Council Meeting - Wednesday, May 28, 2025 - 9:30 a.m. - City of Richmond Hill

Summary

The Richmond Hill council meeting on May 28, 2025, primarily discussed the controversial development proposal at 107 Hall Street. Residents expressed strong opposition due to concerns about traffic, parking, shadowing, and potential density increases. The proposal includes plans for a 15-story condominium with significant density in a historically residential area. Many residents suggested alternate community-friendly uses for the site. Despite the community's concerns, council members explained that provincial directives severely limited their decision-making power, ultimately leading to the approval of the staff's recommendation for the development, emphasizing a pragmatic approach to avoid losing costly appeals at the Ontario Land Tribunal.

Highlights

• Residents expressed heartfelt concerns about the impact of a high-rise development in their area, with worries about traffic, shadowing, and the preservation of community character. 🌆
• There is a significant discontent about the provincial government's planning mandates, which limit local councils' inputs on such developments. ⚖️
• Suggestions for alternative uses of the development site included more community-friendly solutions like parks and playgrounds. 🏞️
• Council members acknowledge the limits of their influence due to provincial legislation, focusing on how to mitigate impacts through site plan negotiations. 🗺️
• The meeting highlighted a cultural clash between community expectations and legislative frameworks set by higher government authorities. 🤝

Key Takeaways

• Community members voiced strong opposition to the high-density project at 107 Hall Street. 🚧
• Residents raised concerns about traffic, parking, and shadowing from the proposed development. 🚗
• Provincial rules limit council's power, heavily influencing the approval process. 🏛️
• Councillors acknowledge the impact but stress the importance of strategic approval to avoid losing appeals. 🤔
• Creative solutions for community spaces were proposed but remain under consideration. 🌳

Overview

At the heart of the recent Richmond Hill 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. Suggestions from the community for alternative uses of the space, such as a park or a community center, reflected a desire to maintain and enhance community spirit and quality of life, illustrating the everyday challenges of urban development.

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 potentially costly legal appeals at the Ontario Land Tribunal, despite local opposition.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 02:30: Introduction and Meeting Start The chapter titled 'Introduction and Meeting Start' begins with a greeting to the council meeting attendees and specifies the date as Wednesday, May 28th. The meeting is officially called to order. There is a land acknowledgement where it's recognized that the gathering is occurring on lands historically belonging to First Nation people, referred to as from 'time immemorial.' This reflects a respect and historical recognition of the indigenous peoples and their ancestral lands.
• 00:30 - 02:00: Land Acknowledgement and National Anthem The chapter begins with an acknowledgment of the indigenous lands on which Richmond Hill is located, mentioning the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, the Chippewa nations of the Williams Treaty, the Haudenosaunee, and the Huron Wendat. It recognizes all First Nation, Inuit, and Métis peoples from across Turtle Island residing in Richmond Hill and expresses a commitment to rebuilding and maintaining constructive and cooperative relationships with these communities. The chapter concludes with a request to stand for the national anthem.
• 02:30 - 07:00: Public Forum and Council Announcements The transcript begins with the mention of an 'anthem', followed by repeated mentions of 'Heat', interspersed with '[Music]'.
• 06:00 - 12:00: Community Events and Safety Expo This chapter titled 'Community Events and Safety Expo' likely revolves around a specific event focusing on community engagement and safety awareness. Though the transcript mainly consists of the word 'Heat' and interjections of 'Music', it suggests a lively atmosphere, possibly an outdoor community event with activities or discussions around safety in hot weather conditions. The music indicates that it could be a festive occasion as well.
• 11:00 - 15:30: Family Fun BBQ and Solar Panel Seminar The chapter begins with a lively atmosphere indicative of a family gathering or community event, highlighted by applause and music.
• 16:00 - 20:00: Shout Outs and Accessibility Week The chapter titled 'Shout Outs and Accessibility Week' seems to revolve around a meeting, specifically a park meeting where council announcements are a key agenda item. Initially, there is a mention of a public forum, but it's noted that no one has signed up for it. Councilor Tree and Councilor Shu are acknowledged for having announcements. It appears that the meeting might be about community events or initiatives, although the transcript ends abruptly before providing more detail.
• 19:30 - 25:00: Council Meeting Wrap-up The chapter discusses a recent event involving the Richmond Hill Baptist Church, which has been serving the community for over 70 years. It announces the reopening of the church's manse houses to the public following renovations. The renovated property features two floors with four bedrooms and is available for office use or rental by nonprofit organizations. The chapter emphasizes community service and the church's ongoing contribution to the neighborhood.
• 29:30 - 49:50: Delegations on 107 Hall Street Development Proposal The chapter focuses on a community event organized in Ward Four, specifically an annual garage sale. Residents are encouraged to set up their own sale in front of their homes. Flyers have been distributed via social media and newsletters to invite participation, with instructions to register interest in being part of the event.
• 50:00 - 97:00: Council Discussion on Development Proposal The chapter titled 'Council Discussion on Development Proposal' describes a council meeting where a discussion on a development proposal takes place. During the meeting, a council member mentions organizing a bigger event for a garage sale, inviting participation from community members. In the previous year, 90 residents participated in the event, and there is hope for increased participation this year. Additionally, the councilor thanks Mayor West and neighbors for their involvement in a recent community safety expo and panel discussion that took place on Sunday.
• 95:30 - 97:00: Council Decision Vote and Meeting Adjournment The chapter covers the conclusion of a council meeting where thanks were extended to Mayor West, panelists, and council colleagues for their participation in a crime prevention event. The event aimed to raise awareness and provide useful tips on protecting property, with an emphasis on community collaboration for safety. Councillor Chen also acknowledged the mayor, underscoring the city's role in these efforts.

Council Meeting - Wednesday, May 28, 2025 - 9:30 a.m. - City of Richmond Hill Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 Okay, good morning everybody and welcome to the council meeting for Wednesday, May the 28th. Uh I'd like to call this meeting to order. Uh our land acknowledgement, we are gathering on lands that have been home to First Nation people from time and memorial. We acknowledge that what we now call
• 00:30 - 01:00 Richmond Hill is on the treaty lands and territories of the Missagas of the Credit First Nation and the Chipoa nations of the Williams Treaty. We also recognize that we are on part of the traditional territories of the Hodnachoni and the Hon Wendat. We would like to acknowledge all First Nation, Inuit, and Matei people from across Turtle Island who now reside in the city of Richmond Hill. We are committed to rebuilding constructive and cooperative relationships. Uh with that being said, I would now ask if you can to please stand for our national
• 01:00 - 01:30 anthem. Heat. Heat. [Music]
• 01:30 - 02:00 Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music]
• 02:00 - 02:30 [Applause] [Music]
• 02:30 - 03:00 Okay, thank you very Uh we have a public forum but I don't think we have anybody signed up for that. Uh so the next item on our agenda would be council announcements. Is there anyone with council announcements? Uh councelor tree and then councelor Shu. Okay. Thank you so much. So uh thank you so much uh for this uh park meeting. So there are few uh events happening in our
• 03:00 - 03:30 work for so last week uh for the uh Richmond Hill baptism church. So they have serving our community more than 70 years. So congratulations for your service also for the uh Richmond Hill uh Prebison Church. So they reopen their uh Manson uh houses for public. The renovation is done. There are two floors with four bedroomedroom. So if any NPO nonprofit organization interest to have a office or maybe rentaling services,
• 03:30 - 04:00 please engage our local service as well. So in word four we're going to organize a garage our annual garage sales. So this one due to the facilities. So we are trying to uh maybe set up your own garage set uh in front your own home. So uh I signed a bunch of flares to the social mediums also newsletter. If you do have interest in the part participate in this garage sale please uh register.
• 04:00 - 04:30 So I'm going to send out a bigger uh final list which street which home owner will have certain of the garage sale event. So you're welcome join. Last year we have around 90 residents join this event. So hopefully this year I have more. Thank you so much. Okay. Thank you very much and councelor Shu. I got it. Thank you, Mayor West, and thank you all our neighbors who joined uh us for the community safety expo and panel discussion this past Sunday. Uh
• 04:30 - 05:00 also a big thank you to Mayor West for being one of the panelists and some of my council colleagues who join us as well. And I hope this event helped raise awareness about crime prevention and gave everyone some helpful tips on better protecting your property. So, uh let's continue working together to keep our community safe and strong. Thank you so much. Thank you, councelor. Uh, uh, regional local councelor Chen. Good morning. Uh, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, as you can tell, uh, the city, uh,
• 05:00 - 05:30 have a very, very busy weekend. I know all my colleagues have been almost everywhere in our beautiful city. I had the pleasure of hosting the 2025 spring fair last Saturday. Um my team uh uh was honestly overwhelmed because the attendance is well beyond the wildest dreams. Literally thousands of people were at uh at um Richmond Green. Uh my gratitude uh went to everyone uh who took the time to
• 05:30 - 06:00 attend uh enjoying all we have to offer and I truly appreciate that uh despite the busy schedule. I understand mayor is uh in a lot of places and also some of my colleagues um but also um actually joining me on stage at the right moment so to speak uh is also my colleagues uh council Davidson council Thompson did show up but have to run off to somewhere else council tree and also council shield also uh with the uh Ontario
• 06:00 - 06:30 Minister Michael Pa representing um the Northland writing of Richmond Hill MPP way uh York Regional Police Inspector Dr. Alexander and also deputy chief of the York paramedics were all there. Um I know all my colleagues even though they may not be there physically but we are all there in spirit to u have um a community oriented and familyfriendly event. In fact lots of children including parents are noted they really enjoy the free ride on the
• 06:30 - 07:00 cho train. And uh so um thank you to everyone uh who have attended and uh particular I'd like to have a shout out to the uh events team as well as my office team and volunteers and uh without them it won't be possible but above all I think that uh the weather has been very kind to us no rain the same uh did came out. Thank you very much and I look forward to next year hopefully we can even do it better.
