Glenway Update - May 22, 2012
The Town of Newmarket's planning consultants have deemed the application to amend the Official Plan and Zoning By-Law and draft plan of subdivision of the Glenway Country Club lands complete. We now embark on the extensive planning and public engagement process. This process will take approximately 7-10 months.
The application has not changed significantly from what the developer presented to the community last summer. You can view and download the application files by visiting: http://www.newmarket.ca/en/townhall/plannotic.asp
Property owners within 120 metres of the Golf Course will receive a notice in the mail within 15 days; I will also be providing a letter to neighbours expanding on the process in greater detail. In the coming months there will be a report prepared that will be considered by Newmarket Council. There will be a public meeting where residents will be able to share their perspective and opinion verbally or in writing. As I have indicated in the past, I will be asking that these meetings take place in the Newmarket Theatre to ensure as many residents as possible can be accommodated - this is your community and your voice needs to be heard.
To say that I am disappointed that, after extensive neighbourhood meetings the application has not changed (in fact some homes were added) to reflect the overwhelming opposition that exists, would be an understatement. Nonetheless, the formal process is now upon us, and I want to ensure that residents' voices are heard.
Below you will see a press release I have just issued regarding this proposal for your reference.
If you have specific planning questions for our planning consultants please contact Bart Ryan of iPLAN Corp at bart.ryan@iPLANcorp.com
For Immediate Release
Councillor Emanuel Opposes Proposal to Develop Glenway Golf Course Lands
(Newmarket, ON May 22, 2012) The Town of Newmarket’s consultant iPLAN Corp deemed the application to develop the Glenway Golf Course lands complete. The development application proposes 730 units in lands that the municipality has designated as ‘Parks and Open Space’ in its Official Plan, approved in 2006.
“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
Glenway Update - October 19, 2011
Hello, I wanted to provide a brief update on 2 items related to the Glenway Community. At Council this past Monday we approved the terms of reference for the planning consultant that we have approved to help usher the application through upon submission.
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.
Glenway Update - September 28, 2011
I wanted to provide an update on some of the progress that has been made on the Glenway file at council last evening.
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.
Glenway e-newsletter update - August 17, 2011
It has been just over a week since I held a community meeting to update on the status of the Glenway Country Club. Thank you to the large number of people that attended despite it being a wonderful summer evening.
For those of you not able to make it I wanted to provide an update. If you visit www.chrisemanuel.com/glenway you will find two important files. The first is a link to the power point presentation I gave that evening. The second is the meeting notes that helps expand on the slides as well as captures some of the Q&A at a high-level. I appreciate that you may have questions that are not answered and I would ask that you email or call me directly so that I can help provide answers and context.
Also, as committed that evening there was a question related to the areas I identified as concerns based on preliminary feedback from residents and my own analysis that was posed to the owners representatives. As soon as I have a reply to that request I will post it on my website.
As I indicated that evening, if there is one thing I wanted to leave the community with, it was my quote from early in the presentation.
“As one of the Councillors who voted to approve our Official Plan in 2006, I stand by the designation that the lands occupied by Glenway Country Club should remain Parks and Open Space. I do not support the redevelopment proposal and I will be a strong voice for Glenway residents.”
I was also disappointed to learn that the golf course has made a decision to cease operations after October 31st of this year. I have requested a meeting with the ownership representative tomorrow and will update the community on this. As noted in the meeting notes, I have committed to look into how we can insure the aesthetics of the community are not negatively impacted; I will also provide an update on this issue shortly.
Here are the files I referenced in the above note:
August 8th Powerpoint Slideshow
Glenway e-newsletter update - June 22, 2011
On June 18th hundreds of residents attended the meeting hosted by the owners of Glenway Country Club to view their proposal for the community. They have launched the website www.estatesofglenway.com. At that website you will be able to view their proposal, or view them via www.chrisemanuel.com/glenway
I spoke to many residents on Saturday and the days following and want to share next steps with you:
1) 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. I hope to have all of the details confirmed very soon but it will likely be within the next month.
2) 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 and will track all comments I receive in a spreadsheet.
3) 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.
One such group is the former ‘Glenway Ratepayers Assoc.’ that has renamed itself the Glenway Community Group. They are having a drop-in at lounge #2 on June 26 at the Ray Twinney Complex from 1pm-3pm. They can be reached via www.glenwaycommunitygroup.com or contact@glenwaycommunitygroup.com
I will be sure to keep you updated on any new information.
Glenway Proposal - June 20, 2011
I have now been able to upload the information provided to me by the owners that they presented to the community on Sunday for your reference. Below please find a number of .pdf files for your review (note: some have multiple pages).
Again, please send your comments to me via cemanuel@newmarket.ca and to the proponent directly via their website www.estatesofglenway.com
Glenway email Update - June 19, 2011
Yesterday hundreds of residents attended the meeting hosted by the owners of Glenway Country Club to view their proposal for the community. They have launched the website www.estatesofglenway.com. At that website you will be able to view their proposal, and I will have the images on my website shortly.
