Skip to Content

City of Richmond Hill Logo

Contact Us Main menu icon Menu
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • Our Services

    Popular Links

    • Snow Removal News and Notices
    • Garbage and Recycling at Your Home
    • Contact Directory
    • Volunteering
    • Property Tax Billings
    • Water Services
    • A-Z Services
    • Accessibility
    • Accessing City Records and Information
    • Animal Services
    • By-laws
    • City of Richmond Hill e-Newsletter
    • Commissioning Public Services
    • Contact Us
    • Cooling Centres
    • Council, Committees and Task Forces
    • Emergency Services
    • Employment
    • Fee Assistance
    • Fire and Emergency Services
    • Garbage and Recycling
    • Holiday Donation Drive
    • Holiday Service Schedule
    • How Can We Help You
    • Library
    • View All "Our Services"
    View our Garbage and Recycling page
  • Things to Do

    Popular Links

    • Arenas
    • Community Recreation Guide
    • Pools
    • Recreational Swimming
    • Recreation Programs
    • Community Centres
    • Events
    • Parks and Facilities
    • Advertising and Sponsorship
    • Arts and Culture
    • Attractions
    • Birthday Party Packages
    • Camp
    • Community Recreation Guide
    • Educational Programs and Field Trips
    • Facilities and Sports Fields
    • Festivals and Events
    • Get Active
    • Get Involved
    • Heritage and Museums
    • Library
    • Map Gallery
    • McConaghy Centre
    • Outdoor Activities
    • PA Day Programs
    • Parks, Trails and Facilities Directory
    • Parks, Trails and Natural Areas
    • View All "Things to Do"
    View our Book a Facility page
  • Register, Apply or Pay

    Popular Links

    • Book a Facility
    • Procurement Bid Opportunities
    • Building, Development and Roads
    • Water Bill
    • Building Permits
    • Employment
    • Animal Licences
    • Applications, Licences and Permits
    • Birth and Death Certificates
    • Book a Facility
    • Building Inspections
    • Business Licence
    • Community Gardens
    • Community Recreation Guide
    • Employment
    • Fee Assistance
    • Garbage Tags and Bins
    • Healthy Yards, Plant Kits, and Rain Barrels
    • How to Pay Your Water Bill
    • Large Appliance and Metal Goods Collection
    • Letter of Greeting from Mayor Request
    • Marriage and Weddings
    • Milestone Certificate Request
    • News Updates and eNewsletter
    • Open Air Burning
    • View All "Register, Apply or Pay"
    View our Community Recreation Guide page
  • Invest and Do Business

    Popular Links

    • Economic Development
    • Why Richmond Hill
    • Small Business Enterprise Centre
    • Creative Industries Symposium
    • Economic Development Strategy
    • Zoning By-Law Amendment
    • Advertising and Sponsorship
    • Available Land and Buildings
    • Building Permits
    • Business Support
    • Community Improvement Plan (CIP) - Grants
    • Development
    • Economic Development
    • Economic Development Publications
    • Economic Development Team
    • Filming in Richmond Hill
    • Help for Businesses
    • Innovators of the Year Award
    • Key Sectors
    • MedEdge
    • Procurement Bid Opportunities
    • Property Taxes
    • Reports, Publications and Plans
    • Small Business Enterprise Centre
    • Talent Recruitment
    • View All "Invest and Do Business"
    View our Why Richmond Hill page
  • Find or Learn About

    Popular Links

    • How Can We Help You?
    • Planning Development
    • Parking Permits
    • Reports, Publications and Plans
    • Parks, Trails and Natural Areas
    • By-laws
    • Heritage and Museums
    • A-Z Services
    • About Government
    • About Richmond Hill
    • Access Richmond Hill
    • Age-Friendly Community
    • Animal Services
    • Arts and Culture
    • Awards
    • Budget
    • By-laws
    • Capital Projects
    • Certificate of Insurance Forms
    • Civic Precinct Project
    • Commissioning Public Services
    • Community Development
    • Contact Us
    • Cooling Centres
    • Council, Committees and Task Forces
    • COVID-19
    • View All "Find or Learn About"
    View our Parks, Trails and Facilities page
Access RH

Access Richmond Hill

The Access Richmond Hill Contact Centre provides assistance for general inquiries, responds to questions or concerns regarding programs and services as well as accepts in person payments.

