City of Charlottetown 500 Lot Public Presentation

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Presentation Description

The 500 Lot Development Standards and Design Guidelines are intended to help maintain the character and unique sense of place in old Charlottetown. It does not seek to impose a faux-heritage aesthetic, but emphasizes a livable, pedestrian-scale, dense urban core and encourages good quality architecture and design. About the 500 Lots In 1764, Captain Samuel Holland was appointed the Surveyor-General and given the task of surveying British holdings in the New World. He recommended what is the current site of Charlottetown and suggested this be one of the primary Island towns and be named Charlotte Town in honour of Queen Charlotte, wife of George III of England. 1765 saw Charlotte Town being designated the capital city of the province. In 1768 and in accordance with Captain Holland’s wishes, Charles Morris of Nova Scotia began laying out the streets of Charlotte Town. Thomas Wright, a surveyor, expanding upon Mr. Morris’s plan, created a layout of the town with 500 lots

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Presentation Transcript

Slide 1: 

The Planning Partnership September 2011 Public Meeting September 27, 2011

Slide 2: 

Introduction, Background & Process 1 What we Heard & What we Hope to Achieve 2 Observations from a Fresh Eyes Perspective 3 Our Approach – the Big Moves 4 Draft Development Standards & Design Guidelines 5 Implementation 6

Slide 3: 

Introduction, Background & Process 1

Slide 4: 

The Plannning Partnership 1 PLANNING URBAN DESIGN COMMUNICATIONS & CONSULTATION LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

Slide 5: 

Scope: to provide appropriate development standards and guidelines that is respectful of the distinctive 500 Lot context Builds on and formed by existing planning context and past studies , including: Official Plan Zoning By-Law 500 Lot Strategy Development Action Plan for the 500 Lot Area Consultation over an intensive week long workshop last September Study Background & Process 1

Slide 6: 

Consultation over an intensive week long workshop last September Stakeholder Meetings – Residents, Developers, Architects, Agencies Strategy & Approach presented in a Public Meeting Downtown Residents group – Andrea Battison Resident – Edward Rice Resident – Anita Mercier Resident – Malcolm Lodge Resident & Business Operator - Joan Cumming Developer - John Horrelt Developer – Rob McCluskey Developer – Michael Murphy Developer – Kevin Murphy Developer – Paul Smith Architect – Bill Chandler Architect – David Lopez Charlottetown Area Development Corporation – Ernie Morello Downtown Charlottetown Inc.– Dawn Allen Mayors Ad Hock committee & Chamber of Commerce– Peter Hyndman City Concillor on the Planning Committee – Chair Kim Devine City Staff– Todd Saunders Heritage Advisor City Staff - Catherine Hennessey Heritage Advocate and Planning friend City Staff - Don Poole Manager of Planning Department Study Background & Process 1

Slide 7: 

What we Heard & What we Hope to Achieve 2

Slide 8: 

There was a sense that the approval process is dysfunctional where Variances and Heritage is concerned – this is polarizing the community Perception that the Planning Board rubber stamps all development proposals and the Heritage Board needs more guidance to avoid arbitrary decisions. There is no consistent decision-making - Developers and residents both want predictability, clear rules and regulations Residents feel that there is no protection for the neighbourhoods and that the Downtown and heritage is not valued enough There is not a single unified vision for the Downtown of the future What We Heard 2

Slide 9: 

Character retention and heritage protection while accommodating growth and development Provide clarity on what is appropriate and compatible development and design Introduce more predictability into the approval process Establish a fair and rational framework for making decisions A more thriving, vibrant & more beautiful 500 Lot Area What We Hope to Achieve 2

Slide 10: 

Observations from a Fresh Eyes Perspective 3

Slide 11: 

The 500 Lot Area has great bones and an extraordinary amount of intact heritage resources and streetscapes (walkable blocks, squares, architecture) Observations from a Fresh Eyes Perspective 3

Slide 12: 

The Downtown is relatively successful and many good things are happening (streetscaping, heritage protection and revitalization, arts and culture, tourism) Observations from a Fresh Eyes Perspective 3

Slide 13: 

