March 12, 2007
yorkregion.com

Housing industry remains largely on hold

Richmond Hill - It might seem as if construction is booming in Richmond Hill, but until a new sewer line is completed, the town's housing industry remains largely on hold.
Councillors are now looking at plans for getting development back on track.

The 19th Avenue sewer, scheduled for completion in early 2008, is needed to service the rapid growth.

A series of problems with environmental assessments has delayed the construction of the sewer, which forms a crucial part of Richmond Hill's infrastructure.

Continued growth has put a strain on the system, including a line running under Yonge Street.

Without the 19th Avenue interceptor sewer, fears had been raised that the Yonge line could overflow back into homes near the town core.

Every municipality in the region has been affected, but the problems have been more acute in Richmond Hill because of how the various lines run through the town, Mayor Dave Barrow said.

"If we have a backup, you have a mother of a problem," he said.

Since early 2004, the town has had a virtual freeze on growth. Some piecemeal developments have been approved as allocation has become available, but all other projects have been on hold.

Yet that freeze has not slowed down the steady stream of development applications coming to the town, planning and development commissioner Ana Bassios said.

"It's an unfair situation, but we're doing our best to manage," she said.

The delays have also placed pressure on the town's budget, finance commissioner Dan Elliott has said.

Mr. Barrow agreed, saying permit fees and development charge revenues have slowed but added "being able to plan ahead without any certainty has been the biggest hardship."

In a report presented to councillors last week, the planning department laid out plans for the 3,000 units expected to be freed up next year.

After taking care of some already-approved projects, the town will create a more coherent growth management strategy.

"I think we owe the community clarity," Ms Bassios said.

"There is some advantage to having time to stop and reflect on how you want your community to grow and develop," Mr. Barrow said.

In the coming months, town staff will meet with local stakeholders and present a series of refined recommendations to council before their summer recess.

While the problem has been acute in Richmond Hill, delays to the York Durham Servicing System have caused backlogs throughout the region.

Concerns have been raised about the project, often referred to as The Big Pipe, and potential damage to underground aquifers during and after construction.

Not until the system completed, hopefully in 2010, will development in York Region be back at full speed.

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