Annual Report 2012 - Town of Richmond Hill

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Our Progress Benson Building Goal Two: Better Choice in Richmond Hill Better choice is not the same as more choice. Better choice means having better quality options to achieve our vision of Richmond Hill. 2 0 1 2 C O M M U N I T Y S U R V E Y 89% of residents are satisfied with Richmond Hill’s parks and recreation programs. 84% of residents agree that there are walking paths close to their home. 55% of residents have participated in Richmond Hill’s programs in the past year. Better Options to Move Around Richmond Hill’s population has quadrupled over the past 25 years and is projected to reach 242,000 by the year 2031. This rapid population growth poses a challenge to our transportation network, particularly in terms of road congestion. The Town has realized some success in promoting alternatives to automobile travel. Public transit ridership has increased: in 2012, 16% of residents identified public transit as their primary method of travel, a 60% increase over 2006. The Town has also committed to building infrastructure necessary for active transportation. Active Transportation Routes: Length of Routes Added from 2009-2011 Transportation Choices: 2006 Modal Split Better Options for Working and Doing Business Other 10% 79% 6% 5% 25 km 2.5 km 160 km Job growth is a key indicator of the health of the Town’s economy. Between 2009 and 2011 the number of Richmond Hill-based jobs has grown at twice the rate of Richmond Hill’s population. Richmond Hill Jobs 2009 2010 2011 Jobs 55,367 56,892 60,079 Residents Employed Locally 26.4% 27.1% 28.2% In April 2010 the Town began implementing a new Economic Development Strategy as overseen by the Economic Development Task Force. Its ongoing implementation focuses on retaining Richmond Hill’s current economic base while strengthening the Town’s competitive advantage in key sectors. Many of the strategy’s actions, including business retention and attraction activities, are designed to provide better options for working and doing business here. 22 Langstaff GO Station
R I C H M O N D H I L L S T R A T E G I C P L A N A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 2 Better Options for Where to Live Implementation of our new Official Plan, which contains policies that specifically address the provision of affordable housing, represents the Town’s key initiative to achieve better options for where to live. For example, the plan allows for second suites and encourages the development of high-density units suitable for families with children. These policies are expected to have a positive impact on diversifying Richmond Hill’s housing mix over the long term. The Town has helped York Region increase its supply of affordable housing through agreements with developers – the only municipality in York Region to do this. Singles 63% Richmond Hill’s Housing Mix (2009) Apartments 16% Semis 4% Duplexes 3% Rows 14% Annual Registration 57 500 57 000 56 500 56 000 55 500 55 000 54 500 54 000 Participants in Town Programs Registered Programs 2009 2010 2011 Annual Registration 325 000 320 000 315 000 310 000 305 000 300 000 295 000 290 000 Drop-in Programs 2009 2010 2011 Better Options for Being Active and Involved Richmond Hill has a diverse population with diverse needs. Participation in Town programs is a leading indicator of better options for being active and involved. Participation in both registered and drop-in programs has increased since 2009. Providing flexibility for residents has been a key priority in adapting community programs; drop-in program offerings have increased and many registered programs are now available in nine-week, four-week, and one-day workshops. At the same time, the Town has expanded its programs designed for residents with unique needs and specialised requirements, and in response to our cultural diversity. We have also expanded activity programs and fire education programs for seniors. These specialized programs provide opportunities for approximately 6 000 residents annually. S U M M A R Y A N D F U T U R E D I R E C T I O N S Overall progress in meeting our goal of has been positive, although there are still challenges to be addressed due to our community’s rapid growth. Our 2012 Community Survey identified growth-related issues as the primary concern of Richmond Hill residents. We have made progress providing residents with better options for moving around and for where to live, however providing employment options, road congestion, and affordable housing choices will pose challenges in the coming years. The Town has been successful in adapting its community programs to provide residents with better options for being active and involved. Registration in Town programs has steadily increased since 2009 and the large majority of residents indicate satisfaction with our programs. 23
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