I spoke to many residents on Saturday and want to share next steps with you:
1) Tuesday of this week I will be providing an email newsletter with my 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.
Glenway email Update - June 9, 2011
I recently send out a newsletter updating the community on a meeting being held by the owners of Glenway Country Club. You can view the newsletter by clicking this link : Glenway Newsletter
Glenway email Update - Nov 1, 2010
Dear Resident,
I trust this note finds you well. I did want to express my appreciation to the residents of Ward 7 for their engagement in the election that just passed. I am honoured to serve you once again for the upcoming term. There is no doubt about it we have some big issues facing us as a community and I remain steadfast in my commitment to keep the community aware of any new information, and fight to preserve our neighbourhood.
I was informed today of some new information related to the Glenway Country Club. There was a staff meeting today that outlined operational plans going forward and I have just confirmed the information with the ownership representative.
Glenway Country Club has announced that fitness and tennis will be discontinued in April/May 2011. Also, Golf and Banquet facilities will continue through 2012. It is important to note that there is still no application to change the use of these lands.
Please note that the minute I have new information I will send out another update, I just thought it was important to send out this update.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or comments.
Chris Emanuel
Councillor Ward 7
Town of Newmarket
Glenway email Update - March 21, 2010
I trust this note finds you well and despite the new fallen snow, enjoying the start of the Spring season. I thought it was timely to update you on some information related to Glenway Country Club.
To the many that attended the community meeting I hosted at the Newmarket Theatre last month thank you for attending. It was nice to see so many people so passionate about their community. It was also very heartening to hear my colleagues Mayor Van Bynen, Regional Councillor John Taylor, and fellow ward Councillors in attendance speak so supportively of my position, the Glenway Community, and our Town’s Official Plan which designates the Glenway lands as Parks and Open Space.
While going forward this will be slow process, as I indicated that evening, I felt it important to update you on some information.
In a recent email to Glenway golf members the new owners have confirmed again that the course is formally shifting to ‘semi-private’ commencing with the 2010 golf season, as well, current members will have the option to convert the value of their membership into ‘transferable anytime rounds’.
I also understand the buyers have engaged a planner to start the process of examining of all of the lands and that they have hired golf course architect Doug Carrick of Carrick Designs to look at the golf course.
As I had indicated at the meeting at Newmarket Theatre the town is currently going through a process to compile all zoning by-laws into one comprehensive zoning by-law. There is a statutory public meeting tomorrow night (7pm in the Council Chambers) it is the second of a series of at least four public meetings associated with the town-wide zoning bylaw. As the next dates become available I will email you as well. While it’s a town-wide document the draft from our outside consultant does indicate the potential for removal of the allowance for a hotel to be built on the country club lands – a fact I have shared at the two previous community meetings. Going forward in the coming weeks/months our staff will be reporting back to Committee of the Whole and Council for approval of this town wide zoning document. I am keen to hear your feedback on whether you feel the hotel allowance should be removed. Please email me at cemanuel@newmarket.ca to share your perspective.
Again, I look forward to keeping my promise to the community to keep you informed. I am working closely with the staff at the Town of Newmarket as your representative to ensure that our legal and planning staff at the Town are working to ensure that Glenway residents are represented well.
Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions. I can be emailed at cemanuel@newmarket.ca or via phone (905) 953-5323.
Regards,
Chris Emanuel
Councillor Ward 7
UPDATE - February 3, 2010
Here is a link to the .pdf of the powerpoint I presented to the community on February 1, 2010. There will be more information soon, specifically notes from the meeting.
UPDATE - February 2nd, 2010
Thanks to the many that turned out to last nights Community Meeting that I hosted. It was so nice to see the community out in such strong numbers and so passionate about this issue.
By Thurs Feb 3rd I will post the power point presentation from Monday evening, and in the coming days and weeks I will be posting relevant documents and new updates. Keep checking back for more info.
Of course, I will continue to keep you informed via my e-newsletter.
Chris Emanuel
Glenway Country Club Has Been Sold.
The Golf Course has been sold to the Kerbel Group and Lakeview Homes. I have limited information at this point and will be sure to keep you informed. However, I have set out below what I do know, and what I am planning for next steps. I am sure you can appreciate that I will be inundated with calls over the coming days, and I appreciate your concern for the community. It is heartfelt to know that we have such a passionate community; however, I will be updating everyone by email and by posts to my website (www.chrisemanuel.com).
-A Community Meeting is being planned for February 1st 2010 @ 7:30pm at the Newmarket Theatre (a better venue to accommodate everyone). This lead time allows me to communicate this to everyone and gather more information. I will be mailing an invitation out to all homes in the Glenway Community.
-I understand that the purchasers do have plans to keep a ‘golf component’ (in their words), but, are examining the feasibility of development in areas. No plan has been submitted to date, but they have expressed that at minimum a concept plan would be a few months away.
-I have coordinated meetings with our staff at the Town of Newmarket, the Mayor, and Regional Councillor so that we can ensure that we are on top of this issue.
