💬 Comments
Council received Mackenzie Health’s annual update, approved a revised Norfolk Avenue condo proposal, rejected a parking exemption motion and delayed action on a controversial Elgin Mills East cell tower discussion marked by procedural debate and tense exchanges.
By City Desk
| ✅ Passed | Mackenzie Health Update Received by Council Council voted to receive a presentation from Carmine Stumpo, President and CEO of Mackenzie Health, who provided an annual update on operations and growth plans at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital and Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital. During questions from council, Councillor C. Davidson asked about recent measles exposure concerns connected to Mackenzie Health facilities. Stumpo emphasized the importance of vaccinations, while noting that not every case can be detected immediately. When asked what municipalities can do to support the healthcare system, the response focused on preventative health measures and keeping residents healthy before they require hospital care. The presentation also highlighted that two floors at Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital remain unopened, representing a potential 149 additional hospital beds that are not yet operational. Norfolk Avenue Condo Proposal Approved Council also approved revised Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment applications submitted by Norfolk Development Inc. for lands at 162, 166, 170, 174, 178 and 182 Norfolk Avenue. Resident Michael Theodores spoke against the proposal and urged council to reject the application. However, councillors said the revised version reflected extensive negotiations and represented a compromise compared to earlier plans. Several members of council also noted concerns that if the matter proceeded to the Ontario Land Tribunal, the developer could potentially secure approvals for a larger project than the one currently before council. |
| ❌ Rejected | Councillor Shiu introduced a motion seeking to exempt Blackmore Avenue from a broader no parking/no stopping bylaw recommended in a staff report. After debate, the motion failed to gain majority support from council and was ultimately defeated. |
| ⏸️ Delayed | Cheyenne Zierler of Shared Tower Inc. addressed council regarding a proposed telecommunications tower at 1124 Elgin Mills Road East. Zierler argued that council’s role was limited to determining whether municipal consultation protocols had been completed, stressing that the ultimate approval authority rests with the federal government through Industry Canada. Councillors spent considerable time questioning procedural details and discussing what authority the municipality does — or does not — have in the process. While no outright rejection occurred, council stopped short of immediately endorsing the proposal’s procedural completion, effectively delaying the matter. |
| 🧨 Flashpoint | One of the more tense moments of the meeting emerged during discussions surrounding the Shared Tower Inc. proposal. Observers noted a sharper tone from Shared Tower representative Cheyenne Zierler compared to previous appearances, with repeated emphasis that council’s role is largely procedural because telecommunications approvals fall under federal jurisdiction. Immediately afterward, Richmond Hill resident Jo Fox presented a delegation arguing that municipalities may hold more practical influence over proposed tower installations than was being suggested during the presentation. The back-to-back delegations exposed an ongoing debate about how much leverage local councils truly have in the telecommunications approval process. |
| 😬Oddity | A recurring theme throughout the meeting was confusion over council procedure, particularly regarding motions, amendments and voting consequences. On multiple occasions, councillors sought clarification from the Clerk regarding procedural rules and how specific amendments would affect the main motions under consideration. At one point, Mayor David West temporarily left the chair to consult directly with the Clerk in order to resolve procedural uncertainty before proceedings continued. |