WELCOME! PUBLIC EVENT SERIES #3. Niagara GO Hub and Transit Stations Study OPEN HOUSE. 5:30pm - 7:30pm TOWN OF GRIMSBY

Transcription

1 WELCOME! Niagara GO Hub and Transit Stations Study PUBLIC EVENT SERIES # OPEN HOUSE 5:0pm - 7:0pm TOWN OF GRIMSBY

2 PROJECT BACKGROUND In 0, GO Transit/Metrolinx completed an Environmental Study Report (ESR) called the Niagara Rail Service Expansion. The ESR recommended new or expanded commuter rail service to address increasing congestion levels along the corridor between Niagara-Hamilton and the western GTA. The ESR studied multiple station locations and recommended preferred station locations in Grimsby, St. Catharines, and Niagara Falls, with a longer-term recommended future station identified in Lincoln (Beamsville). This study builds on the GO Transit/Metrolinx work done to date and provides more detailed planning and design for areas around the transit stations. Niagara Region, in partnership with the Town of Grimsby, Town of Lincoln, City of St. Catharines and City of Niagara Falls, are embarking on a planning process for four future GO Transit station areas. Today s event is the third in a series of public events for the Station Area. Previous public information centres were hosted in June 06, and June 07. We invite you to engage with the Project Team and contribute your ideas. Recommended future station Recommended Future GO Rail Station Beamsville

3 PROJECT PURPOSE Tonight s event is your opportunity to: JO IN E MAILIN H T LIS T RM FO SUB M I OMMEN C A T T G G W IT H T E H U AM TE DIAL O. Learn about the study, planning process and project steps;. Learn about the draft Secondary Plan for the lands around the GO Transit Station; and. Contribute your comments/feedback on the draft Secondary Plan elements. E For each of the four stations, the project team has prepared: A draft Secondary Plan for the lands around the station area; Opportunities and constraints mapping to inform discussions with Metrolinx on Preliminary Design Plans (non-statutory plans); Transportation analysis including traffic management planning; and Market analysis to better understand development potential around each station. Tonight s Event WE ARE HERE

4 SECONDARY PLANS What is a Secondary Plan? Key Elements of a Secondary Plan The Official Plan is the road map that guides long range land use and development for a town or city. Secondary Plans are part of the Official Plan, and provide more detailed guidance on specific areas. These plans provide more detail on things like land use, public spaces, building heights, environmental protection, roads, trails and parks. Secondary Plans contain a number of important components: Transit stations and the surrounding lands serve an important function within the regional transportation system and in the long term development of a municipality. Vision and principles for the area; A comprehensive set of policies (on topics including environmental protection, public space, buildings, roads, trails, etc.); Land use, building heights, public realm improvement, transportation and active transportation plans; Design guidelines; and Implementation guidance to move the Plan forward. A Secondary Plan Does Not... Provide the detailed design for the GO station (separate processes address these elements) Commit Council to specific capital costs (separate process for funding capital improvements) Identify the specific design for major Beamsville GO Station Secondary Plan infrastructure improvements, such as Schedule : Maximum Building Heights improvements to the road network Stipulate detailed building requirements (zoning by law will contain specific regulations which implement secondary Niagara Falls GO Station Secondary Plan plan policies) Schedule 6: Planned Active Transportation Network North Service Road Ontario Street North LEGEND Max. Storeys Leader Lane r Ter ace Av en NIAGARA RIVER ue ic e ad Ro Transit Station Area Hickson Avenue rv Se Secondary Plan Limits Dyson Avenue Max. 0 Storeys So uth Broughton Avenue Max. 6 Storeys Martin Avenue Muir Avenue Max. 4 Storeys Queen Elizabeth Way eet Elgin Str LEGEND Buttrey Street Urban Area Boundary River Road Christie Drive idge rd St Clair Avenue St Lawrence Avenue Juniper Court G a rdens C rescen t Drake Avenue Iv y Green Meadow Weltman Cataract Avenue Zimmerman Avenue Erie Avenue Ellis Street Simcoe Street Way Alexandra Avenue Armoury Street G a te Te rrace va Willmott Street rd en ie s u le ent Morrison Street ntral an Ce Michig Bridge y Railwa Ga Fr Bo Cresc Homestead Drive Cameron Avenue en gate Queen Street Huron Street Bartlett Road Carriage Road Ontario Street Cedarbrook Lane Lincoln Avenue d v ar ule Bo Hickory Lane North Park Street Ontario Avenue Crysler Avenue Delta Way Lincoln Avenue Greenlane Buckley Avenue ad Bartlett Road Ro Maple Street Bridge Street Victoria Avenue Second Avenue ion Un First Avenue Br Whirlpool NORTH MAP PREPARED BY: ZMJ DILLON CONSULTING CHECKED BY: PJK DILLON CONSULTING Scale PROJECT: 6-95 STATUS: DRAFT DATE: /0/07 Scale

