The Town of Newmarket will examine comprehensive regulations on detached additional residential units, or “granny flats,” to add more housing to the community.
Council examined different options to regulate the units during a workshop April 14. The units, also known by names like garden suites, are separated accessory buildings on existing residential properties, which can become residences for other people. While the units are allowed through provincial legislation, Newmarket and the surrounding area have not fully regulated them yet like other municipalities, with those regulations potentially leading to more of them being built.
Newmarket Mayor John Taylor suggested a more restrictive approach to the units, that could then be revisited in a few years. Regardless, Taylor said it stands to help with housing affordability.
“This kind of unit is much more likely to be affordable than the current stock of leases,” Taylor said, adding that having an additional space to rent can also help people looking to buy a home. “It should bring online more affordable options, including more affordable home ownership options.”
The units became allowed as-of-right by the province as part of regulatory changes in 2022, but staff indicated only three such units have been constructed in Newmarket to date under a current ad-hoc regulation system. Staff seek to introduce more comprehensive regulations based on other municipalities, which could be more or less permissive depending on council direction.
The staff presentation highlighted different possible setback configurations and that this type of housing could help meet the municipal target of 6,400 new homes by 2031. Depending on which setbacks Newmarket decides, of the 25,600 eligible lots in town that could potentially have the suites, smaller setbacks could allow 10,400 of them to proceed, versus 7,300 lots for larger setbacks. Other areas that are up for regulations include unit size and emergency access.
Council opted to ask for a second workshop or special meeting to determine the exact direction it would like to go on the unit regulations, with the goal of completing the regulations by the end of the year.
Councillor Victor Woodhouse asked if there should be more urgency regarding the changes.
“We know about the housing situation and a lack of affordable housing,” he said.
Taylor responded that people can still create units now if they wish, and there has not been a huge demand yet.
“This is about moving the next step and have a comprehensive, clear set of policies for the public,” he said.
Taylor also suggested that a more restrictive set of policies could be adjusted, while more open policy would be difficult to walk back.
Councillor Grace Simon questioned the impact these units could really have.
“In Newmarket, we currently have 136 leases available, empty leases sitting there,” she said. “So we’re making access for people to build units in their backyard when we have a lot of empty apartments. So how is this addressing the affordability housing issue?”
Taylor said the province has already legalized them, so the town has responsibility to provide regulations that work for the municipality. He said that besides potentially being more affordable than existing leases, they could be adopted by investors.
"The truth is if this only provides opportunity to individual homeowners, then the progress will be slow,” he said. “If this actually provides an option for investors, then we’ll see more of it roll out and we do need supply badly. But I do think this is an incredibly important conversation.”
Councillor Christina Bisanz said this type of housing stands to provide support for extended families and seniors.
“The suites for older adults so that they can sort of stay in their communities at a price point of rental that’s more affordable but also more accessible for them,” she said. “There are a range of people and needs that can be served by these.”
