King Township Council Meeting - September 15, 2025
- JA
- Sep 17
- 13 min read
Monday’s meeting was the first back after a busy summer where work was done on the Official Plan and Transportation Master Plan among many other things. These are important documents for the town’s future that you can review online but I have provided a brief(ish) overview.
Note that the Nobleton and King City Neighbourhood Plans Study have been integrated into the Official Plan Review. The Intensification Discussion Paper features updated concept plans for both the Doctors Lane and Old King Old Neighbourhoods.
Many residents will also be interested in the updated Transportation Master Plan documents that have new scenarios for "road improvements" along the 15th and the 8th Concession. The next TMP Open House is September 25th from 6-8pm at Zancor.
Quick Links
Official Plan Review
King has released new Discussion Papers as part of the Official Plan Review. The Official Plan is a long-term policy document to guide land use and development ensuring that growth aligns with the community's vision, provincial policy, and the public interest. Its purpose is to provide a framework for development while balancing the needs of developers, residents, and the environment. The Official Plan is implemented through zoning bylaws, which set out detailed, legally enforceable rules for development. All planning decisions, municipal by-laws, and public works must conform to it, making this a crucial document for the community’s future.
We are at the mid-way point of the review process, and these 13 Discussion Papers explore the key topics that will shape the future of King and guide how the community grows and evolves through 2051. I encourage you to read the Discussion Papers and share your feedback with staff. Your input will help shape how King evolves and ensures that the priorities most important to you are reflected in the final plan.
You can review the Discussion Papers here and discuss your thoughts with staff at one of three Open Houses:
Schomberg
Date: Wednesday, September 17, 2025 from 6-8 p.m.
Location: Trisan Centre, 25 Dillane Drive, Schomberg
King City
Date: Thursday, September 18, 2025 from 6-8 p.m.
Location: Zancor Centre, 1600 15th Sideroad, King City
Nobleton
Date: Monday, September 22, 2025 from 6-8 p.m.
Location: Dr. William Laceby Community Centre and Arena, 15 Old King Road, Nobleton
Here's a brief review of the Discussion Papers and questions that you might consider:
The Vision for King – This paper asks what King’s vision statement should be. The current version is:
King Township is an idyllic countryside community of communities, proud of its rural, cultural and agricultural heritage. We are respected for treasuring nature, encouraging a responsible local economy, and celebrating our vibrant quality of life.
Questions to consider:
What do you value most about living in King?
As you think about King’s future, what changes and improvements would you like to see by 2051?
What does a complete, inclusive, and connected community look like to you?
What emerging challenges or opportunities do you think the Township should prepare for in the coming decades?
Do you have any other ideas or feedback on the vision for King?
Complete Communities – King’s communities are defined by their integration of housing, employment, services, and amenities, all while preserving King’s rural character and heritage. Some key priorities include: housing diversity and affordability, age-friendly and accessible communities, support rural and hamlet character and more.
Questions to consider:
What features or amenities do you believe are essential for a complete community?
How can we ensure that all new developments support a high quality of life for residents of all ages and abilities?
Are there any specific areas in King that you feel should be prioritized?
What makes you feel a sense of belonging in your neighbourhood?
How can we design communities that are welcoming and inclusive for everyone?
Intensification – This is about increasing residential development density within existing urban areas by redeveloping underutilized land, vacant lots, and existing buildings. It includes strategies such as infill development, brownfield redevelopment, and the expansion or conversion of current structures. Among many other things, this provides updated Neighbourhood Concept Plans for Doctor’s Lane in King City as well as Old King Road in Nobleton.
Questions to consider:
How will intensification protect King’s rural character while accommodating growth?
Where will intensification actually occur, and what scale of development should residents expect?
How will intensification improve housing choice and affordability?
Can existing infrastructure and services support intensification?
How does intensification contribute to creating complete, walkable, and vibrant communities?
Housing - Housing is a foundation for community well-being and resilience. This presents a unique opportunity to expand housing choices, enhance rental availability, and respond to evolving demographic needs. The updated Official Plan will include a specific section on rental housing, refine affordable and attainable housing targets, review permissions for additional residential units, support diverse and inclusive housing forms, and more.
Questions to consider:
How should King define housing that’s affordable to middle-income households?
