Newmarket resident Michelle McMahon is living next to the site of a controversial development.
Nearby the apartment complex going up at the corner of Watson Avenue, Bolton Avenue and Lundy’s Lane, McMahon watched the developer demolish the homes on the property in early April.
Although she does not have an issue with the project itself, she said the demolition lacked fencing, and she questions the removal of some of the mature trees.
“It didn’t seem to be very prepared, to be honest,” she said, adding she was disappointed to also see mature trees taken down. “Hopefully they put up some new trees once they’re done to make up for what they took away.”
Matera Developments is planning to develop a four-storey apartment building on the property between the three roads. The developer has now cleared the property of buildings and trees in preparation for construction, but multiple residents expressed concern about the removal of trees and lack of safety fencing for part of the demolition.
The Town of Newmarket has confirmed it is investigating the complaints.
“Staff is reviewing the tree removals to ensure that (they) were done in accordance with the tree report,” development and infrastructure services commissioner Peter Noehammer said. “While the demolition permits indicated that tree protection fencing was to be installed prior to work commencing, it appears that the developer did not install the tree protection fencing as requested.”
The development has received significant publish pushback and outcry in 2021 with residents concerned about the scale of the development and traffic it could bring to the area. But the zoning for the development was ultimately approved through a settlement after the applicant appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal in 2022, with both parties now working to finalize a site plan agreement.
The demolition in question occurred in early April. Residents reported that homes previously on the property were being demolished, but without safety fencing in place, causing debris to spread into the surrounding streets.
“Absolutely reckless. This project has been a nightmare for the residences of that neighborhood from the start,” one resident said. “No organization at all. They should be shut down until they can figure it out.”
NewmarketToday did not receive a reply to an interview request from Matera Developments.
It is not the first time the developer has faced questions regarding its demolition practices. Another project Matera is working on for rental apartments at Charles and Prospect streets got attention from council after the developer removed trees without permission after starting the application process.
Another neighbour was upset about trees on the property being removed.
“I’m not against the development, but it’s sad that mature trees are coming down in areas that will just be grass anyhow,” the resident said on Facebook.
McMahon said the developer did install fencing later in the day and addressed the concern accordingly after town bylaw approached them.
The site has been inactive for a little while, McMahon said. Despite the outcry, McMahon added she is in the minority that believes in this development.
“We need to stop building these giant houses,” she said. “I don’t get the apprehension that people have for allowing those types of developments … The population is rising, so what other choice is there, really? It makes the most sense.”
As part of the project, the developer is proposing to have parkland at 52 Prospect St., with 852 square metres of parkland in total.
The town comment did not address what, if any, penalties the developer faces for the unprotected demolition.
