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York Regional Police (YRP) offers a comprehensive Community Safety Data Portal where you can explore detailed crime information and locations in your area using the interactive Community Safety Map and dashboards. 🔒 Help Keep Our Community Safe 🌟 Discover how you can contribute to a safer community or access support if you've experienced a crime or traumatic event. 📚 Explore the Community Safety Resources . The dashboard below displays year-to-date crime trends for Richmond Hill, compared to the same period last year. (Jan 1 to May 7) 📊 Key Observations Public Safety Improvements : Declines in robbery , motor vehicle theft , and homicide  suggest improved law enforcement effectiveness or successful deterrence strategies. Commercial Crime Spike : The sharp rise in commercial break and enters  may reflect economic pressures or vulnerabilities in commercial property security. Violent Crime Concerns : While homicides and firearm incidents are down, assaults and sexual violations  are up, indicating a shift in the nature of violent offenses. Weapons Offenses : Though firearm-related incidents have dropped, non-firearm weapon offenses  (e.g., knives) have increased, which may suggest changing weapon accessibility or enforcement focus. 📌 Conclusion The crime landscape in Richmond Hill shows a mixed trend: Encouraging declines  in major crimes like homicide, robbery, and vehicle theft. Concerning increases  in assaults, sexual violations, and commercial property crimes. This data underscores the need for targeted strategies to address. rising personal and commercial violence  while sustaining the momentum in reducing major crimes.

Access the complete Oak Ridges Wrap Up here: April 4th Wrap Up Here's a quick overview of this week's Wrap Up: Storm and Severe Weather Information The community has faced freezing rain, heavy downpours, and snowstorms. To stay safe: Power outages:  Alectra Utilities manages hydro in Richmond Hill. Visit Alectra Utilities  or call 1-833-253-2872 . Recreation programs & facility status:  Call 905-771-5487  for cancellations and closures. Tree damage:  Report fallen trees on public property via Access Richmond Hill . Private property owners should consult an arborist. Storm debris disposal:  Drop off yard waste at Miller Bloomington Yard Waste Depot (1351 Bloomington Road East)  or use curbside collection on April 15 (blue zone) and April 22 (yellow zone) . Flooding:  Clear catch basins near driveways to prevent water pooling. For private property flooding, contact your insurance provider. Community and Cultural Grant Program Applications for the 2025 Community and Cultural Grant Program  are open! Funding is available for: Community Projects:  Social services, health, recreation, and environmental initiatives. Cultural Projects:  Performing arts, visual arts, heritage, and community arts. Up to $5,000  is available per project. Apply by Sunday, April 13 . Council Expenses 2024 The 2024 Year-End Expense Reports  for Council Members are now available. View them here . Upcoming Events April 5:  Free Seeds at Richmond Hill Public Library (Central Branch). April 8:  Council Public Meeting (23-49 storey building proposals). April 9:  Council Meeting (employment land protection, zoning approvals). April 12:   Maple Syrup Festival 2025  at Richmond Green Park—pancake breakfast, syrup-making demos, horse-drawn wagon rides, and more! April 15 & 22:  Yard Waste Collection begins. Summer Camp Registration:  Check out the Summer Camp Guide  and register today! Project Blaze:  A program for female-identifying high school students interested in fire services. Election Signs Federal election signs must be placed on private property  and at least 1 meter from sidewalks . Candidates must obtain property owner permission before placing signs.

