Secondary Plan - Annexed Lands. Vision Workshop Summary March 14th 2011

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1 Secondary Plan - Annexed Lands Vision Workshop Summary March 14th 2011 i

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3 Table of Contents 1.0 Executive Summary Priority Directions A Vision for the Annexed Lands Introduction Workshop Outline Who Came to the Workshop? What Was Presented? Post-It Note Summary Workshop Exercises Exercise # 1: Group Discussions Visual Preference Survey Your Barrie (Mapping Exercise) Online Questionnaire Key Themes Questions Visual Preference Survey A Vision for the Annexed Lands 19 Appendix 21 Visual Preference Survey (Worksheets) 21 Visual Preference Survey (Online Survey) 23

4 1.0 Executive Summary The objectives of the Secondary Plan - Annexed Lands Vision Workshop were to: Introduce the Secondary Plan Study to the community. Engage community members, stakeholders and the development community. Create a vision for the Annexed Lands. 1.1 Priority Directions The workshop exercises generated engaging discussions amongst each of the groups, and a significant amount of feedback was obtained. The following is a list of key priority directions that were distilled from the workshop. 1. Maintain and enhance natural heritage features, including creeks (Bear Creek, Lovers Creek, Hewitt s Creek, and their associated watersheds), ravines, and forested areas. 2. Ensure a mix of uses, including commercial, residential, industrial, institutional and open space, to ensure compact, walkable neighbourhoods. 3. Provide a significant amount of employment uses, generally located adjacent to Highway Provide a mix of housing types, including single and semi-detached dwellings, townhouses, walk-up apartments and condominiums. 5. Encourage active transportation through the creation of a natural heritage and open space system that connects to existing neighbourhoods. 6. Extend existing streets, and create new streets, to provide efficient connections to existing neighbourhoods. 7. Provide mixed-use buildings with commercial and convenience retail at grade (e.g. dry cleaners, daycares, drug stores) that will not negatively impact the viability of downtown retail. 8. Create safe, attractive, pedestrianfriendly streetscapes with active frontages, unique architecture, wide sidewalks, mature street trees, public art and lighting. 1 The Annexed Lands.

5 1.2 A Vision for the Annexed Lands Based on the findings of the Vision Workshop, as well as input received through an online questionnaire, the following vision statement was prepared for the Annexed Lands: The Annexed Lands will be a gateway to the City of Barrie, providing a range of housing and a mix of uses that allow residents to live, work and recreate in their community. Natural heritage features will be maintained and enhanced, and will form part of an interconnected open space network that connects to existing neighbourhoods and encourages active transportation. 2.0 Introduction On Tuesday, March 8th, Brook McIlroy and Macaulay Shiomi Howson Ltd. hosted the Secondary Plan - Annexed Lands Vision Workshop at the Southshore Community Centre. The objectives of this workshop were to: Introduce the Secondary Plan Study to the community. Engage community members, stakeholders and the development community. Create a vision for the Annexed Lands. 2.1 Workshop Outline The workshop began with a welcome by Eric Hodgins (Growth Management Coordinator, City of Barrie) who outlined the study, and introduced the Consultant Team. Prior to the Consultant Team presentation, participants were asked to complete a short Post-it Note exercise used to quickly determine some of the key issues/concerns, and provide instant feedback to help generate topics for the group discussions. A presentation by Liz Howson (Macaulay Shiomi Howson Ltd.) and Anne McIlroy (Brook McIlroy) outlined the purpose of the study, described the study area, and introduced the workshop exercise. Group discussions were held, and each table was asked to complete a worksheet that focused on four key themes, including: Creating Great Neighbourhoods. Creating a Variety of Parks and Open Spaces. Ensuring High Quality Housing. Creating Pedestrian-Friendly Streets. A member of each table took notes throughout the discussions and presented the highlights of their discussion at the end of the evening. Natural heritage features, such as Lovers Creek, Bear Creek and Hewitt s Creek ravines, should be maintained and enhanced. 2

