Town of Newmarket

Minutes

Special Council Meeting - Electronic

Meeting #:
Date:
Time:
-
Location:
Streamed live from the Municipal Offices
395 Mulock Drive
Newmarket, ON L3Y 4X7
Members Present:
  • Mayor Taylor
  • Deputy Mayor & Regional Councillor Vegh (2:00 PM - 4:20 PM & 4:25 PM - 6:19 PM)
  • Councillor Simon (2:00 PM - 6:03 PM)
  • Councillor Woodhouse
  • Councillor Twinney
  • Councillor Morrison
  • Councillor Kwapis
  • Councillor Broome
  • Councillor Bisanz
Staff Present:
  • J. Sharma, Chief Administrative Officer
  • E. Armchuk, Commissioner of Corporate Services
  • P. Noehammer, Commissioner of Development & Infrastructure Services
  • I. McDougall, Commissioner of Community Services
  • L. Lyons, Director of Legislative Services/Town Clerk
  • K. Saini, Deputy Town Clerk
  • A. Walkom, Legislative Coordinator
  • J. Grossi, Legislative Coordinator

The meeting was called to order at 2:00 PM.
The Special Council - Electronic recessed at 4:00 PM and reconvened at 4:10 PM.
​Mayor Taylor in the Chair.


1.

Mayor Taylor provided opening remarks on the Mulock Property project.

He advised that the Municipal Offices were closed to the public and that this meeting was streamed live at Newmarket.ca/meetings. Residents who would like to provide comment on an item on this agenda were encouraged to provide their feedback in writing through email to Legislative Services at clerks@newmarket.ca or by joining the meeting electronically through video or telephone. He advised residents that their comments would form part of the public record.

The Clerk advised of the following additions to the agenda:

  • Items 4.1 to 4.6 - Written deputations from the following individuals:
    • Tara Talbot
    • Steven Dobson
    • Edie Andrews
    • Karen Adamson
    • Phil Parsons
    • Patricia Marlatt
  • Moved by:Councillor Broome
    Seconded by:Councillor Kwapis
    1. That the additions to the agenda be approved.

    Carried

Mayor Taylor read aloud the written deputation provided by Tara Talbot which expressed concern with the linkage of Jim Bond Park to the new Mulock Property development, and with the addition of parking in close proximity to residential areas. She asked that the immediate neighbours be consulted on this project through a focus group.

Mayor Taylor read aloud the written deputation provided by Steven Dobson which expressed his concern with Jim Bond Park being incorporated into the Mulock Property design, and the traffic issues in the neighbouring streets.

Mayor Taylor read aloud the written deputation provided by Edie Andrews regarding the design options presented for the skating trail and art hub, and expressed concern with remote parking included in the Mulock Property design options. 

Mayor Taylor read aloud the written deputation provided by Karen Adamson which expressed concern over the potential linkage of Jim Bond Park to the Mulock Property, the pressure on residential parking, and the amount of consultation with the adjacent neighbours. 

Mayor Taylor read aloud the written deputation provided by Phil Parsons regarding the inclusion of a skate park in the Mulock Property design. He expressed support for the current skate park project at Magna instead. 

Mayor Taylor read aloud the written deputation provided by Patricia Marlatt regarding a fundraising idea for the Mulock Property to assist with the payment of repairs on the grounds and the house. 

  • Moved by:Councillor Broome
    Seconded by:Councillor Woodhouse
    1. That sub-items 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5 and 4.6, being written deputations provided by Tara Talbot, Steven Dobson, Edie Andrews, Karen Adamson, Phil Parsons and Patricia Marlatt regarding the Mulock Property, be received. 

    Carried

5.

The Commissioner of Development & Infrastructure provided an introduction to the presentation regarding the Mulock Property and advised that the objective of this presentation was to provide Council with a summary of the work to date related to phase one of the project and community engagement, as well as to receive Council feedback and direction, and develop design options as part of launching into phase two. He advised that over 3,000 people were consulted thus far in the project and reminded Council that all of the engagement was complete prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The presenters introduced themselves as Lisa Rapoport, PLANT Architect Inc., and Sara Udow, Process. Lisa Rapoport provided an introduction to the presentation and reviewed the archaeology of the site to address the project constraints with Council. 

Sara Udow provided an overview of the public consultation objectives and process, and outlined who had been included thus far in the public engagement opportunities. She provided Council with a video that summarized the visions and design elements expressed throughout the public consultation opportunities. The presentation continued with the identification of the five priorities/guiding principles of a destination, rooted in history & forward looking, connected, natural, and inclusive & accessible.

The presentation provided an overview of the destination design themes which included art hub opportunities, summer and winter destination themes, and skate path design options. Members of Council had the opportunity to comment on each of these ideas and provided feedback to the presenters regarding permanent and temporary art pieces, active uses of nature and the skating trail placement. 

The presentation continued with a focus on the rooted in history and forward looking guiding principle. The presenters provided an overview of the site and surrounding areas, and showed options to bring the past and present together through art and built spaces. The presentation also reviewed the natural guiding principle by addressing the landscape and ecology of the site, and options for natural enhancement. Members of Council had the opportunity to comment on these design items and provided feedback to the presenters regarding the history of the site and house, addition of art pieces, and the landscape elements.

The presentation continued by providing an overview of the connected, and inclusive & accessible guiding principles, along with the accompanying design options for the site including food options, pavilions, performance spaces, and active spaces. Members of Council had the opportunity to comment on these design items and provided feedback to the presenters regarding the inclusion of trails on the site, parking placement options, and natural gathering hubs. 

The presentation concluded with an overview of the options available for the interior of the house, with inclusion of an elevator, possible event space, meeting and food spaces. Members of Council had the opportunity to comment on these design items and provided feedback to the presenters regarding use of space, potential for events, and the elevator placement. The presenters advised that the next steps for the Mulock Property project include developing three master plan options and continuing public consultation. 

  • Moved by:Councillor Broome
    Seconded by:Councillor Morrison
    1. That the presentation provided by Lisa Rapoport, PLANT Architects and Sara Udow, Process regarding the Mulock Property Public Engagement Summary and Design Themes be received.

    Carried
  • An alternate motion was presented and is noted below in bold.

    Moved by:Councillor Broome
    Seconded by:Councillor Woodhouse
    1. That the staff report entitled Mulock Property Master Plan Phase 1 Reporting – Public Engagement Summary and Design Themes dated May 25, 2020 be received, along with the Mulock Property Master Plan Phase 1A – Technical Memo Draft prepared by PLANT Architect Inc. dated May 15, 2020, the Mulock Property Master Plan Engagement Summary Report – Phase 1B prepared by PROCESS dated May 15, 2020, and their respective appendices; and,
    2. That Staff and the Consultants be directed to proceed with Phase 2 of the Mulock Property Master Plan to prepare three (3) design options based on combinations of the five (5) design principles described herein; and,
    3. That the Mulock Property no longer be considered as a potential location for a full-size outdoor ice rink; and
    4. That Jim Bond Park be included in the design options for the Mulock Property, subject to consultation with the immediate neighbours; and,
    5. That the proposed re-use for the house consider a range of options as described herein to allow the design of the property to move forward; and,
    6. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

    Carried

Mayor Taylor advised there was no requirement for a Closed Session. 

  • Moved by:Councillor Twinney
    Seconded by:Councillor Kwapis
    1. That By-law 2020-27 be enacted. 

    Carried
  • Moved by:Councillor Bisanz
    Seconded by:Councillor Morrison
    1. That the meeting be adjourned at 6:19 PM.

    Carried