Recap: Council Meeting - July 9
- Marian
- Jul 9
- 5 min read
Council Meeting Wednesday July 9, 2025 at 9:30am
Meeting Agenda: Revised Meeting Agenda
Watch Council Meeting: Meeting Video
Recap:
All agenda items were approved by council including Councillor Davidson’s call for provincial action on salt pollution, with Lake Wilcox salt levels rising sharply.
Agenda items also approved include $99,878 in grants to 26 cultural projects and several zoning and condo applications.
Also approved were member motions for 2026 FIFA World Cup viewing events, heritage grant updates, Bond Lake and TRCA, and pickleball facilities.
Agenda Items Include:
Road salt has been polluting Ontario’s lakes and drinking water since the 1970s, with Richmond Hill—on the sensitive Oak Ridges Moraine—especially impacted. Lake Wilcox salt levels have quadrupled since 1996. Despite government efforts, the issue is worsening, partly due to liability concerns causing overuse by contractors.
Councillor Davidson’s motion urges new provincial legislation, expert guidance, and continued City action to reduce salt use while maintaining winter safety.
The Community and Cultural Grant Program (the “CCGP”) provides funding to community and cultural organizations and individual artists delivering programs, services and events that support Richmond Hill’s vision to be “a vibrant and inclusive city of neighbours.
It is recommended that the City award a total of $99,878 to 26 projects that are listed with a brief project description in Appendix C.
A request to approve a Zoning By-law Amendment application to facilitate the creation of five (5) additional building lots in order to facilitate the
construction of five (5) single detached dwellings
The applicant has satisfactorily addressed the comments and technical requirements related to the proposed development and therefore, staff recommends that Council approve the subject application.
The applicant is seeking approval of its subject Zoning By-law Amendment application to permit a residential development to be comprised of four (4) semi-detached dwellings.
lands are located within a Priority Infill Area, the Hughey West Infill Study Area.
The applicant has satisfactorily addressed the comments and technical requirements provided and therefore, staff recommends that Council approve the subject application
The applicant is seeking approval of its Zoning By-law Amendment and draft Plan of Subdivision applications to permit a residential development to be comprised of five (5) single-detached dwellings, the extension of Prince Arthur Avenue and partial extension of Merton Avenue.
The applicant has satisfactorily addressed the comments and technical requirements provided and therefore, staff recommends that Council approve the subject applications
The lands are located within a Priority Infill Area, the Hughey West Infill Study Area
The FIFA World Cup 2026—the first men’s tournament hosted by Canada, the U.S., and Mexico—is fast approaching, with Toronto set to host six matches. As a diverse city with a strong passion for soccer, Richmond Hill sees the event as an opportunity to boost tourism and community spirit. The motion directs City staff to explore the possibility of hosting local viewing parties as part of the 2026 budget planning process.
Richmond Hill supports heritage preservation through programs like the Heritage Grant, which covers up to 50% of rehabilitation costs for designated properties, capped at $5,000. However, repair costs have risen while the grant amount has stayed the same since 2013. The motion directs staff to review the program and propose improvements by the end of 2025 to better support heritage property owners.
The Oak Ridges Corridor Conservation Reserve (ORCCR) is a 600-hectare natural and recreational space in Richmond Hill, largely managed by the TRCA under an agreement set to expire in 2027. With growing population and demand for greenspace, the City supports renewing this agreement and calls for provincial funding to develop a new management plan.
The motion also urges collaboration among government partners and proposes that the ORCCP and the East Humber Headwaters lands together be considered for designation as an Urban Provincial Park.
Richmond Hill recognizes pickleball’s growing popularity and health benefits. The City currently offers multiple indoor and outdoor options and is studying future facility needs as part of the Richmond Green Master Plan.
The motion supports keeping 12 temporary courts at Richmond Green until a permanent facility is built, with improvements and expanded indoor options planned.
New indoor pickleball courts be provided in the Elgin Barrow Arena and Bond
Lake Arena from mid-May to mid-August when there is no ice in these facilities.
Pickleball lines be added to the gymnasium in the Richvale Community Centre to
facilitate additional new indoor courts.
Request for Approval - Draft Plan of Condominium
Country Wide Homes (Jefferson) Inc. - 48 and 60 Beech Avenue, and 363 Jefferson Sideroad
The applicant is requesting approval of a draft Plan of Condominium to establish Common Element Condominium tenure for an approved townhouse development consisting of 46, three (3) storey townhouses
2706379 Ontario Limited - 12600 Bayview Avenue
The applicant is requesting approval of a draft Plan of Condominium to establish Common Element Condominium tenure for the approved 19 three (3) storey townhouse development on its land holdings
Montagna Capital (BT) Inc. - 1577 to 1621 Major Mackenzie Drive East
The applicant is requesting approval of its draft Plan of Condominium application to establish Common Element Condominium tenure for the approved townhouse development consisting of 217, three (3) storey rear lane townhouse dwelling units currently under construction
Jiaying Dai - 9225 Leslie Street
The applicant is requesting approval of its draft Plan of Condominium application to establish standard condominium tenure for the existing two (2) storey industrial building.
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.
Public Forum:
Any person who wishes to speak to Council on a matter not on the agenda must pre-register with the Office of the Clerk by 12 p.m. (noon) one business day before the meeting. Persons wanting to address Council during the Public Forum portion of the meeting must register by sending an email to clerks@richmondhill.ca or by using the on-line application form. Public Forum participation can be in-person, or electronically by video conference or telephone. A maximum of five persons will be allowed to register for the Public Forum on a first come first serve basis.
