Design Brief - Huntsville · Purpose of this Design Brief This is a summary of the recommendations based on the design workshop. It explains the rationale for the intended character

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Design Brief

Main Street and Kent ParkThe Planning PartnershipJuly 2018

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IntroductionThe District of Muskoka is replacing underground services on Main Street in Downtown Huntsville, between Lorne Street and the bridge in 2019. To do so, existing paving, sidewalks, lighting and trees will be removed. This will be a significant construction project requiring excavation of a substantial portion of the street. The District plans to replace the above-ground streetscape in a like-for-like manner, that is, to replace the existing asphalt road, concrete sidewalks, street trees, and street furniture wherever they dig.

Infrastructure renewal projects are infrequent because of the lifespan of the infrastructure itself and the cost of replacement. Recognizing the unique opportunity of this event, the Town of Huntsville retained The Planning Partnership to envision the streetscape that might be put back after construction, with the idea of creating an enhanced environment that responds to the street’s evolving context and the goals of the Town’s Downtown Community Improvement Plan. In addition, The Planning Partnership was asked to envision new possibilities for Kent Park.

The Planning Partnership team set up temporary studio in Partners Hall for three days to design a new vision for Main Street and Kent Park while working in Huntsville with Town Staff, a Steering Committee and the community. During this workshop, alternative design concepts were explored, and a preferred concept was recommended for both Main Street and Kent Park.

The VisionThe design vision rethinks convention, proposing a beautiful “made in Muskoka” design with street trees that grow in Muskoka, granite boulders, special paving, dark sky friendly lights and Muskoka chairs – all to celebrate this cultural heart of Huntsville.

A new gateway at Lorne Street and Main Street marks the entrance where a broad view of Downtown Huntsville unfolds. Crosswalks marked with special paving will ensure safe pedestrian crossings and a signal to vehicles to slow down while travelling on Main Street through Downtown. Both sides of Main Street have on-street parking in bays identified with special pavers that can also be locations for temporary café areas or extra seating in the summer. A new Town Square in front of the Town Hall and Theatre has special paving that extends from building face to building face. When Main Street is closed for the outstanding events held year-round in Downtown Huntsville, this area will be the heart of the festivities. Sidewalks will be lined with street trees that have room underground to stretch their roots, be aerated and watered, ensuring healthy, long lived trees. Muskoka chairs will be set out along the sidewalks of Main Street. “Muskoka Moments” featuring granite boulders and areas planted with alder, birch, conifers and dogwood, will bring the surrounding landscape onto Main Street. The new vision of Main Street celebrates Downtown Huntsville with a Muskoka-inspired beautiful streetscape.

Purpose of this Design Brief

This is a summary of the recommendations based on the design workshop. It explains the rationale for the intended character and function of Main Street and Kent Park. It provides examples of built public realm projects from other contexts that are similar to the concept for Huntsville. Note that the decisions related to the sub-grade materials vary by context, based on geotechnical analysis. The design brief also suggests criteria and performance standards that need to be established and further reviewed.

Limitations of this Design Brief

It is important to note the information, suggestions and recommendations in this Design Brief are based on a workshop that was undertaken at a very conceptual level in a short timeframe. Concepts were based on available aerial photography and a visual reconnaissance. Technical information related to geotechnical conditions, servicing and property surveys was limited. Based on our experience

designing and building public realm projects in Ontario, we believe the design concepts are realistic and implementable in some form, however, there remains much work to be done.

Design development work must be undertaken to refine, and in some cases possibly change, the design concepts. A detailed understanding of subsurface conditions, servicing requirements, existing grades, and site drainage needs to be coordinated with the landscape architectural plans. This will require expertise in civil engineering, structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, landscape architecture, and arboriculture.

