Grey Highlands is looking into implementing some improvements in downtown Markdale.
Council approved requesting staff bring back a report on some improvements proposed by Ken Roth of Strong Towns, a nonprofit organization, during a meeting on Nov. 20.
While Roth pointed out the several positive factors along Main Street West in Markdale, including narrow streets to encourage slow driving and safe sidewalks, he says the layout of Toronto Street North encourages fast driving and is not aesthetically pleasing.
“It would be a considerable improvement for downtown Markdale if Toronto Street North contained more of the design elements that we saw on Main Street West,” says Roth. “We are recommending three specific actions which could contribute towards improving downtown Markdale.”
He says the current zoning by-law prevents anyone from building anything which could lead to a desirable downtown environment as seen on Main Street West.
“The zoning by-law change that we propose is to eliminate the minimum parking requirements,” says Roth.
Strong Towns also recommends redeveloping the municipally owned portions of Toronto Street North, as well as redesigning the whole street, which would be further expanded upon in another presentation.
Roth says this plan will require Grey Highlands create a high-level design, amend its official planning and zoning by-law, as well as prepare lots and sell to multiple different developers.
Coun. Nadia Dubyk says, “I do appreciate this viewpoint of how we can develop in a resilient way so we do bring character to our town.”
Dubyk proposed staff bring back a report on the recommendations from Strong Towns, which was supported by council.
“I think there is a few asks here and we are also closed session conversations and would like to understand how we can continue that conversation with this option in front of us. I think there is some specific asks about set backs, so I do want to ensure that we are capturing that,” says Dubyk.