What types of support and incentives would help bring more rental options to the community?
How can King support inclusive housing for seniors, people with disabilities, and others with special needs?
How should King manage short-term rentals (like Airbnb) to help balance tourism with community needs?
What types of housing would help people stay in King as their needs change over time?
Planning the Nobleton Village Reserve (NVR) – This is a unique area that has been set aside for future growth. The NVR presents an opportunity to thoughtfully shape how the community evolves. King is planning for this space to ensure that any development reflects the Village’s character, supports local needs, and creates a vibrant, connected place for generations to come.
Questions to consider:
How should Nobleton grow over the next 25 years?
What areas of Nobleton do you think are best suited for future development?
What types of housing, jobs, or services would you like to see added?
How can new development respect the Village’s character and rural feel?
What infrastructure does Nobleton need to accommodate growth?
Economic Development and Employment - King is home to a diverse mix of employment sectors, including agriculture, commercial uses, education, warehousing, manufacturing, and tourism. The Discussion Paper explores the key components that shape King’s employment landscape, including how infrastructure, land use planning, and strategic partnerships can support business retention, expansion, and attraction.
Questions to consider:
What types of jobs or industries would you like to see grow in King?
What are the biggest challenges to finding or keeping employment in King?
How can the Township better support small businesses, entrepreneurs, and homebased enterprises?
What kinds of infrastructure or services would help attract new businesses and investment to King?
How can King balance economic growth with protecting its rural, agricultural, and environmental character?
Natural Heritage - King’s natural heritage system comprises a diverse network of natural and hydrologic features that are essential to the Township’s ecological integrity and long-term sustainability. As King plans for growth through 2051, it is updating its Official Plan to ensure development supports environmental stewardship. This includes protecting forests, wetlands, wildlife habitats, and water resources, while integrating climate resilience, green infrastructure, and biodiversity into land use planning.
Questions to consider:
What natural areas or features in King do you value the most, and why?
How can planning policies better recognize and support the role of private landowners in protecting King’s natural heritage?
What strategies should be prioritized to grow and protect King’s tree canopy and forest cover?
How can we better connect King’s parks, trails, and natural areas to support people and wildlife?
What are some ways our natural areas can help us deal with climate change, like heat or flooding?
Energy and Climate Change - King Township is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing climate resilience, and preparing for future energy demands targeting Net Zero community emissions by 20250. This includes integrating mitigation and adaptation strategies into land use, infrastructure, and community planning.
Questions to consider:
What climate change impacts are you most concerned about in King?
What types of renewable energy systems should be prioritized?
How can the Township better support residents and businesses in reducing energy use and emissions?
What role should King Township play in preparing for future energy demands and infrastructure changes?
What innovative or community-led climate actions would you like to see supported through local policy?
King’s Countryside - King Township’s countryside is a defining part of its identity, home to rich farmland, rural Hamlets, and natural landscapes. As King plans for growth, the Township must protect its agricultural system, manage rural development, and support a resilient rural economy. This includes safeguarding prime agricultural areas and the Holland Marsh, encouraging on-farm diversified uses and agri-tourism, and managing rural growth in line with Provincial policies.
Questions to consider:
What makes King’s rural and agricultural areas special to you?
What types of on-farm businesses would you like to see more of in King?
What concerns might arise from new farm related businesses?
What challenges do farmers face when introducing new uses on their property?
How should King support farmers in staying economically successful while protecting farmland and rural character for the future?
King’s Hamlets - Each of King’s Hamlets (Ansnorveldt, Graham Sideroad, Kettleby, Laskay, Lloydtown, Pottageville, Snowball) has a unique identity. As King continues to grow and evolve the Hamlets will play a vital role in shaping a complete and connected rural community. The Official Plan Review provides an opportunity to shape a vision for the Hamlets that supports rural living, fosters local identity, and enhances sustainability.
Questions to consider:
How can small-scale growth be managed in the Hamlets to support local needs while maintaining rural character?
What types of employment or economic opportunities would you like to see in King’s Hamlets?
What services or infrastructure improvements would help support a more completed and connected rural community?
How should heritage be protected in the Hamlets?
Are there specific landscapes, buildings, or traditions in the Hamlets that should be preserved or celebrated?
