innsertnamehere
Superstar
Richmond Hill is getting forced down that route because of changes to the growth plan, not COVID. Higher minimum densities were set in the growth plan surrounding transit stations, especially bus rapid transit. So Richmond Hill had to change its policies to meet those standards. I believe York Region set even higher standards that Richmond Hill had to meet as well, above and beyond the Growth Plan's requirements.I think there's also the issue of COVID pushing cities to approve more density than they otherwise would because they're desperate for the tax revenue/development charges. IMO we're already seeing this to a certain extent in Richmond Hill at Yonge/16th and Yonge/Elgin Mills.
Planning moves at a glacial pace, it'll be years to see an impact from COVID.