• 07:00 - 07:30 Thank you. Okay. Thank you very much. Uh, region local councelor depala. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And I just, uh, want to make an announcement that June 7th is the family fund barbecue at the mill pond. Uh, we have already got 3,500 registrants. Uh, it is a smaller venue, so you there is free parking. Uh, there's an arrangement been made with the hospital. Um, and you know, you have to come early, find find a a spot, but
• 07:30 - 08:00 um, registration has been paused, but it's still a free event and all are welcome. Uh, whether you've registered or not, uh, all Richmond Hill residents are are welcomed. And that takes place June 7th at the Mill Pond from 12 to 3. Great. Thank you very much, uh, Councelor Thompson. Well, thank you very much u through you the mayor. It was a a very busy weekend uh this past weekend. Um you're probably
• 08:00 - 08:30 wondering why the mayor and I look like we're brothers from another mother today. But uh I'm going to I'm going to let him tell you a little bit more about that. It has to do with the uh well it was related to one of the events that we went to on Saturday which was a spring market over at Lars Daybreak. I'm going to let him speak a little bit more about that. Um I do want to uh advise everybody that this weekend over at the United Church. Uh there will be a solar panel seminar on um May the 31st uh
• 08:30 - 09:00 Saturday from 2 till 4:30. This is about you know how new solar uh power works and how it can work for uh individual homeowners. So uh if you haven't uh thought about that as an initiative uh you may want to check that out. That's again the United Church between two and four and it's being presented by um climate action Richmond Hill. Those are my comments. Thank you. Thank you, councelor. Uh anybody else? Okay, a couple of things. Um as Councelor
• 09:00 - 09:30 Thompson alluded to, we obviously shop at the same store. Um and I I'd like to thank um uh the Caldwell family for uh getting or having these shirts for sale that we got at the um at the market at Lars Daybreak the other day. Uh, but the the the point of this is to um mark the beginning of accessibility week. And uh I really like the way that they're call spelling accessibility. It's access with a capital A and then ability with a capital A. Um and I think that's the point is that we're trying to make um
• 09:30 - 10:00 communities that are accessible and welcoming to all people no matter uh what uh barriers or or or lack of barriers that they have in their lives. But I think it's really important um that you know we're creating a built environment and a social environment that um welcomes everybody's gifts. And I think that that's really the point of uh accessibility week uh here in Richmond Hill and across the country. Um I'd also like to thank uh uh the my
• 10:00 - 10:30 staff and all the staff that we uh had encountered in yesterday uh with the mayor for a day. So, Mayor Alyssa was here. Uh really wonderful young lady uh from Larmont School. Uh won the um the essay contest to get uh to be the mayor for the day. Uh and we had all kinds of staff come and talk to her about uh all the different things that are happening in the city of Richmond Hill. And I think she was probably a little overwhelmed by um knowing all the things that we do here in the city. Uh, but I
• 10:30 - 11:00 really appreciated uh some of the staff spending their time and listening to some of her ideas which actually were very good. Um, and listening to that from a youth perspective, but also um, I must admit, you know, me sitting in and listening to staff explain to somebody, a young person uh, you know, all the great things that happened in Richmond Hill. It really did make me very proud uh, to be mayor of this city as well. So, thank you to the staff for that. Um, I also would just like to mention uh we on the weekend we also had the Hill
• 11:00 - 11:30 House Hospice uh walk and uh it's always a great event, rain or shine and and I've had rain and I've had Shine in over the years in doing that event. Uh, but they raise a lot of money. Um and you know the the folks that support Hill House are many uh and they're quietly uh going about uh supporting that but they really do have an army of people that uh have used their services and uh you know at a time when you know they need their family needs compassion the most. And the interesting thing that I heard a a
• 11:30 - 12:00 lot in that was that the people that that send their loved ones um you know at their end of life to Hill House allowing the loved ones to spend their final days in comfort in a in a very welcoming environment but also and this is the part that I I really was driven home for me that the their loved ones were then able to be husbands uh wives family members as opposed to caregivers. And I think that that's it's a win-win situation. So I look forward to seeing Hill House expand um and fulfill their
• 12:00 - 12:30 vision of creating an 11 or 12 bed I think hospice uh in Richmond Hill as opposed to the three bed hospice that they have there right now. And I can tell you for sure I'll be behind that initiative all the way. Um and finally, I just want to give a a special shout out to councelor Shu. um he had his event as he mentioned uh for community safety and I know that all council members pretty much have had community safety events uh over the last little while which I very much appreciate and I think given how important this is to uh
• 12:30 - 13:00 the community I think that is a good thing that we're doing but uh councelor Shu good job um it was a a quite a extensive event that covered a whole bunch of different areas of community safety and it was well attended and I appreciate uh you and all the rest of my council colleagues for putting on events like that. So, thank you. But that was a little bit longer than I'd normally go, but thank you. So, the next um uh item on the agenda is to adopt the agenda. Oh, sorry. Emergency and time-sensitive matters. Are there any? Okay, seeing none, uh we have
• 13:00 - 13:30 adoption of the agenda. So, I need a mover for that and a seconder. Councelor Shu, councelor uh tree. All those in favor? Oppose? That carries. Thank you very much. Uh so now disclosures of pecunary interest from any members of council. Okay, seeing none, um I should say we have regrets today from councelor Silvitz. She's at home not well, so we wish her all the best for a speedy recovery. Uh adoption of the ag uh the previous council minutes. We have a two
• 13:30 - 14:00 for one special today. Um council public meeting held on May the 13th and uh council meeting held on May the 14th. I need a mover and seconder. Councelor Leu, Councelor Davidson, all those in favor. Okay, that thank you very much. That carries unanimously. Uh identification of items requiring separate discussion. So we have um everything on the agenda could be adopted on consent except for 152 um which is being held. We have
• 14:00 - 14:30 delegations on that. That's the 107 Hall Street uh application. So anybody want to pull anything for separate discussion? Okay, seeing none, I need a motion to adopt the remainder. Councelor Leu, Councelor Davidson, all those in favor opposed. That carries. Okay, so that means that we've adopted 151 through uh 151.17. Uh 153 is correspondence. 154 is more correspondence. Uh can we do the
• 14:30 - 15:00 bylaws, Mr. Clerk? Okay. Bylaws 181 and bylaws 182 uh all have been passed on consent. Okay. Um, okay. Public hearings, we have none. Presentations, I don't think we have any today either. So, we have a number of different delegations. Uh, we have six, I believe. The first one is Murray Evans uh about the revised uh zoning bylaw bylaw amendment application for 107 Hall
• 15:00 - 15:30 Street. Um, so just we do have a fair number of delegations today. So, just to be clear, um, the delegates will have five minutes to address council. So when the first bell goes off, it means you have one more minute. When the second bell goes off, uh that means you're out of time. And if you could just wrap it up. So okay, Mr. Evans, go ahead. Okay. Thank you, your worship, members of council. Murray Evans on behalf of the proponent. Um my purpose here is just primarily to answer any questions that may have arisen over the last week or were generated uh through last week's
• 15:30 - 16:00 discussion. But if I could just speak to uh three minor matters. Firstly, if you recall last week, there was a discussion about uh whether this particular application is going to serve to set a precedent in this area. And while it it's been a long time since anything's happened in the downtown area since before the OPA was or OP was adopted, that's probably the Tridell or the Benson buildings. This will be one of the first
• 16:00 - 16:30 ones to go through under this I'll call it the centers and corridors regime. But in I'll offer to you that I don't believe it is a precedent setter in the sense that yes it will be the first one but the municipality has established a framework for future development in the downtown and also in the areas the corridor areas surrounding it. So this what might be the first one, but it's going through under the guidelines and the and the policy framework that has been entrenched by city council. And
• 16:30 - 17:00 namely, if you recall from last week, the official plan allows a height of allows highdensity development with a maximum height of 15 stories. The zoning bylaw, which city council has adopted, allows as of right 15 stories. So we're not seeking anything that deviates from the municipalities OP and zoning bylaw with respect to height. And of course as we discussed last week the difference is the additional.3 of a density factor that
• 17:00 - 17:30 the building uh the design of the building acrews. So that's it. I I'll offer to the council that the policy standards and framework exist. There will be more. And will this be a precedent? Yeah, maybe because it's the first physical one to proceed. But the the regime is in place to allow for more development. One of the other matters was parking from this particular uh building and will it spill out onto Hall Street and where will people park and
