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A New
Council for Richmond Hill
On Monday, December 3rd, 2018, at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, the new Richmond Hill Council held its Inaugural Meeting.
The meeting was well attended by the general public. Each Councillor signed the Oath of Office and had an opportunity to outline some of the important priorities that need to be addressed in the next four years.
As I said during my remarks at this meeting, Council has a great deal of work to do in the coming four years. Over the past several years, Council has endorsed a number of foundational policies that position us well for the growth that we will experience. While growth related challenges will continue to present themselves to our community, I believe there are also many opportunities to build a community that is even greater than the one we have today. I am optimistic for our future and I look forward to the coming term of Council and being able to serve my community as the Ward 4 Council member.
Our Strategic Plan vision outlines the importance that we place on involving our community in our decision making. The vision statement reads, "Richmond Hill - Where People come together to build our community". It is important that our citizens be engaged and involved in charting our future direction. I would encourage everyone to feel welcome to participate in the decision making with us at Council. The input and viewpoints I gather from speaking to my fellow Richmond Hill citizens are always valued and appreciated.
In an effort to help residents stay informed I publish this monthly e newsletter. I hope you find it informative and I would encourage you to share this with your friends and neighbours. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns m
y email address is
[email protected]
, my cell number is 416-346-3090 and my office number is 905-771-2480.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
David West
Ward 4 Councillor Richmond Hill
Banner Photo - Richmond Hill Council Inagural - Swearing the Oath of Office
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Council News and Highlights
1.
Remembrance Day in Richmond Hill
Richmond Hill and the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 375 hosted a poignant and well attended Remembrance Day at the Cenotaph on Sunday, November 11th. A statue honouring our veterans was also unveiled. I also accepted an invitation to attend a ceremony held by the students and staff at O.M. McKillop Public School on Monday, November 12. The students decorated the front of the school with poppies and then gathered to honour our veterans by singing O Canada outside around their poppy creation. Each class also created signs of peace and attached them to the trees in front of the school. I could not help but think our veterans would be proud of them! Lest we Forget...
2. Discussing Municipal Issues at Holy Trinity School
I rece
ntly had the pleasure of visiting Grade 5 at Holy Trinity School to discuss municipal issues with the students. Road construction, waste disposal, snow removal, road safety, poverty, and cannabis were among the topics discussed. Grade 5 Social Studies has a component that works to build knowledgable engaged citizens and I think these students are off to a great start - I made them all promise they would exercise their right to vote when they were 18!
3.
Local and Regional Councillors Spatafora and Hogg retire
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Regional Chair Wayne Emmerson and Mayor Barrow making a presentation to Regional & Local Councillors Hogg and Spatafora at their retirement event
Photo courtesy of Councillor Karen Cilevitz
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A heartfelt
congratulations
to Local and Regional Councillors
Vito Spatafora
and
Brenda Hogg
on their retirement from Richmond Hill Council. I have, for many years, admired their commitment to serving the citizens of Richmond Hill and York Region. I have also come to appreciate their wisdom, experience, and dedication to our community. I will miss them both but sincerely wish them all the best in their retirement!
Please click
here to read the story which appeared in the November 12 edition of the Liberal.
4.
Walk a Mile in Her Shoes
in Support of Yellow Brick House
On Sunday, November 25 we "Walked a Mile in Her Shoes" to raise funds and awareness to end domestic violence against women in our communities. It is unacceptable that 1 in 4 of our mothers, sisters, nieces, and aunts will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. We need to build communities where everyone feels safe in their homes. As men, we can, and must, be a part of the solution! Thanks to Yellow Brick House for the great work, for the past 40 years, they have been doing supporting victims of domestic violence in York Region and raising awareness of this problem.
5. Council Inaugural Meeting
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2018-22 Richmond Hill Council
Photo by Joanne Witt from Snapd Richmond Hill
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Councillor David West Photo by Joanne Witt Snapd Richmond Hill
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Richmond Hill Council hosted its Inaugural meeting at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts on December 3rd, 2018. Two new Regional and Local Councillors as well as a returning Mayor and 6 Local Ward Councillors took their Oath of Office and had an opportunity to address the public in attendance. For those that were not able to attend you can watch the proceedings by clicking
here. (My address can be viewed on the video at time 56:40)
It is an honour to be re-elected as the Ward 4 Councillor. I look forward to contributing positive leadership for our community during the next term of Council.
6. Menorah Lighting
Rabbi Bernstein from Chabad Romano Synagogue, along with Mayor Barrow and Councillor Chan, had the pleasure of lighting the Menorah located in front of the Richmond Hill Hill Centre for the Performing Arts to mark the beginning of
Chanukah. To all those that celebrate, Hanukkah Sameach!