TOWN OF HUNTSVILLE: Downtown Community Improvement Plan / 23

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River Mill Park

Town Dock Park

CivicCentre

KentPark

RiversidePark

Muskoka River

MAIN STREET CEN

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LORN

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MINERVA STREET

MARY STREET

LANSDOWNE STREET

CAROLINE STREET

SUSAN STREET

WES

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QUEEN STREET

KIN

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BRUN

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PRINCESS STREET

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Study Area

Key Animated Bldg EdgeSpecial Building Edge

Special Paving TreatmentPotential Plaza/Green Space

Existing Towers/SteeplesPotential Landmark Sites

Key View CorridorMid-Block Pedestrian Connection

Green SpaceHardscape Plaza

Key Public Uses

Enhanced Streetscape

Crosswalks

Key Corner Sites

Key Public Art Sites

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Gateway

Framework Plan

The Downtown Community Improvement Plan (CIP) 2010

The CIP articulates a long term vision for downtown Huntsville. It sets out a number of projects and strategies, including improvements for Main Street and Kent Park. The vision in this Design Brief is a further evolution of the concepts of the CIP, refining the ideas of gateways, special paving, and enhanced streetscape shown in the diagram above.

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Design Concept for Main Street

Main Street

Kent Park

Minerva Street

Caroline Street

River Mill Park

Lorne Street

Centre S

treet

West S

treet

King S

treet

Brunel R

oad

Princess Street

Muskoka River

1Town SquareA new focal point in front of Town Hall that extends across the entire street

2Table Top IntersectionsRaised to the sidewalk level with special paving and crosswalks

3Sidewalks for PedestriansSpecial paving and widened zones for walking

4Flexible ParkingOn-street parking areas have special paving that can be used for special events

5Muskoka MomentsThe Muskoka landscape is brought to Main Street in open planted beds with trees

6Green StreetSpace is allocated to grow large, healthy street trees along Main Street

7Lorne Street GatewayA landmark creates a sense of arrival, and works with the Muskoka River bridge to bookend the downtown

8ConnectionsSide streets have the same paving to make visual linkages to the surrounding community

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2

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34

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8 8 8

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Basic Cross Section

• Use minimum travel lane width acceptable to the District of Muskoka, 3.5m• Flex parking zone approximately 2.5m• Sidewalk zone becomes 4.0m and includes a Market Zone at the building face, a pedestrian clearway

(preferrably 2.1m wide) and a tree/landscape zone close to the curb• Where space permits (e.g. if portions of the right of way are wider), the sidewalk zone should be widened• Turn lanes are anticipated at Centre Street. Further study is required to identify appropriate lane and sidewalk

configurations. Ensure there is sufficient space for pedestrian clearways

Flexible Use Cross Section

• Potential for seasonal cafe patio space (or can be sidewalk if cafe space is immediately adjacent to the building) - see left side

• ends of on-street parking zones are anchored by Muskoka Moments - see right side

Market Z

one

Ped

estrian Clearw

ay

Tree/Furniture Zone

Flexible P

arking Zone


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TodayMain Street looking east in front of Town Hall

AfterTown Square paving treatment in front of Town Hall, rocks and Muskoka chairs for seating, flexible on-street parking lanes, and Muskoka Moments representing local landscapes


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Town Square

Key Characteristics

• Vehicular surface elevation is very close to, or the same as, the sidewalk surface elevation

• The entire square appears to function at one level and is treated with unit paving continuously across the right of way, extending to all adjacent building faces, or to the landscaped areas in front of Town Hall and the church

• Minimize on-street parking within the Square (accessible parking may be an exception) to maximize the sidewalk width and the pedestrian amenity that can be supported

• Acts as a traffic calming device due to the emphasis on pedestrian materials and placemaking

• Acts as the primary focal point to the street, functions as a gathering place at all times, and becomes a pedestrian-only Square during festivals and events when the street is closed to traffic

• The driving surface needs to be delineated with a high-contrast paving band and/or textured paving zone. This provides a visual and tactile signal to both pedestrians and drivers where the vehicular surface is

• Surface of Square must be drained. Typically directed to the curb/gutter zone at 2% or as directed by civil engineer. Can be collected in linear, flush trench drain or catch basins

Examples1

Note that all design development, technical details, specifications and materials need to be confirmed through appropriate engineering and landscape architectural review.

Burlington, VermontUnit paving extends from building face to building face and creates a surface that is all at one level.

Guelph, OntarioUnit paving is extended continuously from the town square (left side of image) across the driving surface to the opposite sidewalk. When the street is closed for special events it creates one larger public square.

