“I am disappointed to see that after significant community engagement the developer has not made any material changes, in fact, have added more homes.” Councillor Emanuel added “Let me be clear, this development proposal is unacceptable. It is in conflict with the vision of our communities Official Plan, a plan that was developed with extensive community involvement.”

This Glenway development proposal requires an Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-Law Amendment during which the residents of Newmarket will be actively engaged and able to share their opinion(s) on the development proposal. There will be a number of public meetings where residents will be able to share verbal or written comments.

The Province of Ontario has designated Newmarket as an Urban Centre and proposes that Newmarket increase its population by approximately 11,000 people by 2031 in its Places to Grow policy document. “Our Town’s Official Plan is clear, we will meet the mandated targets with growth in the Yonge/Davis corridor and in designated areas without the need to develop the golf course lands” noted Councillor Emanuel “I will fight to protect and preserve established residential neighbourhoods”

To view the proposal visit the Town of Newmarket website: http://www.newmarket.ca/en/townhall/plannotic.asp or link to the proposal via www.chrisemanuel.com/Glenway for background information.

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Contact Information:

Chris Emanuel

Councillor Ward 7, Town of Newmarket

W: 905.953.5323 or C: 905.716.0093

You can access this page by clicking on the 'McGregor Farm' link on the left side or by clicking here

To view the applicants website and see more about the proposal visit www.slessorsquare.com

In a nutshell the proposal includes 4 phases. The first phase is along George St. and includes an application for a 7-storey retirement residence. Phase 2 is a proposed 26 storey residential tower with 184 units along Yonge St. Phase 3 is a 23 storey residential tower with 155 apartments and the final phase is a 7 storey retirement residence with 212 units.

There is no doubt about it that such a proposal is large. Currently our Official Plan limits the height to 8 storeys. As many who are aware of planning in Newmarket know, we have designated the Yonge/Davis Corridor to accomodate much of our communities growth targets imposed by the Province's Places to Grow Act. Newmarket is slated to grow by approximately 13,000 people between now and 2026.

I would love to hear from residents on what they feel about this proposal. Do you like it? What do you think an appropriate height would be? I always bennefit from hearing directly from residents on their opinions....my job is to be your voice on Newmarket Council. So please email me at mailto:cemanuel@newmarket.ca and share your perspective on this plan.

Often when we talk about diversity in our communities it is referencing racial diversity. We know that embracing and encouraging such diversity is key to a progressive society. However, another form of diversity is economic diversity. It is crucial that we have a range of options for housing accommodations. We often see the cycle of demographic changes in our neighbourhoods. Young families grow-up in a neighbourhood, as the children get older and move away to school or pursue their occupations those neighbourhoods transform into areas with ‘empty-nesters’ who eventually shift to smaller homes in retirement. The cycle repeats.

In communities like Newmarket and many others in York Region, it is becoming increasingly expensive to buy your first home in Newmarket. I know that many who I went to High School and University with have found it difficult to buy in Newmarket because of the high housing costs. Also, if you’re a single person the cost of carrying a mortgage in a community with larger homes can be cost-prohibitive. We know that in challenging times we need an adequate number of housing units to be available for rent. In the past there may have been a stigma with renters vs. ownership, but today you have well regarded scholars like Dr. Richard Florida arguing that we need greater rental options in our cities. (http://bigthink.com/ideas/20243). 

I invite you to read this report. I welcome any comments you may have. It is definitely food for thought and I would suggest government at all levels have a responsibility in addressing this shortage of rental housing.

For the Report click here:  The Housing Market and Canada’s Economic Recovery

Recently there was a complaint about some youth playing ball Hockey and the Ward 6 Councillor, Maddie DiMuccio brought this matter to Councils attention. One of Councillor DiMuccio’s solutions was to have staff examine implementing a permit system and restricting road hockey to cul-de-sacs or certain streets.

I think sometimes we can complicate issues with red tape. I don’t support limiting it to just certain streets and making people call in for a permit. Let’s find a way to let kids play hockey on all our streets. For the most part kids are pretty responsible…they’re not going to play on a busy street because they don’t want to stop the game every 30 seconds yelling ‘CAR!!’.

Let us let children play ball hockey on our streets and not overly complicate a process. This is Canada – it’s in our blood!

I did want to highlight the key competencies that our staff will be looking for:

-related experience

-process and analyzing major infill redevelopment applications

-public consultation

-dispute resolution

-facilitation

-participation in Ontario Municipal Board Hearings

-planning legislation including Provincial Policy Statement, The Provincial Growth Plan (Places to Grow), the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan, and Regional and Town Planning documents

-understanding the growth opportunities and challenges specific to York Region and Newmarket

One item that was crucial for me to ensure would be emphasized is the understanding and vision Newmarket has outlined in its Official Plan. It is important to note how many residents contributed to setting that vision. I think we all recognize growth in our community is inevitable. But, we have a right to say where and how it should take place. The very purpose of our Official Plan is to protect and preserve our neighbourhoods while at the same time direct growth to areas that can and will be supported by high order transit. It’s a responsible and prudent plan. We need to defend that vision.

Secondly, I have been asked to advertise an upcoming meeting of the Glenway Preservation Association (GPA) a new group that has formed to help represent residents. I know many of you are aware of their activity as they’ve been in the neighbourhood with a petition.

The Glenway Preservation Association ( www.preserveglenway.ca ) is holding their first official information and membership recruitment meeting on:

DATE: Monday, October 24, 2011

WHERE: Newmarket Theatre (505 Pickering Cres)

TIME: 7:00-7:30pm Registration 7:30pm-9pm Presentation

I will be attending myself and look forward to seeing many of you there.

