Recap: Committee of the Whole Meeting - September 17
- Marian
- Sep 17
- 4 min read
Committee of the Whole Meeting Wednesday September 17, 2025 at 9:30am
A Committee of the Whole meeting is when all members of Council come together to talk through issues in a more relaxed setting than a formal Council meeting. It’s a chance to have open, informal discussions about policies, bylaws, or other matters and make recommendations that will be brought forward to a regular Council meeting for final approval.
Meeting Agenda: Revised Meeting Agenda
Watch Council Meeting: Meeting Video Part 1 & Part 2
Recap:
Council discussed a new micromobility plan to manage e-bikes and e-scooters in Richmond Hill. The plan highlights benefits like better transit connections, greener travel, and more local options, but also tackles issues such as safety, rules, and winter maintenance.
Key points:
Personal e-scooters would be allowed on bike lanes, not sidewalks.
Kids under 14 can still ride regular bikes on sidewalks.
Safety education and gradual enforcement are planned.
A shared e-scooter pilot could launch in 2027.
Staff will also look at improving regional boulevards for micro-mobility use.
Council also reviewed updates to the comprehensive zoning bylaw update, focusing on how employment lands are handled, individual property concerns, and public feedback.
Finally, after a tragic incident at a childcare center, council unanimously supported asking the province to strengthen safety standards in childcare facilities.
All items were moved to next week's Council meeting.
Agenda Items Include:
What’s Being Proposed
Adopt new by-laws (Active Transportation and Micromobility By-law No. 90-25 and amendments to the penalty system).
Permit e-scooters and e-bikes on:
Roads with speed limits of 50 km/h or less
Bike lanes and cycle tracks
Multi-use paths beside roads
(But not on sidewalks; kids under 14 can still cycle on sidewalks).
Keep e-scooters and power-assisted bikes off park trails for now (under review in a future trails study).
Education and enforcement: A three-phase public education campaign plus enforcement by York Regional Police and City by-law officers.
Future step: Consider a shared micromobility pilot (rental e-scooters/e-bikes) in partnership with Vaughan, Markham, and York Region.
Timeline
2025: Approve by-laws and opt into the provincial e-scooter pilot.
2026: Launch public education campaigns and begin implementing rules.
Future: Explore shared micromobility systems once regulations and culture are established.
Bottom Line: Richmond Hill is embracing safe micromobility to give residents more choices for short trips and help build a more sustainable city.
Norfolk Development Inc. has proposed a 15-storey apartment building with 344 units at 162–182 Norfolk Avenue.
What’s happening?
The developer appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) after Council did not make a decision in time.
City staff reviewed the plans and are recommending that Council oppose the project.
Why staff don’t support it:
Too tall & dense: The City’s plan allows up to 10 storeys here, but the proposal asks for 15 storeys—much higher than what’s planned for this neighbourhood.
Doesn’t fit the area: Surrounding homes are mostly low-rise. The tower would loom over nearby houses and apartments.
Poor design: The building is too close to property lines and too bulky compared to what City policies require.
Parks: The park space offered is too small. The City wants a bigger expansion of Essex Parkette.
Affordable housing: No clear commitment to provide required affordable or family-sized units.
Unresolved issues: Traffic, waste, and servicing concerns remain.
Next Steps:Council will take a position, and City staff will represent Richmond Hill at the OLT hearing.
Bottom Line: The City believes this proposal is overdevelopment for the site and not a good fit for the neighbourhood.
Richmond Hill is updating and consolidating its zoning rules into one modern, city-wide by-law. This new Comprehensive Zoning By-law (CZBL) replaces older, outdated zoning regulations and aligns with the City’s Official Plan and provincial policies.
What’s Changing
• The CZBL covers all major areas: Centres and Corridors, Neighbourhoods, Employment Lands, Greenway System, and more.
• It sets clear rules for building heights, densities, land uses, parking, landscaping, and environmental protections.
• It introduces updated standards for things like electric vehicle infrastructure, short-term rentals, and additional residential units (like basement apartments).
• It includes special zones for townhouses, apartments, commercial areas, and natural spaces.
Why It Matters
• Ensures development is consistent with Richmond Hill’s long-term vision.
• Supports housing growth, affordability, and sustainability.
• Makes zoning easier to understand and enforce.
• Helps the City meet targets under the federal Housing Accelerator Fund.
Community Input
• Residents and stakeholders provided feedback on everything from parking and patios to building design and neighbourhood character.
• Many suggestions were incorporated, and future updates will be made as needed.
Next Steps
• Council is being asked to approve the new CZBL.
• If passed, it will replace previous zoning by-laws and guide future development across Richmond Hill.
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.