Main Street

West S

treet

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Town Square1


Example from Ottawa Unit Paving on Open-graded Aggregate

Example from Toronto Unit Paving on Concrete Base

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Table Top Intersections at Lorne, Centre, West & Brunel

Key Characteristics

• Table top intersections grade the driving surface up to the same level as the sidewalks and crosswalks, often using an 8% slope, which acts similarly to a speed hump for vehicles entering the intersection

• The entire intersection area appears to be at one level and is treated with unit paving and potentially specially demarcated crosswalks (or it may all be treated with unit paving)

• Acts as a traffic calming device due to the sloped transition, and the emphasis on pedestrian materials and placemaking

• The driving surface needs to be delineated with a high-contrast paving band and/or textured paving zone. This provides a visual and tactile signal both pedestrians and drivers where the vehicular surface is

• Surface of intersection must be drained. Typically directed to the curb/gutter zone at 2%, or as directed by civil engineer. Can flow to additional collection points within the intersection or to catch basins outside of the intersection

• Additional drainage may be required on low side of intersection ramps to avoid water ponding

Examples2


Peoria, IllinoisThe use of unit paving and concrete create a highly visible intersection treatment with defined crosswalks.

Peoria, IllinoisThe driving surface is raised up to the level of the surrounding sidewalks, thus creating a continuous-level walking surface at crosswalk level.

Main Street

West S

treet

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Table Top Intersections2


Example from Toronto Raised Intersection

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Key Characteristics

• Sidewalk surface elevation is the highest zone in the street, sits above or level with the on-street parking zone and above driving surface

• Sidewalk surface is the same (visually) as the Town Square and Table Tops, but does not have to be vehicular grade paver

• Continuous unit paved sidewalks emphasize pedestrian priority and placemaking

• Surface drainage typically directed to the curb/gutter zone at 2%, or as directed by civil engineer. Can be collected in linear, flush trench drain or catch basins. Local surface drainage should be directed to open planters

Examples

Sidewalks for Pedestrians3


Seattle, WashingtonStones and moveable seating along the sidewalk create pedestrian amenities.

Kelowna, British ColumbiaWide sidewalks, street trees, ample seating, unit paving and quality street furniture help to create a great pedestrian environment.

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Key Characteristics

• Vehicular parking surface elevation is raised from the driving surface with a roll curb or other mountable transition

• Sidewalk surface elevation may be raised from the parking surface elevation with a roll curb or other sloped transition (non-barrier curb), or flush

• Both grade changes approximately 5-10cm; requires further study• The entire on-street parking lane appears to function at one level

and is treated with unit paving, visually extending the width of the sidewalk and visually reducing the perception of the driving lanes (less asphalt)

• Paving must be vehicular grade, same as Town Square• Some or all of the on-street parking lane may be closed to vehicles

at times to provide a widened sidewalk zone. This may occur, for example, during summer months to provide seasonal patios for restaurants, or during special events

• Acts as a traffic calming device due to the emphasis on pedestrian materials and placemaking

Examples

Flexible Parking4

• The sidewalk surface needs to be delineated with a vertical barrier made up of landscaping elements (trees, stones, benches, bollards, etc.) in order to prevent vehicular trespass into the pedestrian realm

• Surface of parking lane must be drained. Typically directed to the curb/gutter zone at 2%. Can be collected in linear, flush trench drain or catch basins


Main Street

Flexible Parking

Flexible Parking

Kitchener, OntarioThis flexible parking zone is controlled by moveable bollards, allowing for pedestrian use of space that is normally used by vehicles.

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Flexible Parking4


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TRAFFIC LAY-BY - SOUTH SIDE2L-400 SCALE - 1:75

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ISD17-5073

ISDA. C. GONTHIER, P.Eng.

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----Page Setup:

RIDEAU STREET RENEWALSUSSEX DRIVE TO DALHOUSIE STREET

ISD17-5073

ISDA. C. GONTHIER, P.Eng.

