NOTICE OF THE ADOPTION OF AMENDMENT NO. 36 TO THE

RICHMOND HILL OFFICIAL PLAN

PURSUANT TO THE PLANNING ACT

TAKE NOTICE THAT the Council of The Corporation of the City of Richmond Hill adopted Amendment No. 36 to the Richmond Hill Official Plan on the 6th day of July, 2022 through the enactment of By-law 97-22 and in accordance with Sections 17 and 21 of the Planning Act, as amended.

Council in making its decision on these matters took into consideration all written and oral comments received on the applications.

An explanation of the purpose and effect of the Amendment describing the lands to which the Amendment to the Richmond Hill Official Plan applies is attached.  A complete copy of Amendment No. 36 to the Richmond Hill Official Plan, including all background materials, is available by contacting Simone Fiore, Senior Planner, phone number 905-771-2479 or by e-mail at simone.fiore@richmondhill.ca.

Dated at the City of Richmond Hill this 19th day of July, 2022

Stephen M.A. Huycke, City Clerk

The Corporation of the City of Richmond Hill

225 East Beaver Creek Road

Richmond Hill ON  L4B 3P4

Phone: 905-771-8800

Fax:   905-771-2502

E-mail:  clerks@richmondhill.ca

NOTE:    Any person or public body will be entitled to receive the Notice of the Decision from The Regional Municipality of York provided a written request to be notified with respect to Amendment No. 36 to the Richmond Hill Official Plan (including the person’s or public body’s address) is made to The Regional Municipality of York, Planning Department, 4th Floor, 17250 Yonge Street, Newmarket, Ontario L3Y 6Z1.

Part One – The Preamble

1.1    Purpose

            The purpose of this Amendment to the Richmond Hill Official Plan is to permit a high-density residential development comprised of an eight storey apartment building on the subject lands.

1.2    Location

            The lands affected by this Amendment are legally described as Part of Lot 1, Plan 200 (Municipal Addresses: 13572 and 13586 Bayview Avenue). The lands, which are located on the west side of Bayview Avenue have a total area of approximately 1.09 hectares as shown on Schedule 1 attached hereto, with a net developable lot area of 0.474 hectares.

1.3    Basis

            The proposed amendment is considered by Council to be appropriate for the following reasons: 

1. The Provincial Policy Statement (“PPS”) provides policy direction on matters of Provincial interest related to land use planning and development, including providing direction for appropriate development while protecting resources of provincial interest, public health and safety, and the quality of the natural and built environment. In this regard, the PPS includes policies that encourage efficient land use and development patterns, support a range and mix of housing options, promote planning for open spaces, parks, trails and linkages, direct development away from natural hazards, and protect natural heritage systems, among other objectives.

The proposed development is consistent with the principles and objectives of the PPS.

1. The Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (“Growth Plan”) informs decision-making regarding growth management and environmental protection within the Greater Golden Horseshoe (“GGH”) and provides overall policy direction on matters of provincial interest. The Growth Plan builds upon the policy foundation provided by the PPS and establishes additional and more specific land use planning policies for the GGH. The Growth Plan provides an overarching vision for how and where growth shall occur, while accommodating forecasted growth within complete communities that support access to an appropriate mix of jobs and services, public service facilities, and a full range of housing options. To support the above objectives, the Growth Plan includes policies that direct growth within settlement areas, provide for a mix of uses and services, encourage housing options, protect natural heritage features and establish minimum intensification and density targets, among other matters.

The proposed development is consistent with the policy direction as set out within the Growth Plan.

1. The York Region Official Plan (“ROP”) guides economic, environmental and community building decisions to manage growth within York Region and establishes policies that support more detailed and refined planning by local municipalities. The ROP contains policies that support the development of a diverse and compatible mix of land uses and intensification which is to be directed within strategic locations in the built-up area. The ROP also contains policies relating to fostering high-quality design, a mix and range of housing types, the protection of natural heritage features and safety in relation to natural hazards.

The subject lands are presently shown within the Urban Area in accordance with Map 1 (Regional Structure) of the ROP. The Urban Area policies permit a full range and mix of urban uses. The proposal reinforces and supports the planned urban structure identified in the ROP by utilizing existing services to contribute to the creation of a complete community. The proposal demonstrates consistency with the objectives of the York Region Official Plan.

The proposal demonstrates consistency with the policy direction and objectives of the York Region Official Plan.

1. The subject lands are designated Neighbourhood in accordance with Schedule A2 (Land Use) of the City’s Official Plan (“Plan”). The proposed development maintains the general intent and purpose of the goals, objectives and policies of the plan, including providing dwelling units ranging in size in an appropriate location within the City to contribute to a complete community.