What's coming up at council: Report on demolition of Newmarket's historic Simpson building

Newmarket council’s committee of the whole meeting gets underway Monday, Feb. 3 at 12:30 p.m. with some controversial subjects up for debate.

The public is invited to attend the meeting in council chambers at the Town of Newmarket municipal office, 395 Mulock Dr., or watch the livestream here.

Some of the items on Monday's agenda are highlighted below.

Check back here for NewmarketToday’s reporting on the issues.

Simpson building to be rebuilt by developer 

The community will get the chance on Monday to learn more details about the unauthorized demolition last October of the historic Charles Hargrave Simpson building at 184/186 Main St. S. by developer The Forrest Group, and a chronology of the town’s actions regarding it. 

The report will also provide an update on the status of the restoration and redevelopment relative to the developer’s adjacent Main Street South properties.

One of the subject properties, for example, at 194 Main St. S. this week was listed for sale at $1,299,900, as reported by NewmarketToday.

Residents will learn that the Simpson House will be fully reconstructed by the developer, operating as Main Street Clock Inc. The group was penalized $200,000 after an unauthorized demolition and they accepted a stringent set of conditions imposed by the town to ensure the rebuild.

Other conditions include:

• A commitment that the Simpson House will be fully reconstructed by MSC Inc. in a full heritage restoration, acceptable to the Town of Newmarket. Other associated properties, (188/190/192 and 194 Main St.), that are part of the development must also be completed according to approved plans and permits.
• A letter of credit in the amount of $300,000 to secure the completion of the Simpson House reconstruction and completion of work on other associated properties (188/190/192 and 194 Main St.) to the town’s satisfaction and to the full satisfaction of the chief building official and the town’s heritage consultant.
• Penalty payment of $100,000 by MSC Inc. to the town.
• Withdrawal of Community Improvement Plan (CIP) funding of $100,000 by the town that would have been provided to MSC Inc. for the entire project under a previous agreement.
• Acknowledgement of unauthorized demolition by MSC Inc.

Survey says … ban short-term rentals in Newmarket

More than half — or about 63 per cent — of the 123 Newmarket residents who took part in an online survey either disagree or strongly disagree that the town should allow short-term rentals.

Just less than 30 per cent agree or strongly agree that Airbnb-type rentals of 30 days or less should be permitted here.

Newmarket council will consider four options put forward by town staff that include a mix of licensing and zoning bylaw amendments, as well as a range of controls and regulations on such things as where short-term rentals can operate in Newmarket and whether a resident must be licensed to offer short-term accommodation for payment.

A representative for Uber Canada is scheduled to make a deputation regarding the Town of Newmarket’s anticipated move to begin licensing mobile businesses such as taxis, tow trucks, food trucks, driving school instructors, limousines, and transportation network companies.

A new mobile business licence bylaw is expected to open up new revenue streams for the town.

Council will discuss the draft bylaw, along with a request to approve a 12-month contract position for a new municipal law enforcement officer position, as well as convert a current part-time legislative services position to full time to handle work related to the bylaw's implementation.