Town of Richmond Hill Draft New Official Plan - Chapter 4

LAND USE POLICIES
8. For lands that are through-lots and have frontage on Yonge Street and on
a public street to the rear, development shall generally maintain the intent
of policies 4.3.1.1.5 to 4.3.1.1.7 of this Plan. Commercial and retail uses shall
only be directed to the Yonge Street frontage.
9. Notwithstanding policy 4.3.1.1.7 (b) above, high density residential
uses may be permitted in the Uptown District on the lands shown on
Schedule A9 (Downtown Local Centre Districts) to this Plan as “exception
area” provided that the proposed development is consistent with all other
relevant policies of this Plan.
10. To help maintain the character of smaller-format,
niche-market shops in the Downtown Local
Centre, the following policies shall apply:
a. Retail uses shall be limited to a maximum
gross floor area of 2,500 square metres; and
b. Retail uses with a gross floor area greater than
2,500 square metres shall only be permitted
on lands fronting on Yonge Street, subject to
a Zoning By-law amendment where it can be
demonstrated that:
i. There is a need for the proposed
use as demonstrated through a
Commercial Needs Study conducted
by a qualified professional;
ii. The proposed development enhances
the character of the area; and
iii. The proposed development is not in
an enclosed mall.
11. The maximum density of a development block within the Downtown
Local Centre shall be 2.0 FSI. The boundaries of development blocks shall
be identified in the Secondary Plan for the Downtown Local Centre.
12. Applications for development may be required to submit a concept plan
in accordance with the requirements of Section 5.2 of this Plan which
demonstrates how the development meets the land use and design policies
of this Plan for areas identified as a development block by the Town.
13. Building heights shall provide a transition from taller buildings in the
Uptown District and the Civic District to lower buildings in the Village
District.
14. The highest and most dense forms of development within the Downtown
Local Centre shall be located at the north end of the Uptown District and
at the south end of the Civic District with heights ranging from 9 storeys
to a maximum of 15 storeys and in accordance with the relevant angular
Height strategy for the Downtown Local Centre
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DRAFT MAY 6, 2010
4-12
RICHMOND HILL OFFICIAL PLAN