Green home deal alive, for now

Era Banner: Jan. 10, 2006
Caroline Grech

Green home deal alive, for now

A deal to build environmentally friendly homes in Newmarket is back on the table, but it has to be closed quickly.

At a meeting Wednesday, council reversed its December decision to sell 34 lots on the Stickwood-Walker property to Menkes Homes Incorporated for $3.7 million. Instead, after nearly 45 minutes of closed-door discussions, councillors agreed to begin negotiations with Markham-based Rodeo Fine Homes.

But if they can’t reach an agreement by Friday, council is obligated to honour the deal with Menkes.

While no figures were released about changes to Rodeo Homes’ offer, a source has told the Era-Banner there was an increase in its bid.

As far as Newmarket High School student Katie Gardner is concerned, the issue is simple.

Building environmentally friendly homes is the way to go for Newmarket.

The Grade 12 Sacred Heart student was one of many people who spoke at the meeting.

“It is the time for these homes to become a reality,” Ms Gardner said.

Ms Gardner started a petition at her school and delivered 200 signatures to Mayor Tom Taylor.

Asking council to reverse its decision and support the sustainable housing project, Ms Gardner conceded she is not an expert.

“I’m aware I don’t have any answers to the hard questions,” she said.

Council voted 7-1 to re-open the issue after being petitioned by more than 200 constituents, local MP Belinda Stronach, the chief energy conservation officer for Ontario and others.

The only vote against was Councillor Chad McCleave, the ward councillor for the area where the homes would be located.

“I don’t support using taxpayers’ money to subsidize a private sector developer,” Mr. McCleave said, having been silent for most of the evening.

Among the deputants was Peter Love, the chief conservation officer, who offered his support for the project, saying it’s much easier to build a home that conserves energy than to add conservation measures later.

“Going back and fixing (regular homes) is really expensive. Doing it right the first time is much better. You have an opportunity to start here,” Mr. Love explained.

The criteria for the proposed homes include reducing electricity by 50 per cent and water use by 50 per cent compared with a standard home.

The community would be the first of its kind in Canada.

While councillors Chris Emanuel, Dave Kerwin and Tony Van Bynen had previously voted to sell the land to Menkes, they changed their decision at Wednesday’s meeting.

Councillor Chris Emanuel took exception to accusations council was flip-flopping on its earlier decision.

“I resent the use of the word ‘flip-flop’ in referring to council’s decision to re-open a matter. When council is faced with new information that has the potential to dramatically affect the prudence of a previous decision and council has the legal authority to reconsider its position, then it is incumbent upon us to do so in the best possible interest of our ratepayers and residents,” he told The Era-Banner.

Councillor Diane Springstein was absent from the meeting.