Developers have proposed the following highrises for the Yonge/16th intersection in Richmond Hill:

• South Hill (No Frills plaza):  45-storey, 42-storey, 5-storey; 821 units
• SE corner (9251 Yonge):  43-storey, 38-storey: 962 units
• SW corner:  32-storey, 30-storey, 20-storey; 821 units
• Hillcrest Mall:  29-storey, 26-storey; 584 units

That's a total of almost 3,200 units...and counting.  That's an additional 5,000 or so people right at that intersection!  And, Richmond Hill's (RH) socio-economic study indicates 80% of residents drive to work...that's another 4,000 cars during rush hour!  This means more congestion southbound on Yonge as cars head toward the Go Station, Hwy 7 and the 407...plus, eastbound on 16th as cars head to the 404...not to mention the increased danger to young children crossing to 16th Ave Elementary School.

The latest proposal for South Hill Plaza (No Frills plaza) is similar to all the others:

• Density that greatly exceeds RH's approved official plan:  8.78 FSI vs 2.5-3.0 FSI
• Building height that greatly exceeds RH's official plan:  45 stories vs 20 stories
• Minimal/no green space:  something that COVID has proven to be invaluable for our physical and emotional well being; studies also show that spending a minimum of 20-30 minutes a day in nature improves health outcomes and delivers cost avoidance benefits to government
• Does not support 3 of the city's 4 strategic priorities:  balancing growth with green, getting around the city, strong sense of belonging; the only one it may possibly support is fiscal responsibility...only from the point of view that it will general tax revenue...but will that be enough to offset the infrastructure and quality of life costs?

These are a few of the low lights of the developer's proposal for South Hill.  What this means for residents is that there will be constant congestion (cars and pedestrians) and less available parking around Hillcrest Mall, No Frills, Dollarama etc...not to mention the increased traffic on major streets like 16th Ave. and Yonge St.  A quick trip to the grocery store will no longer be quick!

The current City Council is heavily pro-development and gives little consideration to current residents' quality of life.  They are ready to abandon the suburban, family-oriented lifestyle with leafy streets and neighbourhood parks that drove Richmond Hill's growth.  Instead, they are welcoming 45 storey skyscrapers with no landscaping and built right up to the sidewalk...in other words, a concrete jungle!

Please join me in saying "enough is enough"!  With this petition, we will let Council know that while we support development, we DO NOT SUPPORT having 45 & 43 storey skyscrapers at South Hill Plaza!  Instead, we want them to stick with the Official Plan!