Access the complete Oak Ridges Wrap Up here: April 11th Wrap Up Here's a quick overview of this week's Wrap Up: Zoning Amendment for 279 Douglas Road : Deferred to the April 23rd Council Meeting for further staff review. Councillor Davidson opposes this amendment. Salary & Benefits Increases : Approved for city salaried employees, non-union staff, and Council Members. Heat Loss Mapping Tool : Richmond Hill residents can now access rooftop heat loss maps and home energy ratings via Enbridge Gas's MyHEAT tool. Stormwater Management Facility Maintenance : Major maintenance at Verdi stormwater facility begins the week of April 21, lasting about a month. Road Reconstruction : Blackforest Drive, Acorn Road, and Rosegarden Crescent roadwork resumes in mid-April and is set to complete by December. Lake Wilcox Park Paid Parking : Now in effect as of April 1. Free permits are available online. Yard Waste Collection : Begins April 15 in the blue zone and April 22 in the yellow zone; collected bi-weekly on garbage days. Healthy Yards Plant & Garden Sale (April 16–May 19) : Offers native trees, shrubs, and sustainable garden supplies; pre-ordering opens at 8:30 AM on April 16. Art Workshops : Registration is open for one-day adult workshops, including Chalkboard Lettering, Botanical Drawings, and Painting Peonies. Maple Syrup Festival (April 12) : Hosted by Mayor West at Richmond Green Park, featuring a pancake breakfast, syrup-making demos, and horse-drawn wagon rides. Committee of the Whole Meeting (April 16) : Includes discussions on social media use, transparency, and housing acceleration. Earth Day Celebration at DDO (April 27) : Family-friendly activities like trail tours, environmental exhibits, and observatory dome tours. Family Literacy Night (April 3) : Hosted by Lake Wilcox Public School with book donations and storytelling activities. Autism Awareness Event (April 9) : Mayor, Council, and guests raised the flag for Spectrum World Autism Day, celebrating advocacy efforts. Summer Company 2025 : Offers funding and mentorship for students (ages 15–29) interested in starting their own businesses.

As a Council Member, I strongly believe in the importance of in-person attendance at Council and Committee of the Whole meetings. These gatherings are essential for effective decision-making and meaningful community engagement. While remote participation can serve as a useful supplementary tool, it cannot replace the invaluable dynamics of face-to-face discussions. There are 18 Council meetings and 18 Committee of the Whole meetings annually, my motion ensures that members are present in-person at least once per week, fostering collaboration and accountability. The proposed update allows limited virtual attendance while prioritizing in-person governance, with exceptions for medical needs or inclement weather. Thank you Councillor Carol Davidson

Access the complete Oak Ridges Wrap Up here: May 2nd Wrap Up Here's a quick overview of this week's Wrap Up: Oak Ridges Lions Club Clean-Up  happening Saturday at 9:30 AM. Snively Wetland Condo Expansion concerns , with key points on environmental impact, parking feasibility, and livability. Motion for in-person Council meetings , aiming to enhance accountability while allowing limited virtual attendance. Dead fish sightings in Lake Wilcox , explained by seasonal water mixing. Lake Wilcox Playground resurfacing  from May 5 to June 30. Community engagement initiatives , like shaping Richmond Hill’s brand and youth involvement opportunities. Upcoming events , including Council meetings, a small business workshop, and a fresh food market. Oak Ridges Business News , with York University offering co-op opportunities for Computer Science students.

The City of Richmond Hill has engaged SofSurfaces to upgrade the playsurface at Lake Wilcox Park playground. Due to heavy use, the current rubber tile surface has begun to lift, necessitating its replacement. This project will install new rubberized tiles, ensuring continued compliance with CSA standards. During construction, the playground and the eastern park pathway through Lake Wilcox (marked in blue) will be closed to the public. However, the remainder of the park will stay open for public use. Weather permitting, construction will take place from May 5 to June 30, 2025.

