Next, city staff will review the application and bring a report forward at an upcoming public hearing, scheduled for Sept. 17 at 7 p.m.

The city also said that “as part of its commitment to transparency,” it forwarded “a notice about the receipt of this development application to homeowners within 250 metres of the site, exceeding the legislated 120-metre requirement, as well as to nearby ratepayers’ associations.”

However, Lacaria said the Weston Downs Ratepayers Association has been “inactive for quite some time.”

Fearing the lack of proper representation and proper public engagement over the new proposal, Lacaria also shared with York Region Media a correspondence on a separate issue between the association and the City of Vaughan dating back to 2014.

The association described itself a “volunteer organization,” and unable to attend an afternoon meeting with the city,

“Not everyone saw the sign, as there was no sign installed within the specified time frame when I received the notice of the 'complete application' as per the regulation,” he further lamented after speaking with some residents.

Meanwhile, people who can’t attend the public meeting scheduled in September are encouraged to provide their feedback in writing, the city said.

Comments can be sent to Clement Messere, the senior planner managing this file, at clement.messere@vaughan.ca. He can also be reached at 905-832-8585, ext. 8409.

York Region Media also contacted the owner of the plaza, Velmar Centre Property Ltd. and its agent Humphries Planning Group Inc. asking if the new proposal contradicts the neighborhood’s master plan, and if it needs to amend any zoning requirements in the meantime. The story will be updated when a feedback is received.