• 17:30 - 18:00 it's an interesting situation here in that the plans in anticipate a parking supply of 328 spaces on the property. Now, the interesting twist on this is, as you probably know, this is in, as we heard last week, this is in an MTSA area. The province's requirements are there's no parking, zero. But in this particular case, in practicality, people aren't buying condominiums with zero parking. We still are in Richmond Hill. People
• 18:00 - 18:30 need to get to arenas and the supermarkets and the like, but we are providing a parking standard. And a and a further twist to this is that city council has received a parking recommendation study uh probably late last year that will serve as the basis for future standards in your new comprehensive zoning bylaw. We exceed those. So not only is there parking provided which the province has indicated is not necessary but we will
• 18:30 - 19:00 exceed the soontobe uh implemented parking standards of the municipality. And I guess the last thing I'd like to raise with you. So I have a few seconds is a philosophical matter and we get back to what I spoke about last week is where do we want people to be? Clearly I think we all know suburban development is not what we are desirous of having for future generations. We want intensification in appropriate areas. Council through its OP has said this is
• 19:00 - 19:30 an appropriate area. We can walk the young street. We can hopefully lessen our reliance on vehicles. We can put people in housing and I'm going to use in quotations affordable. You know, it's there are varying price ranges for it. It's a condominium development, but it's certainly not a 6,000 the value of a 6,000t home. I will wrap that up because I think philosophically we want people downtown and it's just this is the
• 19:30 - 20:00 beginning. Um, so I'll leave it at that. to your worship. If there's any questions, I'll be pleased to answer them. Okay. Thank you very much. Uh the next uh person that we have signed up is Beatatric Solar, uh 125 Hall Street. Welcome, Beatatric. Hello. Good morning, U mayor and counselors. Um I'm here because I just want to talk about the development at 107 Hall Street. So, as you know, I live at 125
• 20:00 - 20:30 Hall Street, which is the little town houses that are going to be overshadowed um by this new build. Um, next slide. Um, as as you've probably all heard, um, there are many issues regarding traffic, traffic, parking, um, shadowing especially of our particular property. um as well as some density issues with you know the added one-bedroom um that it was expanded from
• 20:30 - 21:00 two I think it was 265 units to 300 units with most of them actually being one-bedroom units um which I would say are not conductive to the growth of bringing more families and more family households um into the Richmond Hill area. Um, so I'm not going to spend too much time on this because I'm sure you've already heard um all of these issues, but I I would like to raise um a different topic that maybe is one that has not been considered. Um, next slide,
• 21:00 - 21:30 please. So when it comes to um the developer, I personally have some concerns and I have reached out to the developers to try and get a comment, to try and get some clarification um and have unfortunately not gotten any response from them. Um this is not to say anything um negative or to speculate anything about the developers. However, I do want to point out some facts um because I want the council to consider
• 21:30 - 22:00 who are we allowing to develop in our communities and who are we allowing to come in um and essentially build and I guess create the future, right? Imagine the future of what Richmond Hill is going to look like. So, I'd first like to start off with the affordable housing promise. Um some issues that I see with this idea of affordability. So, the unit types and pricing are currently deter determined solely by the developer. Um, and also there are some short-term
• 22:00 - 22:30 mortgage flexibility or incentives. However, they're both temporary and developer controlled. So, I don't personally see um the long-term benefits to increasing affordability in Richmond Hill for families. Um, and also there are some multigenerational units that are speculated but not fully subsidized. Most of them are one-bedroom units. Um, and this is not really going to bring in more more families, more, you know, people who will help grow Richmond Hill and grow the community.
• 22:30 - 23:00 Um when I was doing research into the the corporate structure um I noticed that the previous uh if I'm correct there was a previous um development for town houses in that area um on the exact land and that was that had gone through council that was approved you know it was something that would have worked for the community and unfortunately it never went through. Um, and so, you know, when I was looking into it, the companies
• 23:00 - 23:30 that were involved in that were all are also affiliated with the current builders and the property has not been sold since then. So, to me, that just raises concerns about whether this build is going to come to fruition as well as the reliability um and ability to deliver from the developers. Um, then finally, there's the m maintenance of the historic property. I walk my dog past this historic property every morning. Um, it is the most run-down place I've ever
• 23:30 - 24:00 seen. I'm not sure how they're going to move it. The windows and doors are boarded up and there's very little maintenance or, you know, taking care of that property, which again brings to me concern about how this property is being handled since it was purchased in 2013. And finally, I just generally feel that there's a community disregard, especially with the decrease of two and three-bedroom units. Um, as well as this idea of moving a heritage house. I'm not even sure how a historic property that's
• 24:00 - 24:30 been so run down and boarded up and probably has squirrels and raccoons living in it. You know, how that's going to be moved and maintained if there's, you know, true interest in maintaining that heritage aspect in Richmond Hill. Next slide. Um, and when I look up uh the developer website, you can see the two photos. I'm just pointing this out. Um, the new development and they still have pictures up of the old development on their website um of the town houses as you can see. And even on the LinkedIn profile of
• 24:30 - 25:00 the principal owner, you can see that um it's written the towns at Langstaff House, 23 towns and one heritage home site plan approved and units for sale. This was on May 21st, 2025. I just wanted to point that out. Next slide. Beatric, you're almost out of time, but I How close are you to being done? I have one more minute. Okay, go. I'm going to turn my head away from the clock, but you need to wrap up. Okay, so sorry. I didn't hear the bell. No, actually, and the bell's not working, so go ahead. Oh, okay. I apologize. Sorry,
• 25:00 - 25:30 I can't see the time anywhere. No, no problem. That's fine. Um, so the last thing I want to say is I'm very open to revisiting the townhouse proposal if that is something that would still be possible in the area given that it's the same group of owners and developers working on it. The other thing that I'm going to say is last week you were talking about how, you know, this is going to go to the land tribunal and most likely it's going to get passed anyway or they're going to build something bigger. And what I want to say to that is I think going to the land
• 25:30 - 26:00 tribunal from the research that I've done would delay the project at least 1 to 3 years. I think this will allow for some more infrastructure to improve in Richmond Hill during that time. You know, by the time they're going to end up building it, maybe the roads will be better and we will have expanded or there are other things that would have come into the community that allows this to be more workable. Um, and so the last thing I want to say is I'm eight months pregnant. Um, I grew up in Richmond
• 26:00 - 26:30 Hill. I went to school here. This is my community. Sorry, I'm just getting emotional. I'm very pregnant. Um, and I understand that not all changes are going to be wanted by everyone, but I think as counselors in your position of authority, I can't do anything, but I have hope for my child. um that this community is going to grow in a positive way and that all of you are invested not only you know to help developers or to
• 26:30 - 27:00 see the community grow with highrises and become you know more more urban urbanized but also taking into consideration families trying to bring in families to Richmond Hill um and ensuring that our community is protected and that even if something may seem seem like it's, you know, hopeless and that you have, you know, no authority to change this cuz it's just going to go to the land tribunal and then we're just going to have to fight it. You know, I
• 27:00 - 27:30 think I I would hope that that's your role, you know, and you've taken on your positions because you want to be there for your communities and you care about your communities and you're willing to um fight to see things through even if that might be hard or challenging or cost us a few more tax dollars. I totally understand. Um, but that's my hope and I'm done. So, thank you so much. You're you're really good. I thank you very much. Thank you. Okay. Um,
• 27:30 - 28:00 Mororrow uh Derizati, did I say that right? Yeah. All right. So, we Is is the bell not working? Hold on one second, Moral. Um, thank you. Uh, for the benefit of the chair, unfortunately, when we're sharing a presentation, the bell doesn't always work. We will endeavor to see a manual bell. Okay. Uh, accordingly. All right. So, you might get bled, Mora.
