At its last scheduled regular meeting before the municipal election, Council also addressed fireworks concerns, rejected a disc-golf referral and revised parking restrictions on Bayards Lane.
By City Desk
Richmond Hill Council gave final approval to the remaining components of the City’s long-running Official Plan update and comprehensive zoning bylaw at its September 16 meeting.
The meeting was the last scheduled regular Council meeting before the municipal election.
Four-year planning update reaches the finish line
Council unanimously approved Official Plan Amendment 18.9 and the related comprehensive zoning bylaw changes. The update has been under development for approximately four years and is intended to guide growth, building heights, mobility, environmental protection and community infrastructure across Richmond Hill.
A last-minute change involved Fernbrook Homes’ property at 10423 Yonge Street.
Lauren Capalongo, representing Fernbrook, told Council that the property’s existing site-specific rules limit development to 15 storeys and a density of 4.0 floor space index. She asked Council to remove those limits so the property could use the newer Yonge Street corridor framework, which allows buildings of up to 25 storeys and a density of 5.0 FSI in the relevant area, subject to the plan’s policies.
Fernbrook also asked to replace a required land dedication for a pedestrian connection to Kak Park with a publicly accessible easement. The future condominium corporation would retain ownership and responsibility for maintenance.
City staff supported the requested changes, and Council approved them as part of the Official Plan and zoning decisions.
Fernbrook described its future proposal as “workforce housing” aimed at lower-income workers and attainable home ownership. However, the proposal remains at the pre-consultation stage. Council’s decision did not approve a development or guarantee a particular number of affordable or attainable units.
From a Strong Towns perspective, a clearer planning framework can make growth more predictable and direct new homes toward established corridors. The next question is implementation: whether added density will be matched with safe walking and cycling connections, reliable transit, parks, utilities and a tax base capable of carrying the City’s long-term costs.
Council keeps approval over traffic-calming measures
Council also approved an updated Traffic Safety and Operations Strategy—but retained its final approval over the installation and removal of traffic-calming measures.
The proposed update would have removed language explicitly requiring Council approval of individual traffic-calming locations. Staff said the change was intended to streamline the process and was not meant to remove Council’s ability to intervene later through a member motion.
Staff also cautioned that requiring approval for individual locations could add some time and could potentially allow a lower-ranked location to move ahead of a higher-priority location if Council altered the data-based ranking.
Councillor Carol Davidson argued that traffic-calming measures affect parking, traffic patterns, snow clearing, emergency response and residents’ daily experience of their streets. She said Council should not surrender final responsibility for decisions that directly affect residents.
Councillor Michael Shiu supported the traffic-safety program but questioned whether the public receives enough evidence to understand why particular locations are selected. He noted that reports did not include sufficient traffic-study results, appendices or supporting documentation.
The clause preserving Council’s approval authority passed on a recorded vote, while the remainder of the strategy was approved unanimously. Staff will continue to undertake the technical work and recommend locations using traffic and collision data, but Council will retain the final decision.
Fireworks concerns lead to a temporary arrangement
Two residents from the Elgin East community addressed Council about recurring fireworks, amplified music and chanting connected to a nearby Hindu temple at Bayview Avenue and Elgin Mills Road.
The residents emphasized that their concerns were not directed at anyone’s faith or right to practise religion. They asked for consistent enforcement of noise and fireworks rules, advance notice of major events and reasonable consideration for nearby residents.
Councillor Castro Liu reported that he, Mayor David West and City staff had recently met with the temple’s board. He said the temple had agreed to hold no further fireworks for the remainder of 2026 while it explored alternatives.
He also said the temple would pay closer attention to noise levels and loudspeaker direction. City staff are expected to be available during events, and residents will receive advance notice when significant activities are planned.
Council approved the staff recommendations unanimously. No new fireworks bylaw was passed at the meeting.
Disc golf proposal ends the term without approval
Council rejected a motion to refer a proposed disc-golf pilot back to staff for additional research.
The referral would not have approved a course, selected a park or authorized the previously discussed $35,000 expenditure. It would have asked staff to examine smaller three- or four-hole options, possible use of underused park areas, environmental restoration and community partnerships.
Because the referral failed, no funding or location was approved. The next Council can revisit the idea, but it would have to begin again.
Bayards Lane parking restriction narrowed
Council unanimously reconsidered an earlier decision concerning parking restrictions on Bayards Lane.
Following additional review by traffic staff and feedback from residents, Council approved applying the restriction only to the entrance portion of the unusual U-shaped street rather than the entire lane.
The decision provided a practical example of Council revisiting an earlier decision when its effects became clearer to residents and staff.
As campaigning moves toward Election Day, the meeting leaves voters with more than campaign promises to assess. Richmond Hill’s current policy record now includes a completed planning framework, a continuing debate over democratic oversight of traffic safety, and several smaller decisions affecting how residents experience their streets and neighbourhoods.
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