Planning Framework Finalized for Richmond Oval Area
22 December 2005
The City of Richmond has adopted a revised Integrated Planning Framework for the Richmond Oval neighbourhood, which will now allow the next phase of planning and development for the area to proceed.
The City conducted public consultation on the Integrated Planning Framework in October of this year, through a public open house and a stakeholder meeting for property owners in the area.
Public Open House response to the Integrated Planning Framework: “Olympic Gateway” Concept is positive (75 per cent). The survey results show that, overall, 75 per cent of survey respondents rate the Integrated Planning Framework as achieving the previously approved Gateway Planning Principles.
| Summary of Survey Responses | % Very Well, Somewhat Well (excluding don't know) | |
| Oval Neighbourhood – How well the Oval Neighbourhood plan achieves principles of: | ||
|
73% 77% 82% 69% | |
|
Transportation – How well the planned enhancements will improve City Centre transportation 71% | ||
| Oval Site – How well the Oval Site plan achieves principles of: | ||
|
81% 76% 78% 66% | |
| Overall Average | 75% | |
The City is currently building the Richmond Oval, which will be home of the speed skating competition for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and then become a multi-purpose centre of excellence for sports and wellness. The Oval is being built on 32 acres of land owned by the City along River Road. The Oval will occupy about one-third of the City property with the rest being developed and sold to create a new City Centre waterfront neighbourhood. This development is also expected to act as a catalyst for redevelopment of surrounding neighbourhoods and the Integrated Planning Framework provides a context for that process.
The Integrated Planning Framework envisions the development of a number of Village Centres to act as focal points within the greater City Centre. One of these new Centres would be a Gateway Village with two major sub-areas. The Gateway West area runs from No. 2 Road to Gilbert Road and from Westminster Highway to the Middle Arm and includes the Oval Neighbourhood. The Gateway East Area runs from Gilbert Road to No. 3 Road and from Westminster Highway to the Middle Arm.
The Integrated Planning Framework also includes a more detailed Richmond Oval Site Master Plan. Highlights of that plan, include creation of major mixed used residential and commercial neighbourhood surrounding the Richmond Oval, with major new public gathering places, including a town square and riverfront plaza. The plan also includes a High Street of shops and services, enhancements to the Hollybridge Canal and dyke trail and “The Stroll,” a unique, animated pedestrian walkway around the perimeter of the Richmond Oval and along the riverfront, lined with shops, restaurants, hotel uses, and recreational activities. The revised planning framework allows for some higher densities in parts of the Oval development.
Under the Integrated Planning Framework, the 32-acre City-owned Oval site has been divided into seven parcels (excluding the actual site of the Oval building). The City will be issuing a Request For Proposal early in 2006, seeking interest in developing the seven parcels. Revenues from the development and sale or lease of the seven parcels is a major portion of the overall funding plan for the Richmond Oval project.
In addition, in early 2006, an OCP, Area Plan and Zoning Bylaw amendment process will be undertaken for the City-owned Parcel 7, west of the No. 2 Road Bridge. Concurrently, the City is also working on an overall update of its City Centre Plan, which includes the Oval area. After the City Centre Area Plan is updated by December 2006, a full Oval Neighbourhood Sub-Area Plan will be undertaken in 2007.
Copies of the Integrated Planning Framework are available for download in a 
PDF format:
- Summarized Integrated Planning Framework (38 KB)
- FULL Integrated Planning Framework: Olympic Gateway Concept (8.4 MB)
or from City Hall.