• 28:00 - 28:30 That's fine. All right. Go ahead. Good morning, mayor and city council. My name is Moro Surati, and I live at number 12 Milwwell Court for the last 25 years. I've come to council today to present a petition on behalf of our local neighbors in regards to 107 Hall Street Development proposal. Due to time constraints, I only had 24 hours, but I managed to collect 97 signatures on on this petition on this issue which I will read to you. So to the city staff and uh Richmond Hill planning department, we the
• 28:30 - 29:00 underside residents of Hall Street in the surrounding neighborhood express our profound concerns regarding this proposed 15-story condominion development and associated zoning changes at 107 Hall Street City file OPA-23-001 and ZBED ZBLA-23-00002. We strongly disagree with the proposal as it stands, which is it is incompatible with the historic Witcham Hill community's character and
• 29:00 - 29:30 existing infrastructure. While we acknowledge the need for more housing, we respectfully request the following critical amendments to the proposal for responsible and integrated development. So, uh, number one, significant reduction in height and density. The proposed 15tory height of the floor space index FSI of 3.4 are excessive. We request a sub substantial reduction in height, size, and number of units to align with the historic Richmond Hill downtown district established character
• 29:30 - 30:00 in capacity. Improved built form and ern design. The current overbearing trib building design is unacceptable. We request revisions to redesign the layout to consider the towers to the very eastern portion of the land. Perhaps with a smaller Ono central section and preserve green space and old growth trees on the western side with a heritage doctor Langstaff House made into a heritage museum along with the playground for children under the canopy of old existing old growth trees. This
• 30:00 - 30:30 large development will surely have many young families and there is no playground in the area for children. A playground can be used by all children in the area to create and foster a sense of community with the new residents in the development. The heritage designated home of Dr. Langstaff has a long history in Richmond Hill even once serving as a local community hospital. It there deserves to be made accessible and benefit of all Richmond Hill residents as a community amenity. And then another
• 30:30 - 31:00 point here is a waste management logistics and big vehicles like firet trucks uh prevent the backing onto hall street is as it stands we do not see how they will be able to turn around within the development. And then uh number four ensure 45 degree rule compliance for appropriate building setbacks in particular on the western and northern property lines. And number five we would like a comprehensive traffic and safety solutions. We request a robust, independently verified traffic management plans and parking solutions
• 31:00 - 31:30 that do not negatively impact existing residents. We urge city council to listen to its residents and ensure any development at the president setting 107 Hall Street is a responsible addition that can serve as an example for future developments that integrate within the existing community and residents not create an overwhelming imposition with the disregard for heritage culture and the existing community. Sincerely the undersigned 97
• 31:30 - 32:00 residents in Hall Street and the surrounding neighborhood. Thank you. Okay. Thank you very much Mora. Hey. Uh, next person is Tom Zelink. Zelinka. Welcome Tom. Thank you. I got a timer here. I think we had some slides. I don't want to say. Perfect. Okay. So, thank you, mayor and
• 32:00 - 32:30 council. Um, next slide, please. So, a number of years ago, there was an amendment made to the to the city plan that created protected major transit station areas. Um, quite the mouthful. And, you know, sadly or unfortunately, I think myself and certainly none of the neighbors that I spoke with ever heard of these before or understood what they were or for that matter their implications, which are quite profound
• 32:30 - 33:00 from what we've learned in in these applications. And I think I mean I want to focus on one word here. We talk about protected. It's a protected MTSA. What is we what do we mean by protected? What are we protecting here? Next slide please. Are we protecting the uh the traffic, the parking? We've heard from a number of residents actually from all those I guess that signed that 97 petition that traffic is an issue or certainly parking is. I mean, this photo
• 33:00 - 33:30 is from like any kind of weekend. Um, I don't think we're protecting parking here. And we heard from Mr. Evans that parking is not even a concern in these zones. Next slide. Thank you. Are we protecting the existing residents? I don't know. I think a lot of residents are going to end up being in shade half the time. Are we protecting the uh the green
• 33:30 - 34:00 space? As far as I can see, um this proposal is clearcutting the entire entire forest in that area. Are we protecting the heritage home? I'd say no. I mean, as somebody said, it's probably full of squirrels and raccoons today. And I guess down the road, it sounds like in the proposal, it's going to be filled with maybe gym equipment for the existing residents there. I don't know what. So, I don't think we're protecting any of those things. Are we going to be protecting our
• 34:00 - 34:30 pregnant neighbor here or her child during the construction of two or three years of this this monstrosity? I don't think so either. Um, next slide, please. So, what can we protect or or or maybe let's not you know use the word protected zone or protected area just lip service but actually protect something here. So, how can we take this development, which clearly is far along, but integrate it somewhat better
• 34:30 - 35:00 into the existing uh community and create less of an imposition on the existing residents. I mean, here's a few ideas. Anyway, the Heritage Lang staff house, as we've already talked about, has a long history in Richmond Hill. Once known as a village hospital, it served our community. Let's make it accessible to all residents of Richmond Hill, not just the ones of this new comm of this new residents of town of condos. Perhaps it can be made into a community center, heritage museum, or
• 35:00 - 35:30 even with a little cafe kind of like we have at at Covenotes um around the corner. Secondly, this large development, you know, although there are one bedroom, I'm sure those people will have kids eventually, there's going to be many young families there, and there's young families in the area already as as we see today. Um yet there's no playground in this area. So why don't we take some of that green space there and a couple of those large trees that we're going to be clear cutting and leave that for a small park to serve not only the residents but
• 35:30 - 36:00 the whole community. Next slide please. I mean there's lots of ways to amend this proposal. Certainly going back to what we saw in the town houses is is would be the preferred solution. But barring that and I guess what what this council has approved in terms of the zoning and changes in this area, you know, a few things that can be done at least within this proposal is why don't we shift all the buildings eastward
• 36:00 - 36:30 um as far as possible because there's no access on the east side anyway. Um this will provide a little bit more sun for the town homes. Secondly, why don't we redevelop the um make them lower, of course, perhaps terra or something that's more fitting for the community. Thirdly, the Lang staff home. Why don't we redevelop that as a community amenity perhaps, you know, with a cafe or something within it? Thirdly, create a new little small parkquette in the corner. Could have a playground for
• 36:30 - 37:00 kids, existing kids or new kids. We don't have kids anymore, but there's lots of well young kids anyway, but I mean there's certainly lots of young children in the area. Fifth, um that little area could be um assumed by the city to take control of the uh of that of that area, just like many developments assume parkland and and and historic areas from from um developers. And then finally, we have a concern about parking. So there's a spot
• 37:00 - 37:30 there certainly to create additional parking not only for the condo but also for the Langstaff heritage site and the parket. Um you're actually out of time but if you wrap up that'd be great. Yeah the next slide is just um a summary. So I mean I think even amendments like this which are I would say fairly minor are a win for for a number of people win for the developers certainly you know they would end up building their condo towers potentially save two or three years from going to the province. They would shift they would shift eastward you know
• 37:30 - 38:00 hopefully be more constrained. They would actually increase the value of their condo units because they'd be next to a city park, a playground or a community amenity. Certainly a win for the city, adding new park space, including a playground for children. I mean, I can see Mayor David West cutting the ribbon already. Um, and you know, potentially some lease revenue from the cafe to to offset maintenance cost. You know, at least something for the existing residents, new city parket, community amenity, and a little bit of afternoon sun for the town homes which
• 38:00 - 38:30 would otherwise be in shade. Thank you. Well, thank you very much. Uh the next uh presenter is Julius Zulaf. Good morning. Oh, I'm sorry. You're virtual. Julius, how are you? Yeah. Thank you, Mason. Welcome. And you've got five minutes to address council. Thank you. Uh council members, Mr. Mayor, thank you very much for letting me share some opinions, ideas on that
• 38:30 - 39:00 project. Uh we have heed from Mr. givens how appropriate and how well you within guidance and this development is and that it will not really be a precedent of the case and it fits very well to the to the our city and I have some problems with that statement. I may I have have next slide please. I I only have data about from
• 39:00 - 39:30 the statistics Canada. I believe the city has much much better data. So um I took an effort and look into the young corridor from Elgen Mills to 16th and see how dense the who who lives there, how many people lives there and how dense the population is there. Yeah. Next slide please. Um so this is the composite of the unit. The statistics Canada is using
• 39:30 - 40:00 dissemination area as the unit of analysis and as you see the the density population is between 1,400 and 14,000. It's a pretty pretty big spread but most of them are in you know 2500 3800 4,000. The population density in the Richmond Hill in total is about 2200 per square kilometer. And that in our area when when I live in 124 and 25 hole
• 40:00 - 40:30 and around it's about 4,200. So it's twice the density and in that corridor here the population density average is 4,000. Yeah. So when when that will be built as planned Yeah. The population density in this dissemination area when 107 resides will go to
• 40:30 - 41:00 11,000. This is more than five times the average of Hmon Hill 2 and a half times current population density. Let's go to next slide please. So this is the stat stat numerical values of the behind that that chart we have seen before. Next slide please. So this is the this dissemination area we're talking
• 41:00 - 41:30 basically couple zip codes around the N9 and that's how it is. We're going from 47 to 11,000 population density. Next slide, please. Yeah. Then then we have the highrises. Yeah. I I I look in the highrises north of 16th in Richmond Hill. This proposed development will be the third biggest
• 41:30 - 42:00 residential building in the north of 16th. So it is precedence. It's it's it's definitely not within what we seen so far. I understand there is some vision of developing our our town, our city, but I'm not quite sure if that vision is comprehensive and and really attuned to to what the what we need
• 42:00 - 42:30 here. Next slide, please. This is the visual. On the left side we have the Wick and Young. That is the area where is the the highest population density north of 16th. The upper picture is the 14,000. Lower picture is 11,000. On the right hand side we have a whole street which is proposed to have the same population density like the photos
• 42:30 - 43:00 on the left hand side. Thank you. So I I see the difference. Yeah. This 107 has to be developed definitely. It's a high value land. Yeah. But um it's too big and too challenging for the and it will forever change the environment on the village core and the old treatment hill. Yeah. We this Richmond Hill was as that that type of
• 43:00 - 43:30 community on the on on the residential area for for 100 more than 100 year. Yeah. Yeah. And now we are changing this irreversible. Next slide please. So this is the statistics of that of that proposal. Yeah. It it is outrageously intense exceeding whatever it is. So next slide
• 43:30 - 44:00 please. So it's the top population density it's unacceptably concentrated. It doesn't fit the area and it shall not be developed this way. Yeah. It it it needs revision. It has to be scaled down. Thank you Mr. Mayor. Thank you the council. Thank you Julius. Uh so last uh speaker that we have registered is S Susan Day. Uh if uh we have Susan
• 44:00 - 44:30 here. Welcome Susan. Okay. My name's Susan Day and I live at 13 137 Hall. Um, somewhere back in many of these meetings I had presented on my feelings
• 44:30 - 45:00 about the Langstaff House. So I was very glad to hear it mentioned again because they were it was an important facility in Richmond Hill. My family for many years received their medical care there and I am saddened every time I go by and see what has been allowed to happen to that
• 45:00 - 45:30 house. Everybody should be ashamed. But anyway, I attended the council meeting last week because thankfully um our counselor let us know the meeting was happening. I think that the lack of communication recently makes it look very shady.
