Newmarket Council passed By-law 2013-51 in
October 2013 to implement the
Lower Main Street South Heritage Conservation District.
In 2016, the Town received an application to redevelop this property while the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) appeal on the Conservation District remained outstanding. As the proposal did not conform to the zoning by-law for the lands, an amendment was required. This zoning amendment application was denied by the Town, resulting in its appeal to the OMB.
In 2018, an agreement was reached on these properties. Through negotiations between the Town of Newmarket and Main Street Clock Towner Inc. (MSCI), the Town settled two outstanding OMB appeals and a court action from 2003 around a land exchange agreement in market square. This was a significant settlement as it avoided spending hundreds of thousands in legal fees and moved MSCI away from their originally proposed 7-story building. It also resulted in a proposal that would maintain existing buildings, preserve and enhance heritage elements and improve a key area of downtown Newmarket.
The
minutes of settlement further refined the original 2003 commitment by adding an upset limit of $100,000 to the grant funding, and confirming that that amount would be set aside for MSCI from the Economic Development reserve fund, and not detract from the budget of the existing program.
On March 29, 2019, the Newmarket Downtown Development Committee (NDDC) deferred the Façade Improvement and Restoration, and the Interior Renovation and Improvement Program grant applications from MSCI until further details are provided, as per the program requirements.
If approved, a grant of up to $100,000, covering up to 50 per cent of the costs of the renovation could be provided.
180 Main Street South (former residence and post office building)
MSCI are proposing to replace some flood damaged drywall, fix up the HVAC, and replace the roof. This is considered routine maintenance work that was deemed not to require a Building Permit. The Town did advise they might need sidewalk protection and a Road Occupancy Permit from Public Works for the roofing work.
184/186 - 188-192 - 194 Main Street South
Building Permit applications were received on March 22nd for interior restoration work, which includes removing and replacing drywall, carpet/flooring, repairing subfloors and capping plumbing. The intent is to create an open shell space for future tenant fit-outs.
We received revisions to the Building Permits applications on March 29th to extend the work to include the exterior façades on the Main Street Side.
Building Permits for the
interior work only were issued on April 3, 2019. The façade restoration plans are currently under review
A staff report to Council is expected April 29, 2019 to provide any further updates.