As part of the development of the new Official Plan, Council endorsed the Recommended Major Policy Directions as well as the Preferred Concept Report for the Richmond Hill Regional Centre (Yonge Street and Highway 7). The major directions have been based on an extensive public consultation process to build the vision of the Richmond Hill of the future. The Recommended Major Policy Directions include recommendation reports on the Environmental Policy Review, the Economic Policy Review and the Housing and Residential Intensification Study. Public comments on the reports are requested by November 30, 2009. The Recommended Major Policy Directions present a significant shift in the Town’s approach to land use planning that encourages innovative solutions and emphasizes the importance of place-making and good urban design. This approach supports a complete, vibrant and connected community that incorporates compact form, mixed-use and transit-oriented development at an appropriate scale and sensitivity to the existing context. The Regional Centre Preferred Concept Report recognizes the Yonge Street and Highway 7 area as a key part of both the Town and Regional urban structure. Focused around the planned mobility hub, the Regional Centre is the node where the broadest ranges of uses, tallest buildings and highest development densities are to be located in close proximity to rapid transit. The report sets out a development framework that includes an enhanced street system, open space connections, and a new pattern of development to be built over time as new infrastructure and public transit investment is introduced to the Regional Centre, including the realization of the Yonge Street subway extension into York Region. More information on the Official Plan, including the reports that are available for public comment, can be found on the Town’s Website by visiting www.richmondhill.ca/officialplan. The draft Official Plan is anticipated to be brought before Council in early 2010. For more information, contact Paul Freeman, Manager of Policy, at (905) 771-2472 (from Committee of the Whole Meeting held on Monday, October 19, 2009; Staff Reports SRPD.09.094 & SRPD.09.86, Agenda Items No. 3 & 4).

City of Vaughan Mayor Linda Jackson thanked Town of Richmond Hill Council and staff for their assistance in relief efforts after a tornado struck their municipality just after 6 p.m. on August 20, 2009. Mayor Jackson recounted how devastating the tornado was to the Woodbridge and Maple communities, destroying houses and businesses in seconds and forcing Vaughan to declare a State of Emergency. Mayor Jackson said that the Town of Richmond Hill Fire Department were dispatched immediately to provide mutual aid and back-up coverage of Vaughan fire stations in the east end of town. Additionally, in the days following the tornado staff from Richmond Hill’s Urban Forestry Section assisted in the clean-up efforts. Mayor Jackson said that, although Vaughan and Richmond Hill have mutual aid agreements in place for emergencies such as this, this was a great example of the two communities coming together to help each other in a time of need. Mayor Jackson concluded by presenting Council and staff with certificates acknowledging their assistance and saying, “If Richmond Hill ever needs us, then Vaughan will be there to help.” For more information, contact Donna McLarty, Town Clerk, at (905) 771-2529 (from Council Meeting held on Monday, October 26, 2009; Presentation, Agenda Item No. 7.1).

Council proclaimed November 18, 2009 as GIS day in Richmond Hill to provide insight into the role of geography and GIS (Geographic Information System) technology in delivering many Town services. GIS Day is an international event and is part of Geography Awareness Week sponsored by the National Geographic Society. GIS technology captures, stores, analyzes, manages, and presents data that is linked to a specific location. Much of the Town’s information is stored in geographical ways and is extremely important to the community without most even realizing it, from monitoring snow plowing activities to pinpointing exact locations of even the smallest trees. The Town’s GIS Services section will be hosting high school students and Town staff during the day and residents and businesses in the evening for an open house that will include demonstrations, a map gallery and presentations by Town staff on the use of GIS technology in the Official Plan process, parks planning and management of natural heritage data, engineering field applications and customer service delivery via Access Richmond Hill. For more information, contact Jury Konga, Manager of GIS Services, at (905) 771-2549 (from Committee of the Whole Meeting held on Monday, October 19, 2009; Staff Report SRCFS.09.060, Agenda Item No. 5).

Council recognized Richmond Hill resident Ivan Ho with the William F. Bell Young Entrepreneur Award for his small business, Fit from Home. Mr. Ho, who recently graduated from University of Western Ontario with a Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology, was determined that he would start his own business. With financial and training provided through the Province’s Summer Company program in Richmond Hill’s Small Business Enterprise Centre, Mr. Ho was able to successfully launch his business. Fit from Home is a company dedicated to helping people achieve their fitness goals by delivering fitness right to their doorsteps, which means no gym memberships, no traveling and no waiting for equipment. Mr. Ho brings expertise, motivation and results right to his clients in the convenience and comfort of their own homes. Mr. Ho teaches his clients how to enjoy a healthy and active lifestyle by providing a personalized fitness program and nutrition counseling. Every workout with him is fun, safe and effective, so all that his clients need to do is wait for the doorbell to ring. Over the summer Mr. Ho also successfully launched a series of boot camps in Vaughan and is in the planning stages of starting a boot camp in Richmond Hill. As part of the program, Mr. Ho also received a $3,000 grant to start his business. The Summer Company program provides youth with hands-on training, mentorship and awards to make their dream a reality. This is an excellent opportunity for students to gain valuable experience, confidence and to be their own boss for the summer. This year’s Richmond Hill program saw 15 young entrepreneurs through the program. For more information on the Summer Company program, visit www.richmondhill.ca/summercompany. Please contact Daniela Mazzaferro, Small Business Consultant, at (905) 771-2546 (from Council Meeting held on Monday, October 26, 2009; Presentation, Agenda Item No. 7.2).

The next Committee of the Whole Meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 2, 2009 at 4:30 p.m. and the next Council meeting is Monday, November 9, 2009 at 7:30 p.m., both in Council Chambers.