• 45:30 - 46:00 Um, I was saddened by the council's decision making powers on the proposal having been essentially stripped by the bullying tactics of the provincial government. You can tell my bias right there. By far the saddest aspect of this was was that I was not surprised. We get what we elect. If our elected city council and
• 46:00 - 46:30 citizens of Richmond Hill have no say in this proposal anymore, I wanted to present today to focus on things that may still be allowed to be in local control and cannot be ignored or decided without notifying people that live in the area. My following remarks also ask that you do not include the
• 46:30 - 47:00 often referred to last week Crosby extension solution until the parcels of land have been secured and all proposals for access approved. It is not a viable solution to throw on people's faces and or to deal with immediate issues and distracts from the real practical issues of all the traffic funneling onto hall. I feel that by the time that ever
• 47:00 - 47:30 happens, if it does, many of us in this room will no longer be above ground. Street parking on hall. During construction, there will be a need to designate areas where people working on the build can park safely. The street parking is designated for 3 hours only. An obvious solution would be for the townowned parking lots in that area be
• 47:30 - 48:00 assigned for working worker parking. I hope this will be arranged and communicated to the building owners prior to the start of any work whatever proposal goes through and strictly enforced parking when building occupied strict enforcement. You're going to hear that word a lot in my presentation of the three-hour parking rules and ongoing issues of
• 48:00 - 48:30 parking that blocks access to driveways of existing homes. People who park on hall do not seem to understand that driveways are not for them to park across. All of this enforcement will become much more of an issue in the winter. Anybody who saw Hall Street last winter will know exactly what I'm talking about. I felt for the
• 48:30 - 49:00 plows. I felt for the wind row people. It is not constructed for the amount of parking that happens there. And the enforcement has slipped. Construction vehicles blocking the sidewalks. If construction vehicles to are to be parked across the sidewalk, forcing pedestrians onto the road, there must be a flag person assisting pedestrians. This just happened at
• 49:00 - 49:30 Benson and Lucas a couple of weeks ago and small children from McKillip were being forced out onto the street with no assistance. Pedestrian safety in general has to Is that the end of mine? It is. You just wrap up. I' I've been I just think this is a community safety zone now. A sign got put in my lawn a few
• 49:30 - 50:00 months ago. Nobody seems to pay attention to it, but between Wright and Benson, it's a community school safety. So I don't think people have even noticed the signs getting across hall to Benson which McKillip kids have to do to get to school. It's frightening. Come and I will show you. Okay. Frightening. Okay.
• 50:00 - 50:30 Susie, if you can just wrap up, that'd be great. Yep. It takes a village to raise a child. If we don't address all these issues, the seniors, we've had a good life. They hit us. We're going to have a serious accident and this has to happen before it happens. Don't wait till a child is hit. Okay. Thank you very much.
• 50:30 - 51:00 Okay. Um that exhausts our speakers list. So we'll take bring this back to council and the uh councelor the local counselor is assign uh councelor tree. So councelor tree if you want to uh get us kicked off and are are you going to be moving the motion the staff recommended motion or or what I'm not going to move the motion. Okay. We we need to get the motion on the floor. So I need somebody to move the
• 51:00 - 51:30 motion. Okay. Councelor Davidson I'll come to you after it's seconded. Okay. Councelor Davidson, did you want to speak to this? Go ahead. Actually, I I need a seconder as well. Okay, Councelor Thompson. Okay, so go ahead, Councelor Davidson. Thank you um through you, Mr. Mayor, and thank you to everyone who came, all the people that wrote the letters. I know this is not what you want in your neighborhood, and I said last week that I wouldn't want it in my backyard either, but I
• 51:30 - 52:00 really I'm talking now. Thank you. I really Okay. Okay. Excuse me. Not trying to be insult. Folks, we were listening carefully when when you were speaking. It's time for council. So, go ahead, councelor Davidson. So, when I said last week that the province has taken planning like this out of our hands, I mean it. The Ontario the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is responsible for deciding what is a major transit area. And the argument is that if you're near Young Street in general,
• 52:00 - 52:30 that's where we should build up. If you're Young Street if you Okay, folks. Excuse me. Thank you. Go ahead. And it stretches out a distance as you know from Young Street. And what the PL province has pretty much done is saying, "Okay, council residents, we're going to decide what the densities are, but we're not going to be here when we have these discussions." And all that's managed to do is pit us against you, pit us, you pit it against us. And the truth is to
• 52:30 - 53:00 say we could go to the Ontario Land Tribunal as a delay tactic would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars of your neighbors tax dollars. And the record is that they're going to say your staff approved it. It fits all the checks that the province created. Counselor, just continue please. and that uh as has happened in the past almost as a punishment for councils to
• 53:00 - 53:30 challenge that other higher densities are permitted and I it's happened in Aurora it's happened in Richmond Hill um I completely agree with the issues about traffic this council has things we're working on to work on that throughout the city um and I I understand wanting to keep the character of your neighborhood and uh who will protect the children. I understand all that, but these smaller units are meant to invite younger families and meant to invite a
• 53:30 - 54:00 whole new generation to come and live to Richmond Hill. And and that's the argument behind why we're allowing higher densities because who can afford the house I bought 25 years ago? Now my own kids can't. So I I am sorry, excuse me, that this is so acrimonious and it's extremely frustrating to not be able to say you're absolutely right. Four stories would be better. Um but when someone owns property, the city doesn't decide who gets to develop it. When
• 54:00 - 54:30 someone owns the property, they get to make an application to build something there, no matter who they are. And there are many, many steps that the city does to make sure they comply with all kinds of things, environment, and are we're going to have sewage and all that. So, we don't get to pick and choose who does what on what properties. And um I I I honestly don't see how we can say no without VA going against the staff reports and the province and all it will do is cost money to the taxpayers. So, I
• 54:30 - 55:00 I support this application. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. Okay. Can I uh Councelor Thompson, you're you said you'd second it. You're you're next if you want to speak. Thank you very much. uh through the chair. Um you know, I think I said uh a lot last uh week at the committee of the whole. Yeah, I I definitely don't like this application just like everybody else. I mean, this is uh something that uh I I don't think is appropriate for
• 55:00 - 55:30 for uh the particular area. Um this is our village core area and to me that's what you know somebody kept coming about protecting and yes I agree that's what should be protected is our village core area and this to me is not uh keeping that in in mind. Um but again uh and and I'll go back to what somebody else said about communication.
• 55:30 - 56:00 It's very difficult to get communication out there at this time. We no longer have a local newspaper. So, you know, I think it's great that the counselor, you know, did as much as he could to make sure that the residents were aware that this was happening. Uh, I don't like that our legislation says that the circulation only has to be I think it's 120 m from the site. That's as much as it has to be circulated. Uh, please I
• 56:00 - 56:30 please I'm talking I I waited while you people spoke. Please wait while I'm speaking. I'm telling you the things that I don't like just like you don't like. These are things that uh we're trying to to work on. Um, so one of one of the other things about the communications I think is that it it's now put us all in a position where I feel that even though we're the majority, we're pegged as the minority.
