TORONTO, July 10, 2026 – The City of Richmond Hill issued a notice of complete application on July 9, confirming that it has received Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment applications for the lands at 13232 and 13234 Yonge Street, and 14 and 16 Elm Grove Avenue. The proposal seeks to build a 10-storey apartment building with 287 residential units, along with 64 townhouse units, retail space fronting Yonge Street and land for a new north-south public road.
City information shows that the application was submitted by SANTCO TRADING INC., YAVARI HAMIDEH and SADEGHIAN JALIL. The lands are located along Yonge Street and near Elm Grove Avenue. Richmond Hill says the application has been deemed complete under the Planning Act and has been circulated to city departments and external agencies for review. A Council Public Meeting will be scheduled later, with formal notice to be issued according to legal requirements.
This type of development application has direct implications for residents along the northern section of Yonge Street in Richmond Hill. The proposed project includes apartments, townhouses and street-level retail, meaning it is not just a single residential building. It involves residential density, commercial use, road connections, parking arrangements and the transition between new development and nearby low-density neighbourhoods. For nearby residents, future concerns may include traffic volume, school capacity, community facilities, construction impacts and changes to the commercial environment along Yonge Street.
Richmond Hill has continued to move toward higher-density residential and mixed-use development along Yonge Street in recent years. As the population grows, the city needs to balance increased housing supply, protection of existing neighbourhood character and improved transportation connections. For newcomer families, young buyers and renters, new development may mean more housing options. For nearby homeowners and businesses, it may also bring parking pressure, congestion and inconvenience during construction.
According to the city notice, residents who wish to submit written comments may do so by email, mail or fax to the Office of the City Clerk. Residents who wish to be notified when the city makes a decision to adopt, approve or refuse the Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment must also submit a written request to the City Clerk.
For residents unfamiliar with Ontario’s municipal planning process, a “complete application” does not mean the project has been approved. It means the city has determined that the application materials meet the basic requirements to enter the review process. The proposal must still go through departmental review, a public meeting, public comment collection and council procedures. Residents who wait until construction begins to pay attention may have already missed the early opportunity to express their views.
Chinese residents and newcomer property owners should also note that comments submitted to the city become part of the public record. The city states that names, addresses and other information included in submissions may appear in meeting agendas, delegate lists or minutes. Residents taking part in the public process may wish to understand the rules around personal information disclosure before deciding how and what to submit.
Yonge Street is one of Richmond Hill’s most important north-south corridors. Although this development application is still at an early stage, its residential scale, street-level retail and public road arrangement show that the area may continue shifting toward higher-density, mixed-use development. For nearby residents, businesses and commuters, the upcoming public meeting and the results of the city’s review will be worth following.（LJI by Yuanyuan）
