'It’s out of control': Richmond Hill residents protest against Yonge Street corridor towers

The Richmond Hill Umbrella Residents Group occupied the corners of Yonge Street and 16th Avenue

Yorkregion.com
June 30, 2020
Amanda Persico

Richmond Hill residents took to the streets in protest of the recent development plans that will change the city’s skyline -- going higher, taller and denser.

Some 50 residents and supporters of the Richmond Hill Umbrella Residents Group (RHURG), waving sign, banners and wearing masks, occupied the four corners at Yonge Street and 16th Avenue June 28.

The group protested several development plans along the Yonge Street corridor currently before city council that could see an influx of buildings with the tallest slated for 54 storeys.

“The past several months there have been crazy development plans,” said protest co-organizer John Li. “[Council] is sacrificing the city’s future only for the benefit of developers.”

Some carried signs reading “This KDA brought to you by greed” while others banged on pots as cars honked and whizzed through the area.

The protest site -- at Yonge Street and 16th Avenue -- is one of the development locations under fire.

According to the group, the site is poised for a development that could see a building stretching between 42 and 38 storeys adding an additional 10,000 residents in the neighbourhood.

Other proposed major developments along Yonge Street include the Yonge-Bernard area that could see an additional 5,500 units; Yonge-Bloomington area that could see 1,900 units; a 28-storey building in the Yonge-Elgin Mills area; and a 54-storey building in the Yonge-Hwy. 7 area.

“This is an irrational plan,” Li said during the protest. “It’s out of control.

“There’s no environment for people to live -- just a building.”

While height and density pose major concerns for area residents, Li also noted the lack of resources such as community centres or libraries, park space, schools and transit infrastructure affiliated with the development plans.

Li argued while the Richmond Hill section of the Viva rapid way along Yonge Street is good news, the area and the development plans are still lacking in transit options, especially for east-west travel.

Recently, the province and the region signed a formal agreement outlining roles, responsibilities and funding for the long-awaited Yonge North Subway Extension.

“The subway is proposed for 10 years from now,” Li said. “But [council] wants to build right now.”