• 56:30 - 57:00 Because when I see this provincial government gets a mandate again, then it tells me that either we didn't do a good job communicating what's going on out there. Otherwise, who would have voted them back in? That's just my opinion. But, you know, I I could get myself in trouble if I keep going down that path. Um, one of the things that I I asked between last week and now is that, you
• 57:00 - 57:30 know, there is only the one access coming in and out and it's on Hall Street. And I know that there were some comments that were being made about the Crosby extension um, you know, that perhaps there would be other access at some future point and I don't know where that came from. So, I asked staff about that and they said, "Well, uh, no, there are no plans for vehicular access to that Crosby extension if and when it ever occurs.
• 57:30 - 58:00 There's that's the only thing that we see is a pedestrian access at the eastern portion of that property." And I said, "Well, okay. So, how comfortable are we with this access on Hall Street? I mean, I'm reading the report and on page four, it says that the access is proposed by way of right in, right out on on Hall Street, of which we know that people aren't going to adhere that even
• 58:00 - 58:30 if the if you do put that out there. I I know that, you know. Um, but what I found out and you know staff can certainly expand on this is that actually that is not the plan even though that's what it says in the report. I'm understanding now that um the access the driveway will be directly opposite the Milwauke court and it says here to form a forarm two-way
• 58:30 - 59:00 stop controlled intersection. So I'd like to ask staff if they could just expand on that and tell us exactly what that means. I I don't think there we are through the chair to councelor Thompson. Uh those full uh traffic control intersections and how they will
• 59:00 - 59:30 play will be part of the evaluation of the uh development application when it comes forward. So at this point the um the traffic impact study that was evaluated by staff meets all the criteria and staff is satisfied with what is being presented. So it's at the time of the development application where we start to get into the uh details of what the exact uh intersection configurations would then look like. Are you talking about the site plan stage of the development application
• 59:30 - 60:00 which is would be next right? That is correct. Okay. Okay. Through the chair, I I think I'm still a little confused because when I when I was asking this question before, the response I got here said, "The development prop the development proposal includes one driveway directly opposite Milwalk Court to form a four
• 60:00 - 60:30 arm two-way stop controlled intersection. The proposed driveway will be a full moves access and not a right in right out access. The traffic impact study uh report uh reported submitted in support of the proposed development assessed the driveway and is expected to operate at the highest level of service which is both under existing as well as future conditions and was considered
• 60:30 - 61:00 appropriate. So, it's not going to be a right in right out. If I'm understanding correctly, that is correct. Okay. So, we're making a decision although So, we're making a be through the chair. It sounds like we're making a decision although we're not sure exactly what will be there except that it's not going
• 61:00 - 61:30 to be a right in right out. I I don't Okay. Can you expand on that? I don't think that's actually framing the situation the way it probably really is. But through the chair, I'll defer portion of this question to acting commissioner Janetta. Uh through the chair to councelor Thompson. So at this stage in the approval process, the application the development proposals are reviewed on a technical feasibility basis. Does this make sense from a transportation
• 61:30 - 62:00 perspective? Does this make sense from a servicing perspective? Is there adequate infrastructure in the area? Um, at this time based on the access that is proposed and the surrounding infrastructure both existing and planned the access as currently proposed which is a full moves right it's not a arterial to be right in right out. I think that was a a typographical error on staff planning staff. Um it is a full moves access it will function
• 62:00 - 62:30 appropriately to support this development. Uh and that was based on the traffic impact study that was submitted by the applicant, reviewed by city staff and accepted. Okay. Your plan application will give further details into the mechanics of all these things. But from a technical feasibility standpoint at this point in the approval process, it is deemed appropriate. Okay. So councelor, you're out of time. If you have other questions, we can go to the second round. Okay. Uh, I will do that. But
• 62:30 - 63:00 just to be clear, I am seconding the motion mainly because of what I said last week is that I'm not going to spend the good tax dollars on a fight that we can't win. Okay. Thank you. All right, Council Tree. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um I'll say thank you so much for our resident come to this park meeting and thank you for your time and also special thanks for anas and she walked more than 100 uh families and let you
• 63:00 - 63:30 know this uh this meeting is coming. So appreciate all that effort for an so I want acknowledge certain things uh there are a few rises mentioned for the uh one is for the traffic problems. So normally I drive to our center I could not find any park around. So when I was young street or nearby to the other side of work too I have drive back I'm parking my car along the hall street. So yes it's very crowded uh especially in
• 63:30 - 64:00 winter as well. So that traffic is really my concerns also regarding to the gradients or shadows. So uh you know Canada six months are winter right? So the sound now rise from 6 3:00 uh locations actually from 4:00. So at that time be I believe that one of the slide show up the shadow problems. I believe that's the true even six months you may see some at all in the earlier morning that's going to be a long and permanent
• 64:00 - 64:30 impact for our community. Another one I want to mention here is as you all mentioned so city do take a few actions regarding the traffic. In the past two years we built up lot of the uh traffic commutions especially along the OM public school also applies in the real public school as well. So the traffic is heavy lot of the drivers taking Benson street taking Lucas at a shortcut to the mail park. So the traffic is really
• 64:30 - 65:00 problem. So in increasing the density in this area definitely I I I can sure there are many many cars might park on the street and maybe more people taking the shortcut coming to our community it's really big concerns also regarding the densities as I last mentioned from my observation this plan is not our proposal here is not intensifying young street because you can see I wait the site three times I walk around nearby
• 65:00 - 65:30 streets. Also, I visit the nearby parking. You know, east side of the side are a few buildings. So, there do have a lot of big park parking space. I park my car here. Just take a look from east side of this one. So, this location is very close to Lucas Street or House Street is not Young Street. So I as I stage from last week this proposal is not intensifying young street even is inside of that our OPA
• 65:30 - 66:00 areas but the direction is very close to our internal community. It definitely lead more concerns for me too. I want echo of what the plan so to bring the small parkland playground uh to our community. I believe this is also a very strong and perfect suggestion. So when we developing uh new proposals are not
• 66:00 - 66:30 only considering the new commerce also for considering a community as whole. I have a few question I want to ask our uh the staff city staff. What is the nearby parking or parks close to the community? Is that me pond or others? Through the chair to council tree. Are you asking me what's the nearest park? Playground. Sorry. Through the chair to council
• 66:30 - 67:00 tree. Are you asking what's the nearest park? Yeah, the playground. Go ahead, commissioner. Through you, Mr. Chair. I believe the nearest playgrounds are at Dorothy Price Park, which is on the other side of uh Young Street. It's about 800 meters away. And to the west, the nearest one would be Brad Stark Park and it's about 800 meters away. Thank you. Okay. Thank you so much. I appreciate that. Also, regarding to this uh uh proposal, uh I
• 67:00 - 67:30 saw there are only 21 or 22 uh buildings being defined or units being defined as affordable. So this entire overall is around 300 units uh as the uh total. So my next question is what exactly the number of the affordable uh houses or units inside of this proposal? Sorry through the chair to council tree. Can you repeat your question? The afford
• 67:30 - 68:00 affordability portions or rituals inside of this proposal through the chair to council tree. So the um the proponent is uh attempting to meet their affordability uh requirements through the use of the um additional one-bedroom units in terms of the sale uh price of those units which is one of the options that is uh typically accepted. They're also looking at providing um a 25% subsidy for
• 68:00 - 68:30 maintenance fees for afford the affordable units for the first two years of occupancy. Flexibility for the provision of additional three-bedroom units within the podium and partnering with a nonprofit organization to help uh with additional financial support for purchasers. Thank you so much. So I want echo the parking. So I think uh based on current provincial provincials uh regulations yes because it's in the uh MTSA zone
• 68:30 - 69:00 there are no parking required but look this way you have 300 units so if there is no parkings it going to be a very challenge in future city does not have any parking yet we are demanding or asking our uh planning team to design a master plan for the public parking but so far there's no right? Introducing 300 units in our community without parking will be a disaster. So I appreciate the builders to provide that service uh services but unfortunately you know too
• 69:00 - 69:30 much for our community. So that is my first round. I'll think about it if I have do other questions. So I might move to the second round if possible. Thank you so much. Okay. Um is there any other speakers wanting to speak on this? Okay. Seeing none. Okay. Go ahead. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, thank you very much. Uh, what uh the the major change that I've seen um and I was I was first elected to this council
• 69:30 - 70:00 in 97. I I born born and raised in Richville and represented the area from Highway 7 to 16th that included Young Street. And you know, as a community, we fought really hard uh against, you know, the inevitability that Young Street would have density, but as a community, we came together with public meetings and and um we're we we were able to have a lot of say. this council was able to listen to the residents and um you know
• 70:00 - 70:30 we were able to push buildings toward Young Street and protect 100 to 300 m uh beyond behind the Young Street and in a way that was a me that was palatable uh for the community and um what's changed is that public process that that's what this provincial government has changed and and you know the the density and other other policies haven't really changed, but the the the residents are
