City Centre Building Height Study

On Monday, February 25, 2013, Richmond City Council passed the following resolutions:

1. That Council authorize staff, as a one-time exception, to receive a rezoning application, at 6560-6700 No. 3 Road, from Townline Homes and, as part of the review, analyze the potential implications and benefits of possibly increasing the maximum City Centre building height and density, as outlined in the report, dated February 13, 2013, by the General Manager, Planning and Development;
2. That, to avoid property owner, developer and public speculation regarding any actual increase in City Centre building height and density, staff not receive any other similar zoning or Development Permit applications beyond that identified in Recommendation 1 above, until the Federal government and Council authorize any increase in City building height and density;
3. That to ensure co-ordination with the Vancouver International Airport Authority (YVR), City staff notify YVR and invite comments;
4. That City staff post a notice on the City’s Web site and notify the Urban Development Institute (UDI) to advise that property owners, developers and the general public, that they are:

(a)    to recognize that the above proposed approach is a one-time
exception;
(b)    not to assume that there will be an increase in City Centre building
height and density as, it is the Federal government who authorizes any
increase in the height allowed by Vancouver Airport International
Zoning Regulations and Council has not decided whether or not to
amend the City Centre Area Plan (CCAP) to increase building height
and density (beyond that currently identified in the CCAP) and
(c)    to assume that the full lift in land value associated with any future
increase in building height or density (beyond that currently identified in
the CCAP) will be directed to provide additional community benefits
beyond those currently identified in the CCAP.

The purpose of this Notice is to limit speculation and similar rezoning applications until further City notice.

The Council approved report can be found here:
City Centre Study to Explore the Implications of Increasing Building Height

For further information, please contact:

Policy Planning Department
Planning and Development Division
Phone: 604-276-4207
Fax: 604-276-4052
Email:  CommunityPlanning@richmond.ca