Newmarket is envisioning a future of new community hubs, green corridors and natural areas as it reviews its official plan.
Town council will be hosting a workshop for the ongoing official plan review on Nov. 29. The review is now getting renamed as “Future Newmarket” and is outlining ideas for the town’s growth through to 2051. Council will also be going over the 2025 budget which is proposing a 2.99 per cent tax rate increase.
Here is what NemwarketToday will be following:
Future vision
Newmarket council is going to take a deep dive into what the next 30 years in the community could look like.
Council is hosting a workshop on the progress of the official plan review, with the town preparing to remake its central guiding document. The review has been undergoing public consultation for several months.
Staff and consultants have started constructing a vision for the plan and will be working on policy directions in the months to come.
“The Town of Newmarket will grow as a sustainable, complete and connected community,” the draft vision statement reads. “That provides a high quality of life, supports a strong economy and is a destination for all to enjoy. Newmarket will be equitable and accessible, celebrating its inclusive and diverse community.”
Some of the ideas in the plan right now include more civic hubs that could be gathering spaces incorporating public art, green spaces and amenities. Proposed locations include the existing Riverwalk Commons, but could also include the Yonge-Davis intersection and the Newmarket Go Station Mobility Hub in the future as areas “that could potentially develop as vibrant community anchors.”
Another idea is the creation of more green corridors to connect the anchor areas in Newmarket, which could feature enhanced tree canopies, improved sidewalks and bike lanes.
The official plan review process is scheduled to continue well into 2025 after the workshop.
Budget approval
Newmarket council will also be diving into the 2025 budget with a projected 2.99 per cent tax rate increase.
Council committee of the whole will be looking to give tentative approval to the document before a final approval later in December, but still has time to make amendments.
The tax rate increase amounts to about $75 on the average annual tax bill of Newmarket homeowners, based on a home assessed at $711,000 by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation.
Some of the projects in the budget include continued construction of Mulock Park and the Mulock Multi-Use Path, a new pickleball facility and a new nature path and picnic area.
The municipality is streaming the official plan workshop on Dec. at 9 a.m. and the committee of the whole meeting at 1 p.m. You can view the meetings at newmarket.ca/meetings or attend in person at 395 Mulock Dr. You can also set up a deputation or send correspondence by messaging [email protected].
