Housing affordability, social equity, environmental protection and climate mitigation are some of themes being proposed in a review of Richmond's Official Community Plan (OCP).
Richmond city staff are launching a comprehensive review of the OCP that guides planning and development throughout the municipality.
The OCP review report states that, instead of a conventional approach, city staff want a “comprehensive rethink of traditional approaches to improve housing affordability.”
The report, which will be dealt with at next week's planning meeting, goes on to say the city is looking for “bold solutions and new tools” to tackle the housing affordability crisis.
“Staff intend to look at a number of models, not only nationally, but internationally, to understand what could be employed in the Richmond context,” the report states.
This could include seeing how land prices can be controlled, for example, through a housing authority or requiring any additional density added to a development to be used for affordable housing.
A recent “Housing Needs” report compiled by the city showed that 95 per cent of Richmondites couldn’t afford to buy a single-family home in the city if they didn’t already own one.
Removing social equity barriers
Another goal in the OCP review is to look at how all groups – regardless of age, social income and ethnicity – could participate equally in society, so that their basic needs are met, and they have access to community services.
The report states social equity would involve the removal of “systemic barriers that cause the disparities experienced by different groups of people.”
Some topics could include land use planning, reviewing universal accessibility policies and involving under-represented groups “in shaping the future of Richmond.”
Environmental issues are also listed as a priority in the OCP review.
This could include using best practices when reviewing environmentally sensitive areas and carbon sequestration.
Furthermore, the city suggest looking at using fill in agricultural areas as a flood protection strategy and to “improve the viability of farmland.”
The OCP’s outlook is 30 years, so the review of the plan will include looking at new significant trends including demographic shifts, technological advances, economic shifts and environmental changes.
The review will also include planning “neighbourhood service centres” with a to create centres that “provide residents with a variety of housing, jobs, and services, and function as the public heart of the neighbourhood.”
The OCP review could start this year already, with a completion day of mid-2024.
Consultation will be done with the general public, council's advisory committees, neighbouring municipalities and external stakeholders.