The 500 Lot area retains a legible urban structure with clearly defined and distinct character areas Observations from a Fresh Eyes Perspective 3

Slide 14: 

240 years of architectural history and yet contemporary buildings are generally of lesser quality – but when done right they can resonate Need to encourage architecture that will be the heritage for the next 240 years Observations from a Fresh Eyes Perspective 3

Slide 15: 

240 years of architectural history and yet contemporary buildings are generally of lesser quality – but when done right they can resonate Need to encourage architecture that will be the heritage for the next 240 years Observations from a Fresh Eyes Perspective 3

Slide 16: 

It is not enough to have good ‘building form’, good ‘design quality’ matters Observations from a Fresh Eyes Perspective 3

Slide 17: 

It is not enough to have good ‘design quality’, good ‘building form’ matters Observations from a Fresh Eyes Perspective 3

Slide 18: 

The waterfront is an critical resource to get right – vision, coherence, connectivity, integration, critical mass and animation are needed Observations from a Fresh Eyes Perspective 3

Slide 19: 

Fragmented beauty - Pockets of beauty are often interrupted by eye sores – need to fill in the gap Observations from a Fresh Eyes Perspective 3

Slide 20: 

‘Repopulating’ the 500 Lot Area is essential to its revival and Downtown vitality – living, dynamic & vibrant districts in all seasons make the best places to visit 1921: 11,000 people 2006: 5,000 people Observations from a Fresh Eyes Perspective 3

Slide 21: 

Our Approach – the Big Moves 4

Slide 22: 

Reinforce the existing urban structure by directing the greatest change to the core, protecting neighborhoods and providing transitions between them Our Approach – the Big Moves 4

Slide 23: 

All resource of heritage significance should be registered and protected – not shrink-wrapped and moth-balled Our Approach – the Big Moves 4

Slide 24: 

Enable development with clear guidance on how to harmonize with heritage Our Approach – the Big Moves 4

Slide 25: 

Identify & guide landmark visual sites to strengthen visual and physical connections Our Approach – the Big Moves 4

Slide 26: 

First 3-Floors matter most but tall buildings have the greatest impact & civic obligations – they should be carefully located and shaped and conditional on the highest possible design quality Our Approach – the Big Moves 4

Slide 27: 

Increase development capacity through bonusing mechanisms – link to heritage protection and other design and community benefits Our Approach – the Big Moves 4

Slide 28: 

Draft Development Standards & Design Guidelines 5

principles: 

the 500 Lot Area is a special place warranting special rules and privileges reinforce the existing urban structure reinforce and extend the historic street and block pattern protect, restore, respect and leverage all heritage resources protect and strengthen the character of residential neighbourhoods provide transitions between areas of differing intensities and scales the first 3-storeys fronting the street matter the most strengthen visual and physical orientation and connectivity larger and taller buildings have the greatest civic responsibilities design and construct new buildings so that they become the beloved heritage of the future principles Draft Development Standards & Design Guidelines 5

Slide 30: 

Design Guidelines (Qualitative Matters) Urban Design Frameworks Streetscapes Civic Elements Neighbourhood Areas Design Principles Main Street & Core Areas Heritage Sites & Contexts Urban Character Areas Development Standards (Quantitative Matters) Setbacks & Encroachments Uses & Building Types Height & Massing Parking document organization Draft Development Standards & Design Guidelines 5

Slide 31: 

urban design frameworks Draft Development Standards & Design Guidelines 5

Slide 32: 

Front yard setbacks and street interface urban design frameworks: streetscapes Draft Development Standards & Design Guidelines 5

Slide 33: 

Broad Streets (100’) – Great George Street urban design frameworks: streetscapes Draft Development Standards & Design Guidelines 5

Slide 34: 

Broad Retail Streets (100’) – Queen Street urban design frameworks: streetscapes Draft Development Standards & Design Guidelines 5

Slide 35: 

Typical Streets (60’-80’)– Cumberland Street urban design frameworks: streetscapes Draft Development Standards & Design Guidelines 5

Slide 36: 

Narrows Streets (40’)– Dorchester Street urban design frameworks: streetscapes Draft Development Standards & Design Guidelines 5

