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Richmond Hill Office
225 East Beaver Creek Road
Richmond Hill, Ontario
Canada L4B 3P4 |
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| Tel |
: 905.771.5434 |
| Fax |
: 905.771.2500 |
| Email |
: cohen@dlcohen.com |
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Planning and Facilities
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Councillor David Cohen works vigilantly on town planning issues, making sure that proper infrastructure is in place to support development; that urban structures are functional, viable and aesthetic; that facilities are designed to foster community building; and that new development is introduced without destroying established neighbourhoods. See below
In terms of planning and facilities, the successes of Councillor Cohen in his 22 years on Town Council are self-evident in the transformation of Richmond Hill from a rural to a vibrant, urban landscape.
Councillor Cohen played a vital role on the Design Committees for the following municipal buildings:
- Bayview Hill Community Centre
- Ed Sackfield Arena
- Richmond Hill Central Library
- Works Department Building Expansion (Chair)
- Richmond Hill Centre for Performing Arts
David was formerly the Chair of the Engineering & Public Works Committee, Vice-Chair of the Richmond Hill Planning Committee, as well as Chair of the committee that oversaw the renovation of 225 East Beaver Creek (Town Hall).
Councillor David Cohen has been providing active input to most of the development that has taken place in Richmond Hill since first being elected in 1988. David was Councillor of the Ward that included all of the development currently on Highway 7 and most of Beaver Creek Business Park.
David Cohen has been known to support good development applications while at the same time protecting established neighbourhoods. He has a proven history of successfully opposing poorly designed development proposals and negotiating or fighting for better plans that are compatible with or would enhance the character of existing neighbourhoods. The following are some examples mostly from but not exclusive to Ward 3 where he has been Councillor for 22 years:
- During 1988 - 1994, prior to being elected and while on Council, David worked to change, first an industrial development opposed by Ward 3 residents, then a low income high density residential model that was put forward. David Cohen brought out 700 residents to a meeting, forcing revisions to take place. The resulting development, which David supported, is currently the "Bayview Glen" Subdivision.
- Upon being elected in 1988, David Cohen opposed the Town's already passed Official Plan Amendment 71, which permitted development on the Oak Ridges Moraine with no environmental guidelines. David helped bring about a petition by the Town of Richmond Hill to the Province of Ontario to conduct an environmental assessment, prompting the Province to put in place guidelines to protect the Oak Ridges Moraine. David Cohen then supported the resulting Official Plan Amendment 129, which for the first time provided environmental protection bylaws for the Lake Wilcox Area of Oak Ridges. He also supported all subsequent Town bylaws that protect the Oak Ridges Moraine today.
- In 1991, some residents in the Town of Richmond Hill raised concerns about monster homes. Councillor David Cohen chaired a committee of Council that held public meetings in each Ward. The findings indicated prevalent resident concerns in certain parts of town, but none in others. In 1994, the old part of Richmond Hill and the area south-east of Yonge and Major Mackenzie were given zoning bylaws specific to their areas that protected the established neighbourhoods.
- David Cohen has generally been supportive of affordable housing. David voted in favour of townhouse developments at St. Matthews Church, Jafari Islamic House and Jubilee Gardens. All three applications won on 5-4 votes.
- In late 1993, a developer presold commercial condominiums, wanting 137 stores on five acres of land at Bayview / Blackmore and then 400 stores and four condo buildings at Bayview / Major Mackenzie. Councillor Cohen led the fight against these high density applications. The Town incorporated proper planning principles and new parking standards for small unit commercial development. The developer took the Town to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB). The Town of Richmond Hill and David Cohen won. Today, there are luxury townhouses at Bayview / Blackmore, and a shopping plaza at Bayview / Major Mackenzie where Metro is (and Wal-Mart prior to its move).
- In 2000, a developer wanted to convert a former school site in Bayview Hill into townhouses, a proposal opposed by the whole area. Councillor Cohen set up an informal meeting between residents and the developer. The single family homes around Headford and Bowhill are what ended up there.
- In 2002, owners of old homes on Bayview north of Weldrick discussed the building of townhomes in their part of Bayview Hill. Councillor Cohen pushed for and had an Official Plan passed that promoted institutional uses from buildings that look like single family homes. There are currently two day care centres and the residential homes are still in place.
- David Cohen believes that jobs are important. David Cohen understands that part time jobs are vital for many households. David Cohen strongly supported the shopping centre at Leslie and Elgin Mills where Costco currently employs 200 people, half full-time.
- In 2009, after many months of tirelessly consulting with residents and addressing their concerns, Councillor Cohen finally brought to fruition the passing of the Gormley Heritage Home Bylaw, which requires rebuilt or renovated homes in the Gormley area to adopt features that are in accordance with the past.
- In 2006, a developer put in an application to convert a former synagogue and current school into 71 townhouses in Bayview Hill. The application was not in keeping with the neighbourhood. Councillor Cohen held meetings which brought out many residents wanting to keep institutional uses on the site. In 2008, when it appeared there was no stopping the new development, Councillor Cohen successfully mediated talks between the developer and Richmond Hill Christian Academy, the tenant on site. In May 2010 the school purchased the property and put up a large sign "NO TOWNHOUSES". The community is happy about the outcome.
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