Courtice Main Street Study Community Vision Workshop PLANNING SERVICES DEPARTMENT July 22, 2009
Tonight s Meeting 7:00 pm Introduction David Crome, Director of Planning 7:05 Presentation Stasia Bogdan, Joseph Bogdan Associates Inc. Ann Joyner, Dillon Consulting Limited - Study Purpose and Objectives - Overview of Clarington Official Plan and Growth Management Projects - Planning Context of Courtice Main Street - Courtice s Character Today - Visualizing Highway Corridor Evolution/ Intensification 7:30 Session 1 8:10 Session 2 8:40 Summary 8:55 Conclusion Community Map Vision for Development and Courtice Community Review Top Points from the Sessions Next Steps in the Process
Purpose of the Study - Durham Region and Clarington planning policy identify Highway 2 as a focal area for higher densities and mix of land uses in Courtice - Develop a strategy to guide growth and development buildings, open spaces and streetscapes along Highway 2 Clarington Context Courtice Main Street Study Area
Goals of the Study - Secondary Plan - Urban Design Guidelines - Implementing Zoning By-law - More detailed policies to guide development or redevelopment Clarington Context Courtice Main Street Study Area
Municipal and Regional Official Plan Policy STUDY AREA Durham Regional Official Plan Amendment 128 Clarington Official Plan Courtice Urban Area
Durham Regional Official Plan - In 2008 Durham Region completed a Growth Management Study Growing Durham - Recommends changes to bring the Regional Official Plan into conformance with the Province s Places to Grow policy - Resulted in an amendment to the Regional Official Plan (ROPA #128), finalized June 3, 2009
Provincial Planning Policy Places to Grow: The Province s Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, June 2006 Establishes a new pattern of growth to preserve the environment and create better communities - Curb urban sprawl, reduce traffic congestion, improve air and life quality, preserve agricultural and natural areas. - Direct development to existing urban areas; limit development on lands outside urban areas ( greenfields ) - Utilize and improve existing infrastructure - Develop intensification corridors: - Build higher densities for transit to be economically viable and to reduce dependency on the car - Create a mix of residential, commercial and other uses and accommodate local services
Implications for Highway 2 Hwy. 2 is a Regional Corridor Courtice Town Centre (Trulls & Hwy 2) is a Regional Centre higher densities greater mix of land uses transit supportive pedestrian friendly portions of Corridor should have: long term density target of 60 units/gross ha Floor Space Index of 2.5 Example of higher density residential with commercial uses at the sidewalk, along a transit corridor Define appropriate locations for higher densities along Highway 2
Implications for Highway 2 What is FSI? Floor Space Index: The ratio of the total floor area of a building to its respective lot area. For example, a lot with an area of 10,000 sq.metres would support a building of 25,000 sq. metres (over multiple floors) to equal an FSI of 2.5 [ratio of 2.5:1] Example of higher density residential with commercial uses at the sidewalk, along a transit corridor
Courtice in Clarington Official Plan Courtice is a distinct Urban Area within Clarington Official Plan contains numerous sub-plans (Secondary Plans) for distinct areas within each Urban Area Courtice Urban Area Plan already permits a range of uses along the Corridor: Courtice West Shopping District Secondary Plan Special Study Area at the Town Centre Area (red) Medium & high density areas, commercial, community Hwy. 2 Corridor needs an overall plan to tie it together, link it to the rest of Courtice, define a vision for what growth will look like and how that is achieved >> Secondary Plan Clarington Official Plan Courtice Urban Area
Role of Study in Clarington Official Plan - Clarington is undertaking an Official Plan Review: - conformance with Provincial Policy of Places to Grow and Greenbelt Legislation, and - response to Growing Durham and ROPA #128 policy changes - Municipal staff and group of consultants undertaking variety of studies
What does the Official Plan Review entail? Role of Study in Clarington Official Plan
Role of Study in Clarington Official Plan How do we put the pieces together? Courtice Main Street Study
Courtice Main Street Planning Context 2001 Study boundary focused around Durham Hwy. 2 & Trulls Road and development of the Main Central Area (MCA) 2001 Recommendations included: - Intensification of existing commercial to include residential and retail - 6 storey residential (high density) - 2 4 storey residential (med. density) - Limited office use - Community facilities and open space - Retail - Special area open land use - Streetscape improvements and gateways
Courtice Main Street Planning Context Gateway Rendering Proposed Land Use Plan Cross Section of HWY. 2 at Townline Road Transition To Commercial Gateway Main Central Area Gatewa y Transition To Rural Highway 2 Character Areas
Durham Highway 2 Today Why a new Study? - Create tools land use plan and design guidelines - to give shape to the Provincial and Regional policies for intensification and increased densities - Improve Courtice identity and appearance - encourage investment and civic pride
Durham Highway 2 Today Why a new Study? - The Planning Act now gives municipalities more control over exterior design and require design elements in the roadway, to improve streetscapes - The current Official Plan review proposes a more design-oriented approach - More emphasis on the quality of all aspects of the built environment - Eg. This Study will explore The Transect, a planning model used in many new communities in the United States Progression of development from rural to urban