Slide 37: 

reinforcing unique ‘sense of place’ & connections urban design frameworks: civic elements Draft Development Standards & Design Guidelines 5

Slide 38: 

Architectural Landmarks: St. Dunstan’s Basilica urban design frameworks: civic elements Draft Development Standards & Design Guidelines 5

Slide 39: 

Open Spaces & Civic Frontages: Rochford Square urban design frameworks: civic elements Draft Development Standards & Design Guidelines 5

Slide 40: 

Key Views & Termini Sites urban design frameworks: civic elements Draft Development Standards & Design Guidelines 5

Slide 41: 

Gateways & Key Corners urban design frameworks: civic elements Draft Development Standards & Design Guidelines 5

Slide 42: 

reinforcing distinct areas & transitions with common uses & building forms urban design frameworks: character areas Draft Development Standards & Design Guidelines 5

Slide 43: 

development standards (quantitative measures) Draft Development Standards & Design Guidelines 5

Slide 44: 

Downtown Neighbourhood Downtown Mixed-Use Neighbourhood Downtown Core Downtown Main Street Downtown Waterfront development standards Draft Development Standards & Design Guidelines 5

Slide 45: 

development standards Draft Development Standards & Design Guidelines 5 DN Neighbourhood

Slide 46: 

development standards Draft Development Standards & Design Guidelines 5 DN Neighbourhood

Slide 47: 

Draft Development Standards & Design Guidelines 5 development standards DN Neighbourhood

Slide 48: 

Draft Development Standards & Design Guidelines 5 development standards DN Mixed-Use Neighbourhood

Slide 49: 

Draft Development Standards & Design Guidelines 5 development standards DN Mixed-Use Neighbourhood

Slide 50: 

Draft Development Standards & Design Guidelines 5 development standards DN Mixed-Use Neighbourhood

Slide 51: 

Draft Development Standards & Design Guidelines 5 development standards DN Main Street

Slide 52: 

Draft Development Standards & Design Guidelines 5 development standards DN Main Street

Slide 53: 

Draft Development Standards & Design Guidelines 5 development standards DN Main Street

Slide 54: 

Draft Development Standards & Design Guidelines 5 development standards DN Core

Slide 55: 

Draft Development Standards & Design Guidelines 5 development standards DN Core

Slide 56: 

Draft Development Standards & Design Guidelines 5 development standards DN Core

Slide 57: 

Draft Development Standards & Design Guidelines 5 development standards DN Waterfront

Slide 58: 

Draft Development Standards & Design Guidelines 5 development standards DN Waterfront

Slide 59: 

guidelines for a waterfront plan Draft Development Standards & Design Guidelines 5 development standards DN Waterfront Uses Fine-grained mix of uses to ensure a critical mass of activity Animate the waterfront in all seasons and hours Commercial grade level uses Provide a series of anchor attractions Built Form Compact and pedestrian-oriented A variety of building typologies compatible with adjacent Urban Character Areas Step down height to the water’s edge and to adjacent low-rise areas Highest architectural quality is critical as City’s ‘front door’ Showcase sustainable design and measures to address anticipated sea-level rise

Slide 60: 

guidelines for a waterfront plan Draft Development Standards & Design Guidelines 5 development standards DN Waterfront Circulation Extend the historic and walkable street and block pattern into the waterfront area Streets should be designed for pedestrian-priority with distinctive paving and other traffic calming measures Surface parking areas should be concealed or designed as multiuse spaces Views & Connections Continuous public access to and along the waterfront Protect and reinforce end of street views to the water with public art or pavilions Integrate Wayfinding A variety of open space scales, types and programming Ensure safe open spaces with framing buildings with grade-level uses

Slide 61: 

design guidelines (qualitative measures) Draft Development Standards & Design Guidelines 5

Slide 62: 

Draft Development Standards & Design Guidelines 5 Design guidelines Design Principles Guidelines for Neighbourhood Areas Guidelines for Heritage Sites & Contexts Guidelines for Main Street & Core Areas

Slide 63: 

Draft Development Standards & Design Guidelines 5 Design guidelines Neighbourhood areas siting & orientation parking access & garages roofs windows corner sites materials & finishes

