City establishes guidelines for development of future downtown

Richmond Hill – The City of Richmond Hill has adopted the Richmond Hill Centre Secondary Plan (RHCSP) that will guide development in the intensification area around Highway 7 and Yonge Street.

Richmond Hill Council initiated the RHCSP in response to the Provincial commitment to move forward on the extension of the Yonge Subway to Richmond Hill Centre.

The City has taken a leadership role in developing a comprehensive Secondary Plan for the area, based on a collaborative process grounded in extensive public and stakeholder engagement. The Secondary Plan encourages the creation of a complete urban community that leverages announced investments in key transit infrastructure, including the Yonge North Subway Extension.

The RHCSP presents a vision, principles and development framework for an exciting new transit-oriented urban community and regional destination with a mix of land uses focused around two subway stations and an integrated transit hub. The Secondary Plan envisions Richmond Hill Centre as a magnet for business, arts and culture, a leader in innovation and a key regional destination. It is also envisioned to be an urban community defined by its diversity of architecture and building types, its vibrant public spaces and walkable neighbourhoods.

The six principles that support this vision are:

• A new downtown for Richmond Hill
• A place defined by its high-quality design and public realm
• A place for all people
• A place for people to walk, bike and take transit
• A sustainable, healthy, and resilient place
• A place that supports new technology and innovation

Read the Richmond Hill Centre Secondary Plan at RichmondHill.ca/RHCentre.

The Secondary Plan has been forwarded to the Region of York for approval.

Quote

“I want to thank everyone from the community who took the time to participate in the various public engagement sessions. While the provincially legislated High Tech Transit-Oriented Communities EMZO directly impacts the Richmond Hill Centre Secondary Plan, I am optimistic that key issues such as the delivery of affordable housing and increased employment opportunities that this Council has advocated for, can be achieved over time. Together with Council and stakeholders, I look forward to continuing to work to create this vibrant new community hub where Richmond Hill residents can live, work and play.”  - Mayor David West

Quick Facts

• Richmond Hill Centre (RHC) in the area of Highway 7 and Yonge Street has been identified in the City of Richmond Hill Official Plan (RHOP) as the City’s primary intensification area and a place that is intended to develop into a compact, transit-supportive mixed-use centre.
• RHC is a key component of the City's urban structure, and a prominent regional focal point for planned public rapid transit infrastructure and investment.
• RHC is also identified as an Urban Growth Centre (UGC) and Major Transit Station Area (MTSA) in the Provincial Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (2019) and a Regional Centre in both the York Region Official Plan and the Richmond Hill Official Plan.