Newmarket infrastructure threatened by East Gwillimbury growth?

Yorkregion.com
May 26, 2016
By Chris Simon

Newmarket’s biggest issue with Ontario’s Greenbelt expansion plans could have little to do with local growth, the town’s regional councillor says.

Speaking during a Newmarket council meeting last week, John Taylor said pressure on the town’s infrastructure system due to anticipated growth in surrounding municipalities - such as East Gwillimbury - is the bigger issue for Newmarket.

Recently, the province announced a number of proposed changes to provincial growth plans, in an effort to mitigate urban sprawl and support the protection of natural heritage.

Those amendments include strengthening protections for employment lands and transit corridors, requiring zoning along transit corridors to provide adequate density, forcing at least 60 per cent of annual new residential development to be within the existing built-up area of a municipality and increasing density targets for agricultural areas.

“Newmarket’s intensification rate already exceeds 60 per cent considerably,” he said.

“Newmarket’s built boundary is essentially Newmarket; we’re essentially at full build out. Compared to many other communities, it doesn’t have much impact. Where it impacts us somewhat is in East Gwillimbury. They have whitebelt (lands that lie between the outer edge of the urban area boundary in the and the inner boundary of the Greenbelt) lands, which is where the more significant impact will be. The lower the level of intensification, the more whitebelt land will get developed as housing. It impacts our roadways, hospital and shopping centres. There’s definitely an indirect effect and we need to monitor that.”

While East Gwillimbury’s population is expected to grow to 108,700 people - up from the current 22,500 - by 2041, the municipality plans to develop its own infrastructure, with the goal of creating a complete and balanced community.

“(Newmarket infrastructure) certainly hasn’t crossed my mind,” East Gwillimbury Mayor Virginia Hackson said. “But now we’re a small community and we have people that travel from one boundary to the other; there certainly is an impact on our infrastructure as people travel to work. If our build out is going to be 100,000, and, ultimately, 150,000, jobs will be a part of it.

There will be all of the amenities needed for our residents. We will far surpass the population in Newmarket with the growth we’re going to have. The new announcement from the province has further indicated there may be growth above that.”

In fact, many Newmarket residents already travel north to shop at Green Lane businesses such as Costco and the Real Canadian Superstore, and watch movies at the Cineplex SilverCity theatre, which are all located in East Gwillimbury, she said.

“You’re starting to see that now at the corner of Green and Yonge (Street); people forget all those amenities are in East Gwillimbury,” Hackson said. “They’re doing it now in quite a big way. That (business community) will only continue to expand, as our population is able to support those kinds of things. We are planning for more schools and services. Our goal is to have a complete community. There’s always some cross (border) shopping, but that’s happened for many years and it’s not unique here. The last thing East Gwillimbury ever wants is to have a bedroom community where people only sleep here.”

While she’s supportive of efforts to expand the Greenbelt, Hackson worries the province is taking decision-making abilities further out of local hands.

“Once again, we are being told how we are to plan our community by someone who is far afield,” she said. “There’s no doubt there are some very good points in what’s been put out, but there are also some details we’re waiting for. It’s a wait and see.”

Recommendations for expanding the Greenbelt include adding lands in 21 major urban river valleys and seven associated coastal wetlands.

“There is a goal to grow the Greenbelt,” Taylor said. “Part of that includes increased intensification. To put it in perspective, the region’s official plan currently targets 40 per cent inside the built boundary, not expanding into farm fields or what is commonly called sprawl. The province has come in saying they’re targeting 60 per cent. This is a significant move. Many people believe that type of intensification can create cost efficiencies for municipalities; they can be more environmentally sustainable and create transit-supported communities. The question is whether the demand is there for that kind of built form. Balancing policy changes against market demands is crucial.”

Open houses will be held in May and June, to give the public a chance to provide input on the proposed amendments. The closest open houses to this area will be held at the Vellore Community Centre (1 Villa Royale Ave.) in Vaughan June 2 from 6 to 9 p.m., the Army Navy and Air Force Club (7 George St.) in Barrie June 6 from 5 to 8 p.m., and the Caledon Community Complex (6215 Old Church Rd.) June 9 from 6 to 9 p.m.

A full list of confirmed open houses, and a guide to the proposed changes, can be found online at ontario.ca/landuseplanningreview.