Director Project Manager

1

BH DL

BHEM

M. KOTOWSKI, P.Eng.

The Planning Partnershipurban design . landscape architecture . planning . communications

FULL SIZE1:250

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ISSUED FOR CITY SUBMISSION 11/12/17BH

PAVING ENLARGEMENTSL-400

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Flexible Parking4


Example from OttawaMountable Curb

Ontario Provincial Standard DetailMountable Curb

Example from TorontoMountable Curb

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Key Characteristics

• Pockets of landscaping that allude to the surrounding Muskoka landscape, using local stone and generally native plantings

• Pockets occur at the start and end of each on-street flexible parking lane• Large granite stones help to protect the trees from snow plows• Consider providing a raised curb to the end of some/all pockets to

reduce foot traffic and resultant soil compaction, allowing for a wider range of planting choices

• Boulders may be natural or cut; some should be at seat height (facing the sidewalk) to function as additional seating

• Pockets are open planters with sidewalk drainage directed to them for irrigation purposes

• Subdrain to evacuate excess water• Tree, shrub and groundcover species selected based on available

soil volumes. Sightlines to sidewalk, road and adjacent businesses maintained at pedestrian eye height

Street Trees• Large granite boulders, one on each side of each street tree, help to

protect the trees from snow plows• Boulders may be natural or cut; some should be at seat height to function

as additional seating

Examples

Muskoka Moment: a pocket of rocks and trees at the end of each on-street parking lane

Each street tree is anchored with large boulders on each side

Muskoka Moments5


Main Street

Muskoka Moments Muskoka Moments

Muskoka Moments Muskoka Moments

Breckenridge, ColoradoTrees that are native to a particular regional landscape can help bring that same sense of identity to a downtown.

Huntsville already has great examples of the Muskoka landscape being interpreted on Main Street. Elements include planting, granite and Muskoka chairs.

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Key Characteristics

• Street trees along the sidewalk, located in the tree/furniture zone between the on-street flexible parking lane and the pedestrian clearway

• Structural soil cells beneath the sidewalk provide sufficient horticultural soil volume to achieve large-canopy trees at maturity

• Where there is insufficient space to achieve required soil volume (20 to 30 m3 per tree), do not plant a tree

• Subdrain to evacuate excess water• Large granite boulders, one on each side of each street tree, help to

protect the trees from snow plows• Boulders may be natural or cut; some should be at seat height to

function as additional seating

Examples

Each street tree is anchored with large stones on each side

Green Street6


Main Street

(Left) Denver, Colorado; (Right) Boston, MassachusettsThese are examples of suspended pavement, where the pedestrian walking surface is supported by a sub-grade structural system that provides significant voids for horticultural soil and root development. They are both 30+ years old, and exhibit large, healthy trees. This is in significant contrast to the lifespan and size of typical urban trees planted without sufficient rooting volume.

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Growing Conditions for Trees

The environment for new trees along most downtown streets is not conducive to prolonged health. Contemporary engineering practices promote rigorous compaction of subsurface fills, primarily crushed rock, under roads and sidewalks. Roots cannot penetrate this dense, compacted material. The quantity of soil available for roots is constrained to the pit they are placed in, and roots cannot grow beyond their pits to find other sources of water and nutrients.

This problem is shared by many downtowns around the world: trees that don’t grow, die young, and require constant replacement. Tree longevity must be planned for. For downtowns committed to re-greening their streets with large, thriving trees that live for decades, new thinking is emerging. Progressive engineering is finding ways to create large soil volumes under the sidewalk for the benefit of trees, and utilities are routed appropriately through or around these soil volumes.

Soil Cells Soil cells are a modular structural system that transfers the weight of the paving system, and even vehicles that may drive above, to the subsoil. The cells are mostly voids, providing space for horticultural soil, a non-compacted, organic soil suitable for trees and plants. This significantly increases the volume of suitable soils for tree roots. As a result, trees are able to be healthier, grow faster, and live longer.

A general rule of thumb is that the size of the tree canpopy that we see above grade is matched by the volume of horticultural soil the tree has available to it under the surface. Soil cells should provide a minimum of 20 cubic metres per tree of horticultural soil. In order for street trees to achieve their full potential a minimum of 30 cubic metres per tree of horticultural soil must be provided. The soil volume should be within 1.2 metres of the surface (1.4m maximum), as tree roots experience significant diminishing returns below this depth.

Green Street6

Example diagram of a soil cell system that extends under most of the sidewalk.

Toronto, OntarioExample of a soil cell system under construction

The design and placement of soil cells must be reviewed by a structural engineer.


