Richmond continues process to establish underlying zoning for Land Use Contracts

17 March 2022

The City of Richmond is continuing its process to establish the underlying zoning for Land Use Contracts (LUCs) within Richmond.

Consistent with the Local Government Act, Richmond City Council must consider bylaws to establish underlying zoning for all Land Use Contracts by June 30, 2022, exactly two years before all Land Use Contracts in the province are terminated on June 30, 2024. Simply put, Richmond City Council must have zoning in place so that when the LUCs are terminated, there is a set of zoning regulations for the affected properties.

Council has given first reading to underlying zoning bylaws for properties containing primarily commercial and multi-family residential uses developed under 16 LUCs in the Blundell, Seafair, and Steveston areas, as well as in the north portion of City Centre. These proposed bylaws are scheduled for consideration at the regular Public Hearing on Monday, March 21, 2022. The proposed underlying zoning bylaws have generally been designed to reflect the specific regulations under each existing LUC to ensure that existing uses on the property continue to be permitted, while not providing for any additional development rights.

A Notice of Public Hearing has been sent to all affected property owners and tenants, in addition to surrounding property owners and tenants. The notice includes details on how to participate in the Public Hearing process, if desired.

The LUCs will continue to govern the use and development of the affected properties until their termination date in 2024, as established in the provincial Local Government Act.

To learn more about Land Use Contracts or see if your property is covered by a Land Use Contract, visit www.richmond.ca/plandev/planning2/projects/LUC. For more information email luc@richmond.ca or call 604-204-8626.