5 PLANNING AROUND TRANSIT What is Transit Oriented Development? Transit Oriented Development (TOD) is a planning approach that envisions the long-term growth of an area around transit stations and major transportation routes. The focus is on improving quality of life by creating sustainable and livable pedestrianoriented, mixed-use communities that respect the character of an area while also providing for more compact growth. Across the Greater Golden Horseshoe, a number of municipalities are leveraging transit investment to drive growth. Provincial investment in GO Train service in Niagara represents a unique opportunity to proactively plan land use, transportation networks (all modes) and infrastructure around the station areas. STREET ORIENTED, MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT DENSITY/COMPACT GROWTH SEAMLESS INTEGRATION OF THE STATION HIGH QUALITY PUBLIC SPACES Why Planning Matters The Province s Growth Plan directs municipalities to plan for intensification around GO stations. Recent updates to the Growth Plan have also provided density targets. Proactively planning the uses, activities and infrastructure around these locations will have a profound impact on their performance. Successful transit stations are ones where there has been an intentional approach to planning for growth around the station, elevating walkability and access and improving the public realm to create spaces that are vibrant and active. Having more people living and working in close proximity to the station is an important factor in its success. 5

6 ROUTES TO THE STATION CONSULTATION SUMMARY Feedback Channels Online surveys hosted on the Project website Other comments received through the Project website feedback received as well as a mailing list to provide updates to subscribers Feedback received at Public Information Centres through workshop sessions and comment forms What We Heard: Key Themes ACCESS TO GTA DIVERSITY OF USES GROWTH & INVESTMENT STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS GATEWAY TO THE U.S.A TRAFFIC FLOW PARKING TRANSIT INTEGRATION TRAIN SERVICE & FREQUENCY 6

7 Plan VISION FOR THE AREA Specifically to gateway locations, public spaces, prominent streets and adding bikeway/multi-use trails r Ter ace Av Hickson Avenue Comprehensively improve the public realm en ue t e e r Elgin St Buttrey Street Concentrate mixed use intensification on sites in proximity to the Station ge Brid l o o p l r i h W St Clair Avenue tral n e C n a g i h c Mi ge d i r B y a w l i a R Strengthen residential neighbourhoods And provide for a network to address land use compatibility along Buttrey Street and Erie Avenue Huron Street Ontario Avenue Queen Street oa R r e Riv Park Street Cataract Avenue d Zimmerman Avenue Bridge Street 4 Support tourist uses along River Road The riverfront will be redeveloped to include medium density tourist commercial uses such as plazas, open spaces, and public realm improvements to ensure public accessibility and enjoyment of the riverfront Ellis Street NORTH 5 Celebrate, conserve and enhance the historic and cultural assets of the Downtown 7

