Recap: Council Meeting - July 15
- Jul 15
- 6 min read
Council Meeting Wednesday July 15, 2026 at 9:30am
Meeting Agenda: Revised Meeting Agenda
Watch Council Meeting: Meeting Video
Recap:
All agenda items were approved by council.
I was very pleased that Council unanimously approved my motion asking York Region to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the cumulative infrastructure impacts of data centres. As these facilities continue to expand across the Region, it is essential that we understand their long-term implications for electricity, water, wastewater, and growth planning so we can make informed decisions and ensure our infrastructure keeps pace with future demand. The next step is for this motion to be forwarded to the Regional Clerk so it can be added to York Regional Council’s September meeting agenda.
Council's final meeting before the summer recess focused primarily on a proposal to match York Region's 40-year development charge (DC) deferral for eligible purpose-built rental housing.
Regional & Local Councillor Joe DiPaola proposed that Richmond Hill match York Region's 40-year DC deferral program to encourage more non-luxury rental housing. Supporters argued it would help address Richmond Hill's shortage of purpose-built rental units, while opponents raised concerns that delaying millions in development charge revenue could impact the City's ability to fund roads, parks, water, and other growth-related infrastructure.
Following extensive debate, Council first defeated a motion to refer the matter back to staff for additional review. Council then voted not to adopt the 40-year development charge deferral program. Richmond Hill's existing development charge policies remain unchanged.
Councillor Davidson said she supports building more purpose-built rental housing but could not support a 40-year development charge deferral because of the financial risk to the City.
She questioned how Richmond Hill could fund approximately $600 million in growth-related infrastructure if development charges were deferred, noting that roads, water, sewer, parks, and other infrastructure still need to be built. She warned that delaying those revenues could lead to higher debt, higher property taxes, reduced services, or delayed infrastructure projects.
While recognizing the need for more rental housing, Davidson said, "it can't be building at any cost." She argued that if governments are prepared to invest hundreds of millions in housing, they should also consider public housing models that create long-term public assets.
Agenda Items Include:
Richmond Hill staff report concludes that no new 40-year development charge deferral program is needed.
The City's existing 5 to 20-year deferral framework already meets York Region's participation requirements, allowing eligible rental projects to access the Region's 40-year deferral program.
Staff caution that extending City deferrals would further delay infrastructure funding, increase financing pressures, and reduce the value of future development charge revenues due to inflation. They also note that recent provincial legislation has already reduced Richmond Hill's projected development charge revenues by an estimated $153.3 million between 2023 and 2032.
East Beaver Creek Secondary Plan (Policy Directions)
This report asks Council to endorse the policy framework for the future East Beaver Creek Secondary Plan, which will guide redevelopment of the Highway 7 and Leslie Street area over the next 30 years. The final Secondary Plan is expected to come to Council in 2027.
The vision includes:
A mixed-use community with housing, offices, shops, and community services.
Buildings up to 40 storeys along Highway 7, with heights stepping down toward the north.
New parks, public spaces, sidewalks, cycling facilities, and improved transit connections.
Major upgrades to water, wastewater, stormwater, and transportation infrastructure to support growth.
A goal that 25% of new housing be affordable.
This report asks Council to approve the final Richmond Green Revitalization Master Plan, which will guide improvements to the City's largest sports and events park over the next 20 years. Implementation would begin with detailed design in 2027 and Phase 1 construction in 2028, subject to budget approval.
Key improvements include:
A new 12-court pickleball hub as a Phase 1 priority, with the existing seasonal courts remaining in place.
Upgrades to baseball, soccer, volleyball, walking trails, landscaping, accessibility, washrooms, and passive recreation areas.
Better pathways, seating, signage, and connections throughout the park.
Public feedback showed 63% support for the plan, with strong support for additional pickleball courts while also requesting more passive recreation, accessible amenities, and improved park features. Staff conclude that existing parking will be sufficient and do not recommend adding more parking spaces.
The estimated cost of Phases 1 and 2 is $12.1 million, with funding to be considered through the 2027 Capital Budget.
York Region is quickly becoming one of Ontario's largest data centre hubs, with 13 known facilities operating, under construction, or planned across Richmond Hill, Vaughan, and Markham.
Data centres are essential to our digital economy, but they also require significant electricity, water, and wastewater infrastructure.
This motion asks York Region to complete an Infrastructure Capacity and Growth Readiness Assessment to ensure it fully understands the cumulative impact of data centres when planning for future infrastructure, housing, and employment growth.
This isn't about stopping growth. It's about planning responsibly, protecting taxpayers, and making sure our infrastructure keeps pace with our growing communities. More info here
Council is being asked to support Voice of the Vedas Cultural Sabha Inc.'s application for a Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) grant to help fund energy-efficient upgrades to its place of worship. The project supports Richmond Hill's environmental goals by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The resolution does not commit the City to any funding or ongoing obligations.
Requests for Approval include:
This report asks Council to approve technical revisions to the previously approved subdivision plan for 9700 Yonge Street. The changes do not represent a major redesign but are needed to address stormwater management, construction staging, and the future Addison Street extension.
This report recommends approval of a 10-home residential development at 263 Oxford Street. The proposal includes 2 single detached homes, 8 semi-detached homes, and an extension of Direzze Court to provide access to the new lots.
The applicant has submitted a revised plan for Yonge & Brookside. After public feedback, the proposal has been significantly scaled back: three high‑rise buildings have been replaced with two mid‑rise apartments (7 and 8 storeys). The previously approved 21‑ and 37‑storey towers, approved by the OLT in April 2024, remain in the Key Development Area. The updated plan also adds 45 townhouses, a private amenity building, a new public park, new roads, stormwater facilities, and protected natural heritage areas.
This report asks Council to oppose a proposed high-rise redevelopment at 539 to 563 Major Mackenzie Drive East and 148 to 158 Maple Avenue and direct City staff to defend that position at the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT).
The proposal would replace eight detached homes with a mixed-use development consisting of two towers (12 and 20 storeys) connected by a 6-storey podium, containing 414 apartments, ground-floor commercial space, and 396 underground parking spaces.
Planning staff recommend Council not support the application because they believe it is too tall and too dense for the site, does not fit the City's Official Plan, would not transition appropriately to the surrounding low-rise neighbourhood.
How to Share Your Feedback
If you have questions or concerns regarding any meeting agenda items, you are encouraged to share your thoughts.
You can send your written comments about agenda items by emailing clerks@richmondhill.ca. Please submit your comments must be submitted by 12 p.m. (noon) one business day before the meeting. All comments will be shared with Members of Council, treated as public information, and will be included on the public agenda posted to the City’s website.
Speaking at the Meeting
If you would like to speak to Council about an item that is on the meeting agenda, you must register in advance with the Office of the Clerk. Registration is due by 12 pm (noon) one business day before the meeting.
You can register by emailing clerks@richmondhill.ca or by using the on-line application form. You may speak in person, by video, or by phone. The Clerk’s Office will send you instructions on how to participate.
Speaking to Council on a Topic Not on the Agenda (Public Forum)
If you would like to speak to Council about a topic that is not on the agenda, you must also register in advance by 12 pm (noon) one business day before the meeting.
You can register by emailing clerks@richmondhill.ca or by using the on-line application form. You may participate in person, by video, or by phone. Please note that only five people can speak during the Public Forum, and spots are given on a first-come, first-served basis.
