Richmond Hill's June 3 Committee of the Whole Meeting

Richmond Hill's June 3 Committee of the Whole meeting focused on a climate resilience update, a proposed 15-unit townhouse development at 282 and 292 Elgin Mills Road West, a new city events strategy, and proposed fireworks bylaw changes. Council also marked National Accessibility Week, Pride Month, Indigenous History Month, and promoted upcoming community events.

Topics Discussed

1. RESILIENT RICHMOND HILL: Climate update received

Staff presented a progress update on the Resilient Richmond Hill program, describing it as the city's response to climate risks including "more extreme weather events, increased flooding risk, rising temperatures." Ruth Rendan told council, "As our community continues to grow and experience the impacts of climate change... it is critical that we take a proactive and coordinated approach to building resilience." Derek Lau said the city is "tackling this major challenge through resilient Richmond Hill with actions that mitigate emissions and adapt to impacts of more extreme weather."

Council members questioned how the city measures progress and pays for climate work. Councillor Carol Davidson asked, "What did you base these numbers on to validate having a climate mitigation plan?" and later said future budgets should weigh "how much effort, money, taxpayer dollars is going into reducing greenhouse emissions." Staff said the city continues work on stormwater management, tree planting, EV charging, building efficiency, and emergency preparedness.

Staff noted that "Scaling green infrastructure can deliver cost-effective flood protection, increase biodiversity, and support climate resilience in a growing city." They also highlighted that "Achieving net zero by 2050 will require sustained investment to implement city plans, support low-carbon buildings, upgrade energy infrastructure, and expand sustainable transportation systems." Additionally, "As a result, the city is shifting to partnerships, communication, as well as volunteer actions as overall progress has become more challenging, requiring adaptive collaborative approaches."

Staff also noted that "Despite the introduction of provincial limits on mandatory green standards, the city continues to support a voluntary measures through the sustainable electric program and has approved over nearly 20 million in conditional funding for three affordable sustainable rental projects." Furthermore, "we are as part of our work plan investigating the opportunities to the Richmond Hill uh secondary plan area for district energy."

2. ELGIN MILLS WEST DEVELOPMENT: Townhouse proposal debated

Council discussed zoning bylaw amendment and draft plan of subdivision applications for 282 and 292 Elgin Mills Road West, a proposed 15-unit townhouse development. Issues raised included traffic access, parking, privacy, fencing, snow storage, garbage pickup, and turning movements.

A resident, James Bruce, said, "My single biggest concern was um visav um egress and entry to this complex." In response, staff said the driveway design would be refined through site plan review. The director told council, "Typically with right in right out driveways, there is... a concrete median to basically define the right in right out movements and that would limit making dangerous moves out of the site." Staff also said fencing and tree preservation details would be addressed at the site plan stage.

3. EVENTS STRATEGY: Council debated a new city-led model

Council reviewed a multi-year events strategy that would consolidate city events and phase in new programming including a music festival, Halloween event, fundraising gala, and programming at Dave Barrow Square.

Mayor David West supported the approach, saying, "I really think it's a step forward... freeing up this will give staff much more resources to do things that will give our residents more bang for their buck and really have some better quality events and more of them." He also said a broader sponsorship model would let the city support events "on a larger scale."

Councillors also discussed timing and gaps in the proposed lineup. Councillor Simon Cui said moving up implementation "would be an incredible economic driver for the city," especially for businesses in the village core. Councillor Scott Thompson questioned the absence of an environmental event, saying the report "repeatedly emphasizes sustainability as a strategic objective," yet "there is no event that is specifically focused on environmental sustainability, climate action, clean technology, active transportation, energy efficiency, or environmental education."

The discussion also touched on the Santa Claus Parade. One resident said, "I really honestly missed the Santa Claus parade and I'm not speaking as a council member as a resident of Richmond over 30 odd years."

4. FIREWORKS BYLAW: New penalties and enforcement discussed

Council discussed proposed fireworks bylaw changes, including an administrative monetary penalty system for violations. Staff said, "The main new enforcement tool that we're proposing in relation to fireworks is the use of the administrative monetary penalty system," adding that it is effective for offences tied to private property.

Councillors raised questions about enforcement, public safety, and how residents would know when fireworks are prohibited. Councillor Thompson said it would be useful to explain "how residents would be expected to determine whether conditions exceed the prescribed threshold as well as how compliance... would be assessed and enforced in practice." Councillor Karen Cilevitz asked whether people holding illegal fireworks parties in public areas are only fined "or can they be arrested as well?"

Council also discussed sales restrictions and impacts on animals and wildlife. Councillor Cui said, "Victory Fireworks should be the only place in Richmond Hill to sell fireworks... There should be no pop-ups, no sidewalk sales."

5. COMMUNITY RECOGNITIONS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

Mayor West marked Red Shirt Day during National Accessibility Week, calling it "a chance to explore our role in removing physical, attitudinal and systemic barriers to accessibility and inclusion." Council also noted Pride Month and Indigenous History Month events.

Members promoted several upcoming activities, including FIFA World Cup watch parties, Eco Family Fest, a seniors' dental information event, the Lake Wilcox concert series, and community barbecues. Deputy Mayor Godwin Chan highlighted the next watch party at Richmond Green, saying it was "getting traction."

Motions

• Resilient Richmond Hill Program Progress Report (Item 11.5) — received
• Zoning bylaw amendment and draft plan of subdivision, 282 and 292 Elgin Mills Road West (Item 11.7) — staff recommendations received
• Victory Chess Club funding question / Community and Culture Grant Program matter — deferred for further information
• Fireworks bylaw draft changes (Item 11.3) — referred back for a final report
• Consent agenda items 11.4, 11.6, 11.8, 11.9, 11.10 — adopted

Attendees

• Mayor David West
• Deputy Mayor Godwin Chan
• Deputy Mayor Joe DiPaola
• Councillor Simon Cui
• Councillor Karen Cilevitz
• Councillor Scott Thompson
• Councillor Castro Liu
• Councillor Carol Davidson
• Councillor Michael Shiu

Conflict of Interest Declarations

• Councillor Scott Thompson — Item 11.1