Transportation - As King grows, transportation must evolve to support safe, efficient, and inclusive mobility for all residents. This includes improving roads, expanding transit, enhancing trail networks, and protecting freight corridors. The Township aims to balance rural character with modern infrastructure by integrating land use, sustainability, and accessibility into transportation decisions. This approach will help reduce car dependency, support economic development, and improve quality of life across King’s Villages and Countryside. Note that changes made in the updated Transportation Master Plan will automatically be included in the final version of the Official Plan.
Questions to consider:
How should the Township balance increased traffic while protecting its countryside?
How can the Township better support walking, cycling, and other forms of active transportation in both the Countryside and Villages?
What improvements would make public transit more accessible or appealing to you and your household?
How should the Township plan for future transportation needs as the population grows and travel patterns evolve?
What role should King play in supporting regional transportation initiatives and reducing transportation-related emissions?
Servicing Our Communities - As King plans for growth through to 2051, delivering reliable, resilient, and sustainable infrastructure is essential to supporting healthy, complete communities. This includes water, wastewater, stormwater, waste management, broadband, utilities, and municipal facilities. Infrastructure must be designed to meet future needs and be adaptive to climate change, to ensure a high quality of life across both King’s Villages and Countryside.
Questions to consider:
What infrastructure improvements are most needed in your area?
Are there concerns about flooding in your neighbourhood?
Do you have access to reliable high-speed internet and cellular service?
What improvements would you like to see in how King manages waste and promotes sustainability?
How well do you think infrastructure is maintained in King? Are there any locations where it is lacking or in poor condition?
Implementing Our King - The implementation policies form the operational backbone of Our King, enabling the Township to manage growth, uphold Provincial and Regional policy directions, and respond to evolving community needs
Questions to consider:
What types of community improvements are most important to you as King grows?
How should King work with developers in designing new neighbourhoods?
Where in King should new housing and development be focused?
What kinds of partnerships or funding tools should King explore?
How can King make its processes easier to understand?
Transportation Master Plan
Following the huge turnout to the Open House in April, King has released it’s updated Transportation Master Plan which includes of five transportation network alternatives. The preferred scenario does not include 15th Sideroad interchange at Hwy 400, or improvements west of Jane St, but it DOES include conducting an Environmental Assessment for 15th Sideroad between Jane St and Keele St for a possible connection. It also includes “road improvements” on the 15th from the 10th concession to the 8th concession and south to King Rd.
Please review these options and let staff know how you feel at the next Open House on Thursday September 25 from 6-8pm at Zancor Centre in King City.
Mayor's Comments
Join the King Township Food Bank for an evening of True North fun, food, and fundraising in support of the King Township Food Bank! Celebrate Canadian culinary traditions from coast to coast to coast, with bite-sized delights inspired by every region. Click here to register.
In light of the tragic car crash at the Richmond Hill Day Care that resulted in the loss of a toddler, the Ministry of Education has proposed new safety measures for child care facilities including restricted areas around entry ways and playgrounds (except accessible spaces) and is considering legislative changes to allow protective infrastructure like bollards. King has many safety features with traffic calming measures, bollards, and automated speed enforcement and await on guidance from the Ministry on the proposed measures.
King Township is putting the brakes on unsafe driving during its Safe Streets Start Here traffic safety campaign, running throughout September to align with the start of the school year when there is an increased need for safety on busier roads and sidewalks. The month-long traffic safety campaign features free lawn signs, a sticker design contest, plus an e-bike and e-scooter safety session led by York Regional Police. Click here for more.
The new 2025 Fall Recreation Guide is now available. Take in the crisp autumn air while practicing yoga, training for a triathlon, going on guided fall hikes or taking your furry friend for a stroll with the dog walk group. Perfect your aim in archery, score big in soccer, volleyball, basketball and badminton or craft something new with Métis beading, holiday card making and a nature paint and sip! Plus swimming lessons for all ages. Click here for more.
Have your say in shaping King’s next Official Plan by attending one of three Public Open Houses. Discussion Papers have been posted on Speaking King that explore key topics that will shape the future of King Township and guide how the community grows and evolves through to the year 2051. September 17th 6-8pm at Trisan Centre in Schomberg, September 18 6-8pm at Zancor Centre, King City, and September 22 6-8pm at Dr. William Laceby Community Centre and Arena in Nobleton.
