This is the second attempt that Baif Development has made to get their development proposal approved on the lands bounded by Harding Boulevard West, Addison Street, Yonge Street, Atkinson Street and Hopkins Street. Both times Baif Development failed to recognize the importance of the location, the town’s official plan and the concerns raised by the area residents.
In my opinion, as the ward councillor, they should eliminate the development along Addison Street, in order to create more green space, and also eliminate a block wall in front of the residents living just west of the development.
Also eliminate the two streets connecting east-west from Yonge Street to Addison Street to create more green space, walkways, an area for park benches, tree planting and gardens.
A greater setback along Yonge Street must be created in order to maintain the view of the church steeples just north of the development and provide better visibility of the future town hall at the southwest corner of Major Mackenzie Drive and Yonge Street, and not to mention that the development of those lands will affect the rejuvenation of the old part of the town.
These are the most important lands in the town of Richmond Hill and must be protected.
Thank you, residents, for attending our meetings to address your concerns for the second time, and thank you to town council for denying the application and for directing town staff to defend the town’s position at the OMB hearing commencing on Sept. 30.