Durham Highway 2 Today
Evolution of the Corridor Mix of medium and higher density buildings Buildings come to street edge Mix of residential and commercial uses Creating a pedestrian friendly place with a distinct community character Improving streetscapes Establish transportation and infrastructure needs to support development Encourage transit use
Examples of Medium Density Clarington Development Nantucket, Courtice - Townhouses with rear deck parking Parkwood Village, Courtice Cluster condominiums with surface parking Newcastle condominiums with surface parking Bowmanville - Townhouses with front window lane for parking
Examples of Medium Density Buildings at Road Edges Townhouses with front doors at major street Parking is behind and underground 3 storey buildings with a small street between the major arterial road and buildings This provides street access and street parking beside buildings but not on major road
Examples of Higher Density Residential Buildings with Commercial Uses Live/work ~ shops at ground floor with residential units above Parking at rear 5 storey building with retail / community uses at the ground floor; parking is underground
Examples of Higher Density Residential Buildings along Larger Roadways (arterials) 5 storey buildings along a 4-lane arterial road Access to lobby and parking from side street Wide tree-planted boulevard between buildings and roadway
Examples of Higher Density Residential Buildings along Major Roads (arterials) 8 storey building with retail at ground floor Underground parking 6, 12 and 15 storey building with retail at the ground floor Underground parking
Greyfield Development Older suburban shopping malls or commercial strips with large areas of surface parking at street Revitalized through renovation or redevelopment or a combination Improve existing tenants and/or add mix of office, residential and other uses Community shopping centres (smaller vs. large regional ones) are at risk of decline age of building and appeal of stores This could be a model to consider for the Courtice West Shopping District
Greyfield Development Example: Waterloo, Ontario Waterloo Town Square >> The Shops at Waterloo
Session 2 - A Vision for Development Greyfield Development Retail/office buildings at street Renovated edge of partially demolished mall and new public street Wide sidewalks, access to parking Partial demolition and renovation of 1960s mall New local street to break up the block 3 storey retail/office buildings at street edge Walkways to surface parking lot at rear
Session 2 - A Vision for Development Greyfield Development Example: Scarborough, Ontario Morningside Mall >> Morningside Crossing Original mall set back from street Parking lots at street edge Surrounding highway commercial / strip development
Session 2 - A Vision for Development Greyfield Development New buildings at street with pedestrian access and landscaping at main road (Kingston Road) 2 storey retail / office block at corner Incremental redevelopment New buildings at street edge without blocking views of existing building Incorporation of local businesses and office space Zoning permits transition of site from commercial to mixed commercial and residential uses over time
Greyfield Development Other examples: Retail & office at the street Parking above stores Improved streetscapes Improved places and movement for pedestrians Structured parking shared with other uses to reduce parking requirements
Streetscaping Gateway development to create awareness of arrival and departure Planting and paving to separate pedestrians from traffic Build community identity
Public Gathering Spaces Small spaces enclosed by buildings Informal spaces for variety of events Range of seating options and shade Water and landscaping Banners, light fixtures, specialty paving
Session 1 A Community Map Name 3 5 attributes of the Hwy. 2 Corridor Name 3 5 challenges or issues of the Hwy. 2 Corridor Discuss the role of Courtice in relation to Oshawa and Bowmanville Write on / mark the map and photographs to highlight areas and issues Choose someone from the group to present the top ideas
Session 2 - Vision for the Courtice Community Development Select images or propose places you think Hwy. 2 could evolve into Discuss what makes the area distinct that could help form a Vision Name 2 or 3 goals for improvement / development along Hwy. 2 Sticker / check the images you favour Write down goals / vision statements Choose someone from the group to present the top ideas
Summary of key points from discussions and mapping by each table Summary
Next Steps Receive your feedback, summarize all issues, constraints and opportunities for development End of September Summary Report of Issues and Vision Coordinate issues and planning directions with other Official Plan studies Mid-November present development options to this group for feedback December prepare Secondary Plan and Guidelines February present at Public Open House & Council
we are here Timing next public session
Next Steps Thank you for your participation! Please post any comments on the Clarington website or feel free to contact the Project Planner or Consultant Ruth Porras Senior Planner/Urban Designer Community Planning and Design Branch The Municipality of Clarington Email: RPorras@clarington.net Tel: 905-623-3379, ext. 332 Stasia Bogdan Project Coordinator Joseph Bogdan Associates Inc. Architects-Urban Design Consultants Email: sbogdan@bogdanarchitects.ca Tel: 416-531-7717, ext. 107