Richmond Hill
Novae Res Urbis, May 6, 2009
People Plan approved
From Facebook to focus groups, the Town of Richmond Hill reached out to as
many residents as possible to create its strategic plan—aptly titled, A
Plan for People, a Plan for Change.
At a meeting last Monday, council approved the new strategic plan, which
has been a year and a half in the making and gives council and staff vision
and direction for the years to come.
“It’s been about the people from day one,” said Mayor Dave Barrow. “We
heard from people of all ages and backgrounds, school children, the
storeowners where we buy our groceries, the volunteers helping those in
need and the businesses that drive our economy.”
“They are what make this community what it is and who this plan for the
future is for; this new strategic plan is truly their voice.”
The last time a strategic plan was completed for Richmond Hill, which has a
population of about 180,000, it was 2001. For the updated plan, more than
2,000 people contributed ideas and opinions through public meetings, focus
groups and roundtables, online surveys, Facebook, a blog, a photo
submission contest, youth essay contest, a summit event and school
presentations. (See NRU-GTA edition November 14, 2007, June 18 and November
26, 2008.)
The strategic plan outlines four main goals:
• Making stronger connections through transit and community centres and
among the town’s green spaces
• Creating better choices for residents in the mode of transportation
available, the affordability of housing and types of employment
• Making the town more vibrant by celebrating diversity, honouring heritage
assets and promoting the town’s unique places
• Using wise management of the town’s resources by reducing waste,
developing a green purchasing policy and being financially responsible.
An implementation plan has been created to help align the town’s function
and operations, as well as its key plans such as the official plan,
transportation master plan, regional centre study, downtown design and land
use study and pedestrian and cycling master plan.
Staff is to report annually on what has been accomplished in support of the
plan and a timeline over the next five years gives direction for staff and
council on next steps and budget considerations.
Sidebar:
In celebration of the town’s new strategic plan and the forthcoming new
official plan, the town is holding an Official Plan Summit May 27 and 28 at
the M.L. McConaghy Seniors’ Centre. Guest speaker on the first day will be
Alex Steffan, co-founder and executive editor of the book and partner
website, worldchanging.com. The second day of the summit includes workshops
and official public information sessions. Information about the summit is
at http://www.richmondhill.ca/subpage.asp?pageid=op_summit.
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