Council Meeting
Revised Agenda

C#28-23

Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at 10:00 A.m. - 2:00 P.m.

Council Chambers

225 East Beaver Creek Road

Richmond Hill, Ontario

Mayor David West

PUBLIC NOTICE

 

City facilities are open to the public to attend Council and Committee meetings. The public can observe meetings of Council and Committees by attending in-person or by viewing the livestream of the open session part of these meetings which can be accessed on the City’s website (Richmondhill.ca) or on the City’s YouTube page (linked from the City’s homepage).

 

Public Comments: The public may submit written correspondence regarding agenda items by email to [email protected]. Written correspondence must be submitted by 12 p.m. (noon) one business day before the meeting. Comments submitted will be provided to all Members of Council, are considered as public information and will be included on the public agenda posted to the City’s website.

 

Delegations: Any person who wishes to speak to Council on agenda items must pre-register with the Office of the Clerk by 12 p.m. (noon) one business day before the meeting. Applications to appear as a delegation can be submitted by email to [email protected] or by using the on-line application form found on Richmondhill.ca. Delegations can be in person, or electronically by video conference or telephone. The Office of the Clerk will provide instructions on appearing as a delegation. 

 

Public Forum: Any person who wishes to speak to Council on a matter not on the agenda must pre-register with the Office of the Clerk by 12 p.m. (noon) one business day before the meeting. Persons wanting to address Council during the Public Forum portion of the meeting must register by sending an email to [email protected] or by using the on-line form found on Richmondhill.ca. Public Forum participation can be in-person, or electronically by video conference or telephone. A maximum of five persons will be allowed to register for the Public Forum on a first come first serve basis.

 

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1.

Call to Order

2.

Land Acknowledgement

We are gathering on lands that have been home to First Nations Peoples from time immemorial. We acknowledge that what we now call Richmond Hill is on the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Mississauga and Chippewa Nations of the Williams Treaty. We alsorecognize that we are on part of the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and the Huron Wendat.

We would also like to acknowledge all First Nation, Inuit and Métis peoples from across North America, also known as Turtle Island, who now reside in the City of Richmond Hill. We are committed to rebuilding constructive and cooperative relationships.

3.

National Anthem

4.

Public Forum (not to exceed 15 minutes) 

5.

Council Announcements

6.

Introduction of Emergency/Time Sensitive Matters

7.

Adoption of Agenda

8.

Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof

9.

Adoption of Previous Council Minutes

9.1

Council Meeting C#25-23 held July 12, 2023

9.2

Special Council Meeting C#26-23 held July 25, 2023

9.3

Special Council Meeting C#27-23 held September 6, 2023

10.

Identification of Items Requiring Separate Discussion

11.

Adoption of Remainder of Agenda Items

12.

Public Hearings

13.

Presentations

14.

Delegations

14.1

Delegations received regarding the Revised Development Proposal and Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment Applications submitted by Leslie Elgin Developments Inc. for 0 John Birchall Road - (refer to Item 15.2)

• The following individuals have registered as a delegation to address Council regarding Item 15.2:

  1. David Yee, 48 Hilts Drive.
  2. Xuan Wang, 7 Tyndall Avenue.
  3. Su Eng Tan, 18 Bawden Drive.
  4. Michael Yiu, 44 Hilts Drive.
  5. Saeid Bokharaie, 107 Gerden Drive.
  6. Feng Cen, 109 Bawden Drive.
  7. Moyez Lalani, 42 Hilts Drive.
  8. Junhua Zhang, 37 Gerden Drive. 
  9. Sean Xiao, 53 Bawden Drive.
  10. Jade Wang, 5 Seager Street.
  11. Joy Wang, 14 Seager Street.
  12. Lincoln Lo, Malone Given Parsons Ltd.
  13. Ayaz Abdullah, 52 Hilts Drive.

15.

Committee and Staff Reports

15.1

Minutes - Committee of the Whole CW#09-23 held September 6, 2023

• That the minutes of Committee of the Whole meeting CW#09-23 held September 6, 2023, be adopted as circulated and the following recommendations be approved:

15.1.1

Minutes - Heritage Richmond Hill meeting HRH#01-23 held February 28, 2023 - (CW Item 11.1)

• a) That the minutes of Heritage Richmond Hill meeting HRH#01-23 held February 28,2023 be adopted.

