Council meeting covers planning, development and awards
The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville’s council meeting on Oct. 2 consisted of three agenda items, deputations, and action items. Mayor Iain Lovatt called the meeting to order, acknowledged that October is library month, wished Jewish residents a happy new year (Rosh Hashanah), and concluded with a land acknowledgement. The following report focuses on the three agenda items and deputation.
Mellissa Vellah Singh (Heritage Operations Coordinator) and Trevor Alkema (Heritage Planner I) presented the Heritage Awards. The selection criteria for the award consisted of architectural, contextual, historical and maintenance considerations. There were two recipients: residential and non-residential. The residential recipients received the award for 18 Albert Street and the non-residential, Morra Caruso Law, for 6060 Main Street. Photos were taken with the recipients, Lovatt, town councillors and artist Colin Whitebread. Whitebread had commemorated Stouffville heritage buildings in graphic pencil framed images, displayed at Town Hall. Nominations are now open for Heritage Awards 2025.
Tamas Hertel (York Region Manager, Service Planning) presented the result of York Region Transit’s 2025 Transit Initiatives. The priorities include planning for the future, integrating services, technology and innovation and customer services. He reported on transportation planning and improvements, for example on 9th line, and connections to Gormley Go Station. He highlighted a special school route that habituates students to the safety and security of public transportation, and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI is being introduced on routes to detect conditions in shelters. Tamas said that ridership levels increased 26 per cent over last year (July to July).
Ward 2 Councillor Maurice Smith acknowledged the achievements of Tamas and his staff. Smith and Ward 1 Councillor Hugo Kroon welcomed more transit to rural areas of Ballantrae and Preston Lake and looked forward to cooperating with York Region in that regard. Ward 6 Councillor Sue Sherban shared her concern for transit momentum in rural areas. She indicated that rather than justify the introduction of public transportation based on demand, it makes sense to build it in rural areas so as to attract users. She added that the construction of bus shelters should be based not only on volume of use but in addition, on their location. Sherban explained that there are bus stops on 9th Line that are exposed to the elements.
Library CEO Margaret Wallace introduced Stephen Weir from Trajectory Brands Inc. He reported on the rationale, procedures and goals for the development of a new library logo. Some criteria were the diversity of people, diversity of library services, a welcoming and inspiring environment and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). He said that Trajectory Brands Inc. performed a market scan of other brands and aimed to develop a logo that aligned with the mission of the Stouffville library and the image of the town. The result is “The Ideal Portal” which centres on the figure of an eye and keyhole, from which “confetti” colours radiate in all directions. Weir explained how the logo is adaptable to T-shirts, handbags, and business cards. Check out the new logo at wsplibrary.ca.
In a deputation, Adam Layton of Goldberg Group reported on an application for future planning and development on the northeast corner of Stouffville Road and Highway 48. In compliance with the Provincial Planning Statement scheduled to take effect on October 20, the application calls for the development of five high-rise buildings (four residential and one mixed-use), which include 800 residential units. The five high-rise apartment buildings will range from twelve to twenty storeys in height. Sherban inquired about including stations for E-bikes and electric vehicles on sites in the area. Layton explained that that level of detail had not yet been included in the development plan.
The next few council meetings are set for October 16 and then November 6 and 20.
*Story submitted by Andrew Fuyarchuk.
Photo: Mayor Iain Lovatt has acknowledged that October is library month and wished Jewish residents a happy new year (Rosh Hashanah).