The Monster Home that is currently under construction at 1011 Elgin Street did not require any approvals or permissions from the Town because it, apparently, meets the zoning requirements.

If this is indeed the case then the Town's zoning standards need a complete overhaul.

The standards offer no protection for people living in long-established low-rise neighbourhoods where the lots are relatively generous.

The Director of Planning, Rick Nethery, tells me:

"Essentially the proposal (for the new building at 1011 Elgin Street) only required a routine building permit issuance as it complies with the relevant zoning requirements in respect of setbacks, height and lot coverage."

The relevant zoning standards stipulate that the maximum lot coverage should be no more than 35%. I appreciate the eye can deceive but the footprint of the monster house seems way more than that. 

The monster home also appears much closer to the lot or property line than the zoning standards stipulate. At its closest point it is supposed to be at least 1.8 metres (or 5' 9") from the lot line. To me it seems more like 1.2 metres or 4 feet away. It is unquestionably less than 1.8 metres. (The posts and green netting show the property line.)

The Council should embark on a review of zoning standards to see if they are still fit for purpose.

If nothing is done, stable low rise residential neighbourhoods across Newmarket are going to be studded with huge, out of place, monster homes, transforming the character of the area.

For too many Newmarket residents, the zoning by-laws as they stand give absolutely no protection whatsoever from the looming invasion of monster homes.

1011 Elgin Street is all the proof you need.

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