canarob
Senior Member
Development at Village Parkway, Hwy. 7 back after 17 years
A bygone and controversial development proposal in Unionville is back for more density after 17 years of dormancy.
"The first thing that came to my mind is, 'Here we go again,'" said resident Karen Gullason.
The parcel of land in question is at the northwest corner of Hwy. 7 and Village Parkway.
Ms Gullason said many surrounding residents, herself included, first objected to the rezoning of land from single family residential to a mix of condos, townhouses and single-detached homes 20 years ago.
She said after all parties reached a compromise on the proposal, the developer appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board in 1994 for more density.
The board ruled a maximum of six storeys and 181 units for the condo building, which accounts for three out of 10 acres of the overall development that includes 50 townhouses and a possible future school.
But without a sewer system in place, the project was held off until this summer, when the landowner asked the town's committee of adjustment through a minor variance application for a 28-per-cent increase in density to permit 230 units.
"An increase in density of 28 per cent is not minor," Ms Gullason said, adding the request was done in an "unusual" way.
"Almost end-run," she said.
The developer is also seeking a ceiling height increase of one foot per storey without changing the footprint of the condo.
Ms Gullason said while residents have no issues with nine-foot ceilings, they are concerned more units will potentially result in more traffic, congestion and noise and put a strain on services.
"We understand the development needs to happen, we just don't like people being greedy," she said, estimating the additional units could translate into $10 million to $20 million in profits for the developer.
"We want our community to be not congested—let's be reasonable," Ms Gullason said.
She said a favourable ruling for the developer will set a precedent for other developers in Markham wanting to increase density.
Patrick Quigley is the president of Unionville Development Corp., which falls under the Lee Developments Group.
Mr. Quigley believes the requested increase in density will have "minimal impact" due to the slated widening of Hwy. 7 and infrastructure such as sanitary sewer and stormwater management on Hwy. 7 and the rebuilding of Village Parkway.
Mr. Quigley said it's now possible to pursue their project because of Times Group's massive Uptown Markham development on the south side of Hwy. 7.
The two developers are sharing some infrastructure costs, he said.
“It’s going to be very expensive,†Mr. Quigley said, adding they won’t be profiting $10 million to $20 million from the additional units.
The committee of adjustment is scheduled to make a decision on Unionville Development’s application Sept. 7.
Before then, local Councilor Don Hamilton has organized a community information meeting about the proposed development Aug. 25 at 6:45 p.m. at the Markham Civic Centre.
For more information, e-mail dhamilton@markham.ca.
http://www.yorkregion.com/news/arti...-at-village-parkway-hwy-7-back-after-17-years
A bygone and controversial development proposal in Unionville is back for more density after 17 years of dormancy.
"The first thing that came to my mind is, 'Here we go again,'" said resident Karen Gullason.
The parcel of land in question is at the northwest corner of Hwy. 7 and Village Parkway.
Ms Gullason said many surrounding residents, herself included, first objected to the rezoning of land from single family residential to a mix of condos, townhouses and single-detached homes 20 years ago.
She said after all parties reached a compromise on the proposal, the developer appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board in 1994 for more density.
The board ruled a maximum of six storeys and 181 units for the condo building, which accounts for three out of 10 acres of the overall development that includes 50 townhouses and a possible future school.
But without a sewer system in place, the project was held off until this summer, when the landowner asked the town's committee of adjustment through a minor variance application for a 28-per-cent increase in density to permit 230 units.
"An increase in density of 28 per cent is not minor," Ms Gullason said, adding the request was done in an "unusual" way.
"Almost end-run," she said.
The developer is also seeking a ceiling height increase of one foot per storey without changing the footprint of the condo.
Ms Gullason said while residents have no issues with nine-foot ceilings, they are concerned more units will potentially result in more traffic, congestion and noise and put a strain on services.
"We understand the development needs to happen, we just don't like people being greedy," she said, estimating the additional units could translate into $10 million to $20 million in profits for the developer.
"We want our community to be not congested—let's be reasonable," Ms Gullason said.
She said a favourable ruling for the developer will set a precedent for other developers in Markham wanting to increase density.
Patrick Quigley is the president of Unionville Development Corp., which falls under the Lee Developments Group.
Mr. Quigley believes the requested increase in density will have "minimal impact" due to the slated widening of Hwy. 7 and infrastructure such as sanitary sewer and stormwater management on Hwy. 7 and the rebuilding of Village Parkway.
Mr. Quigley said it's now possible to pursue their project because of Times Group's massive Uptown Markham development on the south side of Hwy. 7.
The two developers are sharing some infrastructure costs, he said.
“It’s going to be very expensive,†Mr. Quigley said, adding they won’t be profiting $10 million to $20 million from the additional units.
The committee of adjustment is scheduled to make a decision on Unionville Development’s application Sept. 7.
Before then, local Councilor Don Hamilton has organized a community information meeting about the proposed development Aug. 25 at 6:45 p.m. at the Markham Civic Centre.
For more information, e-mail dhamilton@markham.ca.
http://www.yorkregion.com/news/arti...-at-village-parkway-hwy-7-back-after-17-years