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Green Street6


FOR INFORMATIONAL USE ONLY - NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION

FOR INFORMATIONAL USE ONLY - NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION

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DeepRoot Green Infrastructure - USA

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Key Characteristics

• Main Street lanes narrow to minimum widths before Lorne Street• Potential reconfiguration of sidewalk to grade level (not split level as

present)• Use of large scale elements, and vertical features, to create a pinch

point through which vehicles and pedestrians pass• Many potential gateway and/or landmark elements that can create a

feeling of arrival, contribute to a sense of place, and create a marker• Lorne Street table top intersection contributes to gateway treatment• Maintain appropriate sightlines for safety• Size and placement of elements need to be reviewed for safety.

Minimum 0.6m from curb• Consider flush median unit paving treatment in advance of

intersection to reduce visual width of asphalt roadway as a traffic calming measure

Examples

AfterIn this concept for a Lorne Street gateway, reduced lane widths and a strong vertical presence help to pinch the road and create a sense of threshold, not unlike the effect of the bridge at the other end of Main Street. The large scale lighting elements would only be appropriate at the gateway, not repeated along the street.

TodayThe view of the Town Hall and church towers from the top of the hill create a partial sense of gateway to the downtown.

Lorne Street Gateway7


Kent Park

Main Street

Gateway

River

Gateway

Sisters, OregonA gateway to this downtown is created through large, heavy timber light posts and an extensive area of planting reminiscent of the surrounding prairie landscape.

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Key Characteristics

• Most side streets should have the same unit paver treatment to the sidewalk surface. This helps create a connection to the adjacent street network (where there is on-street parking), and surrounding parking lots

• An enhanced surface treatment along King Street, which can include unit paving across the driving surface, helps to make a strong pedestrian connection between River Mill Park and Main Street and to parking in the area

Examples

Main Street

Kent Park

Minerva Street

Caroline Street

River Mill Park

Lorne Street

Centre S

treet

West S

treet

King S

treet

Brunel R

oad

Princess Street

Muskoka River

Connections8


Portland, OregonSimilar paving materials, planting beds, and street trees along side streets can help create better linkages to Main Street

20

Planting


The landscape of downtowns across North America reflect similar species composition to what is found in Huntsville today: linden, ash, honeylocust and Freeman’s maple. This is because, historically, these have been great urban trees, robust and resilient.

There is a desire to distinguish Huntsville and celebrate its dual role as the gateway to the region, for which it should be beautiful and memorable, and as the cultural and service centre for the region, for which it should be functional and enduring. The following provides further performance standards and species to consider for the greening of Main Street and Kent Park.

• Generally, new planting should be broadleaf, which reflects seasonal variation and is more compatible with downtown areas

• Provide plants with a variety of growth rates, to achieve early impact in the first 5-10 years, as well as those trees that will be stronger and of greater size later in their lifespan

• Discuss growth potential of all species with a forester/arborist familiar with Huntsville conditions

• Preserve evergreen species in Kent Park wherever possible, particularly the large specimens along the property line, which requires careful attention to the root zone during construction and finished grading

• Prune evergreens up to 2.0m height to allow clear views

Muskoka Moments

Open planters located at the end of on-street parking zones, and likely surrounded by compacted fills, will result in lower soil volumes available for plant growth.

Tree species to consider for these areas should naturally be small to medium height, and have evolved growing closely together.

• Paper birch (less salt tolerant)• European white birch (more salt tolerant)• Large tooth aspen• Trembling aspen• Potentially alder and willow species where salt impacts can

be minimized• Consider planting at 1 metre on centre to help provide habitat

(e.g. for birds)

Lower planting should be dwarf varieties of woody shrubs (maximum 0.75m height) with visual appeal in all seasons.

• Dogwood and willow species• Herbaceous planting along the borders of woody shrubs

where soil compaction can be prevented: Pennsylvania sedge, hay scented fern, sensitive fern, Hart’s tongue fern

Soil Cells

• Freeman’s maple (fast growing)• Yellow birch (fast growing, some salt tolerance)• Black maple (more salt tolerant than sugar maple)• Sugar maple (can withstand some urban conditions)• White oak (slow growing)• Red oak (slow growing)

Birch and aspen

Dogwood, sedge and ferns

Sugar maple, yellow birch and red oak

21

Seating Lighting Parking

Red Muskoka Chairs• Muskoka Chairs set out individually and in clusters along the street,

chairs can be moved around• Ideally there is no need for locking solutions to prevent theft