7. Christmas Tree Lighting
Each year Council celebrates the coming of the Christmas Season with the lighting of the  Christmas Tree in the Plaza at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts. This year Santa was on hand to help out. I had a conversation with him and I am happy to report that I am not getting coal this year - it's good to have friends in high places. To all that celebrate, Merry Christmas!
8. Salvation Army Kettle Campaign 
Councillors Beros, Chan and myself along with Mayor Barrow recently raised the Salvation Army flag at Town Hall to kick off their Kettle Campaign. This Saturday December 8th, from 12-5PM, I will be attending a Salvation Army Kettle located outside Sobey's Supermarket in the Plaza at Yonge and Tower Hill. I hope you will drop by to say hello. The Salvation Army assisted over 400 families and 1000 children in our community with Christmas toys, food and gift cards. This year they anticipate the need to be even greater.
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Ward 4 Development Applications - Update
There are a number of development applications active in Ward 4 that continue to generate significant interest from residents. This newsletter section is intended to keep everyone informed and updated about the status of these applications. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all active development applications in the ward, but a brief synopsis of select applications. Information that is new since the last newsletter is marked as "**NEW**" Please feel free to contact me at
[email protected]
if you have questions about applications described below or questions about an application that is not included here.
1. 129, 133, 141 Arnold Cres and 230 Major Mackenzie Dr. W.
As reported in the June issue of this e news, the applicant for this property has submitted a complete application to the Town for a proposed development on the the above stated properties. The Town and the Toronto Region Conservation Authority have since identified a number of issues that will need to be addressed by the applicant before a Council Public meeting will be held. I would like to hold a resident's meeting for this application closer to the time that the Council Public Meeting will occur. Please stay tuned to this e newsletter for a date for these meetings. For those living in the area I will also send out a hard copy invitation to both of these meetings when the time comes.
The proposed application at 35 Wright St. seeks to amend the Zoning By-Law to permit a 6 storey office building to be constructed on the subject lands.
I hosted a Residents' Meeting in February, where public input was gathered. The next step in this process was a Council Public Meeting held in March. Several residents expressed their views related to the proposal. I am particularly concerned about the lack of parking in the plan and the height of the proposed building. Our Planning staff will take away all of these comments and continue the planning process. In the future a staff report will come to Council with a recommendation regarding the application.
One of the notable features of this property is the listed heritage building that exists on the property. Before any development permissions that would include the removal of a heritage listed building would be granted, it is a requirement that the heritage listed property be assessed by our Heritage Planning Staff. This assessment would then include a recommendation by staff to either allow the building to be demolished, or a recommendation to designate the building under the Planning Act as a Heritage building. Designation under the Planning Act would negate any possibility of demolishing the building.
On September 12th, 2017 the Heritage Richmond Hill Committee (HRH) considered
a staff report, and endorsed a recommendation from our Heritage Planning staff that the house be designated and not allowed to be removed. This recommendation will need to be passed by Council at a future Council Meeting. This is a significant step, because if the existing Heritage building is designated, the original proposal submitted by the applicant will not be possible. However, a proposal that works to incorporate the existing building into a redevelopment may be possible.
I will keep residents informed of next steps and the date for a future Council meeting related to this application when it becomes available. Click
here for a link to the HRH staff report.
3. 251, 253 and 259 Oxford Street
The applicant is seeking Council's approval of its Zoning By-law Amendment and draft Plan of Subdivision applications to permit the construction of 14 single detached residential dwellings on its land holdings, with access from a new public road from Oxford Street. It is proposed that two lots would have frontage on Oxford Street, and twelve lots would front the proposed new public road.
There was a statuatory Council Public meeting on March 28th to discuss this application and seek public feedback. If any residents have further feedback please feel free to write your thoughts down and send them to me at [email protected].
4. 11488 Yonge St and 49 Gamble Rd. (south west corner of Gamble and Yonge)
For the past several years there has been a live development application at this location. The applicant was originally facing some challenges reconciling the application with the existence of a floodplain in this area. They have been working with our Planning Staff and the TRCA to address these concerns, and others. It is my understanding that some progress in coming up with an acceptable proposal has been made, but unfortunately the applicant has chosen to appeal the application to the OMB. This represents a common occurrence lately as many applicants have chosen to appeal to the OMB before the OMB is replaced by the newly created LPAT (there is more information about this issue below).
I am quite disappointed with this appeal. This move, in my opinion, does not allow our planning staff and the public an adequate opportunity to provide meaningful input on the revised application. I will keep residents informed of any new issues related to this application as they become available.
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PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE
FLOOD FARMSTEAD PARK
Please join us to discuss a new park being designed in the Jefferson Road and Yonge Street area. Our Parks Planning Staff will be on hand to present their ideas related to the design of this park, and listen to resident input.
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Transportation Master Plan Survey
Richmond Hill is updating its Transportation Master Plan (TMP) to establish a future vision for all travel modes within the Town to the year 2041. The plan will guide the future of the Town's road, walking and cycling networks, including recreational trails.
