Publications
Winter 2002 Ward 2 Newsletter
date posted: 2002-12-01
HOLIDAY GREETINGS!
The past year has been an active one as I continue to work full-time as your Ward Councillor. I am in my office most days and am always pleased to hear from residents.
I would like to take this opportunity to extend my best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season and a prosperous and healthy New Year to all residents of Ward 2.
WARD UPDATES
- The railroad crossing at Crosby Avenue has now finally been repaved.
- The new sidewalk on Crosby Avenue between Yonge Street and Pugsley Avenue was reconstructed this summer following input from the residents in the area.
- Bluegrass Road reconstruction is almost complete. The final topcoat of asphalt will be applied next Spring.
- Tree plantings continue throughout the newer areas of the Ward, east of Bayview Avenue.
- Centre Street culvert replacement is complete and improvements were made to the road on the curve west of the tracks.
BUDGET 2003
Council will soon begin to debate the 2003 budget. Our stated objectives are to hold taxes as close to zero as possible; however, new spending pressures will make this a difficult target to achieve. The Town has added new facilities, new roads and sidewalks over the last year; all of which require maintenance and upkeep. The beautiful re-development of Richmond Green Park requires increased staffing and operating costs. With the closing of the landfill site at Maple, garbage collection charges now increase. The budget process is expected to conclude in early Spring at which time tax rates will be established.
PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF RICHMOND HILL HYDRO
Over the last number of months the Town has conducted a series of discussions, interviews, meetings and polling to determine how residents of Richmond Hill would like to see the proceeds of the sale of Richmond Hill Hydro handled. As I have indicated previously I have made no commitments as to how these funds might be spent.
The first phase of public consultation is now over and Council must now consider a wide range of options and opportunities. The report on this phase is available on the Town website. It is clear from the feedback we have received to date that we will need to take some time to find an approach to using these funds which will benefit Richmond Hill residents now and in the future. Additional public consultation will be necessary and Council has directed that a special public meeting be held in the New Year for Richmond Hill residents to make their views known. I appreciate the calls and letters I have received and will carefully consider all the information received when it comes time to make a decision.
PROPERTY ASSESSMENT NOTICES
Property Assessments have recently been mailed to all homeowners. The average increase in assessments in Richmond Hill is approximately 13%. The increase in the assessed value of your home does not mean that your property taxes will increase by this amount. It simply means that the value of your home has increased since your property was last assessed. If you require information on how your property assessment was reached, you may call the Municipal Assessment Office at 1-800-263-3224 or 1-866-296-6722.
NEWKIRK ROAD
The long Summer and Fall of noise, dust, and construction delays is now near its end. The results of this major reconstruction project are clearly evident and will greatly improve traffic flow through the area. I have asked for consideration in the upcoming budget for improvements to the streetscaping and to Newkirk Park to compliment this project. I am hopeful that some of those will be approved and implemented next Spring. An entrance feature at Elgin Mills Rd. will complement the improvements underway at the Curtain Club.
GO PARKING LOT
The construction of the new GO parking lot which was purchased last year with the assistance of the Town, is now well underway. The capacity of this new lot will be approximately 575 cars. On behalf of nearby residents I asked GO Transit to make certain changes and improvements to the original design. All of my requests were complied with by GO Transit. These included lowering the elevation of the parking lot and building a berm at the east side to minimize the effects of car headlights on nearby homes. Improved landscaping; a wider buffer between the parking lot and the homes; new privacy fences; walkway lighting; improved pedestrian walkways; and finally parking lot lights with timers were all agreed to and have been incorporated into the final design. I attended, along with GO Transit staff and Town staff, an Open House to share the design with area residents in September.
Once the parking lot is fully operational traffic lights will be installed on Newkirk Road to permit pedestrians to cross the road and cars to access the parking lot. Parking on Newkirk Road will be prohibited, thus improving traffic flows, safety issues, and street maintenance.
ADULT ENTERTAINMENT PARLOR APPLICATION
In November, seven of the nine Members of Council sat as a licencing tribunal to hear submissions related to an application to open an adult entertainment parlor at the former Legion site on Ohio Road. The tribunal has been adjourned until January 7, 2003, at which time final presentations will be heard. A decision will be rendered soon after on this application.
RATCLIFF DEMOLITION
The demolition of the Ratcliff building on Yonge Street is nearly complete. Throughout the demolition process all appropriate environmental control measures were taken to ensure a safe and responsible demolition process. Materials which may have been contaminated were removed from the site under controlled methods consistent with the Ministry of the Environment guidelines. At this time, several suggestions have been put forward as to the future use of the site but no formal applications have been made.
MAYOR'S CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT
In November, I was pleased to announce as Co-Chair of this event, that $58,000 was raised and turned over to this year's recipient charities: the CNIB York Region and the Richmond Hill Mobility Accessibility Foundation. After nine years the Mayor’s Charity Golf Tournament has raised more than $350,000 for local charities. If you would like information on our 10th Anniversary Charity Tournament, please call me at my office.
FRONT YARD PARKING
Following numerous complaints from residents about neighbours parking on front lawns and boulevards, I asked staff to prepare a report for Council. We received the report and directed that a public meeting be held in November to hear directly from residents. The message was loud and clear that residents throughout the Town want their properties and neighbourhoods to be respected. Town Staff will be returning to Council in the New Year with recommendations as to how the issue can be addressed in a fair and consistent manner across the Town.