The next Public Information Centre for King's new Transportation Master Plan (TMP) will be held on September 25, at Zancor Centre in King City from 6-8pm. These sessions will be the same as the last event with no presentation but with various scenarios displayed for comment. The various scenarios being considered are available now on the Speaking King website. The consultant have identified two new scenarios - please have a look and share your thoughts.
King's Age-Friendly Community Action Plan is hosting Open Houses for an in-depth discussion about how King can become an age-friendly community. The feedback will be used to help create a 5-year King Age-Friendly Community Action Plan. Light snacks and beverages will be provided while quantities last. September 29 – 5:30pm – 7:30pm at King City Seniors Centre, October 01 – 5:30pm – 7:30pm at Trisan Centre in Schomberg, and for Businesses and Community Groups only a virtual meeting September 22 – 1:00pm – 2:00pm - email seniors@king.ca for virtual meeting link.
AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS
York Transit Update
York Region’s On-Request service is a ride-sharing service that allows you to request transit within select service areas. No application process is required. There are two options in King:
Travel from an address to/from a YRT route or another address where a YRT route option is not available.
65+ Service - Travel from an address to another address within 5 km in York Region. For seniors 65 years or older
Service hours are weekdays from 5:30am – 11pm, Saturday 8am-11pm and Sunday 8am-8pm.
Ridership has continued to grow with system wide growth to date in 2025 compared to 2024 shows an increase of 2.6% but King’s ridership has increased by 5% which is led by 17% growth for the On Request service.
Nobleton Community Hall
Council approved a variety of works to the Nobleton Community Hall, financed by the proposed tenants. Members of the Heritage Advisory Committee discussed the proposal with the prospective tenants and expressed no concerns or objections to the proposed alterations. The proponents remain committed to working with the township and were open to suggestions from council.
Demolition of 342 Kettleby Rd
The previous owner of this property allowed this building to become neglected and requested a demolition permit. In response, the Council issued a Notice of Intent to Designate and after a review concluded that the property meets the criteria for designation under the Ontario Heritage Act due to its contextual and design/physical value. The new owners of the building have submitted an application for demolition which staff have agreed with given that it is in a state of immense disrepair with no regular maintenance having taken place over a 20-year period.
The interesting part of council’s conversation was about how to stop “demolition by neglect”. Staff advise that a review is underway with by-law on how to use the Ontario Heritage Act to better protect these buildings. The Act has specific provisions that give municipalities the authority to put in specific provisions in the property standards bylaw largely about minimum standards for heritage attributes. A property standards by-law amendment may be forthcoming in the next year to address this issue.
Stormwater Pond Cleanout
Council approved the single-source request to use the Toronto Regional Conservation Authority (TRCA) to clean out two ponds. The estimated $1,000,000 cost of this work will be covered through the Stormwater Fee.
Despite the high cost, the two ponds identified for maintenance in Nobleton are quite small, but have reached sediment levels that warrant immediate attention to mitigate flood risk and environmental impacts. TRCA has previously partnered with the municipality on similar projects and has demonstrated the capability to deliver high-quality work while adhering to environmental regulations and best practices.
Stormwater management ponds play a critical role in controlling runoff, improving water quality, and mitigating flood risks. Over time, sediment naturally builds up in stormwater ponds, reducing their storage capacity and effectiveness. Regular maintenance, including the removal of accumulated sediment, is essential to ensure these ponds continue to function properly and remain in compliance with provincial environmental standards. Ponds are recommended to be cleaned when they are 30% full.
On average, stormwater ponds require a full cleanout approximately every 20 years. King has recently completed a comprehensive survey of all its stormwater ponds and identified six that will need to be cleaned out within the next few years. The remaining ponds are newer, associated with more recent developments, and will not require cleanout for some time.
For context, the stormwater pond off Oliver Emmerson is currently the Township’s largest of this type. Based on theoretical sediment accumulation rates, it is forecasted to require cleaning in 2054. At the point when the pond reaches 30% sediment capacity, approximately 4,008 m³ of material will need to be removed. Using current service costs, this clean-out would cost an estimated $3.1 million.
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