Councillors at Newmarket’s Committee of the Whole last night agreed to go out to public consultation on the revised draft of the long gestating Secondary Plan.

An amendment proposed by Regional Councillor John Taylor dramatically reduces maximum building heights. He argued for a 17 storey cap with the possibility of  another three storeys from bonussing.

He says this more accurately reflects the view of the community.

Planners, out on a limb, had been pushing for a maximum 30 storeys with bonusing.

Taylor’s position puts him on a collison course with Daryl Wolk who says planning applications should be considered on a case by case basis with no pre-determined height caps.

Taylor also argued that Queen Street should be removed from the Secondary Plan area. He said six storey buildings would not sit comfortably with single family dwellings.

More to follow.