Notice of Annual Meeting – September 27, 2022

We will be holding our annual meeting.

Meeting Details

Date: Tuesday, September 27, 2022
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Virtual via Zoom (details below)

Please send us a quick email to royalorchardra@gmail.com and we will send you the Zoom login details.
*Access to the zoom meeting will be granted to RORA members only*

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Annual memberships are $20 per household.

To review the minutes from our last AGM, please click on the link:

AGM Meeting Minutes – 2021

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During the AGM, Councillor Keith Irish will present an update on local development projects. Also, the Keep the Subway on Yonge group will present an update on the Yonge North Subway extension. 

If you would like to become more active in your community, we hope you will consider joining the RORA’s Board! Several executive positions will be open for the upcoming 2022-23 term. Please send an email to our mailbox if you are interested. 

Thank you, and we hope to see you on September 27th!  For additional information, please visit our website or fill out our “Contact Us” form to touch base.

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Notice of Public Meeting – Thornhill Square Development – March 22, 2022 at 7:00pm

The city will be holding a Development Services Public Meeting on March 22, 2022 at 7:00pm where they will discuss the application to amend the Official Plan and Zoning By-law for the Thornhill Square property (288, 298 and 300 John Street).

Meeting Details:

• Date: March 22, 2022
• Time: 7:00pm to 9:00pm
• Meeting Link: Click here to access livestream (should be available on the day of meeting).
• Meeting Agenda: Click here to access meeting agenda (The Thornhill Square re-zoning application is Agenda Item 4.3)

For more information on the application for rezoning, please click the link below to read the notice that was circulated to local residents. 
Notice – Public Meeting

Please CLICK HERE for more details around the proposed development, please visit this link to access associated documents including the preliminary report, site plan and mass viewings for each of the proposed buildings for this proposed development.

What you can do:

1. Email a Written Submission:
   • Members of the public may submit written deputations by email to clerkspublic@markham.ca.
   • Written submissions must be received by 4:00 p.m. the day before the meeting*
   • *If the deadline for written submission has passed, you may:
     • Email your written submission directly to Members of Council; or
     • Make a virtual deputation at the meeting by completing and submitting an online Request to Speak Form
   • *If the deadline for written submission has passed and Council has finished debate on the item at the meeting, you may email your written submission directly to Members of Council.
2. Request to Speak / Virtual Deputation:
   • Members of the public who wish to make a live virtual deputation, please register prior to the start of the meeting by:
     • Completing an online Request to Speak Form , or,
     • E-mail clerkspublic@markham.ca providing full name, contact information and item they wish to speak, or,
     • If you do not have access to email, contact the Clerk’s office at 905-479-7760 on the day of the meeting.
   • *If Committee has finished debate at the meeting on the item, you may email your written submission directly to Members of Council. The list of Members of Council is available online at this link.

Newly-Formed Coalition – A Better GTA

RORA has agreed to provide support to a newly-formed coalition of ratepayers’ and residents’ associations in Richmond Hill, Markham, Vaughan and elsewhere in the GTA.  The goal is to work together with our neighbouring communities and local representatives in addressing the many development challenges and opportunities we  all currently face.

If you would like to access the most recent letter that was sent to Doug Ford in response the Housing Affordability Report, please CLICK HERE.

Reminder: Thornhill Flood Control Community Information Meeting: May 5 at 7:00 p.m.

Please be advised that a Community Information Meeting regarding the West Thornhill Flood Control Implementation Projects (Phases 3B & 4A) will be held Wednesday, May 5 beginning at 7:00 p.m. The following projects will be discussed:

Phase 3B: Johnson Street, Dove Lane, Ida Street, Wiarton Court, St. Andres Court); and
Phase 4A: Royal Orchard Blvd (from Pomona Creek to Bayview Ave), Kirk Drive, Knotty Pine Trail, Augusta Court, Doral Gate and Blue Spruce Lane

The meeting will be held electronically and can be accessed via the following link:
Meeting Link: CLICK HERE
Meeting ID: 897 2675 4472
Passcode: vtR0J4B

Please find a copy of the meeting notice here:

West Thornhill Phases 3B-4A PIC NoticeDownload

Notice of Annual Meeting – May 4, 2021

We will be holding our annual meeting.

