Report to: Development Services Committee Date Report Authored: June 15, 2010
SUBJECT: Upper Greensborough Neighbourhood Urban Design Guidelines addendum to the Neighbourhoods of Greensborough Community Design Plan
PREPARED BY: Catherine Jay x2520
RECOMMENDATION:
1) That the Upper Greensborough Neighbourhood Urban Design Guidelines, dated April 2010, be received and;
2) That the Upper Greensborough Neighbourhood Urban Design Guidelines dated April 2010 be endorsed subject to the following revisions and additions to the document:
a) Inclusion of appropriate pedestrian connections within the neighbourhoods to connect the Cornerstone Community Church to the community;
b) Revision of Figure 2.4 to show additional pedestrian connections within the community and include a maximum 300 m distance for all block frontages within the development;
c) Inclusion of sidewalks on both sides of the streets leading to the commercial development as well as Delray Street;
d) Include design principles within the document that reflect the retail/commercial images presented in the document;
e) Inclusion of pedestrian scale lighting along Delray, within the commercial development and along the street leading to the commercial development;
f) Inclusion of “mini roundabouts” along Delray to aid in traffic calming, to be shown on the plan;
g) The road widths be finalized and included in the document; and
h) Appropriate access provided to the neighbourhood park to allow for parking.
3) That the design guidelines be used in the evaluation of development applications within the Upper Greensborough Neighbourhoods;
4) That the design guidelines be reflected in the conditions of draft plan approval and subdivision and site plan agreements within the Upper Greensborough Neighbourhoods as appropriate;
5) And that staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this report is to endorse the community design guidelines, as proposed in the Upper Greensborough Neighborouhoods Urban Design Guidelines (attached in Appendix A) and provide recommendations for the implementation of the guidelines.
BACKGROUND:
Upper Greensborough is a proposed neighbourhood within the Greensborough community. The proposed neighbourhood consists of approximately 44.6 hectares of land and completes the Greensborough community as it was originally envisioned. The original Neighbourhoods of Greensborough Community Design Plan included these lands as part of the overall area for Greensborough but did not at the time provide sufficient detail or direction, as the ownership and design direction or the lands had not been consolidated. This document is an addendum to the original plan and provides the details and design guidance for these lands to be developed. The document not only demonstrates how this new neighbourhood incorporates the original Community Design Plan but includes updates for issues such as sustainable development that were not contemplated in 2000.
DISCUSSION:
Community Structure
The community structure is predicated on a number of principles. The community should have a focus. The neighbourhoods should have distinct centres and edges and a variety of residential units should be provided. Direct pedestrian access to schools, transit stops; shopping, parks and trails will be facilitated by a strong street and block pattern that achieves a pedestrian scale and ease of orientation through the size and configuration of development blocks.
Architecture and Site Planning
Different forms of architecture, in keeping with the style of the existing Neighbourhoods of Greensborough, will include street townhouses; lane based townhouses, and stacked townhouse.
Streetscape Design
While supporting a pedestrian friendly environment the streetscape design for this development is envisioned to enhance the overall identity and character. Various elements to be coordinated within the streetscape include street lights, pedestrian scale lights, street furniture, and street trees.
Open Space System
The proposed open space system is consistent with the general principles of connectivity, accessibility, and sustainability that are common to the Town of Markham’s Parks, Recreation, Culture and Library Master Plan, The Neighbourhoods of Greensborough Community Design Plan, the Rouge River Watershed Plan and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority Planning and Development Guidelines.
The planned open space for this neighbourhood consists of a neighbourhood park, a parkette, a number of open space blocks and a system of pathways and connections.
Links to the existing Greensborough Community will be through walkways, pathways and view corridors. Where signalized intersections exist or are planned the public sidewalk system will also connect the neighbourhoods. Links to the natural heritage will also be accommodated.
Sustainable Development Guidelines
Upper Greensborough incorporates planning, development and design measures that work to achieve a realistic and implementable balance of sustainable principles. The sustainability of this neighbourhood is developed based on:
Preserving Natural Heritage
Reducing Automobile Dependence
Compact and Walkable development
Incorporating Sustainable Measures such as native drought tolerant vegetation, minimum top soil depth, and building design guidelines
The objective of a sustainable development is to balance environmental, social and economic needs. There needs to be a long term integrated approach to achieving healthy communities. This document provides the guidance for this development to occur over time as a sustainable neighbourhood.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND TEMPLATE: (external link)
Not Applicable
HUMAN RESOURCES CONSIDERATIONS
Not Applicable
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PRIORITIES:
Growth Management
The Upper Greensborough Neighbourhood incorporates links to the natural heritage, provides open space, recreation opportunities, a place to congregate or worship and proximity to commercial and retail opportunities for both employment and services.
Transportation/Transit
This compact, walkable development has connections where residents can walk or cycle within the neighbourhoods to parks, trails, retail and commercial services.
Environment
The Town has committed to develop strategies to maintain healthier and greener communities. Part of this commitment is to include more bike paths, and walking trails. This development also provides for the development of walking trails and bike paths throughout the community. As well, a co-coordinated strategy for a sustainable community includes a strong and healthy approach to the overall environment. As part of the commitment to the environment a large number of trees will be planted in the valley and the proposed buffer. This will allow for regeneration of these areas.
Municipal Services
Not Applicable
Parks, Recreation, Culture and Library Master
Plan/Public Safety
Health and wellness are important components of a liveable community. This development works towards enhancing the community with the addition of parks, open space and trails.
Diversity
Not Applicable
BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:
Internal and external departments have been involved throughout the development of this document and will continue to be involved as required. Planning, Engineering, Transportation and TRCA comments have been incorporated into the document.
RECOMMENDED
BY: ________________________ ________________________
Ronji Borooah Jim Baird, M.C.I.P., R.P.P.
Town
Architect Commissioner of Development Services
ATTACHMENTS:
Appendix A – Upper Greensborough Neighbourhood Urban Design Guidelines