Contact Us

905-771-8800

access@richmondhill.ca

Hours of Service:
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Report Feedback

Report a problem with a service, e.g. missed garbage collection, overnight parking, potholes, street lights, etc.

Report a Problem

Feedback
  • Reports, Publications and Plans
    • Affordable Housing Strategy
    • Asset Management Plan
    • Budget
    • Economic Development Strategy
    • Environment Strategy
    • Financial Statements
    • Inventory of Buildings of Architectural and Historical Importance
    • Lake Wilcox Special Policy Area
    • Official Plan
    • Parks, Recreation and Culture Plans
    • Planning Studies
      • Environmental Assessment Studies
      • Richmond Hill Centre Secondary Plan
      • Yonge and Carrville/16th Key Development Area
      • Yonge Street and Bernard Key Development Area
    • Water Quality Report
  • A-Z Services
  • Accessibility
  • Accessing City Records and Information
  • Animal Services
  • By-laws
  • City of Richmond Hill e-Newsletter
  • Commissioning Public Services
  • Contact Us
  • Cooling Centres
  • Council, Committees and Task Forces
  • Emergency Services
  • Employment
  • Fee Assistance
  • Fire and Emergency Services
  • Garbage and Recycling
  • Holiday Donation Drive
  • Holiday Service Schedule
  • How Can We Help You
  • Library
  • Lottery Licence
  • Marriage and Weddings
  • News and Alerts
  • Notice of Claim
  • Planning Development
  • Planning Information
  • Property Tax Billings
  • Report It
  • Sewer Backups
  • Snow Clearing
  • Transportation and Roads
  • Trees and Yards
  • Warming Centres
  • Water Services
  • Windrow Clearing Program
  • Winter Information

Our Services

Yonge Street and Bernard Key Development Area

subnav icon More
Share this page
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Email
Home/...Reports, Publications and PlansPlanning StudiesYonge Street and Bernard Key Development Area

More in this Section...

The Yonge/Bernard Key Development Area (Yonge/Bernard KDA) is an intensification area located at the intersection of Yonge Street and Bernard Avenue, which is identified in the Richmond Hill Official Plan as a Key Development Area.

Study Area 

Map of the Study Area, centered on the Yonge Street and Bernard Avenue intersection 

Current Status

In a decision dated February 26, 2021, the Local Planning Appeals Tribunal has partially approved the Yonge/Bernard Key Development Area Secondary Plan. This brings the majority of the Secondary Plan into effect for the lands on the western side of Yonge Street. A second phase of hearings was held in July 2021 to discuss site-specific matters within the KDA.

  • View the current Yonge/Bernard KDA Secondary Plan.
  • View a copy of the February 26, 2021 Local Planning Appeal Tribunal decision.
  • For more information on the appeals process, visit the Ontario Land Tribunal website (under E-Status, refer to case number PL180073).

Background

What is a Key Development Area?

A Key Development Area (KDA), as identified in the Official Plan, is an existing major node 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.

What is a Major Transit Station Area?

In 2017, the Province updated the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. In this new version, the concept of Major Transit Station Areas (MTSAs) was introduced. MTSAs are defined as areas that are within 500 to 800 metres of an existing or planned higher order transit station/stop; this represents about a 10 minute walk. The Growth Plan defines higher order transit as transit that operates in partially or completely dedicated rights of way, which allows the transit services to achieve levels of speed and reliability that is greater than in mixed traffic. This includes heavy rail (e.g. subways and inter-city rail), light rail, and buses that operate in dedicated rights-of-ways.

The Growth Plan directs that the Region of York establish boundaries for MTSAs. The Region is presently in the process of undertaking this work. For more information, view the York Region Municipal Comprehensive Review website.

As part of the re-thinking for the Yonge/Bernard KDA Secondary Plan, it is important to be mindful of this and other related new policy directions.

Why is intensification important?

Richmond Hill is a vibrant community and is a desirable place for many people to work, live, and play, with new residents moving into Richmond Hill every day. However, there is limited room to expand the City's boundaries to accommodate future growth due to features such as the Oak Ridges Moraine. While much of the future growth will be directed towards the City's Urban Growth Centre located at the Richmond Hill Centre, other areas of the City will also need to play a part in accommodating new residents and jobs. The Yonge/Bernard KDA is well situated to accommodate new growth, being located on Yonge Street with access to frequent rapid transit, a bus terminal, and existing retail uses.