Meeting Details
Date: Tuesday, May 4, 2021
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Virtual via Zoom (details below)

Annual memberships are $20 per household.

To review the minutes from our last AGM, please click on the link:

AGM Meeting Minutes – 2019Download

If you would like to become more active in your community, consider joining RORA’s Board. To express your interest, please send an email to our mailbox at: royalorchardra@gmail.com. We hope to see you on Tuesday at the AGM!

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Zoom login details:

Join on your computer or mobile app:
https://zoom.us/j/97861331429?pwd=YVAzYzZjallla2VmYzB2YUgyK1VVdz09

Or call in (audio only):
+1 647 374 4685 Canada
+1 647 558 0588 Canada

Meeting ID: 978 6133 1429
Passcode: 512299

Gypsy Moths – Removing Egg Masses

As the trees are beginning to bud, we urge residents to please check their trees for Gypsy Moth egg masses and destroy them.

Gypsy moths are invasive pests that feed on the leaves of trees. Controlling the spread of gypsy moths is important to help protect Markham’s urban forest.

Egg masses can be found on tree trunks, branches, buildings, and objects around the house. One egg mass contains about 300 eggs. By destroying them you will significantly reduce the number of caterpillars that emerge this year.

To remove and destroy the egg masses, gently scrape them off the bark into soapy water.

For more details on what we can do, please visit Markham’s webpage:
Tree Care – Gypsy Moths

Letter to Metrolinx re: Yonge North Subway Extension (Option 3)

Last week, Metrolinx met with RORA Executive to provide more information about their Initial Business Case for the Yonge North Subway Extension. Please find attached our follow-up letter that we sent to Metrolinx on April 7, 2021.

RORA Follow-Up Letter to Metrolinx (April 7, 2021)Download

Metrolinx’s Presentation on its Initial Business Case for the Subway Extension

Below is the link to Metrolinx’s presentation on its Initial Business Case for the Yonge North Subway Extension. This presentation was shared at the March 22nd General Committee of Markham Council.

Metrolinx – Initial Business Case – Project UpdateDownload

Open Letter to Premier Ford (March 29, 2021)

An open letter from RORA and neighbourhood residents was sent to Premier Ford on March 29, 2021. The letter is requesting a review and rejection of the subway extension plan that proposes to tunnel through the heart of our neighbourhood.

The current plan will devastate our Thornhill neighbourhood, essentially ruining it, forever. While we support the expansion of transit, we are confident there is a better solution.

Open Letter to Premier Ford (March 29, 2021)Download

Yonge North Subway Extension – RORA Objection Letter Submitted

On Thursday, Metrolinx released the Yonge North Subway extension plan. While all details are not yet available, we understand that this plan proposes to run the subway extension under our neighbourhood! As the subway travels north of Centre Street/Thornhill Summit Drive under Yonge Street, Metrolinx is proposing that it swing east close to Royal Orchard Blvd. and travel northeast, under homes in our neighbourhood (at depths between 15 – 30 metres) including Donalbain Crescent, Thorny Brae Drive, Banquo Road and Kirk Drive. In addition, no costing for a Royal Orchard station was included in the plan*. The attached objection letter, submitted to Markham City Council, describes our concerns.

RORA Objection Letter – Yonge North Subway PlanDownload

Opportunity to Add Your Voice!
To express your concerns or support advocacy work:

1) Please sign the petition expressing your opposition to subway tunnelling under homes in Thornhill’s Royal Orchard neighbourhood.

2) Direct questions and comments to Metrolinx at: YongeSubwayExt@metrolinx.com or 416-202-7000.

3) Livestream (from the City of Markham website) the March 22 General Committee of Markham Council at 9:00 a.m. to hear a presentation from Metrolinx on its Initial Business Case for the Yonge North Subway Extension.  If you would like to address the Committee, please notify the City Clerk in advance by email to clerkspublic@markham.ca. Each deputant will be given up to five minutes to speak

4) We are seeking people to help lead RORA advocacy on a) the Yonge North Subway extension plan, and b) the condo development proposals in our neighbourhood. Please contact RORA by visiting our website (royalorchardra.ca) or by email (royalorchardra@gmail.com), if you are interested!  Thank you.

* For more Metrolinx information on the Yonge North Subway Extension, please visit: metrolinx.com/yongesubwayext.