Richmond Hill adopts new parkland policy, repeals downtown plan

Council votes 6-2 to approve cap on what developers pay in lieu of parkland

Yorkregion.com
Feb. 5, 2019
Sheila Wang

The tone for future developments is set.

Richmond Hill council adopted a slew of motions that would help shape the future of the town at the council meeting on Feb. 4, rescheduled from Jan. 28.

Council voted 6 to 2 to approve a proposal put forward by Coun. Tom Muench that puts a cap on the amount of cash developers are required to pay for each unit they build in lieu of parkland.

It was intended to loosen up the restrictions on land development and increase housing affordability in Richmond Hill, according to Muench.

“We’re vastly under our minimum criteria by the region, by the provincial government, and we’re not going to be able to meet the need,” he said.

The motion allows developers to pay up to $10,000 for each multi-residential unity they build and up to $11,500 for each unit in stacked and townhouse developments for the period from Dec. 1, 2018 to Dec. 31, 2021.

Seconded by Regional Councillor Joe DiPaola, the motion was met with strong opposition from Coun. David West and Karen Cilevitz. Coun. Godwin Chan was absent.

“To me, there are significant costs to our citizens and the benefits to our citizens are not clear at all in my mind,” West said. “Reduction in parkland cash in lieu will mean less parks, less quality in new parks and a prospect that taxpayers will cover the difference in the money we don’t collect.”

West moved to have the motion deferred until after the 2020 parks plan review is complete to allow for opportunities of further assessment with input from the public and staff.

West’s motion to defer, seconded by Cilevitz, failed to carry as the rest of council voted against it.

“This is not decided in any way to protect our future or our town or our parkland for future generations. It will, in fact, have a detrimental and negative effect,” Cilevitz said.

Cilevitz and West referred to a staff report that estimated the town can only fulfill 26.4 per cent of its parkland needs by 2031 if charging $10,000 per unit.

Council made the decision after two longtime Richmond Hill residents spoke against Muench’s motion.

“I’m really disappointed at the decision they made,” said Marney Robinson, who was one of the delegates at the meeting.

Five members of the public also came before council, voicing their support for Cilevitz about the reprimand imposed on her over a breach of code of conduct and urging council members to reflect on their decisions.

On Dec. 17, council voted to dock Cilevitz’s pay for 90 days as an integrity commissioner’s report found she breached the code by bullying and intimidating a Richmond Hill resident.

Council adopted Muench’s motion that is set to repeal the Downtown Local Centre Secondary Plan. The current plan was approved in 2017 after lengthy public consultation.

A new downtown plan will require public consultations that usually take months to complete.

The motion was approved on consent without further deliberation at the meeting.

Coun. Greg Beros had two motions adopted unanimously -- seeking public opinions on the singing of O Canada at the beginning of a council meeting and changing the town’s name to the City of Richmond Hill.

Council also approved a proposal by DiPaola, who asked for a staff report on potential options for the delivery of a windrow-clearing program with a minimal financial impact.