York Downs bombshell in Markham as developer files OMB appeal

YorkRegion.com
May 24, 2017
Tim Kelly

It didn't take long before the bombshell dropped at Tuesday night's York Downs subcommittee meeting.

"Has the applicant made an application to the OMB (Ontario Municipal Board)," asked regional Coun. Nirmala Armstrong.

"Yes the applicant has made an application to the OMB," said Maria Gatzios, the development consultant representing Kylemore Developments, the developer of York Downs.

"The timing of that appeal is relevant to the change in provincial policies and it was done as a precautionary measure not understanding where the legislation may go. The developer wants to continue to engage with the city and agencies. It's their intention to resolve their application in this forum," she added.

Massive Markham York Downs development riles up neighours on first look
Still the OMB appeal went forward as is allowed under the law at the 180-day mark after Kylemore made its initial application to the city back on Oct. 5, 2016.

Still, after Tuesday's four-hour subcommittee meeting, which focused on environmental issues but which also deviated into proponents and opponents of the proposed 2,400 mixed-use residential project on York Downs Golf Course among the 75 in attendance at Markham Civic Centre, Gatzios emphasized the developer will work through the process.

"We want to see this process through to a conclusion without an appeal — that's the owner's intention," she said.