8 Dyson Avenue Muir Avenue PLAN FOR LAND USE Leader Lane 4a Martin Avenue Broughton Avenue Buttrey Street Hickson Avenue Terrace Avenue Elgin Street NIAGARA RIVER LEGEND Low Density Residential Medium Density Residential High Density Residential Mixed Use (Downtown) Mixed Use 4b River Road Employment/Mixed Use Tourist Commercial Utility Recreation and Open Space Whirlpool Bridge Environmental Protection Area Environmental Conservation Area Second Avenue Maple Street First Avenue Victoria Avenue Buckley Avenue Crysler Avenue Park Street Queen Street Huron Street Bridge Street Ontario Avenue Erie Avenue Zimmerman Avenue Cataract Avenue Michigan Central Railway Bridge Special Policy Area (SPA) Transit Station Area may be refined during the detailed design of the Station. Secondary Plan Limits Urban Area Boundary Willmott Street St Lawrence Avenue Morrison Street St Clair Avenue Ellis Street NORTH Simcoe Street Armoury Street Scale FEEDBACK Key Highlights of the Plan HOW WAS INTEGRATED? Long-term vision for future redevelopment of industrial sites Focusing higher density in the main downtown area in the vicinity of the GO Transit Station Transitioning from higher to lower densities across the area to protect the character of residential neighbourhoods Targeting the riverfront north of Bridge Street for tourist commercial development Alignment with the Niagara Falls Official Plan and strategic direction for the City General agreement on the land uses proposed Suggestions for future long-term redevelopment of some industrial sites, which was incorporated into guidance for Special Policy Areas Comments on need for integration of diverse community and commercial uses in mixed-use areas, integrated into the policy guidance

9 Dyson Avenue Muir Avenue PLAN FOR BUILDING HEIGHT Leader Lane 4a Martin Avenue Broughton Avenue Buttrey Street Hickson Avenue Terrace Avenue Elgin Street NIAGARA RIVER LEGEND Max. Storeys Max. 4 Storeys Max. 6 Storeys Max. 8 Storeys 4b Max. 0 Storeys Max. 4 Storeys Max. 0 Storeys River Road Special Policy Area (SPA) Second Avenue Maple Street First Avenue Victoria Avenue Buckley Avenue Crysler Avenue Park Street Queen Street Huron Street Bridge Street Ontario Avenue Erie Avenue Zimmerman Avenue Cataract Avenue Whirlpool Bridge Michigan Central Railway Bridge Secondary Plan Limits Transit Station Area may be refined during the detailed design of the Station. Urban Area Boundary Willmott Street St Lawrence Avenue Morrison Street St Clair Avenue Ellis Street NORTH Simcoe Street Armoury Street Scale FEEDBACK Key Highlights of the Plan HOW WAS INTEGRATED? Additional transitions in height from higher to lower to protect sightlines and views as well as residential neighbourhoods and heritage areas Policies in the plan to provide setbacks and building stepbacks (podium-style, as shown on Panel #) to reduce effects of taller buildings for pedestrians Height limits recognize existing development and character of the area Alignment with the Niagara Falls Official Plan and strategic direction for the City Support for the general arrangement of building heights and transitions across the Plan area Suggestions for protection of heritage properties integrated with further intermediate heights between taller and shorter building height permissions Concern over how building height permissions would result in more traffic addressed through road improvements (see Panel #)

10 Dyson Avenue PLAN FOR THE PUBLIC REALM LEGEND Muir Avenue Leader Lane Martin Avenue Broughton Avenue Hickson Avenue Environmental Protection Area Terrace Avenue Elgin Street NIAGARA RIVER Parks and Open Space Major Streetscape Improvement Minor Streetscape Improvement Existing Active Transportation Connection Buttrey Street Planned Active Transportation Connection Potential Street Grid Refinement Major Gateway River Road Minor Gateway Second Avenue Maple Street First Avenue Victoria Avenue Buckley Avenue Bridge Street Crysler Avenue Park Street Queen Street Huron Street Ontario Avenue Erie Avenue Zimmerman Avenue Cataract Avenue Whirlpool Bridge Michigan Central Railway Bridge Potential GO Station Location Potential Public Space Improvement Potential New Public Space Transit Station Area may be refined during the detailed design of the Station. Secondary Plan Limits Urban Area Boundary Willmott Street St Lawrence Avenue Morrison Street St Clair Avenue Ellis Street NORTH Simcoe Street Armoury Street Scale Key Highlights of the Plan Streetscape Improvements that include sidewalk widening, lighting, street furnitute Parks and public open spaces identified that provide venues for community gathering Victoria Street and Bridge Street intersection identified as a Major Gateway area, promoting investment in public art and high quality design to provide a sense of arrival to the area Minor Gateway areas identified as potential locations for public art HOW WAS FEEDBACK Community feedback on need for INTEGRATED? m gathering spaces integrated into the Plan Connections between public spaces and active transportation connections recognized in the design of the Plan Streetscape improvements and wayfinding suggestions integrated into the Plan and Urban Design Guidelines (see Panel #) 0