15.1.2

SRCM.23.15 - Delegated Authority Summer Recess Accounting - Reference By-law 86-20 as amended by By-law 113-20 (July 17 to August 31, 2023) - (CW Item 11.2)

• a) That staff report SRCM.23.15 regarding Delegated Authority Summer Recess Accounting be received for information.

15.1.3

SRCFS.23.040 - Semi Annual Report - Non Competitive Acquisitions - (CW Item 11.3)

• a) That staff report SRCFS.23.040 regarding Semi Annual Report, Non-Competitive Acquisitions, be received for information purposes only.

15.1.4

SRCS.23.19 - Sole Source Acquisition of Parts and Maintenance Services for Highly Specialized Equipment - (CW Item 11.4)

• a) That the contract for the provision of parts and maintenance services for highly specialized equipment, including ancillary attachments, be awarded non-competitively to Joe Johnson Equipment, Viking-Cives Ltd., Brandt Tractor, and Turf Care Canada Inc., for a term of five (5) years and for a cost not exceeding $3,330,000 (exclusive of taxes), pursuant to Appendix “B”, Part I, section (c) of Procurement By-Law 113-16;

  b) That the Commissioner of Community Services be authorized to execute any and all necessary documentation to affect the contract.

15.1.5

Member Motion - Regional and Local Councillor Chan - Commemoration of Mahsa Jina Amini - (CW Item 12.1)

• Whereas on September 16, 2022, Mahsa Jina Amini, a 22 year old woman was arrested in Iran for allegedly wearing her hijab improperly and subsequently died while under detention by police;

  Whereas Richmond Hill was the rally venue where over 50,000 Iranian Canadians gathered to mourn the passing of Mahsa Jina Amini and show support for freedom and equality of Iranian women on October 1, 2022;

  Whereas Iranian Canadian community continues to hold rally in Richmond Hill in support of the movement for “Woman, Life, Freedom” since October 2022;

  Whereas all three levels of Government officials had attended the rally in Richmond Hill on October 1, 2022, including Mayor West and Council members to support the cause of the Iranian Canadian community;

  Whereas Richmond Hill Council stand in solidary with the Iranian Canadians in the call for freedom and democratic rights for all and equality for women in Iran; and

  Whereas September 16, 2023 will be the first anniversary of the death of Mahsa Jina Amini;

  Now Therefore Be It Resolved That:

  1. Council declare September 16, 2023 as “Mahsa Jina Amini Memorial Day".

  2. Council direct staff to identify the appropriate location to plant a tree and install a bench with memorial plaque in Richmond Hill to commemorate the anniversary of Mahsa Jina Amini ‘s death and support the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement, and report back on the timing of tree planting and bench installation.

15.1.6

Member Motion - Regional and Local Councillor Chan - Time Capsule in Commemoration of Richmond Hill 150th Anniversary - (CW Item 12.2)

• Whereas Richmond Hill celebrates 150th anniversary in the year 2023, and the City has launched initiatives such as murals, photo contest as part of the celebration throughout the year;

  Whereas it has been a customary practice to preserve a collection of informational materials such as news articles, and memorabilia at significant milestone in time capsules;

  Whereas Richmond Hill Heritage Centre has been distributing free time capsule kit to residents of Richmond Hill;

  Whereas there will be an opportunity to prepare the collection items to be sealed in a City Time Capsule at the Merry Market, a City event scheduled for November 2023 for the holiday season;

  Whereas there has been examples in Canadian municipalities such as Thunder Bay, Ontario created a time capsule in 1995 to mark the occasion of 25th anniversary as a city after amalgamation to be opened in another 25 years in 2020; and

  Whereas it is desirable to engage Richmond Hill Public Library and Heritage Centre regarding archival value in collecting the present informational materials for the future;

  Now Therefore Be It Resolved:

  Council direct staff to prepare and implement a City Time Capsule, identifying the appropriate collections in consultation with the Richmond Hill Public Library and Heritage Centre, as an official initiative to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Richmond Hill funded from approved budgets identified by City Staff.

