Newmarket council could be providing tentative zoning approval for a new townhouse development on Davis Drive at its March 6 committee meeting.
Staff is recommending rezoning for a 28-unit townhouse development in a residential area by the intersection of Hamilton Drive. Council will also consider its COVID-19 vaccination policy, anti-Black racism plan and homelessness.
Here’s what NewmarketToday will be following:
Townhouse development
A new townhouse development from Lulu Holdings could make a significant step toward getting built.
Council will review the proposal at 1015, 1025, 1029 Davis Dr., and 22 Hamilton Dr. and consider approving a zoning amendment to allow it to progress. The project would include 24 townhouses and four semi-detached units, each with private year yards and balconies.
Parking and sightlines were raised as concerns during a public meeting for the proposal in May 2021, with the applicant asking for a parking reduction. The applicant initially proposed one outdoor parking space per unit. Since then, the applicant has revised its parking for 50 outdoor spaces, including six visitor spaces, to meet town policy.
Vaccination mandates
York Region has ended an employee vaccination mandate and Newmarket will review its own.
A settlement the region reached with one of its unions went into effect March 1, which removed the mandate that employees must be vaccinated against COVID-19. Many of the 64 employees fired at the time were to be welcomed back, according to CUPE Local 905.
Newmarket, which fired three employees under its vaccination mandate, has not yet followed suit. But council is set to discuss vaccination policy in a closed session March 6.
Anti-Black racism plan
The town is taking its next step to combat anti-Black racism with a new implementation plan on the table.
The two-year plan will seek to enact the recommendations to address racism from a new action plan and task force report. It will also include a two-year contract position for a diversity, equity and inclusion position to help guide the work. Council will consider the plan for approval.
“The DABR implementation plan provides a roadmap of actions for town staff to follow in dismantling anti-Black racism,” a staff report said.
Homelessness resolution
Town council is considering a resolution calling on the province to take more action on homelessness.
Brought forward by Councillor Bob Kwapis, the proposed resolution states that the “homelessness crisis is the result of the underinvestment and poor policy choices of successive provincial governments,” and that local governments are doing their part but do not have the resources to address the challenge.
The resolution would call on the province to commit to ending homelessness and work with partners on an action plan to achieve that.
The committee of the whole meeting will be streamed at 1 p.m. at newmarket.ca/meetings. You can attend in person at 395 Mulock Dr, and arrange a deputation or send in a letter by contacting [email protected].