First, and most importantly, I was happy that my colleagues ratified the proposal from staff to hire an outside consultant to help augment the staff resources on this file. In my mind, this was a crucial first decision made by Council. They made a clear statement that they would ensure the Town would commit the needed resources to handle the application from the outset so that we’re not looking back in a few months wondering if there is more we could have done.

Second, I put forward a notice of motion that I would be consulting the neighbourhood on their thoughts and ideas on how best to implement a task force, committee or working group made up of Glenway residents that will help provide guidance on this file. I always believe it is crucial to help let the community guide the process. I will work with you, the residents of Glenway, to establish a process to enhance public consultation. It is a process I have been working on for some time and I will continue to roll out this process so that when we receive an application we can rely on some of the incredible talent we have in our community. We have business leaders, engineers, lawyers and so many others that can help guide this process.

Finally, I want to address a question that has arisen regarding transparency. Last week Councillor DiMuccio proposed a resolution that in my mind was fraught with issues and I did not support it. When first presented it engaged Councillors and residents in an RFP process which I and other Councillors indicated was contrary Judge Bellamy’s recommendations that came out of the MFP Scandal in the City of Toronto.  I will also be careful to never expose our town, and your tax dollars, to litigation. I also indicated at that meeting and last evening, that I as the Ward 7 Councillor who was elected by Glenway residents, would be bringing forward a proposal for further community engagement as I have concerns that task force the Councillor proposed had potential issues related to how this case may eventually be heard at the OMB. The public engagement that I would like to see is also much broader in scope, it would seek input from residents on items such as maintenance of the country club lands once it closes, exploring all legal avenues and any other areas of concern – not just a task force overseeing the consultant. Community engagement must be robust.  I was also disappointed that Councillor DiMuccio did not support the recommendation to hire a consultant to help the Glenway Community fight the proposed development.

It is imperative that decisions and strategies are not made in haste. We cannot afford to find ourselves in a position where decisions and strategies can put at jeopardy our position at the OMB should we end up there.

In the coming weeks I will issue a survey on my website seeking your feedback on how we can have greater public participation/guidance. This needs to evolve with resident input. It is also crucial we get all of this in place prior to an application being submitted, so we must be nimble and work together.

I trust this update has been helpful in addressing some of the issues. I am very happy about the progress we have made. It was another step in the process in defending our towns official plan. Appreciate the support of the Mayor, Regional Councillor and Ward Councillors for their support of this file.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or comments.

I hope that all is well and you are having a nice summer. It has now been about a month since many of us saw the proposal for the Glenway Golf Course.

I had committed in my previous email to host another public meeting. The purpose of the meeting will be to ensure that everyone in the community is on the same page. I will present the facts as they are now, indicate next steps, and once again re-iterate my continuing position in support of the Official Plan.

The meeting will take place on Monday August 8^th at 7:30pm. It will be at the Newmarket Theatre. Should the 400 seats fill up at the theatre I have arranged for an overflow at Newmarket High School.

I have invited representatives of the proponent so that you may address comments or questions to them directly. I will also answer any questions. The Mayor and Regional Councillor have confirmed their attendance, and I have invited all of Newmarket Council to ensure your voice is heard by all 9 members.

This invite will also be distributed in the July 31^st Era Banner to ensure that all residents receive this notice.

Finally, per my previous email please send me any comments you have on the proposal.

I spoke to many residents on Saturday and want to share next steps with you:

1)      Wednesday of this week I will be providing an email newsletter with comments on the initial proposal;

2)      I am planning a community meeting as I have in the past, that will take place likely at the Newmarket Theatre so that all residents will be able to benefit from hearing any questions and answers as a whole community. I will ask that the owners make a presentation and also invite all members of council.

3)      It is imperative that you share all of your comments with myself and the proponent. You can email me your thoughts at cemanuel@newmarket.ca and contact the owners via www.estatesofglenway.com .  I need to hear from you.

4)      I have been approached by a number of people who are keen to either lead or be part of a community association. I will be providing any interested party space in the lobby of my next community meeting to gather any information. I will also be providing their contact info in an upcoming email as I am trying to get most up-to-date info.

To date, they have not submitted an application to the Town of Newmarket. They have informed me their intent is to have this session with residents about the development concept on Saturday, June 18th at Glenway Country Club where they will take resident comments.

Glenway has grouped the community into sections with specific drop-in times. Below on a map I have included the drop-in times you received at your door. I will be in attendance at the meeting. I want to stress that this is not my meeting.

After the meeting concludes on June 18th, I have asked that Glenway share all of the concept sketches with me so that I may place them on my website. Those who cannot attend can view their proposal and share your comments with me online. You will find a new comment page where I ask that you send me detailed comments on the proposal. It is imperative that I hear from each and every resident. As I have stated from the outset  - I will stand by and support the community.

I know that many of you will want to speak directly to me and share your comments and ask questions. Beyond my regular office hours, I will be making myself available for three dedicated nights for one-on-one meetings with residents at the Ray Twinney Complex. On June 18th, and thereafter I will take requests for 30 minute blocks of time. For those that would prefer a different day, require more time, or cannot make the meeting to schedule your appointment, please email me directly so that I may accommodate your needs.

If you are not on my email list or have not received an update from me recently please re-submit your contact info into the form on my website—I am getting more and more ‘bounce-backs’ and want to ensure I have your up to date contact info.

Please note, as I have indicated at past meetings there is a formal process all applications must go through. An application would have to be made to amend the Official Plan where public meetings will be held providing you the opportunity to speak and share your thoughts and opinions. There will be a number of opportunities to ensure your voices are heard, and I will ensure you are notified throughout the process.