Slide 64: 

Draft Development Standards & Design Guidelines 5 Design guidelines Main Street & Core Areas corner sites storefronts surface parking areas parking structures

Slide 65: 

Draft Development Standards & Design Guidelines 5 Design guidelines Heritage Sites & Contexts proportion & rhythm grade level height cornice line & upper level step-backs building setback

Slide 66: 

Draft Development Standards & Design Guidelines 5 Design guidelines Heritage Sites & Contexts

Slide 67: 

Implementation 6

Slide 68: 

Establish a clear set of rules - amend the Zoning & Development By-Law - expand the Heritage Protection Area (HPA) - build understanding of the new Standards & Guidelines Capture some of the development value uplift - create a development bonusing system for height and/or density Establish a consistent development approval process - establish a definition of “Compatible Development” - encourage pre-application consultation - require adequate and consistent supporting information - include a Design Review Panel Recognize/award development & design excellence Implementation 6

Slide 69: 

Establish a clear set of rules amend the Zoning & Development By-Law to adopt the Standards & Guidelines add a section for each of the Urban Character Areas to the By-Law (as Sections 30 to 34) each section may be identical, and should be consistent, with the Development Standards add the Design Guidelines as a new Appendix “J” amend Section 4.60 (Site Development Principles) to apply site plan review to all “significant development” in the the new Urban Character Areas amend Zoning Map – Appendix “H” to incorporate the new Urban Character Areas Implementation 6

Slide 70: 

Establish a clear set of rules amend the Appendix “I” – Heritage Preservation Area – of the Zoning and Development By-Law • to include all of the lands within the Downtown Neighbourhood and Downtown Mixed Use Neighbourhood Character Areas of the 500 Lot Area Implementation 6

Slide 71: 

Implementation 6

Slide 72: 

Establish a clear set of rules build an understanding and capacity for the new Standards & Guidelines through workshops with Developers, Council, key stakeholder groups Implementation 6

Slide 73: 

Capture some of the development value uplift establish a predictable and consistent bonusing formula to allocate extra density beyond the as-of-right amount set in the Zoning & Development By-Law, in exchange for defined public benefits bonusing will not be permitted in the Downtown Neighbourhoods Implementation 6

Slide 74: 

Capture some of the development value uplift The City may consider a density and/or height bonus in exchange for community benefits such as: • enhanced heritage preservation activities; • streetscape improvements, over and above the City’s typical standard; • public parking; • public art; • affordable housing; • cultural space (museum, theatre); and/or • enhanced sustainable design. Cash-in-lieu of community benefit may also be considered, to be earmarked for community benefits Implementation 6

Slide 75: 

Implementation 6

Slide 76: 

Establish a consistent development approval process • establish a definition of compatible development: “Compatible development means development that may not necessarily be the same or similar to the existing buildings in the vicinity, but, nonetheless, preserves the unique characteristics of the community; enhances an established community and coexists with existing development without causing any undue adverse impact on surrounding properties.” Implementation 6

Slide 77: 

Establish a consistent development approval process encourage a pre-application consultation process so developers can vet their preliminary proposals with planning staff Implementation 6

Slide 78: 

Establish a consistent development approval process require adequate information to support major developments: a digital or scaled massing model of the proposal shadow studies for buildings over 3-storeys wind studies for buildings over 5-storeys Heritage Impact Study and Conservation Plan Designated or Grade Level 1 heritage properties detailed elevations of the building base (first 3-storeys) Implementation 6

Slide 79: 

Establish a consistent development approval process establish a Design Review Panel to: review important development applications that have the potential to shape the character of the 500 Lot Area introduce a new level of design expertise in the development approval process provide clarity on what constitutes appropriate development in the Area Implementation 6

design review process: 

Implementation 6 design review process

Slide 81: 

Next Steps: Continue to revise Standards + Guidelines based on ongoing discussions with Council, staff and other key stakeholders Promote a strategy that will integrated with upcoming Official Plan review and applicable by-law amendments Ensure consistency with other City design and development initiatives Promote a Downtown and Waterfront Master Plan Implementation 6