Council Meeting Wednesday April 23, 2025 at 9:30am Meeting Agenda: Revised Meeting Agenda Watch Meeting: Meeting Video Meeting Minutes: Minutes Recap: All agenda items were approved by Council. Councillor Davidson reintroduced the motion to revisit the City's suspension of the X platform, but once again, the majority of the council voted it down. Agenda Items Include: Housing Accelerator Fund First Annual Update The report provides a summary of the first annual update on the City’s Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) for the period of November 2023 to November 2024. All nine initiatives in the HAF Action Plan are either completed or on track to meet the dates outlined in the HAF Contribution Agreement. As of February 2025, the City has received $15.5 million in the first two disbursements, representing 50% of the total $31 million HAF funding. Of this total, the City has allocated approximately $4.5 million to implement the HAF action plan, with the remainder to be used for incentive programs included in the Action Plan. The remaining third and fourth disbursements are contingent on potential government changes and the City’s progress in meeting the housing targets outlined in the Agreement. Should the City receive these disbursements, the funds will be allocated to the incentive programs accordingly. City of Richmond Hill Corporate Use of X This staff report examines the proposal to suspend Richmond Hill's X (formerly Twitter) social media accounts and provides an analysis of alternative platforms, data and user engagement on X and an overview of actions taken by other municipalities. This report is in response to Councillor Davidson's Member Motion " Suspend City of Richmond Hill Use of the X (Twitter) Platform " 2024 Environment Strategy Progress Report The purpose of this report is to outline Environment Strategy implementation progress in 2024, as directed by Council. In addition, the report highlights links between Strategy implementation and related portfolios under the Sustainability banner (e.g. climate change, sustainable development, and natural environment/urban forest). Request for Approval – Zoning By-law Amendment Application – 11 Cynthia Crescent A request to approve a Zoning By-law Amendment application to facilitate the creation of one (1) additional residential building lot. Request for Comments - Radio-Communication and Broadcasting Antenna - 120 West Beaver Creek A request for comments from Council with respect to a Radio-Communication and Broadcasting Antenna Systems Public Consultation Application to permit the installation of a 27 metre (88.58 foot) monopole style telecommunications tower on the subject lands. Member Motion - Councillor Cilevitz - Provincial regulations needed to restrict keeping of non-native ("exotic") wild animals That the City of Richmond Hill hereby petitions the provincial government to implement provincial regulations to restrict the possession, breeding, and use of non-native (“exotic”) wild animals and license zoos in order to guarantee the fair and consistent application of policy throughout Ontario for the safety of Ontario’s citizens and the non-native (“exotic”) wild animal population. 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 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.

Access the complete Oak Ridges Wrap Up here: April 25th Wrap Up Here's a quick overview of this week's Wrap Up: Snively Wetland Development Concerns : Residents are urged to oppose a high-density condo proposal that exceeds previously approved limits and threatens the local wetland. Baif Development Heritage Review : The house at 53 St. Laurent Drive was evaluated but found to lack heritage significance, leading to approved demolition. Oak Ridges Lions Club Clean-Up : A community event on May 3 encourages residents to participate in environmental stewardship. Citywide Street Sweeping : Scheduled from April 28 to May 14 to improve road cleanliness. York Region's Traveller Safety Plan : A virtual public meeting on May 1 offers updates and seeks resident feedback. Library Chinese Collection Survey : Residents can provide input on expanding the collection. Healthy Yards Plant Sale : A chance to purchase native plants and garden supplies at a discount. Upcoming Council Meeting on April 29 : Discussion topics include high-rise developments and housing proposals. Youth Week (May 1–7) : Featuring free activities like archery, game nights, and pickleball. Potter’s Guild Showcase (May 2–4) : Celebrating local ceramic arts at The Burr House. Business Development : Infrastructure acceleration incentives are available for residential builders.