We want to hear from you! Fill out the brief online survey before December 14, 2018, for a chance to win one of three $50 Visa gift cards.
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WINTER MAINTENANCE UPDATE
The town has added a Winter Maintenance Update button on the
Richmondhill.ca homepage
. This link takes you directly to the
Snow Removal News and Notices
page. This page contains information about winter maintenance operations and has a link to
snow removal
information including levels of service and parking regulations. It also links to the
Where's
m
y Plow application,
RHPlows
which displays the current and recent locations of road and sidewalk plows in Richmond Hill.
The Snow Removal News and Notices page is updated regularly in the event of a winter storm. To receive updates on Winter Maintenance Activities automatically, click the "Receive email updates" link at the bottom of the
Snow Removal News and Notices page.
For specific inquiries about winter maintenance activities, please contact Access Richmond Hill at 905-771-8800 or by email to
[email protected].
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Richmond Hill Santa Claus Parade
Santa Claus is coming to Town and Richmond Hill welcomed the Jolly old elf with our annual Santa Claus Parade earlier this month. Many smiling young faces lined Leslie Street to cheer Santa and Mrs. Claus. It was a pleasure to be a part of this parade again although I will admit I felt a little like the "Opening Band" for the Rolling Stones!
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5th Annual Charity Volleyball Tournament
&
Food Drive
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2019 RICHMOND HILL WINTER CARNIVAL
I hope that you will be able to join us for the Richmond Hill Winter Carnival, a great family oriented Richmond Hill winter tradition at the Mill Pond Park on February 2nd and 3rd. Stay tuned to this newsletter for more details or visit the website at www.wintercarnival.net.
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Winter Carnival Road Hockey Tournament
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3rd Annual Ward 4 Maple Syrup Festival
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Join Youth Nation Alliance
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Great Things To See And Do Around Town
Looking for interesting things to do this month in our Community? Look no further - below is a listing of various community events that I would like to promote on behalf of the various organizers. For a complete listing please click on the links below. These links will take you to my website where the full details of the listing for each event can be found.
Mackenzie Music and Alexander Mackenzie High School present
Les Miserables
December 6 & 7.
Richmond Hill Philharmonic Orchestra presents "Holiday Caravan"
December 8 - Pre-Concert talk 7:15 p.m.
Show at 8:00 p.m.
Visit rhpo.ca/tickets for more information.
Chorus York Presents Top Hats & Tunes, Encore
Choru
s York, Richmond Hill's community choir, under the direction of Stéphane Potvin, invites you to Top Hats & Tunes, Encore, another program of Broadway hits, back by popular demand, after last year's successful Broadway concert. You will have two opportunities to hear this concert
. There will be a matinee performance at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 18 at Thornhill Presbyterian Church, 271 Centre St., Thornhill and another at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 24, at St. Matthew's United Church, 333 Crosby Ave, Richmond Hill.
The evening concert will be followed by a reception, where you can meet our director and the members of the choir, while enjoying some refreshments.
The concert will feature Broadway favorites from Annie, Phantom of the Opera, and Oklahoma , to mention only a few. We invite you to join Chorus York in concert as we once again "give our regards to Broadway".
Adult $25, Sr. $20, Stu (with ID) $15, Family (2 adults, 2 children under age 10) $55.
Children under age 10 are free.
Future concerts include Romantic Melodies, on
February 16 at the Centre for the Performing Arts, in celebration of Valentines's Day, a concert of classical music (program TBA) on
May 4 & 5, to be held in Richmond Hill & Thornhill, & a collaborative concert with the Richmond Hill Philharmonic Orchestra at the Centre for the Performing Arts in June.
Chorus York continues to welcome prospective members for all voice parts to sit in on a rehearsal, meet our director & mingle with the choir.
For more information check our website at
www.chorusyork.ca
Please also join us for
A Christmas Night Out
at Lake St. George.
Dates and Times:
·
Saturday December 15: 6 pm, 7 pm and 8 pm
RHCPA Presents Heroes & Icons...An Evening of Pops on the Hill
February 16 - 8:00 p.m.
Pre-Concert talk 7:15 p.m.
York9 FC - Pro Soccer Coming to York Region in April 2019
Get Connected click here.
To watch the video - Why the name York9FC click here.
To watch the video - Why Pro Soccer in York Region click here.
To watch the video - Pro Soccer Coast to Coast click here.
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Artifact of the Month
Eaton's Catalogue
From the Town of Richmond Hill Collection
Courtesy of: E. Charters 017.01.10
In 1901 you could order anything you wanted or needed through the mail. Catalogues such as this Eaton's catalogue offered everything from clothing to household goods to farming equipment. Children would eagerly await the delivery of the catalogue and then after careful perusal, would circle or earmark their selections in the hopes that their parents would "get the hint". If you ordered it early enough it would arrive in time for Christmas. Sounds familiar doesn't?
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