Newmarket reaches settlement with Glenway Estates developer

The Town of Newmarket has reached a settlement with a developer over a controversial plan to build houses on a former golf course.

Council and local residents fought against re-zoning the green-space for the Glenway Estates housing development. A developer has proposed to put hundreds of homes on the land, and brought the plan to the Ontario Municipal Board after meeting resistance at council.

The OMB decided in its first hearing to allow the plan. A second hearing at the OMB in underway, however Newmarket says it has now reached a settlement with Marianneville Developments.

In a news release, Mayor Tony Van Bynen said: “Newmarket council took a stand and remained united with residents in challenging the principles of development on the Glenway property at the Ontario Municipal Board.”

“Unfortunately, we were not successful,” he said.

The town said as part of the agreement, housing density is being reduced and landscaping is being improved between the single and multi-residential units. There are going to be 742 units built on the land, including single detached homes, townhouse condos, apartments, and live-work units that could bring some commercial space.

According to the town, a quarter of the space is being devoted to green-space – parks, open spaces, and storm-water management facilities.

The town says the next step now is to make sure the new development fits in with surrounding neighbourhoods by looking at backyard sizes, deck heights, and fencing.