Main Street,Unionville is a "one of a kind", special place. People love Unionville because it is a 200 year old heritage area full of little shops, cafes and restaraunts. Its quaint retail environment has not been achieved by accident. Few people are aware that the little shops and cafes of Main Street Unionville really only exist because they have been protected and encouraged to grow by a special Town of Markham Bylaw (The Unionville Bylaw). This has created what is called a class "A" Main Street.
WHAT IS THIS "UNIONVILLE" BYLAW ALL ABOUT.
This bylaw is the envy of heritage districts across North America. It is really quite simple. The bylaw prohibits offices, banks, and fast food from doing business in any ground level location. This has been in place for quite some time, and it has encouraged the growth of retail space in the prime street level locations. This bylaw has prevented Unionville's Main Street from looking like a row of offices which have hindered healthy retail environments in so many other little villages. The Town of Markham's retail consultant supports this progressive bylaw, and many other villages and towns are trying to emulate Markham's success by imitating the Unionville bylaw in their municipalities.
SO IF ITS SO SUCCESSFUL WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?
Unfortunately, a large Real Estate company wants to undo all this. They want to expand their existing office space onto the ground floor level and into space designated for retail only. This large company was not successful at the Town of Markham so far, so they are threatening to go to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) to force the retail space out and replace it with a real estate office, with disregard for the objections of the community, and contrary to the Town of Markham's "Unionville" bylaw.
IS THIS REALLY SUCH A BIG DEAL? HOW CAN THIS ONE OFFICE MATTER SO MUCH?
If this company is successful at the OMB, it will set a precedent which other offices, banks, and fast food/drive thrus can use to force more retailers and restaurants off the street. In effect, the great success of Main Street Unionville will be in danger, as the "Unionville" bylaw will be undermined. The key to Unionville's desirable retail, cafe, and restaurant mix will be opened up to be replaced by a spread of ground floor offices. Just image Unionville without its little shops, cafes, and restaurants and you begin to see the problem. This is what is called a class "B" or class "C" Main Street. Is this the kind of Main Street you want to see?
WHO IS SUPPORTING THE TOWN OF MARKHAM IN MAINTAINING AND ENFORCING ITS "UNIONVILLE" BYLAW?
The local business association which represents all the businesses along Main Street (the UBIA) has been a long-time supporter of the "Unionville" bylaw. The local heritage group, the Unionville Villagers' Association (UVA) is also a strong, long-time supporter of the "Unionville" bylaw, and the Unionville Ratepayers Association is also a strong supporter of the "Unionville" bylaw. Look to the column on the left to see which councillors are with the community.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP SUPPORT YOUR TOWN AND THE VILLAGE OF UNIONVILLE?
Your Mayor, Frank Scarpitti, and your Councillors need to hear your support for maintaining the "Unionville" bylaw. You need to tell Mayor Scarpitti and your councillors that you do not want to see this large Realestate company replace any retail space with its offices. You need to tell the Mayor and your Councillors that you support our Town's bylaw and want them to strongly oppose this large company's challenge at the OMB.You need to tell them to DEFEND the "Unionville" bylaw and NOT AMEND it for Royal Lepage.
Time is short, USE THE LINKS TO THE LEFT TODAY TO SEND YOUR MESSAGE OF SUPPORT TO THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
ALSO, LET THE LOCAL MEDIA KNOW THAT THE LITTLE SHOPS, CAFES AND VILLAGERS OF UNIONVILLE HAVE YOUR SUPPORT.
TELL YOUR FRIENDS. SPREAD THE WORD. SEND IN YOUR EMAILS TODAY!
WE MAY BE SMALL, BUT WITH YOUR HELP WE CAN HELP SAVE UNIONVILLE!
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:
Monday February 9:
Attend the Unionville Villagers' Association meeting, 7pm at the Old Unionville Train Station.
VERY IMPORTANT
Tuesday February 10:
Attend the Markham Town Council meeting to find out
what the Town had decided at the "in-camera" DSC meeting on February 3. 7pm in the Council Chambers.
Monday March 2 AND
Tuesday March 3:
Come to the OMB hearing of the Real Estate Company's appeal.
NOVEMBER 2010
THE NEXT MUNICIPAL ELECTION!
