Richmond Hill Election 2026 · Candidate correspondence
Additional comments from Holo Devnani
Holo Devnani shared these comments with StrongRH.ca in a separate email. They cover five local policy topics and are presented here as supplementary material.
Gentle density
Devnani recalled a 30-storey proposal being declined because the fire department could not service its height. He described this as a municipal-capacity issue and said services should be prepared for expected growth. He said gentle density should balance safety, fairness and the need for more homes while avoiding “concrete jungles.”
Parking management
He pointed to on-street parking that occupies a travel lane on Yonge Street north of Major Mackenzie, saying it can contribute to congestion and idling emissions. Drawing on his work experience in Nantes, France, he questioned whether local businesses need parking directly outside their doors and suggested neighbourhood parking garages as an alternative.
Transportation and traffic
Devnani said that although transportation planning may be led by York Region, residents feel its effects on local streets. He said people with mobility issues may find Yonge Street difficult to cross and suggested considering two-stage crossings, which he had seen in Athens.
Public safety
He described public safety as shared across jurisdictions: the City provides fire services, while York Region handles policing. He said residents want services to work together and suggested exploring closer integration or amalgamation to improve coordination and potentially reduce costs.
Development charges
Devnani said development charges help pay for infrastructure and argued for reviewing the full process. He questioned reducing charges on the condition that another level of government makes up the difference, saying the cost ultimately falls on taxpayers.