date posted: 2004-03-01
Happy New Year and "Kung Hei Fat Choy". This is my first opportunity to thank the voters of Ward 2 for re-electing me as their Councillor by a decisive margin. The Election campaign provided me an opportunity to speak with many constituents about their concerns and priorities.
A high level of interest in the future of downtown Richmond Hill was expressed by many residents. This showed me that the efforts to find a fair alternative to the proposal by Tridel to build a twelve storey condominium at the old Major Mackenzie Hotel site were reflective of the wishes of most residents.
The twelve storey application was turned down last Fall by Council on a detailed motion which I introduced. The motion called for the building height not to exceed six storeys and outlined a number of principals which must be addressed by the applicant. These include respecting the residential character of Church Street, providing for building set backs to preserve the view of the heritage church steeples and requiring architecture and facade treatments which are compatible with the historical buildings in the downtown core.
The applicant (Tridel) has appealed Council's decision to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) and the hearing is scheduled to begin this Spring. The Town has requested that the OMB hold an evening session on this matter to enable members of the public to make their views known on the proposal for a twelve storey building.
I would like to encourage area residents to watch for notices in local newspapers of this evening hearing and to attend and make your thoughts known to the OMB. The date of the meeting is not yet set but is likely to be before Summer.