Let's Talk Richmond's Future: 2041 Official Community Plan Update: FORUM

Richmond is flat and is great for cycling.  Are there enough nearby bike routes that take you where you want to go?  Where are you going?  Where are you coming from?  Would you prefer direct bike routes on major roads or slightly indirect bike routes on neighbourhood streets?  More off-street bike paths?  All of the above?

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The Canada Line is a great catalyst to get more people taking transit.  Can you get to the system by bus from where you live?  Would more bus routes in Richmond help?  Where are you going?  Where are you coming from?

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Beyond improved transit and more bike routes, what other key changes are needed to make our transportation system more environmentally friendly today and for generations to come?

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In the OCP survey, you said that you value Richmond's GREEN SPACES as well as Parks (see the OCP survey questions and answers below).  Green spaces is not a term that the City typically uses to refer to its parks. We use the terms "parks" and "open spaces" and definitions for both are provided below.  We are seeking clarification on what you mean by the terms "parks and "green spaces".  Are they the same thing or different?

City definitions for parks and open space

Parks: all traditional outdoor spaces that are used by the public primarily for recreational and leisure uses. They range in size and function from destination parks (Garry Point), environmental parks (Nature Park), athletic parks (Hugh Boyd), school/parks in a neighbourhood to small City Centre parks (Land Park).

Open Spaces: public spaces such as dyke trails, greenways, small urban plazas, undeveloped road right-of-ways, boulevard, and spaces between buildings.

OCP SURVEY questions:

Question 22 "my top three exciting changes that I would like to see in Richmond in the future are"...The No. 1 answer was "increase the number of parks" and "more green space". 

Question 23 "my top three favorite things that I wouldn't want to see changed in Richmond are:"... Again, the No. 1 answer was dyke trails and green spaces. 

Parks play a critical role in building a sense of community as areas to socialize as well as places for physcal activity and environmental features. What improvements can be made to your local park to encourage even more use, to improve the environment and be distinct to your neighbourhood?

In the OCP survey last fall, we asked you what you thought about a proposed OCP vision of what Richmond could be in 2041. You came up with a lot of ideas and so we made some changes - see A Proposed 2041 OCP Vision.  Tell us what you think. Does it reflect a city that you want to live in? Could it be Richmond in 2041? Anything missing? How do we get there?

We also included our ecological footprint. Please check out what Richmond residents said in the OCP survey by clicking on the OCP survey link.

Clearly, Richmond residents appreciate the City's natural environment: In a recent survey "84% of respondents said the City should make more of an effort to protect and enhance environmental areas and features."  Why is Richmond's natural environment important to you? 

The types of housing the City is considering are coach houses, granny flats and duplexes on lots not located along a major arterial road. The City is considering extending these housing options to single-family residential areas. (The existing 1999 OCP already allows a variety of housing types in Richmond’s single family residential areas. This is occurring now on some major arterial roads and in certain neighbourhood outside the City Centre).

• A coach house is a self-contained dwelling located above a detached garage in the rear yard.
• A granny flat is a detached, self contained dwelling located on the ground floor in the rear yard.
• A duplex is two self-contained dwellings located either” (1) side by side, or (2) front and back.

(See the OCP housing choice survey for more details).

More information on this topic:

Benefits of new housing types.

Description of new housing types

How would new housing types fit into my neighbourhood

Possible new housing types in Richmond's single family areas

Ever thought about living close to where you shop and play? Instead of climbing into your car, wouldn’t it be so much easier and healthier if you could walk or cycle to:

    * buy that last minute gift
    * get your pet to the vet
    * see your dentist
    * buy some local freshly baked croissants to impress your lunch guests
    * buy flowers for Mom, or maybe just hang out with your friends over coffee at your favourite local café.

We would like to talk to you about transforming the 8 shopping centres into places that are at the “heart” of your community - meeting your daily needs and enhancing your quality of life. Tell us what you think?

More on this topic:

Future planning of 8 neighbourhood centres

Roles and attributes of neighbourhood centres

Map, inner core, N Centre

Map, outer core, N Centre

Broadmoor Neighbourhood Centre Plan

Tell us which Richmond neighbourhood you live in and what you need to reduce your dependence on your car for getting to your local neighbourhood core.