Council Meeting Recap: Committee of the Whole - May 7
- Marian
- May 7
- 3 min read
Committee of the Whole Meeting Wednesday May 7, 2025 at 9:30am
Meeting Agenda: Revised Meeting Agenda
Watch Meeting: Meeting Video
Recap:
All items were moved to next week's Council Meeting with the exception of Councillor DiPaola's motion.
Councillor Davidson's Motion
The motion was referred to next week's meeting with some minor revisions to be made.
Discussions underscored the importance of in-person attendance for Council Members at council meetings to promote transparency and effective dialogue.
Councillor DiPaola's Motion
The motion to delay the installation of the automated speed cameras to 2027 did not pass.
Council engaged in debates over automated speed enforcement, weighing public safety benefits against community concerns and the need for educational outreach.
Emphasis on balancing enforcement with transparency and public trust in road safety policies.
Agenda Items Include:
Council and Committee of the Whole meetings play a vital role in decision-making and community engagement, and in-person attendance by Council Members strengthens this process. While remote participation can be a valuable supplementary tool, it is not a replacement for the dynamics and advantages of in-person governance.
Each December, the City releases its annual meeting schedule, which includes 18 Council meetings and 18 Committee of the Whole meetings typically held once a week. Under this motion, Council Members will be required to attend one in-person meeting per week, excluding the two-month summer recess.
Under this proposed change:
In-person attendance will be required for all regularly scheduled Council and Committee of the Whole meetings.
Each member can attend up to 3 meetings per year virtually (for each meeting type).
Additional virtual attendance will be allowed in cases of medical issues or bad weather, with proper notice.
The updated rules will take effect on September 3, 2025, once the necessary changes to the Procedure By-law are approved.
The purpose of this report is to inform Council on a new site alteration permit process for applications for up to 10 residential units and for Council to enact an updated Site Alteration By-law (Municipal Code Chapter 967).
What's Changing?
Due to new Ontario legislation (Bill 23), small residential developments (10 units or fewer) no longer need detailed site plan approvals. To fill that gap, Richmond Hill is creating a new process for site alteration permits for these kinds of small-scale projects.
Why Is This Important?
Without a formal site plan review, the City still needs a way to make sure:
Municipal services (like water and sewers) are available and properly connected.
Grading, drainage, and environmental rules are followed.
Other by-laws (like for trees, light pollution, and waste) are still respected.
Zoning By-law Amendment and draft Plan of Subdivision applications to facilitate the construction of a low and medium density residential development to be comprised of 14 semi-detached dwelling units and 37 townhouse dwelling
units, in addition to blocks for open space and environmental protection.
Zoning By-law Amendment application to facilitate the creation of one (1) additional residential lot in order to permit the construction of two (2) new single detached dwellings.
That the work toward implementation of an Automated Speed Enforcement
Program continue, and that the staff report back on the implementation be
extended to follow deployment of the Regional cameras, with a revised target for
going live with City ASE cameras in 2027.
Public Comments:
The public may submit written correspondence regarding agenda items by email to clerks@richmondhill.ca. Written correspondence must be submitted by 12 p.m. (noon) one business day before the meeting. Comments submitted will be provided to all Members of Council, are considered as public information and will be included on the public agenda posted to the City’s website.
Delegations:
Any person who wishes to speak to Council on agenda items must pre-register with the Office of the Clerk by 12 p.m. (noon) one business day before the meeting. Applications to appear as a delegation can be submitted by email to clerks@richmondhill.ca or by using the on-line application form. Delegations can be in person, or electronically by video conference or telephone. The Office of the Clerk will provide instructions on appearing as a delegation.
