This was a short meeting, but not an empty one. Council moved quickly through routine business, protected two historic church properties, kept stained glass windows within the heritage designations, and approved a new library agreement meant to balance public funding, accountability, and library independence.

Council was in a pickle on June 17. Richmond Hill spent much of the meeting debating where and how to add more pickleball courts, from parks and tennis courts to arenas and GO parking lots. Later, Council turned to another big item: a proposed 50 per cent cut to residential development charges for three years.

Richmond Hill is planning for something most of us only notice when it fails: the pipes under the city. The City’s new Water and Wastewater Master Plans will look at whether our drinking water and sewer systems can keep up with growth — and what that means for residents, costs and future development.

Richmond Hill Council backed a new City-led events strategy, heard more debate over an Elgin Mills cell tower proposal, and paused for an AI-assisted definition… 

Richmond Hill is updating its zoning rules — the local rulebook for what can be built where. Residents can attend a June 11 open house or speak at the June 23 Council Public Meeting.

Hospital expansion, a debated condo project, a failed parking exemption and a tense cell tower discussion dominated this week’s Richmond Hill council meeting — along with repeated procedural confusion that slowed proceedings throughout the session

York Region is updating its development charges bylaw in an effort to encourage more housing construction and improve affordability. Supporters say the move could help restart stalled projects, while critics warn infrastructure costs may shift onto taxpayers.

Richmond Hill council confronted growing infrastructure costs, debated a controversial antenna proposal — and learned just how little authority it actually has over federally regulated… 

Richmond Hill council approved new housing developments and a $700K boost for Unity Park this week, while a discussion about train delays on Elgin Mills Road turned unexpectedly personal. Even Mayor David West had a story to tell — before almost ending the meeting early after missing the agenda’s second page.

York Region is hosting a Road Safety Week event in Richmond Hill on May 13 near Our Lady Queen of the World Catholic Academy, with a focus on slowing drivers in school zones. Some advocates, however, say signs and awareness campaigns can only do so much on streets designed primarily for fast traffic. #RichmondHill #RoadSafety #StrongTowns

Council meetings can take hours — so we’re breaking them down into the moments that mattered most.

Introducing our new Council Breakdown format:
✔ Passed
✖ Rejected
⏸ Delayed
⚡ Flashpoint
👀 One Thing to Watch

A faster, clearer way to follow local politics and development decisions in Richmond Hill.

Transit changes could be coming to Richmond Hill. YRT is asking residents for feedback on its proposed 2027 Annual Transit Plan, with local consultation events at Oak Ridges Community Centre and Richmond Hill Centre this month. Comments are open until May 31.