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For the week from Monday June 2 to Sunday June 8, 2025 Visit the York Regional Police (YRP) Community Safety Data Portal  for more information about these crimes and their locations using the Community Safety Map.  You can also learn more about crime trends affecting Richmond Hill using the Crime Trend Dashboards. For additional information on Crime Prevention, visit: https://www.caroldavidsonoakridges.ca/crime-prevention (Please note that the data included in this summary is preliminary and is subject to change as investigations are completed. These are not official crime statistics.)

Fireworks are a beloved tradition, but they also come with concerns. Some argue they cause noise disturbances, negative impact to animals, environmental pollution, and safety risks, advocating for a ban. Others believe fireworks are essential for celebrations, adding joy and cultural significance. Current Richmond Hill Fireworks Regulations. What do you think? Take the quick poll. Subscribe to the Oak Ridges Wrap Up! Get the latest news and events for Oak Ridges and Richmond Hill delivered right to your inbox every Friday.

Access the complete Oak Ridges Wrap Up newsletter here: June 6th Wrap Up Here's a quick overview of this week's Wrap Up: 🏙️ Proposed Development Alert A revised application for 13564 & 13580 Yonge St. and 40 Coons Rd. proposes: 8-storey building, townhomes, and 285 units (double the allowed density) No commercial space, minimal affordable housing Traffic, safety, and environmental concerns 📢 Have your say : Submit comments by June 10 at noon  or attend the Council Public Meeting at 7pm . 🛠️ Construction & Maintenance Oak Ridges Air Facility : Final testing in July to eliminate odour. King Road Reconstruction : Completion expected mid-July. Stouffville Road Work : Now underway. Spring Road Maintenance : Ongoing across York Region. 🌿 Community Updates Park Improvements : Thanks to Teresa, Humber Flats will see upgrades. Turtle Watch : Injured turtle spotted at Lake Wilcox – report sightings. Indigenous Gardens : Five new “Medicine Gardens” planted for Indigenous History Month. 🏛️ City Business June 10 : Council Public Meeting (3 proposals incl. Yonge & Coons). June 11 : Council Meeting on tax levy, rental housing incentives. Councillor Davidson proposes 6pm start time for public meetings. 🎉 What’s On June 7 : Free Bike Safety Event @ Richmond Green June 8 : Walk & Learn  Rose Industry Tour June 9 : Zoning By-law Open House (7pm) 📊 New Quick Poll Should Richmond Hill ban fireworks? ❤️ Faces & Places Fundraiser for women & children, and York Region Police Pride breakfast.

Committee of the Whole Meeting Wednesday June 4, 2025 at 9:30am Meeting Agenda: Meeting Agenda Watch Council Meeting: Meeting video Recap: There was a short agenda so it was a quick meeting. All items were moved to next week's Council Meeting. There was a brief discussion on Councillor Davidson's motion to shift Council Public Meeting start times to 6pm, aiming to make it easier for residents to participate when meetings extend beyond 9pm. Agenda Items Include: Economic Development Mission to Hannover Messe Richmond Hill’s Economic Mission to Hannover Messe – Summary Purpose : Promote Richmond Hill internationally to attract investment and business growth. Event : Attended Hannover Messe 2025 , the world’s largest industrial tech trade show. Canada was the featured country. Key Wins : Met with 15 potential investors; 8 more leads to follow up. Built partnerships with German businesses, trade groups, and government agencies. Promoted Richmond Hill’s innovation strengths (e.g. SBEC, CLIC). Supported local companies at the show— Maple Advanced Robotics  won a top award. Cost : $27,100 for three delegates, with funding support from York Region  and CanExport . Takeaway : Richmond Hill is gaining global interest, but ongoing efforts are needed to build its international reputation and attract investment. 2025 Final Levy By-Law and Tax Rat es 2025 Property Tax Highlights – Richmond Hill Total Levy : $152.1M (includes 3.19% increase + $12.9M for infrastructure) Tax Due Dates : Residential : Aug 1 & Oct 1 (Sep 2 if postal strike) Commercial/Industrial : Oct 1 & Nov 3 New Discounts & Changes : 35% tax discount for new rental buildings Removed  tax breaks for vacant commercial/industrial land Updated Tax Deferral Program  for low-income seniors (GIS-based) Mail Disruption Ready : City can adjust due dates if postal service is affected Member Motion - Councillor Davidson - Council Public Meeting Start Times Public meetings let residents voice concerns, ask questions, and provide feedback on planning applications and zoning changes. Lengthy meetings with packed agendas can stretch late into the evening, making it harder for residents to participate and adding strain on Richmond Hill staff and attendees. The motion requests that starting September 1, 2025, these meetings will begin earlier—at 6:00pm. 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.

