taylor said the town has to be mindful of the need for new housing.
“We know what we’re dealing with in the province of Ontario and across Canada. There is an unequivocal, significant, perhaps crisis-level housing shortage,” Taylor said. “If we don’t build homes inside the built boundary, then the (tree) loss will eventually be in the Greenbelt, and we do not want to see it.”
The proposal came before council in 2020, also garnering resident concern at that point. Planner Michael Larkin, presenting on behalf of developer, said they have made several adjustments since then, including additional parking (with 30 private and five visitor spots) and cutting back the development from 22 units to 20.
The new community would be accessed only from Gorham Street, Larkin said.
The project “provides a logical opportunity for sensitive intensification of the neighbourhood while respecting the overall character of the neighbourhood,” Larkin said.
Resident Ted Bomers brought forward several concerns about the proposal, including a lack of nearby parkland, possible drainage problems on the property and a lack of affordability despite being right next to a transitional housing shelter charity Blue Door is planning.
“It’s too many units in too small a space,” Bomers said. “The developer is trying to get too much money.”
Area resident Doug Sellwood also presented in opposition to the project. He said the proposed homes at three storeys are not compatible with the smaller homes in the surrounding area.
“We sure aren’t going to solve the housing shortage by building 20 high-priced townhomes on Gorham Street,” Sellwood said.
Councillor Christina Bisanz questioned the affordability component. York Region is attempting to reach a goal of 35 per cent of new units in major transit stations meeting affordability criteria, and 25 per cent elsewhere.
But Taylor said municipalities do not necessarily have the ability to force that, and many smaller-scale developments would not go ahead if compelled to that. Instead, he said they work with developers and may do cash in-lieu toward affordable housing providers, with the Gorham Street development indicating willingness.
“We have very little ability to compel in this area,” Taylor said.
Regarding drainage concerns, Taylor confirmed with staff that engineering would flag any major issues as the site plan process goes forward.
Councillor Kelly Broome asked about future public input opportunities. Due to legislative changes from the province, site plan applications do not go to council for review, meaning there is no formal process for input after zoning approval. But chief building official Jason Unger said staff can work with the ward councillor to circulate a final site plan to neighbours and still get public input to consider less formally.
The town will still need to finalize the approval at a future a council meeting.
Taylor said that the town also needs to consider the possibility of appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal.
“We need to try to work with proponents to address as many issues that can be addressed,” he said. “We need to move housing forward more quickly.”
