Up Front with the Mayor: Answers about pancakes in Newmarket, impact of citizen feedback

Newmarket Mayor John Taylor is taking your questions in his regular column; this month, a resident wants to know if citizens can impact plans for a development in their neighbourhood

Newmarkettoday.ca
February 5, 2020

Q: Do you think since IHOP is planning to open 15 locations in the GTA starting next year that maybe Newmarket will be one of them? -- Elaine MacKenzie

A: I would fully expect that IHOP would be taking a close look at Newmarket for one of its potential 15 locations. Newmarket is a Designated Urban Growth Centre, home to a major hospital, York Region headquarters and a retail centre for many surrounding communities.

Newmarket has supported many retail expansions over the years. I am confident Newmarket would be very pro pancake!

Q: Does the input residents provide toward developments like Glenway ever result in changes to the final plan? In a way that benefits existing residents in the area? -- M.M.

A: Absolutely. Resident input is taken very seriously by council and staff at the Town of Newmarket. Developers often adjust their plans based on resident feedback. I can provide many examples of significant changes to development proposals based on resident feedback.

In fact, the Glenway development (Marianneville) has already changed some houses from two storeys to bungalows in its current application based on resident feedback.

Residents often bring an "on the ground" perspective as to how a development may impact the local neighbourhood and we listen to that feedback because it improves our future communities and the town as a whole.