Council Public Meeting Tuesday May 27, 2025 at 7pm Council Chambers, 225 East Beaver Creek Road, Richmond Hill Meeting Agenda: Revised Meeting Agenda Watch Meeting:   Meeting Video Recap: The May 27, 2025, City Council Public Meeting in Richmond Hill covered important topics around city development proposals. The proposed changes aim to address housing needs but are met with community resistance. Residents in attendance express concerns about maintaining the current community feel, pointing to issues like increased traffic and environmental changes. 174, 176 and 180 Weldrick Road West Brief summary of comments : Emphasized this is an early stage and all comments will be referred back to staff. Concerns about 50% lot coverage and proximity to the floodplain Similar to developments on Dexter Road and Annette Gate. Supports detached homes and smaller units for affordability. Noted significant reduction in front yard setback (25ft → 5ft), which aligns with modern developments. Cited high potential traffic impact with 42 units and up to 150 cars in future phases. Expressed concern about neighborhood fit and community character. Clarified that changes in development standards are driven by provincial legislation. 0 Longworth Key points made by Councillor Davidson on this application: Appreciation for Community Input: Thanks given to the delegate and 69 residents who submitted letters opposing the application. Acknowledgement of Housing Needs: Council is committed to addressing housing needs, but this proposal is not suitable for this location. Character of the Area: West Gormley is a small, cohesive neighborhood described in the secondary plan as blending into its natural surroundings. Proposed five-story buildings would be out of character and the tallest in the area. Development should protect views of the Oak Ridges Moraine and maintain environmental integrity. Concerns that approval would set a precedent for overdevelopment in a sensitive area. Infrastructure Concerns: No public transit or continuous sidewalks in the area. Residents are car-dependent for basic services, with nearest grocery stores 5–6 km away. Importance of Commercial Space: Maintaining two-storey commercial zoning supports local walkability and access to essential services. Mixed-use zoning could jeopardize future commercial development unless minimum commercial floor space is mandated. On the Agenda: Request for Comments - Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment Applications - 174, 176 and 180 Weldrick Road West Redevelopment of the property to build a low-density residential project consisting of 12 new three-storey single detached homes on a private road, in addition to retaining and renovating 1 existing home. These homes would be built along a private road within the development and would be allowed to include up to two rental units (called "Additional Residential Units" or ARUs) in each house which fits within the City's planning vision. However, concerns remain about compatibility with the existing neighborhood, floodplain encroachment, and specifics of zoning variances (e.g., lot coverage, yard setbacks). A more detailed review is needed before a final decision. Request for Comments – Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment Applications – 0 Longworth Avenue Centerfield Properties wants to build two 5-storey buildings on a currently empty lot that is zoned for small commercial buildings. The two proposed buildings would include 201 apartment units, 371 parking spaces, Indoor and rooftop outdoor spaces for residents with an underground garage and shops or businesses on the ground floor. Concept Rendering The proposed five (5) storey high density, mid-rise mixed-use residential/commercial buildings are not permitted within the Neighbourhood Commercial area of the West Gormley Secondary Plan. No affordable housing units included, though 10% of apartments would have 3 bedrooms. The subject lands are not located within a strategic growth area. The subject lands are within an area of High Aquifer Vulnerability City staff are still reviewing the proposal but have raised some concerns: The development may be too tall and dense for this location. Waste, water, parking, and environmental issues (due to the area’s sensitive groundwater) need more detailed planning. City staff will gather feedback from residents, council, and outside agencies. A final decision will be made after a full review and another report. Public Comments:   The public may submit written correspondence regarding agenda matters by email to clerks@richmondhill.ca . Written correspondence must be submitted by 12 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Comments submitted will be provided to all Members of Council, considered as public information and noted in the public record.   Delegations:    No prior registration is required to make an in-person Delegation, but is encouraged. Prior registration is required should the public intend to make an electronic delegation by video conference or telephone. Applications to appear as a delegation must be submitted by 12 p.m. on the day of the meeting by email to clerks@richmondhill.ca  or  by using the on-line application form .   The Office of the Clerk will provide instructions on appearing as a delegation.

For the week from Monday May 26 to Sunday June 1, 2025 Visit the York Regional Police (YRP) Community Safety Data Portal  for more information about these crimes and their locations using the Community Safety Map.  You can also learn more about crime trends affecting Richmond Hill using the Crime Trend Dashboards. For additional information on Crime Prevention, visit: https://www.caroldavidsonoakridges.ca/crime-prevention (Please note that the data included in this summary is preliminary and is subject to change as investigations are completed. These are not official crime statistics.)