15.1.7

Member Motion - Councillor Davidson - Prioritizing Neighbourhood Traffic Calming Measures - (CW Item 12.3)

• Whereas, Richmond Hill residents are concerned about traffic and road safety in our communities and it is an urgent priority; and

  Whereas, every day, residents reach out to Members of Council to demand that visible and measurable actions be taken to make our roads safer; and

  Whereas, Richmond Hill Members of Council recognize and prioritize the importance of community safety, reducing vehicular speeding and traffic congestion in neighbourhoods, around school zones, community centres and park areas; and

  Whereas, on August 24, 2023, the York Regional Police Community Safety Data Portal showed the following data that was captured against the same period a year ago in Richmond Hill:

  • 3549 total traffic collisions up 20.2%
  • 2726 traffic collisions resulting in property damage up 21.4%
  • 499 traffic collisions -fail to remain up 23.2%
  • 347 counts of careless driving up 1.2%
  • 321 traffic collisions with personal injury up 7.7%
  • 250 counts of driving disqualified up 42.9%
  • 77 counts of dangerous driving up 79.1%; and

  Whereas, this data does not include the many drivers who do not get caught driving dangerously and who continue to break the law showing a complete disregard for the safety of others; and

  Whereas, the City of Richmond Hill Traffic Operations and Safety Study that is to provide a clear set of policies, procedures, and pre-approved “tools” on how the City can efficiently and effectively address traffic safety and was approved as part of the 2016 Capital Budget has yet to be finalized; and

  Whereas, many municipalities have prioritized and already instituted traffic calming measures including the City of Vaughan which undertook a Neighbourhood Area Traffic Calming Policy, Design and Speed Management Study in the Fall 2022 with pilot tests of five neighbourhoods that commenced Summer 2023.

  Now Therefore Be It Resolved:

  1. The Council directs appropriate city staff to prioritize a report back to Council by November 15, 2023, that identifies, with associated costs, quick build temporary traffic calming measures to be installed in six targeted neighbourhoods, one pilot in each ward, with installation commencing in the Spring of 2024; and

  2. That staff be directed to include in the report the following, but not limited to, quick build measures:

  1. boulevard streetscaping enhancements
  2. in-road flexible signs
  3. bollards
  4. new pavement markings in school zones and 40 kilometre per hour neighbourhoods
  5. temporary road narrowing with pavement markings
  6. raised crosswalks / Intersections
  7. temporary rubber speed cushions
  8. temporary curb extensions; and

  3. That staff be directed to report back to Council by March 2024 the selection criteria and recommendations for six pilot neighbourhoods including which appropriate traffic calming and speed management approaches to test for each pilot; and

  4. That staff work collaboratively with various city departments, Members of Council, external stakeholders, and partners to develop selection criteria and determine potential pilot sites; and

  5. That staff develop criteria to evaluate the pilot projects and report back to Council by November 2024 with a plan to expand the pilot traffic calming measures that proved effective; and

  6. That Council recommends that the 2024 Capital Budget include the costs associated with the implementation of the six traffic calming measures; and

  7. That staff be directed to finalize the Traffic Operations and Safety Study providing a clear set of policies, procedures, and “tools” on how the City can efficiently and effectively address traffic safety going forward.

15.1.8

Member Motion - Councillor Thompson - Real Estate Open House Signs - (CW Item 12.4)

• Whereas currently Richmond Hill’s Sign By-law permits a maximum of one (1) Real Estate Open House Sign to be displayed per road frontage in connection with any one (1) Open House; and

  Whereas a number of Real Estate Agents have expressed a concern that Open House Signs are frequently used in the real estate industry to guide drivers and pedestrians to the address of the Open House event; and

  Whereas these signs are an important part of real estate marketing strategies; and

  Whereas the number of Open House signs permitted by neighbouring municipalities are generally more than one but no more than six; and

  Whereas a more wholesome By-law review is currently underway.

  Now Therefore Be It Resolved:

  That as an “interim” measure, until a more wholesome By-law review is complete, that By-law 52-09 be amended to:

  a) Provide permissions for up to an additional four (4) Open House Real Estate Signs to be installed under a set of restrictions, in addition to the maximum of one (1) Real Estate Open House Sign displayed on each street frontage of the property where the Open House is being held; and

  b) That the signs must clearly display the words “Open House”; the municipal address of the Open House; and the date and time of the Open House.

