Ward 5 by-election: Newmarket Votes

NRU
Oct. 5, 2016
Leah Wong

With less than two weeks to go until the Ward 5 by-election in Newmarket candidates are making their final pitches to residents about why they should serve as the local councillor for the rest of the term. Residents will head to the polls on October 17 to replace former councillor Joe Sponga, who resigned in June.

Candidates told NRU that residents are concerned about proposed developments in the community, the town’s economic growth and traffic safety.

One of the more contentious developments in the area is the proposed redevelopment of the clock tower on Main Street. Residents are divided on the development, which proposes to maintain the clock tower, restore the historic façades along the street and add a seven-storey mixed-use building. [See NRU May 11, 2016 GTA edition.]

Several candidates have taken a hard line on the proposal, saying they will not support anything higher than three storeys, which is the height limit under the Lower Main Street South Heritage Conservation District Plan.

Candidate Darryl Wolk suggested that allowing the seven-storey development to go forward would “open the floodgates” for high-rise development along the historic main street.

“I’m certainly comfortable with development at three storeys, but [as councillor] I won’t be doing any land swap deal or deal with the developer to waive the [height by-law],” said Wolk.

Candidate Rob Eibel is also opposed to anything that exceeds the three-storey height restriction. At the public meeting in May, Eibel constructed a 3D model of the building to show the scale of the proposal.

“It’s massive in size, it’s a monolith and its scale is completely disproportionate to the street,” said Eibel.

While he agrees that seven storeys is too high for this site, candidate Bob Kwapis told NRU that there are cases where the benefits of a development would warrant an exception to the height restrictions.

“It’s a mammoth building for the downtown area and personally I would not support it… But, I will not limit myself to saying three storeys or nothing,” said Kwapis. “I am open minded if something really attractive comes in… that really enhances the downtown and adds to economic development and sustainability… in the downtown. I would look at it as a one-off and consider it.”

Kwapis wants to see a proposal come forward that provides parking for residents and the general public. He also wants to ensure that the effects on traffic are taken into account.

Candidate Peter Geibel told NRU that a development of this scale would be better suited for another site. He suggested that a development with similar density could be built adjacent to the Riverwalk Common on a site that is currently home to the Newmarket Tennis Club.

“I think we should be preserving the heritage [of Main Street],” said Geibel. By building on the tennis club site the town could increase density while maintaining its historic street.

Candidates also discussed the need to attract new businesses to the town as a way to encourage economic growth.

Candidate Tom Pearson told NRU that Newmarket needs to attract new businesses to Main Street. He suggested that the town needs to be proactive and should be targeting the types of businesses it wants to see along the corridor.

“I think we need to be proactive about what we want on Main Street,” said Pearson. Let’s not wait for businesses to approach us… Let’s make a wish list of businesses that we would like to see there and let’s seek them out.”

Pearson suggested that the town should also be marketing itself as a desirable location for fi lm shoots. Connecting with the local fi lm industry and attracting shoots to Newmarket would result in spin-off economic benefits for local businesses.

“If we’re going to encourage [businesses] to locate further from the City of Toronto we’re going to have to get our taxes competitive,” said Wolk. “We also have a council that traditionally rolls out the red tape instead of the red carpet for businesses in town.”

Wolk noted that the neighbouring municipality of Aurora has attracted head offices to its boundaries, which is something he suggests Newmarket should also be doing.

As Newmarket’s population grows, residents are also concerned about increased traffic on local roads.

Kwapis said Newmarket should be looking to other municipalities to see what traffic calming measures have been successful and still accommodate emergency services requirements.

“I’d like to see mitigation strategies that are proven in other towns that will be accepted by the Town of Newmarket,” said Kwapis.

Geibel suggested that making residents more aware of their driving habits could help to curb speeding issues. He proposes running a pilot to install flashing speed signs, in school zones and then along arterials, to increase driver awareness about the speed they are travelling.

“I don’t believe [speeding] is an enforcement issue that can be addressed through policing. I believe it is much more of a public awareness issue,” said Geibel. “I think if people are made aware of the fact they are actually speeding you would see a reduction in speeding.”

Tracee Chambers and Ian Johnston are also running. Wasim Jarrah withdrew from the race after nomination day, so his name will still appear on the ballot.

Chambers and Johnston declined to speak with NRU.