The Policy Context Background Paper is the first in a series of background discussion papers for the Town’s new Official Plan. The purpose of this background paper is to set out the existing legislative framework and policy regime through which the Town’s new Official Plan will be developed, reviewed and implemented. The paper is divided into three major sections:
A) Provincial Planning Policy Context; B) Regional Planning Policy Context; and C) Local Planning Policy Context – What Does this Mean for Richmond Hill.
The first two sections establish the land use planning policy direction from the Provincial and Regional perspective. The third section attempts to match these policies to Richmond Hill’s local planning context. Common policy directives from the Province, the Region, and input from the Town’s Socio-Economic Study and People Plan consultation process were analyzed to come up with major policy themes. These policy directives will help set the parameters and tone for developing the new Official Plan.
