{"id":20551,"date":"2023-08-09T22:54:55","date_gmt":"2023-08-10T05:54:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/dense-community-planned-for-bathurst-and-7-in-richmond-hill\/"},"modified":"2023-08-09T22:54:56","modified_gmt":"2023-08-10T05:54:56","slug":"dense-community-planned-for-bathurst-and-7-in-richmond-hill","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/dense-community-planned-for-bathurst-and-7-in-richmond-hill\/","title":{"rendered":"Dense Community Planned for Bathurst and 7 in Richmond Hill"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Just north of Toronto in York Region, a master-planned development has been proposed for the southwestern corner of Richmond Hill. Dubbed Richvale Village<\/a>, it is named for the Richvale neighbourhood opposite on the east bank of the East Don River. The land\u00a0on the east side of Bathurst Street, north of Highway 7, is currently in use as the Richmond Hill Golf Club. It would continue to exist, but with a reduced number of fairways and holes.\u00a0The mixed-use development that would replace most of the golf course would have a blend of residential, commercial, and public spaces. Designed by BNKC<\/a> for CTN Developments<\/a>, the project’s buildings span from 4 to 38 storeys, aiming to bring denser urban living to this western extension of Richvale.<\/p>\n

Looking northwest to a rendering of the master-planned community, image created by BNKC for CTN Developments<\/span><\/p>\n

Until recently, this site was protected as part of the Parkway Belt West Plan (PBWP), a strategic initiative set in motion by the provincial government in 1973. This plan was conceived to reserve lands for what eventually became Highway 407, along with other transportation and utility corridors<\/a>. An\u00a0element of the plan was to act as a green buffer between built-up areas, distinctly separating communities. This corner of Richmond Hill was included in the PBWP due to its adjacency to the Don and golf course use, reinforcing its green character.<\/p>\n

Looking northeast to the entrance to the site and neighbouring golf course, image retrieved from Google Street View<\/span><\/p>\n

The PBWP lands were reserved via a\u00a0Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO)<\/a>\u00a0in 1973, a special directive more often used these days to fast-track land development. In this case, a request was made in 2021 to remove these lands from the PBWP, paving the way for redevelopment as part of a Major Transit Station Area, and in March, 2022, an MZO revoked<\/a>\u00a0the earlier PBWP MZO regarding the parcel of land outlined in the image below.<\/p>\n

The lands included in the amendment to the Parkway Belt West Plan, image courtesy of CTN Developments<\/span><\/p>\n

CTN Developments envisions a masterplanned community on the site, which the proposal divides into a series of five distinct character districts across the approximately 105-acre property, plus the remaining golf course. Each district would have its own unique features and function, aiming to\u00a0create a vibrant development.<\/p>\n

The character districts of Richvale Village, image created by BNKC for CTN Developments<\/span><\/p>\n

The Village Square district, positioned as the heart of the community, would offer local businesses, public parks, and a dynamic public realm.<\/p>\n

The public realm of Richvale Village, image created by BNKC for CTN Developments<\/span><\/p>\n

CTN’s materials state that sustainability is at the core of the design. The proposal incorporates\u2026<\/p>\n