What's inside:
Welcome to Spring!
Join Us for the Royal Orchard Park Community Clean Up
RORA will be kicking off Earth Day with its annual Community Park Clean Up on Sunday, April 21, 2024. Between 2 pm and 4 pm, RORA executive members will be at Royal Orchard Park and look forward to meeting as many of our community members as possible. Join us for refreshments and family activities – but bring your own coffee cup!
Please help us keep our park beautiful. Supplies will be available at the four entrances to the park (Royal Orchard Blvd between Bay Thorn Dr and Kirk Dr; Bay Thorn Dr by Baythorn Public School; Kirk Dr by Shieldmark Cres; Thorny Brae Dr). Use the supplies provided or bring your own (work gloves and clear plastic bags are recommended, and rubber boots if you want to venture into the creek). If Sunday is not convenient, you can help out at any time that suits you during the weekend.
Pick an area near the path, along the creek, in the forest, by the fence lines, in the school yards, or on the hillside - anywhere you see trash! Leave your filled garbage bags beside any of the city garbage cans in the park (Royal Orchard Blvd, Kirk Dr, bridge).
RORA will sign for student volunteer hours or other community service hours.
2024 Heintzman House Art Show and Sale
On April 26th, 27th and 28th, the Heintzman House 2024 Art Show and Sale welcomes you to discover and connect with more than 30 independent local artists showcasing a multitude of artistic styles.
Enter for your chance to win an original piece of art. Admission and parking are FREE. Show hours are:
Friday, April 26th 1 pm -- 4 pm
Saturday, April 27th 10 am – 5 pm
Sunday. April 28th 10 am – 5 pm
The historic Heintzman House is located at 135 Bay Thorne Dr. Thornhill, ON. For more information, visit www.theheintzmanhouse.ca
Yonge North Subway Extension Update
Metrolinx Engagement
The Royal Orchard Community Liaison Committee (CLC) held its second meeting on March 7, 2024. RORA is represented on the committee. Other members include Mayor Scarpitti, Ward 1 Councillor Irish, the Markham Board of Trade, Baythorn and St Anthony elementary schools, City of Markham staff, Metrolinx staff (see list of attendees included in Meeting Minutes here)
The meeting started with discussion of the Committee Terms of Reference. Metrolinx accepted RORA’s feedback to make the CLC a forum to raise and address local issues and concerns (revised Terms of Reference document here).
Metrolinx provided an overview of its Community Benefits and Supports (CBS)
Program. The objectives of the CBS Program are to engage with and give back to local communities; make improvements to public spaces; and provide connections to job opportunities. The YNSE project agreements will include requirements for aspects of the CBS Program (specifically, employment opportunities and local business supports) which were developed in consultation with Infrastructure Ontario (see Community Benefits presentation here).
As the CBS Program rolls out, RORA will consult with residents to identify community priorities that should be considered for the program. The next CLC meeting is planned for late April/early May at the new Community Office. CLC members will have an opportunity to experience the Sound Lab and receive information on the tunnel depth profile for Royal Orchard.
RORA is working with Metrolinx to organize another community walk. Metrolinx would like the walk to take place in May after residents have an opportunity to visit the Sound Lab.
Property Acquisition
Metrolinx has recently filed a Notice of Application for Approval to Expropriate Land for the construction of the YNSE. The properties identified in the Notice are 7300 – 7330 Yonge St (seeking a temporary limited interest of 114 months); 8051 Yonge St and 10 Royal Orchard Blvd (seeking for both all rights, title and interest). The owners of the properties may provide comments to the Minister of Transportation about the proposed expropriation within a specified timeframe.
Development News
The City of Markham has received a Major Zoning By-Law Amendment application (24-161084 PLAN) from JKO Planning Services Inc. (Jim Kotsopoulos) c/o MYterms (Arash Fazelipur & Somayeh Badali) for 28 and 32 Kirk Dr.
The applicant is proposing to rezone and sever the two properties to create two additional residential lots. The two existing single detached homes are proposed to be demolished and a total of four single detached dwellings constructed on the retained and severed lots.
A Statutory Public Meeting on the application is scheduled for Tuesday, April 30 at 7:00 p.m. You can participate in the meeting in-person at the Markham Council Chamber (101 Town Centre Blvd.), or remotely via Zoom. The meeting will also be livestreamed on the city’s website. Information about the application can be found here: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/87a7bce386d54a86b66fcad46bac13bd#ID=1587551
Residents who wish to address members of Markham Council at the April 30th meeting should notify the City Clerk in advance with an email to clerkspublic@markham.ca. Each deputant is allowed up to five minutes to speak. Council also accepts written submissions.
Help Us Make RORA More Successful
We are interested in your views and your ideas for our neighbourhood. We need volunteers to help with events and committees. If you have some time to give, we would love to hear from you.
We are still looking for a treasurer and secretary. Contact us at royalorchardra@gmail.com
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