11 First Avenue Victoria Avenue Dyson Avenue Dyson Avenue PLAN FOR MOBILITY Muir Avenue Leader Lane Broughton Avenue Martin Avenue Buttrey Street Hickson Avenue Terrace Avenue Elgin Street River Road NIAGARA RIVER Potential Thorold Stone Road extension Muir Avenue Leader Lane Signalization of Victoria Avenue at Buttrey Street or reconfiguration of Buttrey Street needed to improve sight lines Martin Avenue Broughton Avenue Buttrey Street Hickson Avenue Terrace Avenue Elgin Street Whirlpool Bridge Second Avenue Maple Street Willmott Street Buckley Avenue St Lawrence Avenue Simcoe Street Bridge Street Crysler Avenue Morrison Street Park Street Queen Street Huron Street St Clair Avenue Ellis Street Ontario Avenue Erie Avenue Zimmerman Avenue Cataract Avenue NORTH Michigan Central Railway Bridge Second Avenue Maple Street First Avenue Willmott Street Victoria Avenue Existing Bike Route/Lane (On-Road) Victoria Avenue improvements Buckley Avenue St Lawrence Avenue Crysler Avenue Morrison Street St Clair Avenue Park Street Queen Street Huron Street Bridge Street Ellis Street Location of Improvement Ontario Avenue Erie Avenue Armoury Street Planned Bike Route/Lane (On-Road) Existing Multi-Use Trail (Off-Road) Armoury Street Planned Multi-Use Trail (Off-Road) Urban Area Boundary Simcoe Street Road Network Secondary Plan Limits Transit Station Area may be refined during the detailed design of the Station. Key Highlights of the Plan Active transportation connections proposed to fill out the existing network and provide connections to the riverfront and through the downtown Road widths align with the Niagara Falls Official Plan and strategic direction for the City Three main improvements suggested to provide better traffic flow and access to the GO Transit Station Transportation policies include guidance on traffic calming and managing volumes through the area Design guidelines for roads include direction on incorporating active transportation and promoting safety for cyclists and pedestrians (see Panel #) HOW WAS ² m FEEDBACK Strong support for greater connetivity and priority for INTEGRATED? pedestrians and cyclists, reflected in the policies for protected cycling lanes and wider sidewalks Desire for connections to the riverfront, integrated into the selected routes for proposed cycling lanes Need for active transportation links that provide access to the GO Transit Station, integrated through north and south access routes

12 DESIGNING FOR PEOPLE The Secondary Plan provides detailed design guidance on these four key areas, which together shape the character of the Plan Area and influence the experience of being in it. THE HUMAN SCALE Building Spaces for People SITE DESIGN A Strong Neighbourhood Framework Improving the public realm for pedestrians, cyclists and transit users will contribute to livable and animated streets and parks. As properties within the Plan Area redevelop, it will be increasingly important to improve the public realm. Key elements for human-scaled design include boulevard design, landscaping, street furniture and public art, new public open spaces, and Low-Impact Development (LID) to provide for stormwater management and create green buffers from developed areas. Community design includes the location and orientation of buildings. The Design Guidelimes aim to protect and direct views, providing a consistent street wall, and relating buildings to the street and pedestrian activities. Key elements of development addressed through site design policies include Gateway features, parking, access and entrances, storage, servicing and loading areas for industrial sites, front and rear property setbacks from the street as well as transitions between different site uses. BUILDING HEIGHT AND MASSING Getting the Right Fit SUSTAINABILITY Considering the Future Buildings within the Plan Area will be low to midrise, with taller buildings focused in the vicinity of the GO Transit Station and Downtown. The Urban Design Guidelines address height and massing for buildings with policies directed at mid-rise building design, building podiums and stepbacks, and façade design. Buildings account for approximately 40 percent of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in North America. Adopting sustainable practices in building design not only decreases the amount of GHG emissions released, but also lowers operating costs. Key considerations for achieving sustainable building design include passive solar design and energy efficiency.

