1.0 Richmond Road/Westboro Today

This Community Design Plan (CDP) for the Richmond Road/Westboro area is a guide to its long-term design and development, taking into consideration land use, urban design, zoning, transportation, existing streetscape conditions, compatibility of new development, and other issues of concern to the local communities. It is based on a collaborative community effort to develop a vision for Richmond Road/Westboro as an attractive and viable place for all who shop, work or live in the area.

The purpose of a CDP is to translate the principles and policies of the Official Plan to the community level. CDPs must therefore conform to the Official Plan. They are to provide an opportunity for the early involvement and discussion by all parties about how future development should occur in a community.

This CDP is also based on the Official Plan 20/20 Guiding Principles. Of particular importance to Richmond Road/Westboro are the Principles promoting:

• Compact, well-designed, vibrant, safe and less auto-dependent communities;
• Attractive streetscapes with street trees, accessible open spaces, and other pedestrian amenities;
• Provision of parklands, recreational pathways and facilities;
• Protection of natural diversity;
• Mainstreets with uninterrupted networks of active, mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented uses;
• Community design plans that provide specific criteria for areas identified for intensification;
• A choice in housing;
• Support for a strong, healthy business community.

The CDP is divided into three main sections; Richmond Road/Westboro Today, Planning Strategy and Richmond Road/Westboro Tomorrow. It reflects the recommended framework for CDPs as described in Policy 2.5.6 of the City of Ottawa Official Plan, as amended by OPA Number 28, and as further refined in the Terms of Reference.