6 3 2.2 Who Came to the Workshop? Approximately 90 people attended the workshop. These participants included a mix of residents, property and business owners, and staff from the City of Barrie. Staff from Brook McIlroy, Macaulay Shiomi Howson, and the City of Barrie were present to help facilitate the workshop, and to help answer questions. 2.3 What Was Presented? To introduce the Secondary Plan study, and outline the workshop session, the Consultant Team presentation addressed the following: Workshop Goals. Study Purpose. The Annexed Lands (east and west), including existing conditions and unique characteristics. Work Program. Community Engagement. Great Neighbourhoods. Parks and Open Spaces. High Quality Housing. Main Streets. A mix of uses (i.e. employment, commercial, residential and open space) were encouraged in the Annexed Lands. 3.0 Post-It Note Summary Prior to the Consultant Team presentation, participants were given a Post-It Note and asked to briefly answer: What is your vision for the Annexed Lands? What are the most important issues to be considered in this study? The results were summarized and presented back to the group following the presentation. A number of issues/concerns were consistent throughout the group. The following summarizes the top four recurring responses. Priority # 1: Compact Development Encourage a broad mix of uses, including residential, employment, commercial, and open space, allowing residents to live, work and play in the Annexed Lands. Provide a mix of housing types, including affordable housing, to accommodate residents at all stages of life. Ensure an efficient transportation network that provides connections to existing communities. Provide year-round, indoor/outdoor, community facilities within walking distance, including parks, schools, community centres, churches, etc. Priority # 2: Protect and Integrate Nature Encourage sustainability throughout the process. Preserve and enhance natural heritage features, including forested areas and wetlands (i.e. Lovers Creek and Hewitt s Creek). Priority # 3: Alternative Transportation Provide necessary infrastructure to support cycling in the Annexed Lands, including cycling lanes where possible, and multi-use trails. Priority # 4: Attractive Streetscapes Promote attractive architecture and high-quality design. Provide large street trees. Provide street furniture, including benches, lighting, art, etc.

7 4.0 Workshop Exercises To gather feedback on the key opportunities and constraints, and develop a vision for the Annexed Lands, each of the seven participating tables were asked to complete the worksheet provided. The worksheet focused on four key themes, including: Creating Great Neighbourhoods. Creating a Variety of Parks and Open Spaces. Ensuring High Quality Housing. Creating Pedestrian-Friendly Streets. A member of each table took notes throughout the discussions and presented the highlights of their discussion at the end of the evening. A special thanks to our presenters, Terry, Karen, John, Dan, Gary, and Al. The following sections outline each exercise, and summarize the findings of each group. 4.1 Exercise # 1: Group Discussions The first part of the exercise involved a group discussion based on a series of questions related to the four key themes, including: What makes a great neighbourhood (e.g. a variety of housing types, walkability)? What are examples of great neighbourhoods in Barrie or elsewhere? What types of parks and open spaces would you like to see in the Annexed Lands (e.g. active playing fields, community parks)? What type of housing is appropriate in the Annexed Lands (e.g. single-family, townhouses, walk-up apartments)? What features create a pedestrian-friendly streetscape (e.g. wide sidewalks, street trees, active uses)? The Vision Workshop was attended by approximately 90 participants, including members of the community, local land owners and stakeholders, City Councilors and the Mayor. 4

8 Group One Findings The Annexed Lands will be a gateway into the City of Barrie from the south, and will be responsible for people s first impression of the City. Therefore, it is important that new neighbourhoods are attractive, have unique architecture, and avoid the use of cookie-cutter housing. New neighbourhoods should have a good mix of housing, including single-family dwellings, townhouses and walk-up apartment buildings, with heights of up to 4-storeys. There should be a number of community amenities in close proximity including community centres, and a satellite hospital for the south end. There should be a number of parks and open spaces in close proximity to the neighbourhoods, but not close enough to negatively impact the quality of life (i.e. noise, privacy). The ravines could be used as parkland areas, and could form part of a larger system of interconnected parks and trails. On streets in new neighbourhoods, on-street parking is an issue. Where possible, services in the Annexed Lands should be buried to minimize visual impacts on the streetscape. 5 Group One worksheet.

