Yonge Street and Bernard Key Development Area

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The Yonge/Bernard Key Development Area (Yonge/Bernard KDA) is an intensification area located on Yonge Street, which is identified in the Richmond Hill Official Plan as a Key Development Area. Key Development Areas as identified in the Official Plan are existing major nodes of retail and/or commercial development with access to rapid transit, where opportunities for redevelopment of large land parcels exist to support new public streets. The policies of the Official Plan require that a Secondary Plan be prepared for areas designated as a Key Development Area.

Study Area

Planning Study

The purpose of the Planning Study was to guide implementation of the vision and planning objectives for the Yonge/Bernard KDA, as set out in the Richmond Hill Official Plan. It provided a framework to prepare the Secondary Plan. Please click the tabs below for more information.

Stage 1: Background Research

Background Report: identifies the background research and findings and identifies any opportunities and constraints that may exist within the Yonge/Bernard KDA (for an alternative format of this document, please contact planning@richmondhill.ca).

Stage 2A: Options Development

March 1, 2017 Presentation from the Public Workshop (for an alternative format of this document, please contact planning@richmondhill.ca)
March 30, 2017 Presentation from the Community Open House and March 30, 2017 Panels from the Community Open House

Stage 2B: Preferred Option and Policy Directions

Preferred Option and Policy Direction Report: outlines a preferred height, density, open space and transportation network for the Bernard KDA and provides policy directions for the future Secondary Plan.

Stage 2C: Recommendations

Recommendations Report: further refines the preferred land use and design option for the study area and provides recommendations for the future Secondary Plan process.
Secondary Plan Transportation Considerations: outlines a recommended transportation network for the Bernard KDA.
Technical Memorandum: includes a preliminary servicing analysis for the Bernard KDA.

Secondary Plan and Zoning By-law

The Secondary Plan will help guide development at this intersection to 2031 and beyond. It will provide direction for intensification of the area from the current state of primarily commercial/retail and vacant lands to a mixed-use intensification node. The Zoning By-law will provide the regulatory framework to implement the Secondary Plan and facilitate the development of this area as set out in the Official Plan and Secondary Plan over time.

Stage 3A: Draft Secondary Plan and Zoning By-law

Draft Yonge and Bernard Key Development Area Secondary Plan - provides area-specific policies that reflect the unique context, character, and planned vision for the KDA as set out in the Official Plan, such as character (i.e. mix of uses, distribution of height and density, built form design), parks and urban open space, connectivity and mobility, and implementation.
Draft Yonge and Bernard Key Development Area Secondary Plan Zoning By-law - provides the regulatory framework to implement the Secondary Plan and facilitate the development of this area as set out in the Official Plan and Secondary Plan over time.
The Draft Secondary Plan and Zoning By-law were presented at the Council Public Meeting on Wednesday, November 1, 2017 for public comment.

Stage 3A: Additional Transportation Analysis

An additional transportation analysis was conducted at the request of Council to further investigate alternatives to the road network within the Key Development Area. The results of this analysis was considered in the development of the Draft Secondary Plan.

Stage 3B: Final Secondary Plan and Zoning By-law

The Yonge and Bernard Key Development Area Secondary Plan provides area-specific policies that reflect the unique context, character, and planned vision for the KDA as set out in the Official Plan, such as character (i.e. mix of uses, distribution of height and density, built form design), parks and urban open space, connectivity and mobility, and implementation. See the Status section for the version of the Secondary Plan as adopted by Council.
The Yonge and Bernard Key Development Area Secondary Plan Zoning By-law provides the regulatory framework to implement the Secondary Plan and facilitate the development of this area as set out in the Official Plan and Secondary Plan over time. See the Status section for the version of the Zoning By-law as adopted by Council.
The Secondary Plan and Zoning By-law, as provided in Appendix A and B of the Staff Report, were recommended for adoption at the Committee of the Whole Meeting on Monday, November 20, 2017.

Status

The Yonge and Bernard KDA Secondary Plan and Zoning By-law were adopted by City Council on Monday, November 27, 2017.
View the Yonge and Bernard Key Development Area Secondary Plan as adopted by Council.
View By-law 111-17, the Yonge and Bernard Key Development Area Secondary Plan Zoning By-law as adopted by Council.
The Secondary Plan and Zoning By-law were appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board (appeal period ended January 2, 2018). See the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal website, case number PL180073
On April 16, 2019, there was a Special Meeting of Council wherein this matter was discussed. A Council resolution was adopted regarding proposed changes to the Secondary Plan and Zoning By-law that Council would like the Tribunal to consider at the upcoming hearing. See Special Meeting of Council
At the May 14, 2019 Council Meeting, Council passed a resolution to rescind its April 16 motion. In light of more recent Provincial and Regional land use planning initiatives, Council is directing staff to seek an adjournment of the hearing before the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal and for the City to undertake further consultation with landowners and the community regarding the Secondary Plan and Zoning By-law for the KDA. (See Item 17.1)

Questions or Comments?

Please submit written questions or comments to the contact listed below. For more information regarding submissions and the collection of information, please contact the Office of the Clerk at 905-771-8800 or by email at clerks@richmondhill.ca.

Mail: Policy Planner, City of Richmond Hill, 225 East Beaver Creek Road, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 3P4
Fax: 905-771-2404
Email: bernardkda@richmondhill.ca