-I am coordinating a community organization component and will be announcing the details in the coming days. I strongly believe that we need to move forward as one group with one unified voice. To that end I will announce and facilitate future meetings. As your Councillor I believe it is my role and responsibility to lead those efforts and I will work with the community to ensure our voice is heard.
-At this point I will commit to bi-weekly emails at the very least, or more frequent should an issue arise. If you have received this email via a “forward” and would like to register to receive the notices please visit www.chrisemanuel.com
I will have the most up to date Glenway info on my website. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions/comments.
ISSUE UPDATE - JULY 18, 2008
I trust all is well and that you are having a nice summer. It has been a little while since my last update regarding the potential sale of Glenway Country Club.
To be candid I don’t have much more information, however, I thought it was important to stay connected with you on this issue.
The date for submissions to their real estate agents has come and gone some time ago. Recent correspondence from the Country Club to its members indicated that no deal has been finalized. The letter from Club President Gary Lester and Rick Baker, General Manager noted that:
“The most important point I want to make is that all prospective purchasers with whom I have spoken have expressed interest in continuing operation of the club. Accordingly, there will be a seamless transition so that members will continue to enjoy their membership, and our function clients can be assured that their social functions, weddings, golf tournaments and events will go on as planned”
I am obviously not privy to such discussions and negotiations, however, all the information I have seems to concur with that fact.
I know that there are many rumours circulating. I know it is frustrating, but, rest assured that the staff of the Town of Newmarket and I are monitoring this matter closely.
Since we last connected the Region of York has approved our Town’s new Official Plan. That means it will serve as the guiding document for all planning decisions made by the Council of the Town of Newmarket. I want to re-iterate that it states very clearly that the lands occupied by Glenway Country Club are ‘Parks and Open Space’; a designation that does not consider the notion of development. However, it is important to note as I did at the public meeting all council decisions can be appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board.
Rest assured that the minute I have any news relating to this matter I will send you information with next steps. I have, and will state again my unwavering position that these lands should remain green going forward.
I will update my website www.chrisemanuel.com with any new information on this matter as well. You can feel free to check out the approved official plan which can be found by clicking the link on the left side of the website.
ISSUE UPDATE - MAY 6, 2008
It has been a few weeks since my first update on the impending sale of Glenway Country Club. While I don’t have a lot to report in this email, I thought it was still important to keep you in the loop and ensure that we stay connected.
To date I have received no word as to whether Glenway Country Club has accepted an offer. I know there are a number of rumours circulating, but they are often just that. As I noted at my ward meeting I believe it is probably safe to assume that the bidder(s) and owner are going through a due diligence process. Transactions of this magnitude do not occur overnight.
Rest assured that I will notify residents as soon as I get official word of any sale.
For those that attended my public meeting, you may remember that I indicated our Town’s new Official Plan (OP) was still awaiting adoption by Regional Council. I can report that the OP was approved by the Regional committee and subsequently Regional Council. While our previous OP was a strong document in itself, this recent approval only re-enforces that the Town’s formal position on these lands is that they are to remain open space/green space. I am very pleased with this recent event.
A number of people have expressed a desire to roll-up their sleeves should there be a potential sale that contemplates development. It’s reassuring that so many of you are keen to help out. In the meantime I will continue to keep you informed. Should the need arise I will certainly set up a meeting for active volunteers – right now, frustrating as it is, we are in a bit of a holding pattern.
Thank you for your continued interest and please feel free to forward this email to anyone that might be interested. Anyone can sign up for updates via www.chrisemanuel.com where I will post this email and future news to keep you informed.
ISSUE UPDATE - MARCH 6, 2008
Recently I hosted a community meeting for concerned residents about the potential sale of Glenway Golf and Country Club. With over 500 attendees the meeting had one of the largest turnouts of any community meeting in Newmarket's history - a testament to the passion that residents share for this valuable green space.
I was joined on stage by Mayor Tony Van Bynen and Regional Councillor John Taylor. I applaud their strong support of the residents.
I presented the facts and explained the process going forward. I encourage you to view the powerpoint presentation which can be found on my website. I also addressed questions raised by audience members at the time.
I want to thank everyone who came out to attend the meeting. I know many of you could not make it. I see this newsletter as the first in a series of updates in which I will keep everyone in the loop on all of the issues related to this matter.
As I discussed at the community meeting, I intend to keep my website www.chrisemanuel.com up dated with all relevant and up to date information.
Below I have briefly outlined what I believe are the two most important steps going forward:
1. I want to re-iterate my clear support that these lands remain green going forward. This is founded on the fact that our Town's Official Plan states clearly as a Council adopted policy that these lands be designated green space.
2. I strongly believe that we need to move forward as one group with one unified voice. To that end I will announce and facilitate future meetings should an application arise that will not receive public support. As your Councillor I believe it is my role and responsibility to lead those efforts and I will fight to protect your interests.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, comments, or suggestions. You can contact me via email at cemanuel@newmarket.ca or at the office (905) 895-5193 or via my cell (905) 716-0093.
And, thank you again for coming out in such strong numbers. Together as a community we must stick together to ensure our voice is heard.
Chris Emanuel,
Councillor Ward 7 - Town of Newmarket
