Newmarket residents clash over 92-unit development on Old Main

Newmarket residents clashed at a public meeting over a proposed 92-unit housing development on Old Main Street.

The Pentacore Development proposal was presented up a public meeting June 23. The development, spread across multiple properties between 218-244 Old Main St., would represent intensification on the street currently containing largely single-detached townhomes.

While some residents spoke in favour of the development, the opposition was fierce, with a petition by 106 nearby residents opposing the proposal. Julie Archbold said she has lived on the street for 11 years and is concerned about the loss of trees on woodlot property and the possible floodplain implications with the new development.

“It’s a historic street in many, many ways, but it’s not ready for what people want to do,” she said. 

The development proposal features a mixture of townhomes, semi-detached homes, two sixplexes and one fourplex, all using a shared winding road. The proposal has been in the works for a couple of years, with a community meeting held in 2023. 

Old Main Street falls under a tertiary plan that outlines how development should happen. The plan allows for additional density on the street, anticipated in the coming years, but also seeks to “reinforce the character of the Old Main Street neighbourhood,” according to the town website. 

Goldberg Group planner Adam Layton presented to council on behalf of the development. Besides a zoning amendment, the developer is also seeking the tertiary plan to be amended to allow for sixplexes and townhomes, with the current plan only contemplating single, semi-detached and fourplexes.

Layton said he is aware there have been traffic concerns in the public about the development, but he said the developer traffic study has been reviewed by all the authorities and is considered acceptable, with an expected 62 cars to be travelling on the road in the peak morning hour and 68 in the peak afternoon hour, which the road could accommodate.

As far as compatibility with the surrounding area, Goldberg said it is something they are “very cognizant of.”

“This is … a change to the site,” he said. “We don’t feel it is one that is too out of keeping with the tertiary plan.”

However many residents are not satisfied with the current proposal, expressing concerns over its conformity to the official plan and the density it represents. Resident David Myers presented the petition with 106 “voter residents” opposed to the project and suggested many more names could be added given more time.

“Hearing that the town is considering this dense — very dense — development and willing to allow these trees — whatever condition they’re in — to be removed from the woodlot canopy is a travesty,” Myers said.

But not everyone opposed the development. Melanie Duckett-Wilson of Climate Action Newmarket-Aurora offered recommendations for more energy-efficient design, while also voicing general support. 

“This site can meet Newmarket’s housing and climate goal, but only with a design that reflects real affordability, smart density and long-term sustainability," she said.

Resident Sonya Reiter said that this housing should revitalize the neighbourhood and is within walking distance of key amenities like transit. She further said that it will help alleviate a critical housing shortage and help improve affordability.

“I also ask those living in the neighbouring area to see the broader picture and the benefit it will bring to our town as a whole,” she said. “We can no longer stick to the status quo. This is a housing crisis.” 

One point of clarification came at the behest of Councillor Trevor Morrison, over concerns about stormwater management on Old Main Street. Staff said that they are aware of the issue and will be looking to improve that in a road rehabilitation project sometime in 2026 or 2027, in time for more intensification on the street.

Morrison said debates and public concerns like this are why the town has these meetings.

“It is also another good opportunity for engagement here, to get the feedback, to get the opinions,” he said, adding that those concerns will be raised as town staff work with the developer in the coming months.

Newmarket Mayor John Taylor noted that any developer can go through the process to get a development proposal considered.

He further said that the concerns of residents have been heard and noted.

“The residents have raised valid concerns, but we really appreciate you taking the time,” Taylor said, adding that Morrison is putting in a lot of work to see about concerns that can be addressed. “But, I think the other thing that we do have to recognize … this is a serious and significant housing challenge, housing crisis, we’re in.”

Council did not make any final decisions at this meeting. Staff will return with a report and recommendation at a later date