9 Group Two Findings New neighbourhoods within the Annexed Lands should have more density, but through a mix of well integrated housing types. For example, large blocks should not comprise solely of detached houses and townhouses, and should instead be integrated with a variety of housing types. Housing should be appropriate for Barrie, and should not reflect housing styles that would be found in the GTA. The housing should front onto main streets, but should consider only having sidewalks on one side of the street to increase privacy. Additionally, larger front-yards are not recommended as this reduces the size of rear-yards and safe areas for residents to play. There should be no more, or very limited, retail in the Annexed Lands as this may negatively impact the viability of retail in the Downtown. In commercial areas, streets should include on-street parking, public art and benches. Tree-lined streets are important in all neighbourhoods. A network of trails should provide efficient connections between the neighbourhoods, including interconnected bicycle and walking trails. Group Two worksheet. 6

10 Group Three Findings The Annexed Lands should provide more employment opportunities, particularly adjacent to Highway 400. To maximize connections to these employment areas from Highway 400, and to the greater Annexed Lands, a new interchange should be built at McKay Road. There should be a mix of housing provided in the Annexed Lands to provide options for all potential residents. Housing should promote sustainability, including energy efficient design, as well as higher density options to minimize residential sprawl (but not too high). In neighbourhood open spaces, opportunities for community gardens and greenhouses should be explored. New neighbourhoods should be located to minimize impacts on the existing natural heritage features (i.e. streams, watersheds and forested areas), and where possible, the distance between watercourses and development should be increased. New neighbourhoods should respect and enhance adjacent neighbourhoods (e.g. Mapleview Drive, Saint Pauls, Lockhart Road, and the Village of Stroud). New streets should be located to minimize congestion, and should accommodate cycling lanes and multiuse paths, where possible, to encourage alternative modes of transportation. 7 Group Three worksheet.

11 Group Four Findings It is important that new neighbourhoods in the Annexed Lands have a sense of neighbourhood identity, similar to the east end of the City. They should have a mix of housing, including mixed use buildings (residential above ground floor commercial), and opportunities for estate homes where appropriate. Neighbourhoods should be comfortably walkable, and in close proximity to a variety of community amenities and services (e.g. schools, a centralized sports complex, etc.). There should be a system of natural linkages and trails as well as parks and open spaces. Neighbourhoods should be designed to ensure dwellings front on to open spaces in order to enhance safety through casual surveillance. Residential buildings in the Annexed Lands should emphasize people not vehicles. The facades of houses should be dominated by porches and windows, not garages. In commercial areas, the streets should have mixeduse buildings in order to draw people to the area and encourage activity throughout the day. The street furniture and amenities selected should be both attractive and functional. Group Four worksheet. 8

12 Group Five Findings Employment lands should be provided adjacent to Highway 400. It should include business parks with a variety of lot sizes, and should focus on technology and machine based industries. The remainder of the Annexed Lands should be residential, with small pockets of centrally-located commercial uses. In residential areas, a variety of housing options should be provided, including medium density single and semi-detached dwellings, and seniors bungalows. Higher density housing options are encouraged along main corridors and adjacent to the Barrie GO Station. A variety of community amenities should be provided in new neighbourhoods, including convenience retail stores, shops and services (e.g. daycare, dry-cleaners, etc.), as well as hospitals and other institutional uses. New neighbourhoods should preserve and enhance the existing natural heritage areas, including large forested areas, wetlands and streams. Conveniently located parks and open spaces are encouraged and should link to each other, and the existing natural heritage features, through a connected trail system. Where existing streets do not currently extend through the Annexed Lands, they should be extended to maximize connectivity to adjacent neighbourhoods, and throughout the Annexed Lands. Where possible, these streets should accommodate cycling lanes to encourage alternative modes of transportation. 9 Group Five worksheet.

