Newmarket earns 100% inspection score for water quality
Newmarket continues to provide the community with the highest quality of water. For the third year in a row, the Town of Newmarket has earned a perfect inspection score for water quality from the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks!
The Newmarket Drinking Water Distribution System serves approximately 81,285 people and every year, the province conducts inspections of municipal water systems. The Town has maintained a perfect score for the last three years, demonstrating Council and Town staff's commitment to environmental sustainability and preserving our environmental assets.
The Annual Water Quality Report includes information stipulated within the Ontario Safe Drinking Act, 2002.
See how we continue to provide the community with the highest quality of water at newmarket.ca/waterqualityreport or read the Staff Report.
To learn more about our watermain cleaning programs, visit newmarket.ca/watermaincleaning.
Noise By-law amendment addresses construction vibrations
To enhance the Town's existing Noise By-law, Council took a stronger approach to commercial noise impact by creating a commercial category with higher fines than those for private homes. The Town's Noise By-law regulates noise within the Town of Newmarket, establishing guidelines on permitted and prohibited noises.
Council previously directed Town staff to investigate non-Planning Act construction vibrations, leading to an amendment allowing enforcement against nuisance vibrations. The amendments include defining "noise" to include vibration, establishing procedures for investigating complaints and imposing penalties as part of the Town's Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) if violations persist.
Along with addressing vibration concerns, staff recommended minor updates to improve the clarity and enforceability of the By-law, which includes separate penalties for businesses and individuals, and eliminating noise exemptions for private house parties because of their potential disturbance to surrounding residents.
These amendments align with Newmarket's mission of continual improvement and have been developed in consultation with neighbouring municipalities to ensure effectiveness and consistency.
Staff will report back to Council by early 2025 with a process to permit significant non-Planning Act construction. To learn more, read the Staff Report.
Changes to development application fees for greater cost recovery
In order to ensure that taxpayers are not covering the costs of building and development, Council has approved changes to the Town's application fees.
Following a study conducted by Hemson Consulting Ltd., key changes include adjustments to Planning Act and Building Permit application fees to achieve full cost recovery, the introduction of new fees for minor zoning amendments, and a restructuring of minor variance application fees to make them more accessible for residents seeking small changes to zoning rules. Additionally, legal fees are now incorporated into application fees to provide more predictability for developers and to align with the Town's customer-first approach.
Amending these fees ensures that a greater proportion of the cost of development is covered by fees rather than a tax levy. This ensures that costs associated with the delivery of services that do not benefit the whole community do not place an undue burden on the tax base.
To read more from the Hemson review and learn more about the changes, read the Staff Report.
York Region continues Yonge Street improvements
York Region and the Town of Newmarket are planning for future growth and investing in critical infrastructure. Council received a presentation on the Yonge Street Improvements project from Davis Drive to Green Lane. Yonge Street currently sees more than 43,000 vehicles per day and is expected to grow to 60,000 per day, while also seeing an increase in pedestrians.
This multi-year project will support growth along this busy corridor while creating an efficient, safe and attractive roadway for travellers – whether driving, walking, cycling or taking transit. Once the project is complete, travellers and residents will benefit from:
- More lanes – a wider road, increased from four to six through lanes.
- Active transportation – new, wider sidewalks and bicycle lanes in the boulevards.
- Enhanced connectivity and safety – new intersections, upgraded traffic signals and streetlights, and new fire hydrants.
- Streetscaping – plantings within the boulevards and medians.
- Road rehabilitation – new asphalt pavement for a comfortable drive and reliable roadway.
- Underground infrastructure – new utilities, storm sewers, culverts and watermains.
Advance constructions and utility relocations will continue in 2024, with road widening and reconstruction from 2025 to 2027, followed by restoration and tree planting in 2028.
To stay informed about the project, visit york.ca/yongestreet or send inquiries to transportation@york.ca. You can also watch the presentation from the Council meeting.