Subscribe to the Oak Ridges Wrap Up! Get the latest news and events for Oak Ridges and Richmond Hill delivered right to your inbox every Friday.

York Region is installing new traffic signals at the intersection of Bathurst Street and Canyon Hill Avenue. Work begins the week of June 9, 2025 and is anticipated to be completed in September 2025.

The purpose of this notice of construction is to advise local area residents, interested parties and business owners that York Region is applying a preservation treatment, called microsurfacing, to Stouffville Road from Bayview Avenue to Leslie Street from late spring 2025 to early fall 2025.

Access the complete Oak Ridges Wrap Up newsletter here: May 30th Wrap Up Here's a quick overview of this week's Wrap Up: 🐢 Turtle Safety Improvements : To prevent turtle deaths on North Lake Road, Councillor Davidson collaborated with city staff and environmental groups to add curb cuts and ramps, with continued monitoring by Turtle Guardians. 🌿 Natural Gardens Recognition : If your naturalized garden looks overgrown to some, request official recognition as a “Natural Growth Area” by emailing bylaw@richmondhill.ca with your reasons and evidence. 🕕 Earlier Public Meeting Start Times : Councillor Davidson proposes shifting council meetings to 6:00 PM starting September 1, 2025, to improve accessibility. 🚔 Crime Prevention Updates : York Regional Police now provide weekly crime summaries for Richmond Hill—check the Crime Summary page every Monday. 👀 Quick Poll : 60% support adding bike lanes, while 40% prefer the current setup. New poll: Do you feel safe walking in your neighborhood at night? 🚨 Speed Cameras Expansion : York Region is installing 20 new speed cameras to reduce collisions and enhance pedestrian safety, especially near schools. ♻️ Blue Box Program Changes : Starting January 1, 2026, recycling pickup will be managed by Circular Materials instead of the city. 💼 Oak Ridges Business News : Explore the 2024 York Region Economic Development Year in Review, featuring business growth and entrepreneur programs.

Subscribe to the Oak Ridges Wrap Up! Get the latest news and events for Oak Ridges and Richmond Hill delivered right to your inbox every Friday.