15.2

SRPBS.23.001 - Request for Direction - Revised Development Proposal - Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment Applications - Leslie Elgin Developments Inc. - 0 John Birchall Road - City Files D01-21008 and D02-21016

• a) That staff report SRPBS. 23.001 be received for information;

  b) That the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) be advised that Council supports the revised development proposal submitted by Leslie Elgin Developments Inc. for lands known as Block 51, Plan 65M-4668 (municipal address: 0 John Birchall Road), City Files D01-21008 and D02-21016, for the primary reasons outlined in staff report SRPBS.23.001, subject to the following:

  1. That the OLT be requested to approve the Official Plan Amendment substantially in accordance with the document contained in Appendix 'B' to staff report SRPBS.23.001;
  2. That the OLT be requested to approve the Zoning By-law Amendment substantially in accordance with the document contained in Appendix 'C' to staff report SRPBS.23.001;
  3. That the OLT be requested to withhold the issuance of its Final Order with respect to the revised Official Plan Amendment until such time as the City advises the Tribunal that the Official Plan Amendment has been finalized to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Planning and Building Services;
  4. That the OLT be requested to withhold the issuance of its Final Order with respect to the revised Zoning By-law Amendment until such time as the City advises the Tribunal that the Zoning By-law Amendment has been finalized to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Planning and Building Services.

  c) That pursuant to Section 34(17) of the Planning Act, Council deems that no further notice be required with respect to any necessary modifications to the amending Zoning By-law to implement the proposed development on the subject lands;

  d) That upon the recommendation of the Commissioner of Planning and Building Services, the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized to enter into Minutes of Settlement and any further agreements or documentation as necessary to implement the revised development proposal;

  e) That the authority to assign servicing allocation to the proposed development on the subject lands be delegated to the Commissioner of Planning and Building Services subject to the criteria in the City’s Interim Growth Management Strategy, and that the assigned servicing allocation be released in accordance with the provisions of By-law 109-11, as amended;

  f) That appropriate City staff be directed to appear at the OLT as necessary in support of Council’s position concerning the subject appeals.

15.3

Correspondence from Majid Zohari, resident of Blackforest Drive, dated September 13, 2023, regarding the Member Motion submitted by Councillor Thompson regarding Real Estate Open House Signs - (refer to Item 15.1.8)

• a) That the correspondence from Majid Zohari, resident of Blackforest Drive, dated September 13, 2023, regarding the Member Motion submitted by Councillor Thompson regarding Real Estate Open House Signs, be received.

15.4

Correspondence received regarding the Revised Development Proposal and Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment Applications submitted by Leslie Elgin Developments Inc. for 0 John Birchall Road - (refer to Item 15.2)

• That the following correspondence regarding the Revised Development Proposal and Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment Applications submitted by Leslie Elgin Developments Inc. for 0 John Birchall Road be received:

  1. Moyez Lalani, 42 Hilts Drive, dated September 11, 2023.
  2. Junhua Zhang, 37 Gerden Drive, dated September 11, 2023.
  3. Ayaz Abdullah, 52 Hilts Drive, dated September 11, 2023.
  4. Scott Rushlow, 16 Bawden Drive, dated September 11, 2023.

16.

Other Business

17.

Emergency/Time Sensitive Matters

18.

By-laws

18.1

By-law 82-23 - A By-Law to assume aboveground and belowground municipal services

Explanation: Approved by Council at its meeting held April 28, 2021 (Delegated Authority - Staff Report SRPI.21.038)

18.2

By-law 85-23 - A By-Law to assume aboveground and belowground municipal services; assume lands as public highway; and establish lands as public highway

Explanation: Approved by Council at its meeting held April 28, 2021 (Delegated Authority - Staff Report SRPI.21.038)

18.3

By-law 86-23 - A By-Law to assume aboveground and belowground municipal services; assume lands as public highway; and establish lands as public highway

Explanation: Approved by Council at its meeting held April 28, 2021 (Delegated Authority - Staff Report SRPI.21.038)

19.

Closed Session

19.1

Resolution to Move into Closed Session and General Nature Thereof:

• That Council move into Closed Session:

  a) To consider personal matters about identifiable individuals, including municipal or local board employees, with respect to appointing a representative to the Heritage Richmond Hill Committee for the remainder of the 2022 to 2026 Term of Council, pursuant to Section 239(2)(b) of the Municipal Act, 2001.

19.2

Resolution to Reconvene in Open Session

19.3

Adoption of Recommendations Arising from the Closed Session Meeting

20.

By-law to Confirm the Proceedings of Council at this Meeting

20.1

By-law 101-23

21.

Adjournment