More than 25,000 single-family properties in Richmond will soon be allowed to have three to six housing units built on them.
Richmond city council must pass bylaws by June 30 to allow this pre-zoning, as mandated by the provincial government.
City staff noted in a report for Monday’s committee meeting that the “magnitude of change combined with the tight deadlines are unprecedented.”
In Richmond, 25,803 properties will be affected by the change in legislation. If they were fully built out with the maximum number of units, it would add 100,000 homes to the city.
If city council doesn’t make the bylaw changes, the province will have the power to override municipal bylaws.
City staff go on to note this provincial legislation has “effectively reduced local autonomy in land use decision making,” and the tight deadline has disrupted city work such as updating the Official Community Plan (OCP) which normally guides development in the city.
The provincial Bill 44 was passed last fall. This will affect all municipalities with more than 5,000 residents.
Two weeks ago, however, city council asked the province to postpone pre-zoning bylaws for an area in Steveston that is earmarked for sewer upgrades.
When the bylaw is passed, residential lots that are 3,012 square feet in size will be permitted to have at least three units and residential lots that are larger than 3,012 square feet will be permitted to have four units.
Residential lots that are larger than 3,024 square feet and within 400 metres of a bus stop with frequent transit service will be allowed six housing units.
In their report, city staff say it’s “uncertain” how the market will respond to the new pre-zoning, but impacts of densification will affect sewer and road infrastructure, parks, open spaces, recreational and cultural facilities and schools.
The bylaws to pre-zone these residential properties will be discussed at Monday’s General Purposes Committee meeting at 4 p.m.
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