Access the complete Oak Ridges Wrap Up here: April 18th Wrap Up Here's a quick overview of this week's Wrap Up: Opposing Snively Wetland Condo Expansion:  Residents are urged to protest a proposed 10-storey development that exceeds zoning limits and threatens the local environment. Council rejected a similar plan in 2020, but the developer is seeking approval once again. Baif Development & Wildlife Concerns:  Tree clearing in Baif Development lands has raised concerns about deer displacement. Officials assure that deer will find alternative habitats, and the developer is required to replant over 500 trees. Easter Holiday Closure:  City offices will be closed from April 18-22. Residents can check holiday service hours for emergency services and library access. Committee of the Whole Meeting:  Council deferred agenda items to next week's meeting. A motion to gradually reduce the city's use of X (formerly Twitter) was rejected, but discussions about adopting other platforms will continue. Radio Antenna Proposal Rejected:  Council directed staff to inform Industry Canada that they do not support an antenna installation at 120 West Beaver Creek. Become a School Crossing Guard:  The city is hiring to improve student safety. Lake Wilcox Park Pay Parking:  Free parking permits are available to residents. Easter Fun Fest (April 18-21):  Family-friendly activities at Markham Fairgrounds. Jefferson Forest & Bond Lake Hike (April 20):  A scenic group trek through local greenspaces. Affordable Housing & Transportation Webinar (April 22):  A discussion on critical community topics. Earth Day Celebration at DDO (April 27):  Free family-friendly outdoor activities. Virtual Import-Export Webinar (April 24):  Richmond Hill Small Business Enterprise Centre hosts an event on U.S. trade tariffs.

Committee of the Whole Meeting Wednesday April 16, 2025 at 9:30am Meeting Agenda: Revised Meeting Agenda Watch Meeting: Meeting Video Part 1 & Part 2 Recap: All agenda items were moved to next week's Council Meeting. Unfortunately, the majority of council members did not approve my motion to gradually reduce the City's use of social media platform X (Twitter). Mayor West, along with Councillors DiPaola, Thompson, Shui, and Cui, opted to maintain the "status quo," emphasizing the importance of retaining all available tools. However, Mayor West introduced a motion instructing staff to investigate the adoption of other social media platforms. We did learn however that the Privacy Commissioner of Canada is launching an investigation  into X. A number of residents delegated against the proposed Radio-Communication and Broadcasting Antenna a 120 West Beaver Creek and Council agreed and directed staff to inform Industry Canada that they do not concur with an antenna at that location. Agenda Items Include: Presentation regarding Richmond Hill's Continuous Improvement Journey This presentation is in response to Councillor Davidson's Member Motion "City's Commitment to Transparency and Accountability" Housing Accelerator Fund First Annual Update The report provides a summary of the first annual update on the City’s Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) for the period of November 2023 to November 2024. All nine initiatives in the HAF Action Plan are either completed or on track to meet the dates outlined in the HAF Contribution Agreement. As of February 2025, the City has received $15.5 million in the first two disbursements, representing 50% of the total $31 million HAF funding. Of this total, the City has allocated approximately $4.5 million to implement the HAF action plan, with the remainder to be used for incentive programs included in the Action Plan. The remaining third and fourth disbursements are contingent on potential government changes and the City’s progress in meeting the housing targets outlined in the Agreement. Should the City receive these disbursements, the funds will be allocated to the incentive programs accordingly. City of Richmond Hill Corporate Use of X This staff report examines the proposal to suspend Richmond Hill's X (formerly Twitter) social media accounts and provides an analysis of alternative platforms, data and user engagement on X and an overview of actions taken by other municipalities. This report is in response to Councillor Davidson's Member Motion " Suspend City of Richmond Hill Use of the X (Twitter) Platform " 2024 Environment Strategy Progress Report The purpose of this report is to outline Environment Strategy implementation progress in 2024, as directed by Council. In addition, the report highlights links between Strategy implementation and related portfolios under the Sustainability banner (e.g. climate change, sustainable development, and natural environment/urban forest). Request for Approval – Zoning By-law Amendment Application – 11 Cynthia Crescent A request to approve a Zoning By-law Amendment application to facilitate the creation of one (1) additional residential building lot. Request for Comments - Radio-Communication and Broadcasting Antenna - 120 West Beaver Creek A request for comments from Council with respect to a Radio-Communication and Broadcasting Antenna Systems Public Consultation Application to permit the installation of a 27 metre (88.58 foot) monopole style telecommunications tower on the subject lands. Member Motion - Councillor Cilevitz - Provincial regulations needed to restrict keeping of non-native ("exotic") wild animals That the City of Richmond Hill hereby petitions the provincial government to implement provincial regulations to restrict the possession, breeding, and use of non-native (“exotic”) wild animals and license zoos in order to guarantee the fair and consistent application of policy throughout Ontario for the safety of Ontario’s citizens and the non-native (“exotic”) wild animal population. 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 April 8, 2025 at 7pm Meeting Agenda: Revised Meeting Agenda Watch Meeting:   Meeting Video On the Agenda: Request for Comments - Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment Applications - 24 Brookside Road The applicant is seeking approval of Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment applications to permit a high density residential development to be comprised of a 23 storey apartment building with a six (6) storey podium and 207 dwelling units. On January 27, 2021 Council approved a revised development proposal to permit a five (5) storey medical office building with ground related retail uses Ownership of the lands changed to Monage 24 Brookside Holdings Corp in December 2022. The current owners submitted this revised application. Request for Comments – Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment Applications - 0, 11014, 11034, 11044 and 11076 Yonge Street, 0, 47 and 59 Brookside Road, and 12 and 24 Naughton Drive The applicant is seeking Council’s approval of its Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment applications to permit the construction of a phased medium and high density mixed-use development to be comprised of five (5) high-rise apartment buildings with heights of 29, 31, 33, 38 and 49 storeys, as well as 45 townhouse dwelling units and two (2) community centres on the subject lands, one (1) of which is proposed to contain a daycare. It is noted that three (3) of the proposed high-rise apartment buildings have been identified as rental buildings. A linear public park, natural heritage and open space lands and a public road are also proposed. On April 17, 2020 and September 30, 2020, the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT), issued decisions to approve Official Plan Amendment, Zoning By-law Amendment and draft Plan of Subdivision applications to permit a phased development to be comprised of a six (6) storey residential apartment building (seniors adult lifestyle building), stacked townhouse dwelling units, semidetached dwelling units and single detached dwelling units On March 9, 2022 and October 25, 2023, Council supported revisions to the 2020 approvals to incorporate lands determined to be located outside of the Key Development Area limits to permit an additional six (6) storey rental apartment building that was approved by OLT on April 23, 2024. The current revised applications were subsequently deemed to be complete by the City as of December 23, 2024 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.

