Downtown Whitby Action Plan Final Report October 2016
Table of Contents Introduction 1 Public Consultation 2 Walkability 3 Downtown Whitby Walkability Map 4 Vision 5 Goal & Objectives 6 Objective 1 7 Objective 2 9 Objective 3 11 Objective 4 13 Measuring Success of the Plan 15 Conclusion 15
Introduction Downtown Whitby is a unique destination and focal point of the community. From the array of historic architectural buildings, to the cultural spaces to the variety of businesses, the Downtown provides a basis for our community identity. For many years, Downtown Whitby has struggled to attract new investment to the area mostly as a result of development opportunities in other parts of the community. In 2014, Council created a set of eight goals, many which address downtown development and the need to build downtowns that are pedestrian-focused destinations and to realize the economic and social potential of our downtowns. In response, staff drafted the Downtown Whitby Action Plan in consultation with the public, to help guide the Town of Whitby and community towards downtown renewal and investment initiatives. This document outlines the Vision, Goal, Objectives and Action Items to initiate positive and progressive changes in Downtown Whitby moving forward. The plan is simple, realistic and presents opportunity to inspire change so that together we can make Downtown Whitby a destination! 1
Public Consultation In the spring/summer of 2016, staff initiated several community engagement sessions and public consultation meetings in order to obtain feedback on the proposed Downtown Whitby Action Plan to ensure alignment with the community s priorities. The sessions ranged from open houses, pop-up booths, display boards at Town Hall, email and phone conversations, social media feedback, completion of comment cards, and one-on-one discussions with residents and visitors. Through this process, staff received an overwhelming response and is appreciative of the comments and general enthusiasm to work collaboratively to strengthen and promote Downtown Whitby. The comments and suggestions have been included and applied to this Action Plan. Farmer s Market Pop-Up Booth Spring Clean-Up April 23 Doors Open May 7 Community Meeting June 28 2
Walkability Walkability can be described as a measure to indicate how friendly an area is to walking. This can be attributed to many factors including the presence of sidewalks, a mix of land use patterns, accessibility, safety, connectivity, residential density, the presence of green spaces and trees, the variety of shops and services, and cultural anchors of a community. Overall, a more walkable community will provide increased health, environmental, and socioeconomic conditions to the people who live and/or work in the area. As part of the visioning exercise for this project, staff developed a Walkability Map (next page) which provides a snapshot of existing attributes within a five and ten minute walking radius of the Four Corners at Brock and Dundas Streets. This map shows existing key features, stable neighbourhoods, potential gateway opportunities, municipal property and lands that could be redeveloped over time as well as highlights the four Downtown Connecting Corridors along the Brock and Dundas Street spines. These are areas where a high concentration of future redevelopment can likely occur as they are located along major transportation routes and within a five to ten minute walk to the commercial core. The Walkability Map is a benchmark demonstrating Downtown Whitby s current state and can be used to feed into many of the action items as presented in this plan. The map can be updated over time as projects begin to take shape and redevelopment of the area occurs. 3
Downtown Whitby Walkability Map 4
Vision Downtown Whitby is a vibrant, viable, innovative and walkable urban destination that engages and inspires people to shop, live, work, play and connect. The following sets of streetscape images were created to help guide a desired vision for Downtown Whitby, defining many of the Objectives and Action Items in this plan. Celebration Square Brock & Colborne Streets Brock Street Brock & Dunlop Streets Byron Street South 5
Goal The goal of the Downtown Whitby Action Plan is to inspire change so that together we can make Downtown Whitby a destination. Objectives 1. Enable new opportunities for a prosperous and innovative Downtown. 2. Create Downtown Whitby as a walkable pedestrian-focused destination. 3. Inspire and enhance cultural life. 4. Cultivate downtown connections and promotion. The Downtown Whitby Action Plan can only be achieved by collaboratively working together. Therefore staff created an interdepartmental action team that will provide quarterly updates to Council on the progress of each initiative. The Action Plan provides a total of 27 action items that are divided into the four objectives outlined above. Each action item is listed in order of priority based on staff s recommendation and public feedback. The next section highlights the action items and includes information on: Timing of the project i.e. project commencement and duration of project listed by Quarters (Q1- January March; Q2 April June; Q3 July September; Q4 October December). Project collaborators i.e. which departments / organizations will manage the project. Resources i.e. what resources are required whether it be staff resources or financial resources * TBD To be determined; * SDR Service Delivery Review (i.e. if the project was identified in the SDR and may require other resources subject to SDR implementation plan) * DIR Downtown Improvement Reserve (if the project will be financed from this reserve). 6