Committee of the Whole Meeting Wednesday May 28, 2025 at 9:30am Meeting Agenda: Revised Meeting Agenda Watch Council Meeting: Meeting video Recap: At the heart of the council meeting was the proposal for developing a 15-story condominium at 107 Hall Street, a plan that met with substantial community resistance. The residents' primary concerns included increased traffic, inadequacy of parking, and negative shadowing effects on existing homes. There's an evident disconnect between the community's vision for Richmond Hill and the realities of provincial development policies. During the meeting, a passionate discussion unfolded as residents shared their dissatisfaction with the proposed density and its potential to alter the neighborhood's characteristic charm. Council members expressed sympathy and understanding towards the residents but were clear about the overriding influence of provincial regulations that left them with limited power to oppose the development. The decision to approve the staff's recommendations for the project was largely driven by a pragmatic need to avoid futile and extremely costly legal appeals (paid for by all taxpayers) at the Ontario Land Tribunal, despite local opposition. All agenda items were approved by Council. Agenda Items Include: 2025 Asset Management Plan The City created this plan to show how it will take care of roads, water systems, buildings, and other important infrastructure. It's required by the Ontario government to make sure cities plan properly for the future. Why does it matter? The City's assets — things like roads, pipes, and parks — are worth about $13 billion . Most of them are in good shape , but keeping them that way takes smart planning and money. What’s in the plan? Asset Condition : Over 85%  of the City’s infrastructure is in good or very good condition . Backlog : There’s a $327 million backlog  — this is work that should be done but hasn’t been yet. Future Costs : Over the next 10 years, the City will need about $998 million  to keep infrastructure in good shape. Funding Gap : The City expects to have only $769 million , which means there’s a shortfall of $240 million , mostly for services paid through taxes (not water or stormwater). How will the City handle the shortfall? Do more with less  — stretch the life of assets or fix them in more cost-effective ways. Adjust service levels  — accept slightly lower performance where it’s safe to do so. Find more funding  — raise taxes or fees, apply for grants, or borrow money. Focus on risk  — prioritize critical repairs first and monitor assets closely. In short: The City is in a strong position now, but needs to plan carefully to stay ahead of aging infrastructure and future costs. This plan is about being smart and proactive so residents continue to get reliable services without big surprises. Request for Approval - Revised Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment Applications - 107 Hall Street The Hall Street Development Corporation wants to build two high-rise apartment buildings (10 and 15 storeys) at 107 Hall Street, while keeping a heritage house (Dr. Langstaff House) on the site. They revised their proposal after concerns were raised by the public and city council in 2023. Key Changes in the New Proposal More units : Increased from 265 to 300 apartments . Building height : One tower increased to 15 storeys, but the connecting podium was reduced from 8 to 4 storeys. More parking and bike spaces : Slight increase in both car and bicycle parking. More indoor and outdoor amenity space . Added pedestrian walkway : A path through the site for public use. Heritage Building The existing heritage home on the property will be relocated  within the site and used as amenity space  for the development. The city supports this approach. What did people worry about? People were concerned about: Height and density  not fitting in with the surrounding low-rise homes. Traffic, parking, and access  issues. Privacy and shadows  for nearby homes. How were those concerns addressed? The base of the buildings was lowered to reduce their visual impact. The design meets the city’s rules for keeping distance and sunlight access for neighbors. City staff reviewed traffic and parking studies and found them acceptable. Privacy and shadow studies showed minimal impact on nearby homes. Zoning and Official Plan Changes To allow the development, the city needs to: Approve changes to zoning rules  (e.g., setbacks, height, parking). Approve a small increase in density  over what is normally allowed for this area. Affordable Housing The developer has agreed to: Provide 21 affordable housing units . Offer reduced maintenance fees  for 2 years. Explore partnerships to assist buyers with costs. Include a mix of unit sizes (1-3 bedrooms). City Staff Recommendation City staff say the proposal: Fits city planning goals  for growing housing near transit. Preserves heritage , improves pedestrian access, and offers affordable housing. Meets technical and design requirements . Should be approved  by Council. Request for Approval - Revised Zoning By-Law Amendment Application - 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 Bostwick Crescent and 2, 6 and 8 Bond Crescent The developer (1001004738 Ontario Inc.) is asking the City for approval to change zoning rules so they can build a medium-density residential development. This would include: 72 townhouses: 52 rear lane townhouses 20 stacked townhouses Open space areas Private roads and landscaping What’s changing from earlier plans? The original 2014 plan proposed 40 semi-detached homes . Over time, the plan evolved to include more land and a denser layout with townhouses . The current version improves road access and waste collection design . Key Features of the Plan Three-storey buildings  (max height 11 m or ~36 ft) Density : 50 units per hectare (meets official city guidelines) Parking : 164 spaces total (includes visitor and accessible parking) Open space : Two blocks reserved for public use and green buffer zones Why does the developer need City approval? Current zoning doesn’t allow this type of housing. The developer is asking to: Rezone the land  to allow townhouses and open space Add custom rules  for building setbacks, heights, and parking Get site-specific permissions  that match the project design Is this consistent with City plans? Yes. The project: Fits within the Neighbourhood  land use designation and the Bond Crescent Infill Study Respects height and density limits Matches the look and feel of nearby developments Includes landscaping, sidewalks, and buffers  to reduce impacts on neighbors. What about traffic and environment concerns? Traffic : A single driveway from Bond Crescent is planned. The City will not allow another entrance  from Bostwick Crescent because it’s being turned into a linear park . Trees : 160 trees will be removed, but 87 will be replanted and the developer must pay compensation for the rest. Stormwater : The plan includes upgrades and buffers near the nearby pond. Public Concerns Addressed Height and density  are within City rules and similar to other approved developments. Privacy and overlook  are mitigated with setbacks, fences, and trees. Environmental impacts  have been studied and accounted for. A future condo plan  and servicing agreements  will still need to be approved. City Recommendation City staff recommend that Council approve the zoning changes. The project: Meets all current city policies and planning rules Completes infill in an existing neighborhood Will be subject to further detailed review through the site plan process Mahsa Jina Amini, Memorial Tree and Bench This report proposes placing a memorial tree and bench with a plaque in Richmond Hill to honor Mahsa Jina Amini and support the "Women, Life, Freedom" movement. Amini was arrested in Iran for allegedly wearing her hijab incorrectly and died in custody on September 16, 2022. Her passing led to worldwide protests advocating for women’s rights and freedom. The recommended site for the memorial is the green space next to the Lois Hancey Aquatic Centre, where a large demonstration in support of this movement took place. The tree is set to be planted in spring 2025, with the bench installed over the summer, ensuring the memorial is ready for the anniversary of Amini's passing in September. 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.