Community News – March 2023

Trees and Yards – Lymantria Dispar Dispar (LDD Moth)/Spongy Moth

Post on Tuesday, March , 2023

Southern Ontario, including Richmond Hill has been experiencing a spongy moth outbreak since 2019. Outbreaks typically last 3 to 4 years. Recent York Region survey results indicate that we are nearing the end of this outbreak and the impacts of spongy moth are expected to be minimal in 2023.

Learn what you can do to protect the trees on your property.

STRONGER TOGETHER: TRCA 2022 ANNUAL REPORT

Posted on Monday, March 27, 2023

STRATEGIC PLAN OBJECTIVES: 1. Green the Toronto region’s economy   ·   2. Manage our regional water resources for current and future generations
3. Rethink greenspace to maximize its value   ·   4. Create complete communities that integrate nature and the built environment   ·   5. Foster sustainable citizenship
6. Tell the story of the Toronto region   ·   7. Build partnerships and new business models   ·   8. Gather and share the best sustainability knowledge   ·   9. Measure performance
10. Accelerate innovation   ·   11. Invest in our staff   ·   12. Facilitate a region-wide approach to sustainability

Read More

Richmond Hill Council Approves The City’s Housing Pledge

Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2023

City continues to work toward being a complete community

Richmond Hill – Richmond Hill Council approved the City’s 2031 Municipal Housing Target Pledge at a Special Council Meeting held March 21, 2023. The Pledge demonstrates Richmond Hill’s proactive approach to the acceleration of housing through streamlining and process improvements. The City is also committed to becoming a complete community – one that is integrated, vibrant, sustainable and diverse, including a mix of land uses and a range of housing options for all.

Richmond Hill’s housing target is 27,000 new units by 2031. The target was set by the province as part of Ontario’s goal to achieve 1.5 million new housing units by 2031.

Richmond Hill Council recognizes that there is a strong need for housing to accommodate our growing communities and for housing options that are more affordable. Through this Pledge, the City of Richmond Hill commits to undertaking the initiatives outlined in staff report SRPI.23.033 and to work with stakeholders and governments at all levels to deliver the housing, infrastructure and services needed for current and future residents to thrive.

QUOTE

“Council and City Staff are working to meet the requirements of Bill 23 including our new municipal housing target pledge. We all agree that our current and future community members deserve a range of affordable housing choices. They also deserve the infrastructure and services needed to make a City feel like home, including parks, community centres, waste collection, snow clearing, libraries, recreation and more.”   – Mayor David West

RELATED LINKS

RichmondHill.ca/AboutBill23

Original Article from City Website

Provincial and Federal Updates – Mar 10, 2023

Provincial:

• Bill 69, Reducing Inefficiencies Act (Infrastructure Statute Law Amendments), carried Second Reading and has been referred to the Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy. If passed, it would amend subsection 15.1.1 (5) of the Environmental Assessment Act to alter or waive the 30-day waiting period for Class Environmental Assessments projects, at the Minister’s discretion.

Federal:

• Bill C-224 carried Third Reading on March 8 and is currently in the Senate for First Reading. If passed, it would begin the development of a national framework designed to raise awareness of cancers linked to firefighting with the goal of improving access for firefighters to cancer prevention and treatment. It would also designate the month of January in each year as “Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month.”
• Bill C-232 carried Third Reading on March 8 and is currently in the Senate for First Reading. If passed, it would proclaim the month of April as “Arab Heritage Month” across Canada. This day would celebrate the contributions those of Arab descent have made to shaping the cultural fabric of Canada.
• Bill C-317 carried First Reading on March 8. If passed, it would enable the development of a national strategy to provide various stakeholders with information to forecast floods and droughts.
• Bill S-209 passed the Senate and is currently in Second Reading in the House of Commons. If passed, it would proclaim March 11 of each year as Pandemic Observance Day. This will not be considered a national holiday.

Provincial Updates – Mar 3, 2023

• Bill 69, Reducing Inefficiencies Act (Infrastructure Statute Law Amendments), is currently in Second Reading. If passed, it would amend subsection 15.1.1 (5) of the Environmental Assessment Act to alter or waive the 30-day waiting period for Class Environmental Assessments projects, at the Minister’s discretion. You can also view the Government’s news release for more information.
• Bill 70, Seniors Month Act, carried First reading on February 27. If passed, it would proclaim June of each year as Seniors Month, with the goal of placing greater emphasis on the health and well-being on seniors, keeping older adults connected and engaged, as well as encouraging inclusion and age-friendly communities.

RHDDO Ongoing Projects

Park Design Public Consultation

We need your feedback on the proposed designs for an accessible pedestrian/cycling overpass bridge and pickleball facility at the Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory (RHDDO) Park.

View the RHDDO Pedestrian Bridge and Pickleball Facility Design Concepts 

Virtual Public Information Centre

Join City staff for a presentation where you can ask questions and learn more about the proposed design concepts. 

Date: Thursday, March 9, 2023

Time: 6 – 8 p.m.

Register

Online survey – open until March 17, 2023

Take the Survey 

Provincial Regulatory Updates – March 13, 2023

Open for Comment:

• The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks is proposing changes in four areas related to implementing a project list approach under the Environmental Assessment Act. The proposed changes include: the designation of rail, multi-lane highways, electricity transmission and waterfront projects. These changes stem from the original notice which was open for a 60-day comment period that ended on January 25, 2022. For more information on the changes, or to submit comments, visit the first hyperlink. Comment period is open until May 9, 2023.
• The Government is proposing to evaluate the requirements for municipal road, water and wastewater projects that are currently subject to the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment. Should regulatory changes amend the Environmental Assessment Act, through the transition provisions, projects that have already begun a Municipal Class EA process would be able to withdraw from the process if certain notification requirements are met. For more information on the changes, or to submit comments, visit the first hyperlink. Comment period is open until May 9, 2023.

Decision:

• The Province posted a bulletin highlighting the potential of upcoming regulatory proposals related to comprehensive and/or individual environmental assessment which will focus on four areas: sector based terms of reference, guidance for proponents, updating the codes of practice, and improving internal review processes. SGR will continue to monitor of any regulatory postings.

Winter Event Declared: No on-street Parking

Mar 3rd, 2023

Track My Plow

Any Questions related snow plow, please call 905-771-8800; or email to access@richmondhill.ca

In the event of an emergency after hours (i.e. water main break, downed tree) residents can call 905-771-8800 and press ‘0’ to reach dispatch.

For emergencies requiring fire, police or ambulance, residents should call 9-1-1.

To submit a concern, please email to Joe.DiPaola@RichmondHill.ca.