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New Business
a)
Rory Rodrigo advised that he had recently attended the Town of Newmarket’s
Sponsorship recognition ceremony held at Ground Burger Bar on December 2,
2015 where the Newmarket BIA received the ‘Best Connection Award’. Discussion
ensued regarding sponsorship opportunities and the feasibility of different
levels of sponsorship from the BIA membership for the 2016 Winter Wonderland
event.
The
Economic Development Officer suggested that the BIA members work with Town
staff to jointly promote Town and Main Street events.
b)
The Chair requested a formal appointment of a Main Street District Business
Improvement Area Board of Management representative to the Newmarket Arts
Council.
Moved
by: Olga Paiva
Seconded
by: Siegfried Wall
THAT
Rory Rodrigo be appointed as the Main Street District Business Improvement
Area Board of Management representative to the Newmarket Arts Council.
Carried
c)
The Chair advised that in response to recent disclosures made at the
November 23rd, 2015 BIA Annual General Meeting regarding the
property known as the Clock Tower, Anne Martin wished to present a motion
for consideration. Copies were distributed and Anne Martin read aloud the
proposed motion as follows:
Moved
by: Anne Martin
Seconded
by: Carmina Pereira
THAT
the BIA Board of Management only supports responsible development within
the 3 storey height limitations permitted in the Downtown Newmarket
Heritage Business District under the Heritage Act, in order to retain the
charm, historic character and positive business climate of the District;
And,
in keeping with this position,
THAT
the BIA Board of Management opposes the Forrest Group’s intended plan to
build a multi-storey, high density residential project (“The Clock Tower
Project”) in the heart of the Heritage Business District;
And
further,
THAT
the BIA Board of Management objects to and opposes any proposed transfer or
swap of Town-owned Heritage land (specifically the land on or below the
critically important Market Square parking block) by the Town to the
Forrest Group or any other developer for the purpose of providing space to
build an underground parking lot for its intended project, the construction
of which would have catastrophic effects on BIA Member businesses;
And
further,
THAT
the BIA Board of Management objects to and opposes the use of Town-owned
Heritage property (specifically the current Market Square parking block) by
the Forrest Group or any developer for the purpose of staging its massive
proposed private development project because the loss of crucial public
parking spaces in the Town-owned Market Square over a lengthy construction
period would have devastating effects on BIA Member businesses in the
Downtown Heritage District;
And
further,
THAT
the BIA Board of Management makes a timely deputation advising the
Newmarket Town Council of the BIA’s position on these serious matters;
And
lastly,
THAT
this motion be reported verbatim in the Minutes of this meeting.
A
lengthy discussion ensued during which the Economic Development Officer
provided a verbal update regarding the recent re-activated development
application for the property known as the Clock Tower. He suggested that a
Planning Department representative could be invited to a future Main Street
District Business Improvement Area Board of Management meeting to provide
information with respect to the process involved with development
applications. Discussion ensued regarding the public meetings held
regarding this specific application. The Economic Development Officer
advised that the public meetings held when the original application was
submitted were organized by the developer as a manner of assessing interest
from the community and did not form part of the statutory process.
The
Chair requested a recorded vote.
In
Favour: Siegfried Wall, Elizabeth Buslovich, Olga Paiva, Carmina Pereira,
Anne Martin, Glenn Wilson, Rory Rodrigo
Opposed:
Jackie Playter
Carried
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