Builder's Description:

The proposed development application for 17645 Yonge Street in Newmarket (former Slessor Motors site) is a multi-phased infill development. The proposed land uses are in line with the Town's vision for this area within Newmarket (specifically the Yonge and Davis Urban Centre), and is intended to attract residents who wish to downsize, who require additional care, and who may benefit from a variety of health-related and lifestyle amenities that adults come to expect from complete communities.

The site has frontage along both Yonge and George Streets; the first phase is located along George Street. The proposal will include the following uses in various phases:

1. A 7-storey Retirement Residence & Special Needs Centre with 214 suites. This building will be accessible via George Street and have separate entrances for the Retirement Residence and the Special Needs Centre. There will be lay-by areas for each of the entrances. The building will be comprised of a 2-storey podium with a Special Needs Centre/or similar use on the lower level and on the upper level of the podium will be retirement residences and some Special Needs Centre Infrastructure. The upper storeys will be exclusively Retirement Residences. This building is located on the northeast corner of the subject site and is oriented west to east on the subject site.
    
2. A 26-storey residential tower with 184 apartment units. This building will be located generally in the northwest corner of the subject site. The building will have frontage along Yonge Street and will be commercial/medical centre/retail uses within the bottom 3 storeys or within the podium. The commercial retail/medical centre and the residential tenants entrance will be generally accessible at the southeast corner of the building with separate entryways for each. A lay-by is also incorporated in the southeast corner for these entryways.This building will have connections to the Retirement Residence where residents can have access to the facilities provided therein.
    
3. A 23-storey residential tower with 155 apartment units. The building is generally located on the southwest corner of the subject site, the building will have frontage along Yonge Street in addition to 3 storeys of commercial retail/pharmacy uses. The entrances will be generally located at the northeast corner of the site, with separate entrances for each. This building is anticipated to be an independent retirement building, for which meals and other services and amenities will be potentially offered in the Retirement Residence.
    
4. A 7-storey Retirement Residence with 212 units. This building is generally located to the east of the building from Phase 3 and connects with the Phase 1 Retirement Residence & Special Needs Centre building from Phase 1. Entrances for the Retirement Residence will generally be located at the north portion of the building.

The site has a signalized entry point directly across from the Upper Canada Mall. An entry feature into the site will be an arch above the main entry, which will serve as a pedestrian bridge connecting the two residential towers. An internal roundabout will be accessed by the main entry, which will surround a central water feature that is expected to provide an informal gathering area for residents.

Access to the underground parking will be located from the roundabout, which is where the majority of parking is located. A limited amount of surface parking will be accessible from the roundabout, along with a number of handicapped spaces. Access from George Street will primarily serve the Retirement Residence/Conference Centre in Phase 1, which will also include a limited number of surface parking.

Enclosed, elevated pedestrian 'bridges' will be incorporated between the buildings to facilitate movement through each of the buildings and to enable residents and visitors to make use of the amenities and features located in other buildings.

As previously stated, parking will generally be provided underground with minimal parking spaces on grade along with handicapped spaces. The loading areas will be located internally at the north, south and east boundaries of the subject site.

The high-rise buildings will be terraced to respect and not impose on the neighbours to the north and south. The buildings are proposed to be located close to Yonge Street in order to build on the synergy that is anticipated in this area and to facilitate a relationship with the residents and those passing by along Yonge Street.

Required Approvals

A Zoning By-Law Amendment application was submitted to the Town of Newmarket in June of 2011. This amendment seeks to recognize site-specific elements such as setbacks, parking, and height.

Site Plan approval will also be required, and will be sought for each phase of the development.