Our Neighbourhood. Our Plan.
This is not about stopping development; it is about stopping a bad development. The proposal for 10471 No. 3 Road is a case of speculative "spot zoning" that violates the City's Official Community Plan, the brand-new zoning bylaw, and even its own Arterial Road policies, all while ignoring documented infrastructure and safety concerns. We are asking the City of Richmond to uphold the rules it created to protect all neighbourhoods.
Take Action Now: Key Planning Committee Meeting on July 8th
A critical Planning Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at 4:00 PM at City Hall. This is not the final public hearing, but it is the first and most important opportunity to influence the outcome. At this "Early Council Review," city staff will seek input from the committee to guide their entire technical review of the application. All residents are encouraged to send letters to the Mayor and Council referencing this meeting and application RZ 25-012598.
Pillar 1: It Breaks the Rules at Every Level
This is our most powerful, fact-based argument. The developer is asking for a wholesale exception to the planning framework that the City has just established.
It Violates the Official Community Plan (OCP)
The OCP is the City's highest-level planning document. This project is so out of step with the City's vision that it requires a special amendment to the OCP.
- Clear Designation: The property is designated "Neighbourhood Residential" under OCP Bylaw 9000.
- Apartments Not Permitted: The City's own staff report confirms this designation "does not allow for apartments."
- Flawed Justification: The application seeks to justify itself by referencing a future, speculative OCP update. Planning decisions must be based on current, adopted plans.
It Contradicts the Brand-New Zoning Bylaw
In response to provincial Bill 44, the City just rezoned this very property to "Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (RSM/L)," which permits a maximum of 12 units (if subdivided). The developer's proposal for 27 units is more than double the absolute maximum legal density.
- Explicitly Not an Apartment: The City’s own official guide on this new zoning states the goal is to create "house-like development" and is "NOT an apartment building".
- Requires "Spot-Zoning": This application isn't just asking for densification; it's asking for a massive exception to the newest rules, setting a dangerous precedent for the entire city.
It Fails to Meet Multiple Technical Requirements
Pillar 2: Documented Harm to Neighbourhood Livability & Safety
Beyond the bylaw violations, this project will harm our community with verifiable impacts on schools and safety—concerns already on record with the City.
School Overcrowding Crisis
Traffic, Parking & Safety
Threat to Private Green Space & Public Parks
Public Safety Risk: Breaching the Goldstream Place Cul-de-Sac
A major safety concern is the proposal's potential to create a new access route connecting the 27-unit apartment building directly to the quiet Goldstream Place cul-de-sac.
- A Quiet Street at Risk: Goldstream Place is a small, family-friendly cul-de-sac where children play. The City's own report confirms they are reviewing a "pedestrian/bicycle connectivity between Goldstream Place and No. 3 Road" through the site.
- Violating Safety Principles: Residents have formally petitioned the City, noting that "breaching the cul-de-sac leaves the entire neighborhood more vulnerable to crime". This design could violate established Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles, which aim to protect quiet residential areas from becoming thoroughfares.
- Increased Traffic and Strangers: This new access would funnel residents and visitors from the 27-unit building through a street that was never designed for it, destroying its character and creating new safety and security risks.
Pillar 3: A Betrayal of the City's "Gentle Densification" Promise
This argument positions our community as the defender of the City's own stated strategy.
The "Gentle Densification" Promise
The Official Definition
Our Position: We Support the Plan. This Proposal Undermines It.
To comply with provincial law, this lot was just rezoned to permit up to 12 homes (if subdivided). The developer is now asking for 27—more than double the established maximum density. This isn't about stopping density; it's about stopping an unreasonable, ad-hoc exception. We are asking Council to uphold not only the bylaws but the very promise the City just made to its residents.
Latest Updates
Stay informed about the campaign's progress. We will post important news here.
July 3, 2025
URGENT: Key Planning Committee Meeting on July 8th
A critical Planning Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 8th at 4:00 PM at City Hall. This is the first and most important opportunity to influence the outcome. At this "Early Council Review," city staff will seek input from the committee to guide their entire technical review of the application. All residents are encouraged to send letters to the Mayor and Council referencing this meeting and application RZ 25-012598.
June 27, 2025
Community Website Launched!
We have launched this website to keep residents informed and provide tools for taking action. Please share this page with your neighbours.
June 10, 2025
Official Rezoning Notice Received
Residents received the official notice of rezoning application RZ 25-012598 from the City of Richmond. The public hearing date is still to be determined.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get the facts about the proposed development at 10471 No. 3 Road (File RZ 25-012598).
Supportive Documentation
Our arguments are based on official city bylaws and established design principles. Use these documents to inform yourself and reference them in your communications.
Expert Analysis & Defense
Read the full legal and planning analysis submitted to the city, detailing our fact-based opposition to the proposal.
Comprehensive Analysis
An overview of the opposition's strategy and how it evolved based on official documents and evidence.
Official City Planning Report
The city staff report for the July 8, 2025 Planning Committee meeting, containing the full application details, staff analysis, and all public correspondence.
Richmond News: Neighbours Oppose Rental Building
A Richmond News article covering the local opposition to the proposed 27-unit rental apartment building.
Official Community Plan (OCP) Bylaw 9000
The City's master plan for the future. The proposal violates the 'Neighbourhood Residential' designation in this law.
Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500
The official city page detailing the 'Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing' zoning this proposal violates.
Planning Committee Meeting Schedule
The official schedule for upcoming Planning Committee meetings, including agendas and minutes. Find the details for the critical July 8th meeting here.
BC Bill 44 - Housing Statutes Amendment Act
The provincial law that mandated gentle, 'missing middle' housing. This document proves the city has already complied with the law's requirements for this property. It is key to showing that the developer's 27-unit proposal violates the spirit of the law, which was for distributed density, not a concentrated apartment building.
Richmond Tree Protection Bylaw
The official bylaw that protects our urban forest by restricting tree removal and ensuring replacement.
Little Maples Preschool Status
Official contact page stating the preschool is full for the school year and operating a waitlist.
Richmond School District Placement Policy
Official registration page stating that placement in a student's catchment school cannot be guaranteed due to space limitations.
Richmond Schools Face Student Surge
A Richmond News article reporting on the unexpected surge of nearly 700 students, adding pressure to the already strained system.
Crime Prevention (CPTED) - RCMP
The guide from Canada's national police force outlining the core public safety principles for community design.
BC Housing Design and Construction Standards
The provincial standards for residential safety, including guidelines on limiting access points and avoiding unobserved pathways.
Your Voice is Essential: Take Action Now
Maximum participation at the upcoming Public Hearing is our primary goal. Use these tools to make your voice heard effectively.
1 Write to Mayor and Council (Most Important)
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Step C: Review and Send Your Letter
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Sign the Petition
Add your name to the official petition that will be presented to City Council.
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