Zoning Bylaw Update
Background
The City of Richmond has initiated an update of Zoning & Development Bylaw No. 5300, which was initially adopted in 1989.
In order to assist with this task, Stantec Consulting Ltd. has been retained.
Goals
According to the City's Terms of Reference, the goals of this project are:
- To ensure that the updated Zoning Bylaw implements the City of Richmond Official Community Plan, Area Plans, Sub-Area Plans and Development Permit Guidelines;
- To bring the Zoning Bylaw to modern standards and ensure that it reflects the current and anticipated needs of the City in relation to legislative authority, legal requirements and sound land use management;
- To ensure the Bylaw is legally enforceable and consistent with the authorities established in the Local Government Act;
- To integrate relevant sections of other Bylaws and guidelines into the revised Zoning Bylaw;
- To implement the City's vision, current values (e.g., improved customer service, certainty) and priorities (e.g., economic development);
- To address the City's community planning and zoning administrative issues; and
- To reorganize the Zoning Bylaw to improve its effectiveness, user friendliness, clarity and ease of interpretation by staff, developers and the public.
Process
A Zoning Review Team of City staff have been assisting and directing the work of the consultant.
Thus far, the following work has already been completed.
Preliminary Work
- Stantec has reviewed Richmond's existing Zoning Bylaw, various planning documents, other Bylaws and municipal procedures.
- A review of other municipal zoning bylaws has been undertaken by Stantec to identify potential improvements.
1st Draft
- A partial first draft was submitted of the Procedures & Regulations (Administration - including Enforcement, Bylaw Amendments, Interpretation, General Development Regulations, Specific Use Regulations; Landscaping & Screening, Parking & Loading) and the format of each Zone.
2nd Draft
- A partial second draft was submitted with further detail on the aforesaid sections, particularly the Definitions and Standard Zones.
3rd Draft
- A third draft was submitted with the Procedures & Regulations and Standard Zones (items from the first and second drafts) largely completed (the third draft did not include the proposed Site Specific Zones - e.g., existing Comprehensive Development Districts).
4th Draft
- A complete fourth draft of the entire new proposed Zoning Bylaw was prepared (including all of the proposed Site Specific Zones and addressing the feedback of City staff on the third draft).
- The fourth draft of the proposed new Zoning Bylaw was posted on the City's web site and copies were made available at Richmond City Hall.
Development Industry Input
- The Urban Development Institute (UDI), Greater Vancouver Home Builders Association (GVHBA) and Architectural Institute of British Columbia (AIBC) were asked to provide their input into the fourth draft at a development industry workshop.
- UDI provided additional comments on the fourth draft at a separate meeting with City staff.
Public Input
- A Public Open House was held on the Zoning Bylaw Update and the public and interested groups were invited to provide their feedback on the fourth draft.
5th Draft
- City staff rewrote all of the Site Specific Zones (Comprehensive Development Districts) to put them into a similar format as the rest of the proposed new Zoning Bylaw.
- In light of this input and further review by City staff, Stantec produced a fifth draft of the consolidated, updated new Zoning Bylaw.
- Copies of the fifth draft of the proposed new Zoning Bylaw were available on the City's website and at Richmond City Hall.
Development Industry Input
- City staff prepared and posted on the City's website the following:
Key Input from UDI & Response of City- Summary of Key Input from UDI & Response of City (which was made available to UDI representatives and has since been updated based on their latest feedback). - Key Input from AIBC & Response of City - Summary of Key Input from AIBC & Response of City (which was made available to interested AIBC members - some of whom provided additional comments which are reflected in the attached document).
- Key Issues Addressed - Summary List of Key Issues Addressed (which was made available to the development industry and the public).
- The input of some of the small builders in Richmond was obtained, which is highlighted in the following document that was sent to the key spokespersons representing this group and has been updated based on their feedback.
- Input from Richmond Small Builders & Response of City - Summary of Key Input from Richmond Small Builders & Response of City.
Agricultural Input
- The input of the Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC) and staff of the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) and Ministry of Agriculture & Lands (MAL) was received on the fifth draft of the proposed new Zoning Bylaw and is summarized as follows.
- Agricultural Input & Response of City - Summary of Key Input from AAC and Staff from ALC and MAL & Response of City.
Public Input
- Public input was received on the proposed fifth draft by posting it on the City's website and by word of mouth.
6th Draft
- Based on the aforesaid input and further staff review, a sixth draft of the proposed new Zoning Bylaw has been prepared by Stantec.
- Copies of the sixth draft were available on the City's website.
- The UDI, GVHBA, AIBC and Richmond small builders were all advised of the link.
- City staff consulted with all the rezoning applicants that had a proposed CD zone in progress.
Final Bylaw and Zoning Maps
- Copies of the final bylaw, zoning maps and staff report are available on the City's website through the following links:
Adoption of the New Zoning Bylaw
Council has given first reading to the proposed new Zoning Bylaw. It will now proceed to the November 16, 2009 Public Hearing. This will be the final opportunity for the public, development community and any professional organizations to provide their input on the new Bylaw.
Unless Council decides there are substantive concerns, it is expected that the proposed new Bylaw will be given second and third reading and finally adopted after Public Hearing.
In Stream Rezoning Applications
Once the proposed new Zoning Bylaw is adopted, all in stream rezoning applications which have received first, second or third reading will be adopted using the new zones contained in the new Bylaw.
It should be noted that the proposed new Zoning Bylaw does not substantially change the zoning requirements of these in stream rezoning applications.
However, should a rezoning applicant want to be processed under the old, previous Zoning Bylaw, they would have until December 31, 2009 in which to obtain the necessary building permit, business license or development permit (whichever is applicable to their development).
Subdivision applications which are submitted prior to the adoption of the proposed new Zoning Bylaw (e.g., November 16, 2009) would have 1 (one) year to complete their subdivision under the old, previous Zoning Bylaw.
For further information please contact:
Holger Burke, MCIP
Development Coordinator
Email: holger.burke@richmond.ca
Phone: 604-276-4164
Fax: 604-276-405