Objective 1 Enable new opportunities for a prosperous and innovative Downtown Action Item Timing Project Collaborators Resources 1.1 Update the Downtown Whitby Community Improvement Plan (CIP) with improved financial incentives for development/ redevelopment projects including expanding the CIP boundaries. In-progress Complete Q2 2017 Development; Corporate Services 1.2 Work towards the redevelopment of 201 Brock Street South (the Old Fire Hall site) and adjacent lands into a mixed used, pedestrian friendly development. In-progress CAO in consultation with all departments TBD 1.3 Streamline the development review process for Development applications (i.e. delegate Site Plan Review to staff). Various timeframes for various initiatives Development; Public Works; Corporate Services; Community and Marketing Services SDR 1.4 Update the Downtown Whitby Secondary Plan to review land uses, identify intensification areas, provide urban design policies and review transportation needs. Start Q4 2017 1 1.5 year duration Development in consultation with the public Capital Forecast 2017 $500,000 7
Objective 1 continued Enable new opportunities for a prosperous and innovative Downtown Action Item Timing Project Collaborators Resources 1.5 Update the Economic Development Strategy for Downtown Whitby inclusive of attracting desired businesses (i.e. innovative sector). Start Q1 2020 1 year duration Community and Marketing Services; Development Capital Forecast 2020 $150,000 SDR 1.6 Review the Town s Municipal real estate assets, gaps and opportunities within the downtown (i.e. community facilities, parking, parks etc.) and create a strategy to manage, grow and develop the assets moving forward. Start Q1 2018 1 2 year duration Corporate Services; Development; Community and Marketing Services; Public Works; Legal SDR TBD 1.7 Review servicing requirements to ensure that development sites have appropriate infrastructure (i.e. parking, servicing, stormwater management etc.). Ongoing through development applications Public Works; Region of Durham; Development; Utility Companies 8
Objective 2 Create Downtown Whitby as a walkable pedestrian-focused destination Action Item Timing Project Collaborators Resources 2.1 Review current and future municipal parking demands in Downtown Whitby and develop a Parking Master Plan to meet these demands. In-progress Start Q1/Q2 2017 1 year duration Public Works; Planning and Development Capital Forecast 2017 $150,000 2.2 Develop a Streetscape Improvement Master Plan for roads, sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, street furniture, trees, lighting, cycling, signage and connectivity in Downtown Whitby with specific focus along the Brock Street spine; and develop related engineering design standards. Start Q1 2018 1 1.5 year duration Development; Public Works Capital Forecast 2018 $100,000 DIR 2.3 Conduct a Downtown Whitby Corridor Study to support a pedestrian friendly historic core around Brock and Dundas. The Study shall address the need for additional pedestrian crossings and the need to redirect truck and commuter traffic to other roads while reducing the traffic impact on adjacent residential neighbourhoods. 2.4 Review services (i.e. snow and waste collection) in Downtown Whitby in order to implement improvements and efficiencies. Start Q1/Q2 2017 1 year duration Public Works; Planning and Development Capital Forecast 2017/2018 $100,000 Ongoing Public Works SDR 9
Objective 2 continued Create Downtown Whitby as a walkable pedestrian-focused destination Action Item Timing Project Collaborators Resources 2.5 Work with business and property owners to provide opportunities to create accessible entrances to their building. Ongoing through Façade Grant Program and/or streetscape improvements Development; Town s Accessibility Advisory Committee; Downtown business/property owners Various Capital Projects DIR $75,000 Façade Grant Program 2.6 Evaluate the urban forest canopy and natural environment to better understand the most appropriate tree species and landscape materials suitable for various locations in Downtown Whitby. Ongoing through streetscape improvements and/or development applications Public Works; Planning and Development; Community and Marketing Services SDR 2.7 Continue to work collaboratively with Durham Regional Police Service and By-law Enforcement to proactively mitigate vandalism and illegal activity in Downtown Whitby. Ongoing 2016 Graffiti Mitigation Program Durham Regional Police Service; By-law Enforcement Capital One-Time Reserve 2016 $10,000 10
