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    • More Homes for More People: Increasing Housing Supply
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More Homes for More People: Increasing Housing Supply

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HomeFind or Learn AboutHousing Accelerator FundMore Homes for More People: Increasing Housing Su...

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Official Plan and Zoning By-laws Amendments to increase homes in the City

Ontario is in a housing crisis, and the City of Richmond Hill is working to increase the housing supply for its residents.

One of the City's initiatives for the Federal Government’s Housing Accelerator Fund is to build more housing across neighbourhoods, especially those near rapid transit stations, which will increase gentle density and supply much-needed missing middle housing in the city. This will be achieved by proposing amendments to the City's Official Plan and Zoning By-laws to allow up to:

  • four residential units on properties that currently allow single- and semi-detached houses or townhouses; and
  • four storeys As-of-Right in the Richmond Hill GO Station Major Transit Station Area (MTSA) and the MTSAs along the Yonge Street and Highway 7 priority transit corridors, where there is a mixed-use centre or corridor designations.

Currently, property owners are allowed to create up to three units on each property. The proposed amendments will help to build even more homes in the city.

The City will assess the impact of these changes on the neighbourhoods’ infrastructure, such as water, stormwater, and transportation systems, and make the necessary adjustments. Consultation firms have been retained to complete this initiative. 

Several public open houses will take place in June. Residents are encouraged to attend the events to learn more about the amendments and share their thoughts. Details are available under the How to Get Involved section below.

Gentle Density 

Gentle density is an urban development term for increasing the housing supply with minimal impact on the existing neighbourhoods and communities. Gentle density allows the City to increase rental homes supply, housing choices, add vibrancy to neighbourhoods with declining populations, and support the aging population to stay and thrive in their communities.

Learn more about how Gentle Density can help increase the housing supply in Richmond Hill.

As-of-Right
Zoning regulations that allow property owners to directly apply for a building permit without further Planning Act approvals.
Examples of Possible Additional Residential Units

Owners may convert, split or add to their houses to create new units.

graphic showing options for creating new units in existing housing

A separate building in the backyard may also contain units.

graphic showing addition of separate buildings to existing property

Or, brand new multi-plexes may be constructed.

graphic showing existing detached home  graphic showing newly constructed multiplex

The City will assess the impact of these changes on the neighbourhoods’ infrastructure, such as water, stormwater, and transportation systems, and make the necessary adjustments.

 

Images provided by ReHousing.

Project Phases

Phase 1: Kick-Off
The City works with the consultant team on preliminary planning, such as developing plans and setting timelines.
Phase 2: Assumptions and Parameters
The City works with the consultant team to establish underlying assumptions for the Study and to scope the engineering models and built-form demonstrations.  
Phase 3: Background Analysis & Precedents
The consultant team analyzes the Province’s planning policy and the City’s current Official Plan and Zoning By-laws, particularly on housing and demographic trends, existing municipal infrastructure, previous studies, and examples from other Ontario municipalities.
Phase 4: Issues and Options
The consultant team creates demonstrations of impact on properties in three scenarios: current zoning, slightly relaxed zoning, and moderately relaxed zoning.
Phase 5: Public Consultation (In Progress)
The City hosts in-person and virtual public consultation events to engage residents and property owners, share built-form demonstrations, and gather feedback on Official Plan and Zoning By-laws amendments.  
Phase 6: Amendment Approach and Impact Assessment
The City and the consultant team develop an approach to amend the Official Plan and Zoning By-laws and build engineering models to assess the approach’s impact on local infrastructure, such as water, stormwater and transportation systems. 
Phase 7: Drafting of Official Plan and Zoning By-laws Amendments
The City and the consultant team draft Official Plan and Zoning By-laws amendments.
Phase 8: Finalizing Official Plan and Zoning By-laws Amendments 
Proposed Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments are presented to council for consideration. The public may make statements in support or opposition before Council makes a decision. 
How to Get Involved

Gentle Density

Learn more about how Gentle Density can help increase the housing supply in Richmond Hill.

Resources

  • Housing Accelerator Fund
  • Official Plan Update
  • Zone Richmond Hill
  • Affordable Housing Strategy
  • Additional Residential Unit

Questions and Concerns? 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact:

Email Salvatore Aiello - Project Manager, Development Zoning, or call 905-771-9996 ext. 2540.

Get Email Updates

Click the "Receive Email Updates..." link below to subscribe to this webpage to receive email updates on how the City is increasing the housing supply in our community.

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