Stones• local rock placed at seat height (400-450mm above finished grade)• ensure the seating area is relatively flat and smooth

• modern, energy-efficient LED fixtures that are night-sky friendly (downlighting)

• visually compatible with their heritage context• compatible choice is the Ashbery from Landscape Forms

• implement a standardized sign system throughout the downtown that directs people to public parking and indicates private parking. There should be a parking directional sign at every intersection

• provide a community parking map at Town Hall and at Kent Park, with a “You Are Here”

• ensure there are “No Exit” signs at Dara Howell Way and King Street• provide parking signs to identify the public parking lots themselves• Create standardized signs for public and owner/tenant parking• Print maps of parking and have maps available in every store and at

Town Hall


22

Pavers

Key Characteristics

• Specifically designed for vehicular use• Include interlocking mechanisms:

• Tongue and groove style which prevent horizontal and vertical movement of unit pavers.

• Side groove style which prevent horizontal movement of unit pavers.

• Unit Paver thickness: 100mm minimum• Surface Finish comes in two varieties:

• Tumbled – an antiqued finish with rougher edges that will provide excellent camouflage of surface chips and scrapes as the unit pavers wear.

• Contemporary – a cleaner finish, however minor chips and scrapes will be more evident.

• We encourage that the unit pavers, both in pedestrian and vehicular locations, be placed on a concrete base. This method of construction will help prevent the type of shifting and paving settlement that is evident on existing unit paving installations on Main Street. Alternative, designs using open-graded aggregates (granular ‘O’) or standard aggregates (granular ‘A’) should be reviewed by a geotechnical engineer.

Examples of Road Grade Pavers

Interlocking: Tongue and GrooveFinish: ContemporaryExample Products: Boulevard 3DI by Permacon,

Avenue Autoblocking HV by Bolduc

Interlocking: Tongue and GrooveFinish: TumbledExample Products: Bronte by Unilock, PaleoTec by Permacon, Appialock by Bolduc

Interlocking: Side GroovedFinish: ContemporaryExample Products: Boulevard TLI by Permacon,

Avenue Autoblocking RL by Bolduc

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Design Concept for Kent Park Flexible Space• open, hard-paved area in centre of Park that is flexible to accommodate

small gatherings, buskers, moveable furniture including tables and chairs, games, temporary art, and special events

• existing parking should be removed, it is not an appropriate use of a Park

Muskoka Moment• entire landscape creates a Muskoka Moment that features local stone, the

capabilities of local quarries, and local craftsmanship• ideally the hard surface is granite• the tall trees along the southeast edge, and potentially some of the trees

within the square, should be saved. Trees will need to be pruned to ensure good sightlines in and out of the space

Features• a water feature with moving water is contemplated to create a focal point and

provide ambient noise in the summer• other features can include a community information board, moveable tables

and chairs, a ping pong table, and chess table(s)

Park Edges• visibility into the space from surrounding sidewalks is vital, and should be

improved from surrounding buildings• rock, plantings and trees located at the street edge can deflect adjacent

sidewalks so that pedestrians enter into the space as they walk by. Grade levels should be flush to the sidewalks

• ideally, surrounding buidings are retail/commercial/restaurant uses with highly transparent facades facing the park and direct storefront entrances that open at-grade. it is important not to privatize the buiding edges for parking, deliveries, or private open space

• to establish a flush connection with the first floor elevation of the existing buildings, the elevation of the Park may need to be raised. This can be accomplished with a small terrace providing access and spill-out space for that business, and steps or ramps. Alternatively, if the Park is not raised, the transition to Park level can be accommodated within the building

Main Street

Existing Commercial

Existing Commercial

Bru

nel R

oad


open planting beds defined by boulders, canopy trees and understory planting

existing evergreen trees preserved

upper patio with steps down to main park level

granite paving

water feature

boulders

24

TodayLooking east across Brunel Road to Kent Square

AfterParking is removed, trees are pruned up, and a new design opens the space up. Trees and large rocks reinforce the Muskoka landscape. Public access is maintained up to the adjacent buildings.

Documents

Design Brief - Huntsville · Purpose of this Design Brief This is a summary of the recommendations based on the design workshop. It explains the rationale for the intended character