13 Group Six Findings Group 6 suggested that examples of good neighbourhoods include Habitat (Montreal), Walnut Grove (Walnut Crescent), and the east end of Barrie, including the Oakley Park neighbourhood, which is a great area for families. The Annexed Lands should have a mix of housing, including larger homes, but also smaller units for commuters (particularly near the Barrie GO station). These homes should be well designed using high quality materials and construction. Natural areas in the Annexed Lands should be preserved, and there should be links into the existing neighbourhoods along the ravines (e.g. Hewitt s Creek, Whisky Creek, and Lover s Creek). Community gardens should also be considered in parks and open spaces where possible. To ensure new neighbourhoods are attractive, good urban design is important, particularly in relation to the facades of buildings. Measures for traffic calming should be explored within new neighbourhoods in the Annexed Lands. Group Six worksheet. 10

14 Group Seven Findings The concerns of the existing residents should be considered throughout the planning process, as they are the ones who will be directly impacted by land values and neighbouring uses. There is concern about who would live in the neighbourhoods in the Annexed Lands and who they would be marketed to. Residential uses should not be permitted directly adjacent to Highway 400. This area should be reserved for industrial or employment uses. New neighbourhoods in the Annexed Lands should ensure the protection of existing natural features, including forested areas and wetlands (particularly Lover s, Hewitt s and Bear Creek, as well as there associated watersheds). The idea of minimizing the impacts of parking is good in theory, but will require a practical solution. Barrie does not have an efficient public transportation system similar to other Cities, so most households require more than a single car. Back lanes should be explored as an appropriate solution. Round-abouts should be considered to increase efficiency in the transportation network. On main streets, active at-grade uses are encouraged. Group Seven worksheet. 11

15 4.2 Visual Preference Survey As part of the group discussions, participants were asked to rank a series of precedent ideas on a scale of 1 (not preferred) to 5 (preferred). These precedent ideas were organized based on the key themes, including: Creating Great Neighbourhoods. Creating a Variety of Parks and Open Spaces. Ensuring High Quality Housing. Creating Pedestrian-Friendly Streets. To determine an average score, the rank given to each precedent image was added together and divided by the total number of groups who completed the survey. The most preferred precedent ideas included: A mix of housing types. Alternative transportation. Year-round community uses. Sustainable buildings. Green streets. Passive neighbourhood parks. Playgrounds. Multi-use trails. Natural trails. Single-detached dwellings. Street furniture. Sustainable construction. Cycling opportunities. The least preferred precedent ideas included: A mix of uses. Low-rise mixed-use. Mid-rise mixed-use. Public art. The average rank for each idea can be found in the Appendix. A Mix of Housing Types (e.g. single-family, apartments). Single-family dwellings. Naturalized trails. Year-round community uses (e.g. skating rinks, libraries, community centres). Alternative transportation options (e.g. walking, cycling, transit). Sustainable construction (e.g. natural drainage, permeable paving) 12

16 Bayfield Street Duckworth Street N Dunlop Street Big Bay Point Road Bayview Drive Mapleview Drive East Highway 400 Essa Road McKay Road Yonge Street Huronia Road Vetern s Drive 5 Your Barrie On the above map, please outline where you: Live Work Shop Play n.t.s. 13

17 4.3 Your Barrie (Mapping Exercise) Using coloured dots, each table was asked to note on a large map of Barrie where they live, work, play and shop, in order to determine activity patterns in the City, and help to determine the role of the Annexed Lands. In relation to the Annexed Lands, the key findings that can be inferred from the 30 participants who completed this exercise include: The participants were from all of the City of Barrie, though the majority (83%) lived in the south end of the City (south of Dunlop Street). 40% of the participants lived in the Annexed Lands. 23% of participants lived in immediately adjacent neighbourhoods. The participants worked all over the City, with only two participants working within the Annexed Lands. The highest number of participants (37%) shop along Highway 400, followed by Yonge Street (30%), Bayfield Street (23%), Downtown (17%), and Essa Road (10%). Outside of the waterfront (30%), the Annexed Lands were the most popular place for recreation with 7% of participants playing at or near the golf course in the west Annexed Lands, and 17% of participants playing at or near the ravine in the east Annexed Lands. Based on this information, there is significant potential for the Annexed Lands to become a gateway to the existing residential neighbourhoods on Mapleview Drive East (east), and the commercial uses along Highway 400 (west). 5.0 Online Questionnaire In addition to the workshop exercise, a similar worksheet was provided on the City of Barrie website ( in order to encourage feedback from those who had additional feedback or were unable to attend the workshop. The key feedback obtained from these questionnaires is outlined in the following sections. 5.1 Key Themes Questions The first part of the online questionnaire asked participants to answer a series of questions related to the four key themes, including: What makes a great neighbourhood (e.g. a variety of housing types, walkability)? What are examples of great neighbourhoods in Barrie or elsewhere? What types of parks and open spaces would you like to see in the Annexed Lands (e.g. active playing fields, community parks)? What type of housing is appropriate in the Annexed Lands (e.g. single-family, townhouses, walk-up apartments)? What features create a pedestrian-friendly streetscape (e.g. wide sidewalks, street trees, active uses)? 14

