Publications
Fall 2004 Ward 2 Newsletter
date posted: 2004-09-01
Hello, I hope everyone enjoyed the Summer and particularly the beautiful Fall weather we have experienced.
I have a lot of information I would like to share with the residents of Ward 2 - so let’s get right to the news.
Tridel Condominium
The long running saga of the Tridel proposal to redevelop the old Major Mack Hotel site is almost over. A very unusual public consultation process took place over the Summer at the request of the Town and Tridel which was agreed to by the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB). The outcome of the direct citizen input and public participation was that more than 30 changes to the proposed condominium were agreed to by Tridel. In September I introduced a revised comprehensive motion which was unanimously approved by Council to settle the Tridel application at the OMB. The proposed building has been scaled back to 7 storeys at Yonge Street (from the original 14), and will be terraced towards Church St. It will have fewer units than originally proposed; and will have an outside appearance which complements other buildings in the village core. And most importantly, it preserves the Yonge St. views of the historic church steeples. My thanks to those residents who gave up their summer evenings to participate in this process. It is my view that downtown Richmond Hill will experience new life when there are people living, working, and walking on Yonge St. This proposal supports that view.
Bayview Trails
Last Spring, Town staff and I attended a meeting with residents to explain the planned Trails throughout the publicly owned valley lands in the Bayview North area. Unfortunately, information about these trails and their importance to the community was not effectively communicated.
In the ensuing months both staff and I have held conversations with local residents and we listened to your concerns. I fully support the building of these trails to benefit the entire community as well as local neighbourhoods. Town Council, similarly, has endorsed the master plan for trails in our natural areas throughout the municipality.
To ensure that residents understand and appreciate the value that these trails will provide and to answer questions you may have, I have asked our staff to hold an informal open house on the Bayview Trails System this Fall.
Staff will be available to answer questions about the trails in general and/or about the proximity of the trails and bridges to residences. Significant effort has gone into the planning of these walkways to ensure that the natural areas are protected and the privacy of adjoining homes is respected.
The open house will take place from 2:00 p.m. To 8:00 p.m. in the Aspen Room at Rouge Woods Community Centre, 110 Shirley Drive on Tuesday, November 23, 2004.
Green/Yellow School Signs
About a year ago I asked Council to approve the installation of new bright green/yellow school signs throughout Richmond Hill. Council supported my request and approved the changeover to the new signs in this year’s budget. These distinctive signs were erected in all school zones in Town in time for the kids’ return to their schools. We urge all residents to respect these signs and slow down in our residential areas, particularly in school zones. Young students are vulnerable to the consequences of poor driving habits. Please note that we work closely with the York Regional Police who, as part of their Safe Streets, Nice Neighbourhoods programs are paying extra attention to school zones.
Dunlop Street & Pugsley Avenue Seniors
Firstly, let me say thank you for your patience as we addressed the problems on Dunlop St., namely the hydro pole in the middle of the sidewalk and the control box at the south-east corner of Yonge St. And Dunlop St. Both of these problems were brought to my attention by local seniors and your excellent suggestions for improvement have now been implemented.
Thank you too for attending the special fire safety workshops held recently by the Fire Department. Our fire safety officers were pleased to respond to my request to hold a session in each of the seniors’ buildings and judging by the turn-out, it was a popular event. Thanks again to our valued senior citizens!
Garbage And Yard Waste Changes
Important changes are coming soon to the Town’s waste management program. This is the last year that clear plastic bags may be used for yard waste. Effective January 1, 2005, residents are encouraged to use brown kraft paper compost bags or cardboard boxes for their yard waste. Re-usable rigid containers and branches tied in bundles will continue to be acceptable as well.
In July 2005, Richmond Hill will introduce the Green Bin program. Homeowners will be asked to separate their compostables such as food and vegetable scraps, meat, fish and poultry leftovers, pet waste, and disposable diapers from their regular waste. The Blue Box program will also be expanded.
Watch for news and information on these changes in the coming months and in your annual waste management calendar to be delivered later this year.
Please help to keep our Town beautiful by not putting out garbage before your normal collection day. The Town will only pick up Large Appliances once a month. To arrange for the collection of your appliance, call the Public Works Section at 905-884-8013.
