Whitchurch-Stouffville nixes plan to limit downtown offices

By Steve Pecar, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

A plan to restrict the number of street-level offices along a stretch of Main St. has been rejected by Whitchurch-Stouffville.

The town was considering the move based on a suggestion by Ward 4 Councillor Rick Upton who is concerned that the offices hinder pedestrian traffic downtown and that the spaces would be more user-friendly if they housed shops or restaurants.

In a report presented to council by the town’s Development Services Commission, it was pointed out that while the proposal had merit, in the short term it is better to have the storefronts occupied rather than remain empty.

The area that was under consideration, Main Street between Albert Street and Park Drive, currently has 93 street-level units of which 27 are used for offices rather than stores.

The report goes on to suggest that if offices are forced out, the units could remain empty and exacerbate the problem of downtown vacancies.

At the time of the report, Downtown Stouffville had 10 vacancies, five of which occurred in 2024.

“In staff’s opinion, any restrictions of land uses may increase the challenges in filling these vacancies,” the report reads.

Earlier this year Upton had suggested the change, but since the report was issued he said he looks forward to future initiatives that town staff believe will lead to a revitalization of downtown.

“We’re all in agreement that what we have now is not working,” said Upton at a recent council meeting. “Unfortunately our downtown area has many vacant buildings, some over 10 years vacant…if we have the right mix that would attract customers it would be successful. If we give the community the business in the downtown that they are asking for – and it’s not offices – then and only then we will be on the right road to a vibrant and successful downtown.”

Some of the factors the staff report points to that could encourage more pedestrian traffic downtown include the planned residential communities within walking distance of the area, the completion of construction on Main Street which is intended to be more pedestrian friendly, the expansion of the Civic Square which can be used to host events, reducing the parking rates and permitting business, such as restaurants, to use sidewalk space to host customers.

The town also intends to look into the results of a recent public survey to look into more revitalization plans as well as to continue to consult local stakeholders and business groups on how to proceed.