18 Creating Great Neighbourhoods Sustainability should be at the forefront of all neighbourhoods. The people who live in Barrie are equally important to vibrant neighbourhoods as good urban design is. A shift in design standards will be required in order to transition from suburban to urban development. This will have to happen parcel by parcel. Great neighbourhoods are compact and walkable. A mix of uses, including grocery stores and local retail, is encouraged to minimize sprawl and encourage active transportation. Trees and natural areas should be provided between buildings. Cycling opportunities should be provided that connect to existing streets and neighbourhoods, open spaces, and natural heritage areas. Buildings should front directly on to streets in order to create an active, attractive pedestrian environment. Varied architectural character is recommended to create interest in the streetscape. The focus of all new development should be geared towards revitalizing the downtown. With the waterfront, this is an advantage that distinguished Barrie from other mid-size cities. New Neighbourhoods should aim for a 30% vegetation canopy, including trees, hedgerows and forested areas to create energy and air benefits, aesthetic and cultural benefits, watershed/cycle benefits, and greenhouse gas reduction. Great neighbourhoods are compact, walkable and have a mix of uses. Neighbourhoods streets should be pedestrian-friendly, with wide sidewalks, street trees, furniture and public art. 15

19 Creating a Variety of Parks and Open Spaces A significant percentage of the Annexed Lands are natural heritage features, including streams, watersheds and forested areas. These should be maintained and enhanced where possible. Natural areas, particularly ravines, should be an integral component in creating links to the existing neighbourhoods. A variety of parks and open spaces are important. Smaller passive parks are encouraged to facilitate opportunities for casual gathering and relaxing. Urban plazas encouraged around appropriate building types (i.e. in commercial areas). Location, orientation, micro-climate, etc. are important to ensure urban plazas are well used. Sports fields should be designated to larger parcels, away from residential dwellings, to minimize infrastructure and lighting impacts. Community farm plots should be introduced where possible. Use landscaping materials that require less maintenance (i.e. draught resistant, locally sourced, etc.). Developers should be required to build the required infrastructure prior to developing their land. Ensuring High Quality Housing Providing a mixture of all types of housing is important. Mixed-use housing provides local shopping opportunities in close proximity to residential units. Providing inexpensive housing options should be a focus of the Annexed Lands. Near the waterfront, higher density condos are marketable based on views of the water. Similar condos could be marketed in the Annexed Lands using views to natural heritage features. All types of housing should provide sufficient yardage, particularly in the front yard, to support large, mature trees. Existing natural heritage areas, including ravines and forested areas, should be maintained and enhanced where possible. 16

20 Creating Main Streets Active, vibrant and interesting uses are required at ground level on main streets in order to encourage residents and visitors to actually use them. Examples of these uses include small local business, boutiques, cafes, restaurants, etc.). Yonge Street should be a complete street linking the south end of the City to the Allendale area. Essa Road should be a complete street linking the southwest end of the City to the waterfront. Wide sidewalks are required on main streets. Street trees, with ample room and soil conditions to grow to maturity, should be included at regular intervals along main streets. Street furniture supports active streetscapes, but is only a small part of what makes an active street. Public art is an excellent way to help animate the street and create a sense of place. Good lighting is required to make main streets safe after dark. Cycling facilities (i.e. bike locks) are required to encourage alternative transportation along main streets. On-street parking should be provided in small amounts, providing it does not interfere with pedestrian movement. Sustainable measures are recommended on the streetscape, but need to consider Barrie s winter conditions (i.e. bioswales may not be feasible for snow removal). Main streets in new neighbourhoods should be complete streets, accommodating pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles. 17

