Vaughan looking for virtual public input on 6 key initiatives

From wastewater and dog parks to Carrville community centre, have your say

Yorkregion.com
August 11, 2020

The City of Vaughan is looking for public input on six key issues. To participate in online surveys, view digital presentations, attend virtual public meetings or deliver a deputation, please visit this link: vaughan.ca/HaveYourSay.

Here are the six initiatives:

1 -- VAUGHAN MILLS CENTRE PUBLIC REALM STREETSCAPE PLAN

The area around the Vaughan Mills mall, known as the Vaughan Mills Centre, is evolving. As this is a bustling place for people who live, work and play here, the city is exploring ways to enhance the area and create a safe, accessible and sustainable vision that reflects the needs of the growing community.

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To view the presentation, read more about the study and take the online survey, visit vaughan.ca/VaughanMillsPlan. The survey will be available until Friday, Aug. 14.

2 -- KIRBY ROAD MUNICIPAL CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT STUDY

The City of Vaughan has initiated a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment study for Kirby Road between Jane and Dufferin streets, known as the Kirby Road Corridor. This study will consider alternative designs for widening the road, pedestrian and cyclist spaces, a grade separation at the Barrie GO rail crossing and straightening the road at the intersection of Kirby Road and Jane Street. Citizens and stakeholders are invited to learn more about the study and take part in the online survey at vaughan.ca/KirbyWidening until Friday, Aug. 21. The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete.

3 -- CARRVILLE COMMUNITY CENTRE, LIBRARY AND DISTRICT PARK PROJECT

The future Carrville Community Centre, Library and District Park will be a multi-use community hub, which will combine spaces for play, learning, fitness and sport, and will be built on a 7.52-hectare parcel of land bordered by Major Mackenzie Drive to the north, Valley Vista Drive to the south, Thomas Cook Avenue to the west and Toronto Region and Conservation Authority-regulated valley lands and associated watercourse to the east. Through public consultation -- including a virtual open house held in July -- desired amenities were identified, including aquatic facilities, a fitness centre, a gymnasium, activity rooms, gathering spaces, a neighbourhood branch library, tennis courts, a basketball court, an accessible playground, a splash pad or water play space, a skate trail, outdoor fitness and activity areas, and open space and trails. Citizens are invited to learn more about the project and give feedback via an online survey. The survey is available at vaughan.ca/CarrvilleCC until Monday, Aug. 31 and will take approximately four minutes to complete.

4 -- LOCAL OFF-LEASH DOG AREA STRATEGY

The city recognizes the value that off-leash dog parks bring to dogs and their families. To clearly understand and respond to the needs of residents, the city is continuing to identify locations to pilot local spaces for pets to roam leash-free. The outcome will be a Local Off-leash Dog Area Strategy that will name pilot sites for off-leash dog areas and how these sites will be managed and maintained. Where should an off-leash dog area be? What features should it have? How should it be maintained? Participate in the online self-directed workshop to learn more about the strategy, view key findings to-date, review and provide feedback on the eight recommended pilot locations, and indicate if there is interest to join the Off-Leash Dog Area Stewardship Program at one of the pilot locations. The workshop will take 15 minutes to complete and is available at vaughan.ca/DogPark until Monday, Aug. 31.

5 -- WATER AND WASTEWATER RATE STUDY

Vaughan is committed to providing water and wastewater rates that are sustainable, fair and affordable, while also sufficient for funding the cost of operating and maintaining the city’s infrastructure. As part of this commitment, the city is undertaking a comprehensive review of the current rates and rate structure for the delivery of water and wastewater services to Vaughan residents and businesses. This study will provide recommendations for sustaining Vaughan’s water and wastewater infrastructure and delivery of services over the next 10 years, and explore the possibility of introducing a one-time forgiveness program to provide financial relief for abnormally high and unintentional water bills due to unexpected circumstances. Visit vaughan.ca/WaterRateStudy to learn more and take the online survey. The survey will take about eight minutes to complete and is available until Monday, Aug. 31.

6 -- GALLANOUGH PARK MUNICIPAL CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

The city is in the process of completing a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment and detailed design for stormwater management improvements in Gallanough Park. The project also includes a storm relief sewer on Arnold Avenue, between Brooke and Yonge streets. These proposed improvements will help alleviate stormwater flooding in the area, and the study will document existing environmental conditions, examine alternative improvement options, outline potential impacts and recommend future issue mitigation options. Available until Monday, Aug. 31, citizens are encouraged to view materials on the project’s webpage -- including existing conditions, alternative design options and next steps for the project -- and share their thoughts.