Council Meeting Wednesday April 9, 2025 at 9:30am Meeting Agenda: Revised Meeting Agenda Watch Meeting: Meeting Video Part 1 & Part 2 Recap: All agenda items were approved by Council except the zoning amendment for 279 Douglas Road in Oak Ridges which has been referred back to staff to report back at the April 23rd Council Meeting with a memorandum addressing the questions and concerns raised by Council. Councillor Davidson is not supportive of this zoning amendment. Also approved, as discussed at a Closed Session, are annual salary and benefit increases for city salaried employees, non-union administrative employees and Members of Council. Agenda Items Include: Request for Approval - Municipally-Initiated Official Plan Amendment on Employment Land Protection The amendment aims to add policies authorizing the continuation of legally existing excluded uses within the city's designated employment lands. This is in response to changes in the Planning Act and a new Provincial Planning Statement that came into effect on October 20, 2024, which revised the definition of "area of employment". The proposed amendment would allow stand-alone offices, commercial uses, and institutional uses established on or before October 20, 2024, to be considered part of the "area of employment". Request for Approval - Zoning By-law Amendment Application - 262 Douglas Road A request to approve a Zoning By-law Amendment application to facilitate the creation of one (1) additional building lot Status Update - Pending Items List The purpose of this report is to provide an update to Council on pending items originating from Committee of the Whole and Council meetings for the 2022-2026 Term of Council. 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 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.