21 5.2 Visual Preference Survey As part of the online questionnaire, participants were asked to rank a series of precedent ideas on a scale of 1 (not preferred) to 5 (preferred). These precedent ideas were organized based on the key themes, including: Creating Great Neighbourhoods. Creating a Variety of Parks and Open Spaces. Ensuring High Quality Housing. Creating Pedestrian-Friendly Streets. To determine an average score, the rank given to each precedent idea was added together and divided by the total number of participants who completed the questionnaire. The most preferred precedent ideas included: Alternative transportation. Year-round community uses. Sustainable buildings. Green streets. Passive neighbourhood parks. Playgrounds. Sports fields. Multi-use trails. Low-rise mixed-use. Mid-rise mixed-use. Active, at-grade uses. Sustainable construction. Cycling opportunities. The least preferred precedent ideas included: A mix of uses. On-street parking. The average rank for each idea can be found in the Appendix. Sustainable buildings (e.g. solar panels, green roofs). Passive neighbourhood parks. Multi-use trails. Cycling opportunities. Low-rise mixed-use. Mid-rise mixed-use. 18

22 6.0 A Vision for the Annexed Lands Based on the feedback provided during the Vision Workshop, and the responses to the online questionnaire, a preliminary vision for the Annexed Lands is: The Annexed Lands will be a gateway to the City of Barrie, providing a range of housing and a mix of uses that allow residents to live, work and recreate in their community. Natural heritage features will be maintained and enhanced, and will form part of an interconnected open space network that provides connections to existing neighbourhoods and encourages active transportation. 19

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24 Appendix Visual Preference Survey (Worksheets) The following is the average scored given to each of the images in the Visual Preference Survey. A Mix of Housing Types (e.g. A Mix of Uses (e.g. industrial, 4.75 single-family, apartments) office, residential). 4.4 Alternative transportation options (e.g. walking, cycling, transit). Sustainable buildings (e.g. solar Pedestrian-friendly streets (e.g. 4.0 panels, green roofs) street trees, wide sidewalks). Year-round community uses (e.g. skating rinks, libraries, community centres). Passive neighbourhood parks. Playgrounds. Sports fields Urban plazas. Multi-use trails. Naturalized trails

25 Single-family dwellings. Semi-detached dwellings. Townhouses Apartment buildings. Low-rise mixed-use (residential units above retail). Mid-rise mixed-use (residential units above retail). Active, at-grade uses (e.g. cafés, On-street parking. Street furniture (e.g. benches, 3.75 spill-out retail) lighting, signage). Sustainable construction (e.g. natural Public art drainage, permeable paving) Cycling opportunities.

26 Visual Preference Survey (Online Survey) The following is the average scored given to each of the images in the Visual Preference Survey. A Mix of Housing Types (e.g. A Mix of Uses (e.g. industrial, 3.5 single-family, apartments). 2.8 office, residential). 4.3 Alternative transportation options (e.g. walking, cycling, transit). Sustainable buildings (e.g. solar Green streets (e.g. landscaping, panels, green roofs). 4.7 permeable paving, etc.). Year-round community uses (e.g. skating rinks, libraries, community centres). Passive neighbourhood parks. Playgrounds. Sports fields Urban plazas Multi-use trails. 3.3 Stormwater management facilities.

27 Single-family dwellings. Semi-detached dwellings. Townhouses Apartment buildings. Low-rise mixed-use (residential units above retail). Mid-rise mixed-use (residential units above retail). Active, at-grade uses (e.g. cafés, On-street parking. Street furniture (e.g. benches, 4.8 spill-out retail) lighting, signage). Sustainable construction (i.e bioswales, permeable paving, etc.) Public art. 4.9 Cycling opportunities.