Newkirk Park
This park is finally completed following a series of delays due to weather and contractor/supply delays. I would like area residents to know that I agree with the comments I received that this project took too long to complete. I hope; however, that the improvements which were made will be enjoyed by residents young and old alike.
Did You Know?
That there is a brand new skateboard park at Richmond Green and that it opened in September? And did you know that there is an outdoor artificial ice skating trail at Richmond Green too? The skating trail opens soon so get your blades sharpened and enjoy the facilities at Richmond Green.
Pesticide Strategy
The Town is developing a new policy on non-essential pesticide use. This is a controversial topic in Canada with a number of arguments put forth for and against the use of pesticides. The Town already limits the use of pesticides on public property and is committed to protecting the environment. A series of public meetings is underway to share information and gather feedback from residents on this topic. A strategy for reducing the use of pesticides is expected following the public consultation process.
The public meeting date for Ward 2 residents (along with Ward 3) is Thursday, November 25, 2004 - 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Aspen Room at the Rouge Woods Community Centre, 110 Shirley Drive. Please try to attend this session and make your views known.
Library News
As a proud member of the Board of Trustees for the Richmond Hill Public Library, I am pleased to advise that the new Library at Richmond Green is almost complete. We expect to open the latest addition to our Public Library system in or around March of 2005. The addition to the children’s area at Central Library is also proceeding as scheduled and will also open in early 2005.
“My RH”
If you haven’t been to the Town Website in a while, I’d like to invite you back. In addition to the hundreds of pages of useful information currently available, there are now a number of services you can access on-line including paying parking tickets, registering for recreation programs and now a new electronic subscription service called my RH. The my RH service allows you to receive the information you want about events and services at home or at work. All you have to do is subscribe and the information will come to you twice a month. I encourage you to visit us at www.richmondhill.ca and see what we have to offer.
Mayor’s Charity Golf Tournament
As Co-chair of this wonderful charity event, I am pleased to announce that over $74,000 was raised and donated to the York South Association for Community Living and the Alzheimer Society of York Region. This brings our 1l year total of donations to local area charities to over a half million dollars!
HEADFORD PARK
This new park has been a popular addition to the area of Shirley Drive and Major Mackenzie Drive. Improvements to the northeast corner of the park will be made this winter to address drainage concerns.
Garland Cres. - Farmstead Rd.
The vacant property adjacent to these streets near Silver Stream Public School will be developed as a residential area. I am working closely with the developer to address all concerns about the impact of the development on the neighbourhood. Once a concept plan for the new subdivision is ready, I will hold an information session for area residents. At this time, it appears that such a session will be held early next year.
Santa Claus Parade
November 14, 2004
The Town of Richmond Hill in proud partnership with the Richmond Hill Optimist Club is pleased to present the 2004 Richmond Hill Santa Claus Parade on Sunday, November 14, 2004. The parade will begin at 1:30 p.m. at the intersection of Yonge Street and Industrial Road, head south on Yonge Street, and will conclude at Hillcrest Mall. Letters to Santa Claus will be collected along the parade route by Canada Post and food donations to the Richmond Hill Food Bank will also be collected to help make the holiday season happier for others. I hope to see you there at the kick-off event of the Festive Season.
2005 Budget
As chair of the Budget Committee, I should advise that we are already looking at the financial pressures on our ’05 budget. Costs of salaries, garbage collections, snowploughing, maintenance on parks and buildings, and the desire to maintain our levels of service to the residents of Richmond Hill will definitely put a strain on the tax rate. As always, Council is committed to maintaining service levels to you while keeping the tax rate as low as possible.
Theatre Project
This important catalyst for re-vitalizing our downtown is proceeding as scheduled. I have been appointed as the Chair of the Theatre Steering Committee and can report that a fundraising strategy has been approved. The requests for proposal for the design of the new Theatre have been released and we expect to select an Architectural Consultant/Group in the new year.
In Closing...
Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter. As always, I continue to work full-time as your Ward 2 Councillor and welcome your calls.
I would like to wish everyone a safe, healthy, and happy Festive Season and my very best wishes for a Happy New Year.
I am in my office most days and welcome your calls.
Call me on my direct line at 905-771-2535 or e-mail me at awarner@richmondhill.ca.
Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter.