Objective 3 Inspire and enhance cultural life Action Item Timing Project Collaborators Resources 3.1 Collaborate with Downtown Whitby businesses and property owners on pilot projects to test the market for creative ideas and proposals (i.e. sidewalk cafes, pop-up shops, incubator spaces). In-progress Parklet Pilot Project Complete Q2 2017 Downtown business/ property owners; Development; Public Works; Chamber of Commerce 2017 $15,000 Parklet Pilot Project DIR 3.2 Create opportunities to animate and cultivate a people place at Celebration Square at the Whitby Public Library (i.e. develop a strategy and live testing of pilot projects). In-progress Strategy - Q2 2017 Pilot Projects - Q3/Q4 2017 Development; Whitby Public Library; Community and Marketing Services Capital Forecast 2016 $20,000 Strategy 2017 $22,000 Pilot Projects DIR 3.3 Establish a new permanent location for the Whitby Farmer s Market. Q2 2017 6 month duration Development; Whitby Farmer s Market; Public Works TBD 3.4 Develop a streamlined and pre-packaged event policy with special considerations for road closures, fee schedule and licensing requirements for downtown events (both Town run and private events). In-progress Complete Q4 2017 Clerks; Community and Marketing Services; Development; Public Works 11
Objective 3 continued Inspire and enhance cultural life Action Item Timing Project Collaborators Resources 3.5 Conduct a cultural mapping exercise and create a Culture Plan with specific input/ideas for Downtown Whitby. Start Q1 2018 1 year duration Community and Marketing Services; Development Capital Forecast 2018 $110,000 SDR 3.6 Continue working on creating a Heritage Conservation District (HCD) Plan for Perry s Plan and the Four Corners. Subject to future Council direction following a review of the implementation outcomes of Werden s HCD Development; LACAC Heritage Whitby Capital Forecast Budget if HCD s proceed: 2018 (Perry s Plan) $50,000 2020 (Four Corners) $50,000 3.7 Update the public art policy and develop a municipal policy to acquire, fund and promote public art at key locations within the municipality including Downtown Whitby. Start Q1 2019 6 month duration Community and Marketing Services; Development; Clerks; Public Works; Whitby Station Gallery 12
Objective 4 Cultivate Downtown connections and promotions Action Item Timing Project Collaborators Resources 4.1 a) Review and establish the boundaries for Historic Downtown Whitby. b) Report back on options for gateway features at each boundary of the Historic Downtown and that the gateway features be respectful and adhere to heritage characteristics. Boundaries Q1 2017 Options for gateways Q2/Q3 2017 Development; Public Works; Community and Marketing Services 4.2 Review and establish boundaries for Downtown Whitby and identify brand areas/districts (Werden s, Perry s, Innovation etc). Complete Q2 2018 Development 4.3 Support and enable the establishment of a Downtown Whitby Business Improvement Area (BIA) or similar type of business model to support downtown initiatives, events and activities. In-progress Start Q4 2016 6 month duration Downtown business/property owners; Clerks; Planning and Development 4.4 Establish key locations for entrance features into the downtown and work towards creative designs to welcome people to the area. Locations Q3 2017 Designs Q1 2018 Development; Public Works; Community and Marketing Services Consultants DIR(for designs and future construction) 13
Objective 4 continued Cultivate Downtown connections and promotions Action Item Timing Project Collaborators Resources 4.5 Enhance storefront signage by updating the Town s Sign By-law, providing design guidance and financial incentives. Start Q1 2018 6 month duration Development; Downtown business/ property owners DIR 4.6 Create opportunity to provide Wi-Fi and improve broadband connectivity in Downtown Whitby. Ongoing Corporate Services; Planning and Development; Community and Marketing Services; Chamber of Commerce TBD 14
Measuring Success of the Plan Success of the plan will be measured on completion of the various action items as well as regular updates to the Walkability Map which highlights Downtown Whitby s features and attributes on how walkable the area is within a five and ten minute walking radius of the Four Corners at Brock and Dundas Streets. Some action items require that more information be collected in order to be able to measure the item over time. This will be completed through the interdepartmental team in collaboration with other groups Conclusion The Downtown Whitby Action Plan is a comprehensive document that outlines the priority projects and investments in Downtown Whitby moving forward. The plan focuses on four key objectives with a total of 27 action items that will be undertaken and evolve over time. Council s adoption of this Action Plan will define and prioritize downtown initiatives and conveys Council s commitment to investing and achieving the downtown vision. The ongoing leadership from multiple stakeholders including Council, staff, business and property owners, organizations and committees will ultimately lead to the successful implementation of the Action Plan. Everyone has a role to play in shaping and building Downtown Whitby so that together we create a destination. This Plan sets the foundation to achieve this goal. 15