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Richmond Hill mulls permeable paver on new driveways, sidewalks to decrease water run-off

Type of hard surfacing allows rainfall into the soil

Yorkregion.com
Feb.5, 2021
Sheila Wang

Richmond Hill council is set to consider using permeable pavement in new construction as a stormwater solution.

City representatives directed staff at the Jan. 27 council meeting to have a thorough review on a proposal put forward by Ward 2 Coun. Tom Muench who advocated for installation of permeable pavers on driveways, sidewalks and parking lots in Richmond Hill.

“It’s been a year in the making,” Muench told his council colleagues. “This motion is a very important step for us to look at our stormwater management. We have a big concern here as do many municipalities.”

A permeable pavement, an alternative to conventional pavement such as standard asphalt and concrete, is a type of hard surfacing that allows the infiltration of rainfall into the soil to decrease run-off which reduces the pressure on public infrastructure.

The councillor said he started looking into stormwater management after a number of homes in the Beverly Acres area dealt with flooding in their basements during a rainstorm last January.

In his seven-page motion, Muench proposed that the city should require permeable paver or systems on new driveways, encourage the installation on new sidewalks as well as provide incentives including tax reductions and financial credit for residential and commercial landowners that implement the permeable stormwater management.

He also proposed to amend the bylaw to allow the surface area of a residential driveway to be greater than 55 per cent of the property as long as the entire driveway has the permeable system.

The motion, once approved, would see all downspouts disconnected from the city’s sewer system.

Coun. David West said he was happy to support the general intent but more options to address stormwater should be explored.

Muench said many municipalities have adopted similar measures to reduce stormwater run-off such as Mississauga and Miami.

In one of the examples Muench shared, the City of Mississauga has a credit program to provide a stormwater charge reduction to landowners whose stormwater management measures benefit the city. The practices include low impact development works and rainwater harvesting systems.

While the spirit and intent of the motion was “very worthwhile,” Kelvin Kwan, city commissioner of planning and regulatory services, said it was a “multifaceted” issue and would have “a great impact” on a number of programs including services, bylaws, rebate programs and everything else.

A more in-depth analysis was needed before a decision can be made, Kwan said.

A majority of council members agreed, and voted to reconsider in three months after staff brings back a report.

“To come back in three months, we will miss once again the construction season and we’ll lose the opportunity to engage the market,” Muench said.