Climate initiatives, subway expansion top 2021 priorities in Richmond Hill

City set to inch back to normalcy with 2021 vision

Yorkregion.com
Jan. 4, 2021
Sheila Wang

With an extraordinary year in the rear-view mirror, the City of Richmond Hill is set to inch back to normalcy while moving forward with their vision for 2021.

The city is expected to focus on delivering four key priorities endorsed by council last November while continuing to stem the spread of COVID-19.

The strategic priorities -- a balance between growth and green, fiscal responsibility, a strong sense of belonging and getting around the city -- took shape based on recommendations that came together based on individual interviews with each council member, as well as a public survey.

“The focus is on supporting a sustainable, connected and thriving community,” Mayor Dave Barrow said of the priorities on Dec. 22.

City manager Mary-Anne Dempster commended city staff’s work to digitalize and improve services last year, as well as the efforts to keep the tax increase below the cost of inflation in the coming year.

Earlier in October, council set a maximum 0.5 per cent municipal property tax increase for the new year, pending final approval from council in January.

“There is so much great work happening at the city, but I think I’m most personally excited about our efforts to modernize how government works,” city manager Mary-Anne Dempster said in an email response on Dec. 21.

A few highlights that Richmond Hill residents can expect are as follows below:

SHAPING THE FUTURE

The City of Richmond Hill is expected to seek public input throughout next year as they update the official plan to guide land use and development to 2041.

Residents and businesses will have opportunities to have their say about the future of the city on a variety of topics, from housing and climate change to transportation and employment.

This update is aspiring to continue to help transform the suburban communities into a more vibrant, complete community.
GOING GREEN

Richmond Hill is poised to make more efforts to address climate change in 2021.

A community energy and emissions plan is scheduled for release in the new year, which will not only assess local energy use and greenhouse gas emissions but also identify solutions that promote both environmental and economic benefits in Richmond Hill.

In 2021, the city will also begin implementing a three-part plan to reduce reliance on single-use plastics such as disposable cutlery, straws and water bottles.

The plan will include a corporate waste reduction and diversion policy and a public education campaign, as well as a business recognition program.

BUILDING A SUBWAY

While there is no date put on it, a subway is expected to play an indispensable part in Richmond Hill’s future.

The city is committed to continuing to work closely with other levels of government to shape plans for the subway extension into Richmond Hill.

“Capitalizing on this, we also continue to develop the plans for the area around it -- Richmond Hill Centre,” spokesperson Kathleen Graver said in an email.

Earlier in the year, Ontario signed a formal agreement with York Region on May 28 on the Yonge North Subway Extension.

MODERNIZING SERVICES

In the midst of every crisis lies great opportunity.

With the municipal offices closed to the public, the city is exploring ways to convert the ground floor into a new service-oriented space as part of its ongoing work to modernize public services.

The municipal offices have been closed to the public since March and won’t be open for at least another six months. Staff will likely be encouraged to work from home until September 2021.

The implementation of hybrid council meetings will be postponed until April 2021.

REIMAGINING A LIBRARY

The pandemic has significantly changed the local library services into so much more.

In 2021, the Richmond Hill Public Library is expected to connect with the community as they draw up a new strategic plan.

The library will continue to offer a variety of affordable online programs and provide curbside pickup while rolling out a number of new, creative initiatives, including launching a video game collection as well as a new program called "CreativeBug" offering free online art and craft classes.

Richmond Hill Public Library card holders are also expected to be able to borrow Parks Ontario passes, which they can use to explore more than 100 provincial parks.