When our new Official Plan is unveiled next year, it will give us a plan for the future. It will give us the legal defense to approve or deny the location, type, and size of a development proposal. Where should we locate commercial, institutional, dense and low density residential development? Existing residents, future residents, and land developers want to know. Our new Official Plan will direct growth based on numerous professional studies and reports.

Having been a resident of Richmond Hill for the past 45 years, I have seen many changes and as you read my newsletter, you will see that there are many more changes coming!

Investing in our Town
If you thought that a global recession would slow development, think again. Here are some of the current development applications, which are being considered by Council.

• 438 units on the Harvey’s land at Observatory Lane
• several high rise proposals for the corner of Yonge and 16th Ave. totaling 1105 units
• 538 units on the west side of Yonge just south of Carrville Road
• a proposal for 131 condo and 149 retirement units at the corner of Yonge and Addison
  Street just south of Major Mackenzie Drive
• 190 retirement units and 33 townhouses proposed on Elgin Mills Road East
• a 900 unit development on Bayview Avenue just south of Elgin Mills
• 1208 units near Bathurst and Hwy 7 is under discussion and another development under
  discussion with the Planning Department is for 236 units on Bayview Ave. near Hwy 7.
  In total almost 3,500 housing units are being reviewed with another 1,444 units currently
  under discussion with our Planning staff.

THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF RICHMOND HILL – PROTECTING THE DAVID DUNLAP OBSERVATORY

123 Hillsview Drive (Bayview & Weldrick)

A Conservation Review Board report recommends that Council proceed with the protection of the property at 123 Hillsview Drive (David Dunlap Observatory) under s.29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.O.18, as amended 2006. Currently the David Dunlap Observatory lands are protected by the Ontario Heritage Act, but unless the property is purchased outright by the Provincial or Federal government, some of the property will be vulnerable to development proposals by the owners. This is a complex and challenging issue and will take time to resolve.
Although the Mayor and several members of Council including myself have met with Members of Federal and Provincial government on this matter, there has yet to be a commitment to purchase the property outright. The Province has said it is considering this matter, the final decision rests with Richmond Hill Council. A protective by-law is being prepared and will be before Council in the fall. Any development proposal must be considered by the Council. For more information visit: www.richmondhill.ca/ddo

Federation of Canadian Municipalities
Infrastructure $$$ Hurray!

In June, I was re-elected as a Director for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. That’s the first hurray! FCM is a national organization of municipal politicians who advise the Federal government on matters of municipal interest. FCM has been advocating for infrastructure funds to reduce the national infrastructure deficit of $123 Billion and help stimulate the economy through job growth. Second Hurray!! Recently, infrastructure funds from the Federal and Provincial governments have been received by Richmond Hill in the amount of over $24 million. These funds will be used to create jobs through rebuilding roads; restoring two historic homes to protect our heritage; and encouraging more physical activity by rehabilitating the Elgin Barrow Arena, the Bond Lake Arena, by building a Town-wide cycling path, and other projects.

Reduce energy consumption & save money $$$

Governments and businesses are looking for ways to save money, protect the environment, and reduce our reliance on oil. You can too! Although it is ‘small scale’, I decided that it was time to spend money on my own house in order to save later. There are many grants and rebates available to homeowners for projects which reduce energy consumption (insulation, appliance, windows or furnace upgrades etc.).
I expect to save thousands of dollars on my renovation work and even more as my energy costs improve. But before you do any work, you must have an energy audit done on your home. After the audit, you can apply for up to $5,000 from both the Federal and Provincial governments. For more information call the folks at the Windfall Ecology 905 727-0491 or contact them through their website: www.windfallcentre.ca.

Oak Ridges Community Centre is coming...
Construction will begin soon on this 56,000 square foot LEED standard building, which will feature a 7,000 square foot gym; several program rooms; a six lane pool and an Ecological Centre for educational programs about the Oak Ridges Moraine and our environment.

Olympic Fever in Richmond Hill
On December 17 you will have the once-in-alifetime chance to be part of history as the
Olympic Flame passes through Richmond Hill. For more information, visit www.richmondhill.ca/olympictorchrelay.

Free outdoor summer concerts
Free outdoor summer concerts take place on Thursday evenings at Mill Pond Park (West of Yonge at Trench Street) and some Sunday afternoons at Richmond Green Park (Elgin Mills and Leslie). Don’t forget to bring your lawn chairs.

- Every election, this question is raised - Should we move the Town Hall back to Yonge Street?
A Town Hall Relocation Study is available for public review and comment. If you’d like to see the full presentation, you are welcome to attend one of these sessions:

• September 16 @ 7:30 p.m. at the McConaghy Centre
• September 24 @ 7:00 p.m. at the Town Offices (225 East Beaver Creek Rd., Hwy 7 and Leslie St.)
• October 8 @ 7:00 p.m. at the Lake Wilcox Community Centre (81 Wildwood Road at North Lake Avenue, Oak Ridges)
  Also, a web-based survey will be developed and made available via the Town’s website
  www.richmondhill.ca during the public consultation period to gather feedback on the Town Hall Relocation Feasibility Study.

Thank you for reading my newsletter. Any questions or concerns may be directed to me by phone: (905) 771-2498 or my home office: (905) 770-3386 or via email: bhogg@richmondhill.ca

Brenda