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Committee of the Whole Meeting - Dec. 4

Committee of the Whole Meeting Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at 9:30am


Meeting Agenda: View Meeting Agenda

Watch Meeting: City's YouTube or Livestream


Agenda items include:

The purpose of this staff report is to present the Key Directions for the Tree By-laws Review and to present and obtain comments on the Draft Tree By-laws.


The review aims to modernize the city's tree by-laws to reflect current legislation and recent plans for improving the urban forest and tree canopy.

Four key directions were identified based on background research and a public survey:

  • Update by-laws to increase the proportion of large, mature trees:

    • Lower the regulated tree size from 20cm to 15cm diameter at breast height (DBH).

    • Add protection for replacement trees.

    • Include tree size as a criteria for permit approval.

    • Require upfront securities for tree replanting.

    • Include provisions to regulate woodlots.

  • Implement new enforcement and review procedures:

    • Add a 15-day review process for permit refusals.

    • Include work orders and remediation sections.

    • Enable the use of Administrative Monetary Penalties for enforcement.

  • The report recommends updating the Tree Protection Zone chart and Tree Replacement Chart to reflect these changes.

  • The final Tree By-laws are targeted for Council approval in winter 2025, followed by an implementation plan to educate the public


A request for approval concerning a proposed Zoning By-law Amendment application to permit the existing commercial, office and residential uses within the existing buildings and establish site-specific development standards on the subject lands


The purpose of this report is to seek Council’s approval of municipally initiated amendments to the City of Richmond Hill Official Plan and City Zoning By-laws to expand the existing permissions for “additional residential units” (ARUs) and to permit up to four (4) storey building heights within Major Transit Station Areas (MTSAs) located along Yonge Street, Highway 7 and the Richmond Hill GO Station located along Major Mackenzie Drive East. The recommendations of this report also satisfies one of the City’s Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) commitments.

  • City Staff are recommending approval of amendments to the City’s Official Plan and the enactment of Omnibus Zoning By-law Amendments to expand the permission of “additional residential units” on a City-wide basis and to permit up to four (4) storey heights within MTSAs;

    • the expanded permissions would allow up to four (4) ARUs within a ground-related dwelling and/or in combination with accessory structures in most areas within the City where ground-related dwellings are permitted beyond the permissions for three (3) ARUs currently allowed;

    • the permissions to allow four (4) storeys “as-of-right” within the MTSAs represents an increase from the three (3) storey height restrictions within the Yonge and Bernard Key Development Area and the Newkirk Local Centre and modifications to the angular plane policies where a mixed-use centre or corridor designation abuts a Neighbourhood.


 

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. 


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