• 70:30 - 71:00 are really no longer included. In 2019, when the legislation was passed that um created protected major transit station areas, um there the region then had no choice in 2022 with its official plan to entrench these boundaries and and we had no choice in with with OPA amendment 18.6, six, but to comply with with what we were told would happen at the province and and that the whole time uh
• 71:00 - 71:30 those during those six years when this area was planned, the the public's not involved. And and here here we are at the last minute. It's like um you know, a bus transit system is is built to without any consultation with people. And then at the very end, the public is invited out to choose if they want glass or plastic on the bus shelters. Like there's no and and we do have some some limited ability to to really force this
• 71:30 - 72:00 this applicant to be respectful of the community and and we are going to do that. We very strict through the through the site plan process. Um, for example, we're long before this building's ever built, uh, we have, um, approved on this council of automated speed enforcement and through throughout community safety zones in Richmond Hill, we will have, um, speed cameras and they are extremely effective in in local neighborhoods. Once once you go too
• 72:00 - 72:30 quickly, you you're going to get automatically be issued a ticket and um the behavior changes very quickly when when those are installed. So, you know, they're they're they're working very well currently in New Market and and uh that's going to happen within six to nine months. uh the the the go-ahad has been given to our staff and and um I I don't think we've chosen locations, but being aware of the circumstances here, I think all street
• 72:30 - 73:00 um is something that that community safety zones will have to be beefed up in in many many ways and and and you know, we'll have to be as strict as we can in in as as Okay, sir. Sir, sir, sir, thank you. Well, go ahead. Well, we're we we we have listened and we we do understand uh that the density is way too much. I mean, I'm talking about those buildings that we put on Young Street that uh the
• 73:00 - 73:30 community was so against. They're only 16 stories. You you look at we only have 16 story buildings in Richmond Hill on Young Street. those uh for for us to be forced I mean it's not protected the the protection is is not for our heritage for our for our history for our our environment our wildlife our the safety of our children it's protected major transit stationary means the land owners rights to intensify their their property
• 73:30 - 74:00 is protected that's what's that's what the province did they protected landowners rights to intensif regardless of the opinion of the community, regardless of the wishes of of the duly elected council in the area. And uh that's that's what that's what's happened. Uh in Ontario uh Kate folks, obviously we've we've given the communities that got their time to respond and I we we I respect that, but
• 74:00 - 74:30 we need to get through the the comments from council. So go ahead. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, you know, as budget chair, ministering administering $300 million in in property taxes of all the community services and all the other things we do, our our planning powers have been severely diminished. But, uh, through through the site plan, um, building permit process and and other and other processes, this this council does the best it can to safeguard your interests when it comes to planning and
• 74:30 - 75:00 new new growth. and and there is a significant role for this council but uh our our our role was taken away in 20 in 2019 when it when it comes to MTS. Thanks. Okay. Thank you uh region local councelor Chan. Thank you very much Mr. Chair. Um I wasn't thinking about speaking because I did raise a number of points and questions um from the three data gates last week aside from the applicants uh agent. Uh I'm glad to see
• 75:00 - 75:30 actually we have more people come out to speak today. Five. So all together thank you all for coming and thank you for all the efforts. Um I do understand um that the opposition um or the other individual mentioned about shadowing all that. Um my colleague who spoke before me talking about the provincial authority now is creeping more and more well actually yeah into um the planning authority of not just
• 75:30 - 76:00 Richmond Hill all municipalities and some of us may have heard the phrase the municipalities are children of the province. So the province have direct responsibility over us. Now, having said that, I'm going to focus on what we at this point in time at council or city Richmond have control of. I asked that question um but some of you might not be here last week. So perhaps I would raise
• 76:00 - 76:30 that question again because I initially do last week and still am um through Mr. chair. Then I think that uh as the community would like to know how it shift or increase from 2065 units to 300 units and um what have been the kind of changes that would um lead to that kind of outcome through you Mr. chair perhaps through the planning
• 76:30 - 77:00 commission or acting planning commissioner through the chair to uh councelor Chen. So uh the increase in the number of units can be achieved a number of ways and sometimes it's simply the redistribution of the types of units. So if they had three um if they had 250 units and you know half of them were three-bedroom units they could create you know you know more one-bedroom units and all of a sudden you have a total of
• 77:00 - 77:30 x amount of more units for the development. Notwithstanding the GFA has stayed the same. So we don't typically regulate um the distribution number of units. we have the opportunity to do that as part of our efforts to ensure that family-sized units are um included in uh these types of developments. Uh so it could have been done in that way. There was a bit of a shift from um uh some GFA from the middle to the uh most easterly portion an additional story I believe it was. So that may have shifted
• 77:30 - 78:00 um a little bit of additional GFA to one building versus the other which could have provided more opportunities. So, we're not necessarily concerned about the number of units per se as long as um the GFA typically stays the same and the building footprint stays the same from a planning perspective. Thank you for your answer. So, I gather uh looking at the number of units one thing but at the end of the day um the unit size may be different things of that nature. I got it. Um and in fact I I honestly think
• 78:00 - 78:30 our staff they mind you the staff they are professionally trained they're looking at all the tech technical elements from the application and uh if you have a chance to look at the report uh our staff I respectfully say they did um a very decent job in terms of looking at all the concerns that have been raised in the past height density compatibility transition traffic congestion say access, parking, design,
• 78:30 - 79:00 massing, shadowing and privacy and and much more. The point I'm saying is not um that these issues have been raised and staff have looked at it from a professional angle analyzing whether in fact it could be deemed it um uh uh appropriate within the context and let me be upfront. If we will have say forget about this, reject this, we
• 79:00 - 79:30 probably look like heroes, right? But the reality is as my colleague was saying that if the applicant takes the city where we rejecting this that go to the Ontario land tribunal and I asked specifically through Mr. care actually you last week um to the staff in your professional opinion would all these analysis and report they've
• 79:30 - 80:00 done would this particular application constitute a good planning I ask the same question again through Mr. to our planning staff through the chair to councelor Chan as outlined in the rep the report staff are very comfortable that this proposal represents good planning in the context of the city's official plan you know well please be respectful the reason I did that I would just I I I
• 80:00 - 80:30 want to really have the hard realities in in do all of us in here everybody saying, "Yeah, go for it. Top it up to 25 story." No, we're not. But the hard reality is when our professional staff in that professional opinion unbiased that say it consider good planning. I know you have different views on this and the city will have a really really challenging or almost almost very difficult to well we have to hire other
• 80:30 - 81:00 planners hire other lawyers if our tax dollars to try to defend the position when the professional staff lawyers said it comes to good planning and whatever the outcome you think from that I think your guess is as good as mine so it is very challenging it's very difficult but that's a hard reality so Um I just want to raise that um so that we know what the actual really uh situation the frustrations I I think my cause are
• 81:00 - 81:30 facing but that's what the the situation. Thank you Mr. Chair for me to bring it up what I actually surfaced last Wednesday as well. Okay. Uh councelor Shu. Thank you Mr. Mayor and uh thank you so much for all the delegates uh who show up and uh share your thoughts. Uh I will echo my most of my colleagues um that we hear you. Yes, we totally guess how frustrating this can be. You care about your community and we
• 81:30 - 82:00 care too. We are we are we are elected officials and we understand where we are coming from. actually we are just doing for the best interest for you in the long term because at the same time I I hope you understand what the position we are as well actually we can just simply vote against and say no to this application is it's it's easy to do but what's next I can tell you the next step the applicant will go to appeal at the
• 82:00 - 82:30 OOLT for sure 100% sure and what's the outcome and I can tell you as Well, the outcome is even more harsh than the original proposal for the past experience. I can tell you that. So, this is the art of compromising and I can and trust me, we can doing something for your best interest for long run. Okay? Because the OOLT will see this
• 82:30 - 83:00 subject length. Wait, this subject layer has no question falls under the official plan 18.6. What's that means? It means we must confirm the requirement by the provincial government. And what the city of Richmond Hill and the York Region is doing is in line with the provincial government like bill 23, like bill 109, 185 and I've heard there will be a new bill coming. But all the above bill shares the same nature which is to
• 83:00 - 83:30 build houses more fast. This is this is the order from the provincial government that we have to com confirm with. So I hope you understand what the position we are in and there was the one delegate mentioned about the PMTSA and I recommend you all to attend the meeting tonight which is about the PMTSA public information center host uh by the city at the miffy
• 83:30 - 84:00 center at 7. You will get more reference about how the PMTSA works. So and I encourage you to attend that meeting tonight and I hope you understand that we are just doing for you for your best interest in the long run not just for today just simply know for you. So my last word is don't get emotional don't get emotional. Yeah. This is what emotional uh folks.
