808518 Design Guideline Presentation

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Brook McIlroy Inc Meridian Planning Consultants IncPoulos and Chung Ltd GPLi

City of Burlington

Downtown Urban Design GuidelinesWorkshop Presentation

June 29, 2005



Burlington Downtown Urban Design Guidelines

Overview

Our Team

• Objectives

• Precedents

• Key structural elements of the downtown

• Key Downtown Assets

• Primary Study Precincts

• Context–recent applications

• Role of guidelines

• The 3-tiered approach




Our Team

Brook McIlroy• Planning and Urban Design

Meridian Planning• Policy Review and ImplementationStrategy

• Implementation is key (OP andzoning, financial and otherincentives)

Poulos and Chung• Transportation advice

GPLi

• Public Consultation




Objectives

Refine the Vision for Downtown• Build on the ‘Core Commitment’

Guide development and redevelopment

• Urban Design Principles• Identification of strategic locations• Public Realm

– Open and Civic Spaces – Connections and Linkages

– Public Art – Wayfinding

• Private Realm – Heights and Massing

– Relationship with the Street

– Materials and character

Provide Strategies for Implementation




Desirable Precedents













xUndesirable Precedents




Structuring Elements

• Brant Street

• Lakeshore Road

• Waterfront

• Residential Neighbourhoods

• Key Intersections

• City Hall

• Art Centre




Downtown Assets: Proximity to Waterfront




Downtown Assets: Variety of Built Form & Mix of Uses




Downtown Assets: Small Storefronts




Downtown Assets: Streetscape




Downtown Assets: Pedestrian Network

Pedestrian Circulation




Downtown Assets: Vacant & Underutilized Sites

• Extensive underutilized and vacant sites provide significantredevelopment and revitalization opportunities




Downtown Assets: Current & Future Areas of Opportunity




Primary Study Precincts

Key Chararacteristics

• The central node of the

downtown

• A focal point for residents andvisitors

• Relies on a stable and healthyadjacent residential fabric

1. Central Area Precinct

2. Wellington Square on the Lake Precinct

3. Old Lakeshore Road Precinct




Primary Study Precincts

Key Chararacteristics

• Connectivity of gridsystem

• Major landmark structures – Towers

– Churches

– City Hall

– Parking Garage

– Future Pier

– Waterfront Centre




Primary Study Precincts – 1. Central Area




Primary Study Precincts - 1. Central Area

Key Characteristics

• Largest precinct

• Business and shopping core

• Transportation node• Great variation in bulk and character

of buildings

• Great variation in quality ofstreetscape –e.g. Brant vs. John

• Permeable – encourages walking• Many surface parking lots and

servicing areas at street edge

• Important view termini





Building Heights and Open Space Plan





Priorities

• Develop large sites to strengthendowntown

• Consider lost surface parking(balance of transit and other modes of

transportation)





Priorities

• Maintain and enhance

permeability and views

• Maintain small-grain ofstorefronts

• Avoid monotony and

maintain eclecticness

• Reinvent John Street

• Redefine Village Square




Primary Study Precincts – 2. Wellington Square on the Lake





Key Characteristics

• Trend towards more high-risecondos

• Fast-changing area• Key linkages to the Waterfront –

public-private interface

• To become an important residentialneighbourhood

• Prevent barriers between downtown

and waterfront

• Promote diversity in architecture










Priorities

• Maintain views, waterfront access

and permeability

• Enhance public character throughvibrancy at grade

• Avoid monotony and maintaineclecticness

• Respect existing character

• Avoid incompatibilities

• Anticipate traffic issues




Primary Study Precincts – 3. Old Lakeshore Road




Key Characteristics• Low-rise, low-density

• Emerging destination forrestaurants and night life

• Accommodating parking achallenge

• Residential compatibility (noise,privacy)

• Poor streetscape quality (curbcuts)

• Old Lakeshore Rd frontage moreattractive than Lakeshore frontage

• No sidewalk on south side ofLakeshore

• Unsignalized intersection at Old

Lakeshore and Lakeshore











Priorities

• Fostering a clearer definition of thisarea

• Addressing the parking needswithout surface parking

• Mitigating conflicts with

residential uses

• Improving the streetscape




Current Development Trends and Context

1. Bunton's Wharf –occupied

2. Baxter - under construction

3. 360 on Pearl – One 17 storey residential condo with mixed

use ground floor – On hold pending urban design guidelines – OPA/ZBA required

4. Thornwood – 14 Live/Work Units – Awaiting site plan approval

5. Wellington on the Lake – One 22-storey bldg – Two 7-storey buildings (one is a proposed Marriott) – To go to Council fall of 2005, OPA/ZBA required




Current Development Trends and Context

1. Bunton’s Wharf 2. Baxter

Thornwood

3. 360 on Pearl

4. Thornwood

5. Wellington on the Lake




Urban Design Guidelines – 3-Tier Approach

Tier 1

• Taller buildings atcorners and in the

middle of blocks

• T-intersectionsterminated withlandmark buildings andfeatures

• Midblock connections

• Articulated tall buildings – base, middle, top





Tier 2

• Compatibility with

surrounding setbacks

• Height of the podium

matched withsurrounding buildings

• Compatible materials

• Double-height firstfloors, clear entrancesand canopies





Tier 2

• Small floorplates and

articulations to protect

views and access tolight

• Setbacks to:

– reduce bulk

– add visual interest

– protect views

– prevent excessiveshadowing





Tier 3

• Landmark features todistinguish buildings

• Consistent rhythm ofentrances on the street

• Long façades articulatedwith recessions,projections andcanopies

• Small plazas for patiosand public artinstallations




Guidelines Process: General vs. Specific Sites




Guiding Urban Design Issues

• What are the major issues/concerns for downtown revitalization anddevelopment?

• What characteristics of the downtown should be retained?

• What needs to be improved?

• Where are tall buildings appropriate? How can they be made to fit wellwith the overall downtown context?

• How should low (1-3 storeys) to mid-rise (4-6 storey) buildings bedesigned?

• What type of uses should there be more of, less of?

• Where are the primary pedestrian connections through the downtown?• Where should new civic spaces be created?




The Workshop

• Discuss issues and opportunitieswith your group

• Follow the questionnaire

• Assign a scribe to report back

• Present group findings to largergroup

• Return questionnaires now orwithin one week.




Documents

808518 Design Guideline Presentation