Council’s May 6 meeting focused on announcements, two planning matters, and policy motions. Members heard detailed opposition to the Parkway Hotels redevelopment proposal and voted to oppose the application at the Ontario Land Tribunal, considered a rezoning application for a private school on Headon Gate, debated incentives for purpose-built rental housing and referred that matter for a staff report, approved changes to development security requirements, and unanimously approved flying the Pride flag in June.

Topics Discussed

1. PARKWAY HOTELS REDEVELOPMENT / ITEM 11.7

Residents and councillors spoke against the proposed amendments for the Parkway Hotels and Convention Center lands near Leslie Street and Highway 7. Delegate Raymond Lefave said the project proposed “eight towers, 39 to 49 stories high with 12,000 new residents and 5,500 cars” on top of existing hotel traffic. Mr. Levy said the plan would have “a serious negative effect on the quality of life for residents in this area and perhaps even overwhelm neighboring businesses beyond their capacity.”

Residents from nearby condo buildings objected to the scale and massing, with some asking that towers 4, 5 and 6 be removed and replaced with parkland. Councillors also pointed to transportation and compatibility concerns. One councillor said morning traffic from Highway 404 to Highway 7 is already difficult and that adding “more 5,000” vehicles from this project would make access even more challenging.

Councillor Chu said the site’s planning context is complicated by earlier decisions to allow residential buildings on employment land, calling that “a bad decision” and “a wrong decision 20 years ago.” He said council now has to deal with that reality while protecting nearby residents’ “well-being” and “life of quality.” Councillor Shu added, “I still think this application is not a good application and not a good planning.”

Deputy Mayor Godwin Chan said opposition from the two neighbouring condo buildings was unusually unified: “If this is not what you call unifying … the community in terms of their collective … opposition to the proposed planning or development, I don’t know what is.” Mayor David West said the Ontario Land Tribunal would apply a different standard than public opinion, noting that “good planning” at the tribunal is not the same as what residents may want. Council voted 7-1 to oppose the application and direct staff and consultants to appear at the tribunal.

2. HEADON GATE PRIVATE SCHOOL REZONING / ITEM 11.8

Council heard concerns about an application to rezone a Headon Gate property from Neighborhood Mixed Use to Community Use to permit a private school. Resident Christopher Lozinski said the operator had “been operating as a private school since 2024 in violation with the zoning code that already exists.”

Council members questioned traffic and site operations. Staff said fire and emergency services had reviewed the application without raising concerns, that the site has 24 parking spaces for pickup and drop-off, and that traffic studies were completed during peak periods. Councillor Tree asked, “How many years this practice school already been running?” Councillor Davidson said staff had not received traffic complaints tied to the school, stating, “We have not had a significant number of concerns or any for that matter related to the traffic impact in this area as a result of the school.”

3. PURPOSE-BUILT RENTAL HOUSING INCENTIVES / ITEM 12.2

Council debated whether to match York Region’s 40-year development charge deferral program for non-luxury rental housing. Supporters said Richmond Hill has little purpose-built rental housing and argued incentives are needed to make projects viable. Oxford Properties’ representative, Mr. Nightingale, told council, “Without this deferral, it would not be economically feasible for Oxford to continue advancing our project at Hillrest Mall.”

Regional and Local Councillor Joe DiPaola argued rental construction “will not happen without this incentive” and said council had to decide whether it truly wanted non-luxury rental housing. Opponents focused on the financial risk to the city. Treasurer Lee said the value of the proposed deferral was “roughly in the range of 12 to 16 million.” Councillor Davidson said the city still did not know whether senior government reimbursement would make municipalities whole, and that she was hearing estimates ranging from “nowhere close” to “somewhat close.”

Mayor West said municipalities are being asked to give up development charges that fund infrastructure, warning that if cities do not collect enough, “we either don’t build community centers and new fire halls and parks and all that other stuff … or we raise taxes.” Council referred the matter to staff for a report back before summer recess.

4. DEVELOPMENT SECURITY REQUIREMENTS / ITEM 11.2

Council approved changes to development security requirements and alternative forms of security. Staff said the new approach would use a 10 to 50 per cent threshold for administrative costs if the city has to complete works after a developer default, with the percentage depending on project complexity. The change is intended to reduce the amount of capital tied up in securities while preserving protection for the city.

Councillor Thompson asked how the 10 per cent threshold was set and “how it compares with other municipalities.” He also asked how exceptions or alternative forms of security would be approved and whether they would return to council. Staff said the revised framework is mainly aimed at larger projects involving significant development charge-funded works.

5. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS AND RECOGNITIONS

Members opened the meeting with community announcements and recognitions. Councillors marked Jewish Heritage Month, Asian Heritage Month, Armenian Heritage in Ontario, Mental Health Week and Youth Week. Councillor Thompson promoted McHappy Day, saying proceeds would support Ronald McDonald House “for families with severely ill children.”

Deputy Mayor Chen announced a Spring Fair on May 23 from noon to 3 p.m. at Richmond Green Park with free food, entertainment, train rides and community booths. Members also highlighted a free CPR and AED awareness seminar on May 23, a volunteer cleanup of 17 parks and trails, the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Legion, and the 80th anniversary of local Branch 375.

Motions

• Item 11.7 - Parkway Hotels and Convention Center Inc. official plan and zoning bylaw amendment applications: Passed, 7-1. Council voted not to support the application and directed city staff and external consultants to appear at the Ontario Land Tribunal to oppose it.
• Item 12.2 - Development charge deferral / non-luxury rental housing incentive motion: Referred. Council referred the matter to staff for a report back before summer recess.
• Item 11.2 - Development security requirements and alternative securities: Passed. Council approved changes to holdbacks and administrative security thresholds.
• Pride flag display for June: Passed unanimously. Council approved flying the Pride flag during Pride Month.

Attendees

Councillors identified in the meeting excerpts as present: - Mayor David West - Deputy Mayor Godwin Chan - Deputy Mayor Chen - Regional and Local Councillor Joe DiPaola - Councillor Thompson - Councillor Shu - Councillor Carol Davidson - Councillor Castro Liu - Councillor Tree - Councillor Chu - Regional Councillor Jodapala

Note: The provided notes do not include a complete roll call, so this list reflects only members identified in the excerpts.