Project History (November 2016 to Spring 2020)

There were four components to the Yonge/Bernard KDA Secondary Plan project:

  • A Planning Study was completed to guide implementation of the vision and planning objectives for the KDA. It provided a framework to prepare the Secondary Plan.
  • A Secondary Plan, which provided 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.
  • A new Zoning By-law for the area, which provided the regulatory framework to implement the Secondary Plan and facilitate the redevelopment of this area as set out in the Official Plan and Secondary Plan over time.
  • A new Tertiary Plan for the neighbourhood portion of the study area, known as the South Brookside Tertiary Plan.
 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 Public Workshop 
  • March 30, 2017 Community Open House
  • If you would like a copy of the presentation or display boards from these meetings, please contact planning@richmondhill.ca.
 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. 
 Stage 3A: Draft Secondary Plan and Zoning By-law

The Draft Secondary Plan and Zoning By-law were presented at the Council Public Meeting on Wednesday, November 1, 2017 for public comment.

  • 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.
  • For copies of the draft Secondary Plan and draft Zoning By-law as presented at the Council Public Meeting, refer to Staff Report SRPRS.17.167.
 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 Secondary Plan and Zoning By-law were adopted at the Committee of the Whole Meeting on Monday, November 20, 2017.

  • 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.
  • 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.
Stage 4: Appeals Process & Revisit
  • 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.
  • At the April 16, 2019 Special Meeting of Council, 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.
  • 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 directed staff to seek an adjournment of the hearing before the Local Planning 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.
  • On December 10, 2019, an Open House was held at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts.
  • Revised drafts of the Secondary Plan and implementing Zoning By-law, as well as an updated Transportation Study, were released on February 14, 2020.
  • On March 3, 2020, a Public Information Session was held at the Elgin West Community Centre.
  • The revised Secondary Plan, Zoning By-law, and modifications to the Part I Official Plan were presented at the May 13, 2020 Council Meeting.

    Staff Report SRPRS.20.058

    SRPRS.20.058 - Appendix A - Proposed Secondary Plan (text only, showing changes)

    SRPRS.20.058 - Appendix A1 - Proposed Secondary Plan

    SRPRS.20.058 - Appendix B - Proposed Zoning By-law (showing changes)

    SRPRS.20.058 - Appendix C - Draft Official Plan Amendment

    SRPRS.20.058 - Appendix G - Final Transportation Report

  • In a decision dated February 26, 2021, the Local Planning Appeals Tribunal partially approved the Secondary Plan and Zoning By-law. This brings the majority of both documents into effect for the lands on the western side of Yonge Street. A second phase of hearings was held in July 2021 to discuss site-specific matters within the KDA.
    • Partially-approved Yonge/Bernard KDA Secondary Plan (February 26, 2021).
    • February 26, 2021 Local Planning Appeal Tribunal decision.
  • For more information regarding the ongoing appeals of the Secondary Plan and Zoning By-law, please visit the Ontario Land Tribunal website; under E-Status, refer to case number PL180073.

If you would like a copy of any of the listed documents, please contact planning@richmondhill.ca.

Staff Reports

Staff Report SRPRS.16.151 - Council Direction for a Planning Study, Enactment of an Interim Control By-law and Preparation of the Yonge/Bernard KDA Secondary Plan and Zoning By-law - November 7, 2016

Staff Report SRPRS.16.191 - Council Direction for Planning Study, Interim Control By-law and KDA Secondary Plan and Zoning By-law - November 28, 2016

Staff Report SRPRS.17.127 - Yonge Street and Bernard Avenue Key Development Area Recommendations Report - July 4, 2017

Staff Report SRPRS.17.167 - Draft Yonge Street and Bernard Avenue Key Development Area Secondary Plan and Implementing Zoning By-law.pdf - November 1, 2017

Staff Report SRPRS.17.197 - Yonge and Bernard Key Development Area Secondary Plan and Zoning By-law - November 20, 2017
(To view the staff report appendices, click on item 11.11 on the November 20, 2017 Committee of the Whole Meeting Agenda)

Staff Report SRPRS.20.058 - Directions Report for Yonge and Bernard Key Development Area - May 13, 2020
(To view the staff report appendices, click on item 12.6 on the May 13, 2020 Council Meeting Agenda)

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

Receive Email Updates...

Contact(s)

© 2021 Richmond Hill

  • A-Z Services
  • Accessibility
  • Contact Us
  • Employment
  • Volunteering
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
  • Terms of Use

Browser Compatibility Notification

It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.