13 IMPLEMENTING THE PLAN How do Secondary Plans SHORT-TERM PRIORITY 5-YEAR TIMEFRAME MID-TERM PRIORITY 0-YEAR TIMEFRAME LONG-TERM PRIORITY 0-YEAR TIMEFRAME get Implemented? Secondary Plans are integrated into the City s Official Plan and get implemented in a manner of ways: NEW CONNECTIONS & ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS Thorold Stone Road Extension Signalization of Victoria Avenue at Buttrey Street Alternative would be to realign Buttrey Street to connect with Ferguson Street to improve sight lines Victoria Avenue Improvements As private development occurs, the policies of the secondary are applied. From a public sector perspective, the municipal projects, such as road improvements or new public spaces are implemented by the appropriate level of government (Provincial, Regional or Local). For most public sector projects contemplated in the Secondary Plan, additional detailed planning is required, such as an environmental assessment, feasibility study or design exercise. BIKE ROUTE/ LANE (ON-ROAD) MULTI-USE TRAIL STREETSCAPE IMPROVMENTS 4 5 Bridge Street - Between Victoria Avenue and River Road Victoria Avenue - Between Bridge Street and Armoury Street Erie Avenue - Between Bridge Street and Huron Street Hickson Avenue - Between Buttrey Street and Leader Lane Morrison Street - Between Victoria Avenue and River Road Transit Station Trail Connecting Erie Avenue with Hickson Avenue and Hickson Avenue with River Road Olympic Torch Race Legacy Trail Extension Connecting existing Olympic Torch Race Legacy Trail with the Michigan Central Railway Bridge and River Road River Road Major Streetscape Improvements Between Buttrey Street and Simcoe Street Bridge Street Minor Streetscape Improvements Between Victoria Avenue and River Road Buttrey Street Minor Streetscape Improvements Between Victoria Avenue and River Road Generally, funding for infrastructure projects proposed in the Secondary Plan come from a variety of sources, such as development charges or municipal tax base Victoria Avenue Minor Streetscape Improvements Between Buttrey Street and Bridge Street Erie Avenue Major Streetscape Improvements Between Bridge Street and Queen Street Potential Street Grid Refinement Mid block between Park Street and Queen Street connecting St. Lawrence Avenue with River Road Victoria Avenue and Bridge Street Major Gateway GATEWAY FEATURES Erie Avenue and Bridge Street Minor Gateway River Road and Whirlpool Bridge Minor Gateway New Public Space at southwest corner of Erie Avenue and Bridge Street New Public Space adjacent to Transit Station Area PUBLIC SPACE Public Space Improvement south of Bridge Street Mid-block between Crysler Avenue and Erie Avenue 4 Public Space Improvement along River Road Mid-block between Bridge Street and Park Street

14 NEXT STEPS Public review of draft Secondary Plan (ongoing). Finalize the Secondary Plan and present to Regional and Local Councils at Statutory Public Meetings. How you can help Stay involved with the project and be a part of developing the plan for each of the station areas. Here are the ways you can participate:??? Ask questions today Sign up for our contact list by ing GoHubStudy@niagararegion.ca Visit For any questions or comments, please contact: Diana Morreale, MCIP, RPP Planning Lead, GO Implementation Office Niagara Region 85 Sir Isaac Brock Way (Formerly 0 St. David s Rd.) P.O. Box 04, Thorold, ON LV 4T7 T: (905) ext. 67 E: Diana.morreale@niagararegion.ca 4