• 84:00 - 84:30 Yeah. So this is my kind words believe me or not. Okay. What we are doing is for you best interest because we are we are your elected officials. Okay. Trust me. Okay. Thank you. That's all my comments. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Um I think we've exhausted our first round. I I do have a few comments and I I spoke last week and I I know a number of you were there, but um so I I'll try not to repeat too much, but I I wanted to keep track of some of the things that were mentioned uh in the
• 84:30 - 85:00 presentations and they were they were excellent and thank you very much for for coming out and doing that. Um I think I I mentioned last week I know this area really well. I mean, I was on council when we spent an inordinate amount of time getting the approval for this townhouse complex that never ended up getting built. And that's a whole other frustration. But, um, a couple of things there. I I think the underlying theme that that we were talking about last week is that I am quite confident with with absolute certainty that if we
• 85:00 - 85:30 turn this uh down given that it actually very very close to comes to complying completely with what's allowed in that area, the OOLT will overrule us. And at that point in time, as soon as it gets appealed to the OOLT, the way the legislation works is the city is no longer a a party to making the decisions. I mean, we can attend and defend our position and stuff, but that is it. Like, it's out of our hands. Um, we have had situations in the past where
• 85:30 - 86:00 the OOLT has made rulings and it it certainly isn't better and and I'm not this is not a threat as to what I would think would happen, but it is possible that it could actually get worse. Um I'm too amappointed with the the treatment of that heritage house and it is sat there and languished now for a very long time and and frankly it's unacceptable and I can tell you as a when I was the ward counselor um I spent a lot of time uh you know dealing with our bylaw staff and property standards and trying to get
• 86:00 - 86:30 the owner to the best of our ability to take care of that house. And I'm not defending the the neglect of that house in any way, shape, or form. But I will say that I do also know that the best way to save heritage properties is to have somebody live in it, take care of it, and love it. And this I mean, if there's any silver lining whatsoever, I mean, maybe it's not even silver, maybe it's bronze, but whatever lining there is in this, I am happy about that. I'm happy about them uh taking care of that
• 86:30 - 87:00 house and making it into a vibrant space that it deserves to be. It's an important part of our heritage. I also think that there are some ideas that were floated around about um you know uh some of the other things that could happen on this property. I've done some initial work into determining whether that would be viable or not. I'm not I'm not making any promises on this because I'm not sure how we would entrench some of the community uses within that what is private property. However, I think there you know we're trying desperately
• 87:00 - 87:30 or I'm trying it. I think my colleagues are too uh to find ways to make this more of a benefit to the community and I will continue to do that. There is a site plan process like once this is if this type of thing is approved it still has to go through a very meticulous planning process that deals with all of the little details and there are a fair number of details that I don't think yet are solidified to well solidified at all but solidified to the the best uh
• 87:30 - 88:00 outcomes for our community. So, I will be monitoring that and making sure that we're doing the best that we can uh in that process. Um, uh, okay. I do also appreciate the fact that there are some affordable features built into this building and and as actually as the applicant said um condo type buildings are going to be a lot more affordable in Richmond Hill in this day and age than anything that's on the ground like a townhouse or a a duplex or
• 88:00 - 88:30 a a single detached home. There's just no question about it. And this uh group has decided that there's ways for them to, you know, use some kind of innovative ideas on how they can make some of these units even more affordable and have some of the units as affordable. So, we need to solidify that. Um, this is a slightly new world, but we need creative solutions to make sure that that's going to happen. Um, so I I think I've said I I've tried to cover as many. There's still a ton of
• 88:30 - 89:00 things that that people ask and I'm going I don't have enough time to be answering all of them. I mean, chances are this meeting is going to uh end fairly soon. And if any of you uh would like to hang around afterwards, I would be happy to sit down and answer any remaining questions. I I have this blocked off a meeting blocked off of my calendar for a little while longer. So I do have some time to talk to you. Um but and I think maybe that would be a good opportunity if you have time today to sit down and and you know deal with some
• 89:00 - 89:30 of the more specific questions. So having said that um uh the we have a couple people wanting to speak on second round. So councelor Thompson did you still want to speak on a second round? Okay. Go ahead. Thank you very much through you the chair. Um, one of one of the things that was uh brought up was about the good planning. So I believe that there was a second part to the answer that spoke in
• 89:30 - 90:00 terms of in context with the planning act I believe or or could maybe you just correct me. What exactly did you say it was in context with? to the chair to councelor Thompson. The city's official plan, right? Thank you. So, and the city's official plan, this this is also including the regional's official plan. It's also including the
• 90:00 - 90:30 uh provincial planning statements and so on and so forth, including all the bills that have been thrown down here. So, this this has nothing to do with whether you agree with any of those things. It's just from a professional standpoint, this is what you're you're having to make your recommendation based on. Correct. Through the chair to councelor Thompson, that is correct. Right. Thank you very much. And I think that's that's the thing to know here is that, you know,
• 90:30 - 91:00 they are the professionals. They will be looking at things at the site plan approval as the the mayor has said. Are we going to be skeptics? Absolutely. I you know I I think about you know when the Tridell building was built. I live right in behind the Tridell building and uh was I skeptical of all the things that you know were that we were worried about in terms of traffic and everything else? Absolutely I was. Did they all
• 91:00 - 91:30 come to fruition the way I because I wanted to be able to say I told you so. Well, I didn't get to get to that position of I told you so. So I do have to trust that staff are doing the right thing when it comes to the site plan approval. Uh there will be a whole host of nuances as the mayor has said that you know they will have to uh go through first just to to get there. So again, I I'm only endorsing this because as
• 91:30 - 92:00 councelor Shu had said, you know, this is where, you know, we will undoubtedly lose if this goes to the OOLT and we would also be spending an enormous amount of money of your taxpayer dollars to fight a losing battle. And I just can't bring myself to to do that because all I'd be doing is, you know, trying to make a statement to appease the the folks here. And, you
• 92:00 - 92:30 know, that's Yeah, it's just not something I can do. So, those are my comments. Thank you, Councelor Tree. And then councelor Davidson. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, sorry, Mr. Chair. That's one uh echo two things. I think uh we mentioned the um Crosby and little extension and so far what I got is that plan maybe taking years. So uh I want echo that part. So I
• 92:30 - 93:00 believe that infrastructure is not ready. So this proposal is a little bit premature. So if there is a new street coming toward the Crosby extension to the nearby on the east side and then maybe the entire proposal might be shifting a little bit. So the traffic are leading to the young street instead going to the house street. That is my first uh observation. The second part is one of our residents mentioned there might be a chances to shifting the
• 93:00 - 93:30 entire high density to the east side very close east side and leave the white side a little bit less densities. So um I don't know the ex end of the solution will looks like but believe so this way will keep the current communities less impact and also uh you can still intensify on the east side of that might be a tradeoff solution I'm not planner so I I just do I just maybe that might
• 93:30 - 94:00 be a a compromise in the middle so I don't know if if the the the builder or the proposer want to choose that way but I think that we will be definitely benefits the existing communities and protecting our heritage and also intensify on the east side. This way I will meet majority of the interest of of community and also builder but that this is my uh recommendation as
• 94:00 - 94:30 well. I I I'll wrap up. So uh I'll wait for maybe a wrap up later on. Thank you. Thank you so much. Okay. Uh, Councelor Davidson, you're the last on the speakers list. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I I hear folks saying, you know, why don't we just make it a townhouse or why don't we make it something smaller? And the truth is, this is a piece of property that we don't own. The the developer owns it. So, it'd be the same if you bought a piece of property and you wanted to build your de house, couple of uh
• 94:30 - 95:00 stories and three garages, and then your neighbor came over and said, "You know what? I'm envisioning a a bungalow and a carport and you're going to say, "Well, it's my property and I'll build as big as I can because I want to maximize profits." And that's what's happening. Builders aren't nonprofits. Obviously, 15 stories will make more money than fourtory town houses and the province has given them the green light to do that. So I I don't know how further
• 95:00 - 95:30 expressed that we don't own the property and we can't tell them beyond the limits of what the province has said what can be built there. That's the end of my comments. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. Okay. That's exhaust the speakers list. You want to wrap up? Oh yeah, that's right. You didn't move it. So okay. So we have a motion on the floor. Uh so we can I ask uh recording the vote. Okay.
• 95:30 - 96:00 Thank you. Uh through the chair voting on the motion of councelor Davis and seconded by councelor Thompson to approve the staff recommendations. Councelor Tree. No. Thank you. Region Local Councelor Chan. Yes. Thank you, Councelor Leu. Yes. Thank you, Councelor Davidson. Yes. Thank you, Mayor West. Yes. Thank you,
• 96:00 - 96:30 Councelor Thompson. Yes. Thank you, Region Local Councelor Depala. Yes. Thank you, Councelor Shu. Yes. Thank you. And councelor Silivitz is absent. That motion does carry only. Okay. So, at this point in time, that exhausts our agenda. We need a bylaw to confirm the proceedings of this mount this meeting. Come on. Councelor Leu, Councelor Davidson, all those in favor opposed. That carries. And now a motion to
• 96:30 - 97:00 adjurnn. Councelor regional region and local counselor depollo counselor uh tree. All those in favor. Thank you very much. Thank you everybody.