Newmarket and Aurora residents beware that Shining Hill Development has planned (8) high-rise, high-density, rental apartment buildings, up to 15 stories tall, in the southwest development located in Newmarket, bordering Aurora. They plan to add 7000+ people to this very small area (up to 75% living in these high-density apartments), along St. John's Side Rd, between Yonge and Bathurst.  There are 3000 "units" proposed, the average occupancy (per unit/home) in Ontario is (2.9); we estimate that this proposed development (combined with Aurora portion) could have 10,000+ people living in this very confined area. This is 10-times the population density of the majority of neighborhoods in Aurora and Newmarket. This is "big-city", high-density population, surrounded by suburban neighborhoods that they have proposed.

In 2023, Newmarket already designated and approved a high-density urban center corridor, (along several kilometers of Yonge & Davis) in its Official Plan 2023, and this is where these high-rise apartments (high-density) make sense and belong. Millions of tax dollars have already been spent on transit (Yonge/Davis) to accommodate this high-density plan.  If Newmarket Town Council approves Shining Hill's Secondary Plan it will create major "big-city" problems for ALL existing residents of Newmarket and Aurora, as the planned site doesn't have the infrastructure (particularly roads or transit or services) to support this "big-city" high-density, and it will severely & negatively impact surrounding neighborhoods;

1)    MAJOR Traffic congestion on St. John's, Yonge St and Bathurst St., more cars, more delays, more accidents - only 3 points of entry/exit for 7000+ (perhaps upwards of 10,000) people;

2)  Parking nightmare, with cars being forced to overflow into surrounding streets and neighborhoods to park;

3)   Could this "big-city" confined high-density population attract "big-city" problems such as increased crime & violence, attracting more transient & homeless, and could that spill out into surrounding neighborhoods of Newmarket and Aurora?  We don't know...but to assume it wouldn't is just foolish.  There has not been any consideration (a study) by the town or the developer in this regard. It needs to be addressed and a subsequent plan if this happens; 

4)    The Secondary Plan states; "The proposed development will not negatively impact the character of the area". UNTRUE! This is FALSE and MISLEADING as it's a complete mismatch with the surrounding single family homes & semis. These apartments will tower over existing suburban neighborhoods in Newmarket and Aurora, and this development is 10-times the population density of surrounding neighborhoods.

Watch this YouTube video to learn more (filmed at the development site on 24/11/2024) or click the video link below.

The time is NOW to petition Newmarket Town Council to REJECT these high-rise, high-density apartment buildings. If this is approved, it may set a precedent for all of Newmarket, Aurora, King & Gwillimbury, whereas very high-density neighborhoods will become the "new-norm" in these suburbs. These lands should be utilized for single family homes, and townhomes, (lower-density) that is similar to surrounding neighborhoods, consistent with its own Official Plan 2023, supported by the existing infrastructure and services, and will NOT impact (tower-over & congest) the existing neighborhoods.

Please join the petition today to STOP THE APPROVAL of the Shining Hill Secondary Plan (High-Rise, High-Density apartment buildings) by the Town of Newmarket.

We now have the attention of the Township. Please sign our petition and forward it to everyone you know in Newmarket and Aurora and King and Gwillimbury.  Sign up for additional details as this plan unfolds, and to be notified of the Town's public meeting date.  Thank you for your interest and support.