COUNCILLOR'S ACTIVITIES
Last year I noted in my year-end newsletter some of the items of interest which I attended or organized on behalf of the residents of the Ward. Here are just some of the events for 2002 in addition to the many meetings we attend.
| February | Winter Carnival Chinese New Year's Celebration Residents Meeting - Re: Urban Design Guidelines |
| March | Chamber of Commerce Business Awards Dinner |
| April | Community Planning Events Residents Meeting - Re: Urban Design Guidelines 40th Annual Volunteer Achievement Awards |
| May | Rouge Woods C.C. - Comunities in Bloom Langstaff Discovery Centre Ground Breaking Ceremony Richmond Rose Public School Citizenship Ceremony Mill Pond Splash |
| June | Residents Meeting - Re: Newkirk Park Residents Meeting - Re: Crosby Avenue Sidewalks Mayor's Charity Golf Tournament |
| September | Residents Information Meeting - Re: GO Transit Parking Lot Ground Breaking Ceremony - Gamma Foundries |
| October | Official Opening of St. Theresa of Lisieu Public School Bayview Secondary School - Commencement Ceremony Road Watch Committee Meeting |
| November | Town Remembrance Day Service Charles Sauriol Environmental Land Trust Dinner Festival of Lights Santa Claus Parade Sports Champion Awards Night |
| December | Official Swearing In of Chief Designate Armand La Barge |
NEWKIRK ROAD INDUSTRIAL AREA ISSUES
In response to numerous complaints from residents in this area I initiated a series of meetings with by-law enforcement staff, and the Ministry of the Environment. At this writing some 17 businesses/industries have been inspected and, in some cases notices of by-law infractions or environmental infractions have been issued and will be followed up by Staff. Should residents wish to report suspicious fumes, odours or similar concerns please contact Mr. Don Maitland, Senior Environmental Officer, Ministry of the Environment at 905-427-5623 or 1-800-376-4547. Complaints related to garbage or property standards should be directed to Mr. Rick McGee, Manager of By-Law & Licencing Enforcement at the Town at 905-771-2427. I would also like to note that after following up on complaints of excessive noise by area residents, we were able to identify the source and cause of the complaints. The operators of the cement plant on Newkirk Road have taken some corrective measures to reduce the noises which were emanating from the plant.
Once the final reports are in on all the inspections in the area, I will advise area residents of the outcome of the investigations.
I would like to thank those people who assisted in identifying the possible sources of the complaints and appreciate everyone’s patience as we worked to address them.
TOWN INFORMATION LINES
If you wish to report that a streetlight is not working, please call the 24 hour line at 905-771-2525 or 905-884-8013 during business hours. Town staff try to effect streetlight repairs within 10 working days of them being reported. This year the Town has implemented a 24 hour snow-line 905-771-2525 which will provide you with current snow removal status.
OUR LADY HELP OF CHRISTIANS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
The York Catholic District School Board is actively considering a proposal to close this school which is located on the west side of Bayview Avenue, south of Taylor Mills Drive North. Although a final decision has not been reached, one option which is being considered is to construct a new modern school on the east side of Bayview Avenue and then disposing of the existing school site.
I will be monitoring this situation and along with Ann Stong, Trustee for Richmond Hill at the York Catholic District School Board, will try to keep area residents informed of the progress being made in this project. Ms. Stong may be reached by leaving a voice mail at 416-221-5051 ext. 7129 and she will return your calls.
LARGE APPLIANCE PICK-UP
This service was reinstated part-way through the year and has proven to be very successful. Appliances which are picked up by the Town are recycled in a responsible manner. Removal of these items also helps to beautify the Town. Most appliance dealers will, for a small charge, remove these items from your home.
MAJOR MACKENZIE DRIVE OPEN SPACES
A number of inquiries have been received as to what is planned for the open spaces along Major Mackenzie Drive near Leslie Street. The property at the north-east corner of Shirley Drive and Major Mackenzie Drive is slated to be parkland. I hope to host a residents meeting this Winter or next Spring to discuss concepts for this new park.
The land at the north-east corner of Major Mackenzie Drive and Forestwood Street is privately owned and is presently zoned commercial. Recently, an application has been received by the Town to build several commercial/retail buildings on this site.
ROAD WATCH
This new citizen oriented initiative has been approved by Council to help local residents address dangerous driving habits and speeding on our streets. In 2003, the Road Watch Committee will be distributing forms which any resident can use to report incidents of unsafe driving. Owners of reported vehicles will receive letters of warning from the York Regional Police and repeat offenders will ultimately be visited by a member of York Region’s finest. Watch for information on this program and ways that you can help make our streets safer. Council has appointed me as one of its advisors to the Road Watch Committee. I will update residents on its activities in the Spring Ward Newsletter.
OPEN HOUSE
On February 18, I will be holding an Open House to meet residents of the Ward and answer any questions you may have about the Town or its services.
I will be happy to meet you and discuss any concerns you have at the Centennial Pool (Crosby Avenue & Newkirk Road) Meeting Room on February 18 between 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm. See you there!
Once Again....
and
HAPPY NEW YEAR
and please take a moment to remember those Canadians who are protecting our freedom abroad and who will not be with their families this holiday season!