CIP Recommendations Report

Transcription

SUBMITTED BY:
GHK INTERNATIONAL (CANADA) Ltd.
YOUNG + WRIGHT ARCHITECTS Inc.
TOTTEN SIMS HUBICKI ASSOCIATES
ARCHITECTS RASCH ECKLER ASSOCIATES Ltd.
recommendations
on a community
improvement plan
for pickering village
march 2008
table of contents
Part 1 – Introduction and Background
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
Introduction............................................................1
Study Area Background and Description...............2
Public Benefit Rationale.........................................6
Public Process.......................................................7
GHK INTERNATIONAL (CANADA) LTD. — YOUNG + WRIGHT ARCHITECTS INC.
TOTTEN SIMS HUBICKI ASSOCIATES — ARCHITECTS RASCH ECKLER ASSOCIATES LTD.
Part 2 – Community improvement plan
context and recommendations
2.1 Legislative Authority and Policy Basis................... 10
2.2 Vision and Principles............................................ 13
2.3 Community Action Plan Recommendations......... 15
2.4 Next Steps...........................................................40
APPENDIX – IMPLEMENTATION MATRIX................... 41
Part 1
Introduction and Background
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Study Area Background and Descriptions
1.3 Public Benefit Rationale
1.4 Public Process
RECOMMENDATIONS ON A COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR PICKERING VILLAGE
1.1 Introduction
The Town of Ajax initiated the Pickering Village Land Use Planning and Urban Design Study
to establish a long-term vision and plan for improving this historically significant part of Ajax.
To protect the area while the study was being carried out, the Town brought into effect an
interim control by-law, initially for a one-year period ending May 2007, but later amended
to end in May 2008.
The Town retained a consultant team led by GHK International (Canada) Ltd., and assisted
by Young + Wright Architects Inc., TSH Associates, and AREA Architects Ltd., to conduct the
study. Over the past year, the consultant team has carried out a program of research and public
consultation to determine strategic directions for Pickering Village. This document is the end
product of these deliberations. It makes recommendations on the creation of a Community
Improvement Plan (CIP) for Pickering Village under Section 28 of the Planning Act. These
recommendations represent a general consensus on the future direction of Pickering Village
and include creative ideas for public improvements, guidelines for change in the public and
private realms, incentives for the private sector to participate alongside the Town, and
consideration of planning mechanisms to further protect the heritage character of Pickering
Village. These recommendations also represent a commitment on the part of the Town
to implementation, contingent upon receiving Council’s approval. Included as an appendix
to this report is an implementation plan, the product of discussion involving public and private
sector stakeholders as to when, how and by whom these actions should be implemented.
This central document is supported by three others. The first, entitled Precedents and
Recommendations for a Heritage Conservation District in Pickering Village, dated March 2008,
prepared by Architects Rasch Eckler Associates Ltd., provides a full discussion on the suitability
of a Heritage Conservation District (HCD) for Pickering Village. This document draws lessons
from precedents in the GTA and maps out an approach to a HCD tailored to the study area.
The second document, entitled Urban Design and Built Form Guidelines for Pickering Village,
dated March 2008, prepared by the consultant team, sets standards of design for public and
private realm improvements including guidelines for new development. It is anticipated that the
urban design and built form guidelines will be incorporated as part of the site plan control
process. The final document, entitled Pickering Village Land Use Planning and Urban Design
Study – Background Report, dated March 2007, was initially released midway through the study.
It summarizes the legislative and policy framework governing the study area, existing conditions,
and the preliminary issues and vision emerging from the first public consultation, and acts as a
companion piece to this document, providing additional detail with respect to Pickering Village.
1.2 Study Area Background and Description
Study Area Background
Pickering Village is a unique community within the Town of Ajax and Region of Durham. Original
settlement of the area long predates the Town of Ajax’s post-war expansion, and extends as
far back as the early 1800s when a village developed at the Kingston Road crossing of Duffin’s
Creek. The settlement was eventually designated as a police village at the turn of the century,
incorporated as a village in 1955 and amalgamated with the Town of Ajax in 1974. For reason
of its long history, Pickering Village features many of Ajax’s best examples of heritage
architecture, likely representing one of the most concentrated collections of heritage buildings
in Durham Region.
Due to its history, Pickering Village has a distinct look and feel that provides a contrast to the
rest of the Town. However, it has not been isolated from the evolution of the Town as a whole.
Indeed, it has not always weathered these changes in a manner that has preserved and used
its distinct character to best advantage.
Parts of the study area are currently experiencing development pressures for the redevelopment
of existing sites and structures. Some redevelopment has been viewed as uncomplimentary to
the heritage character of the area and has also resulted in a limited range of commercial/office
uses. Given the quantity of heritage properties in Pickering Village, a Community Improvement
Plan (CIP) will provide policy guidance and a positive direction for future development that
balances the demand for redevelopment, the need for enhancements to the area, and the
preservation of historic properties. The CIP will spur improvements in both the public and private
realms, and thereby strengthen Pickering Village’s identity and unique character.
Study Area Description
The Pickering Village study area is generally comprised of properties fronting onto three main
corridors: Kingston Road (Hwy 2) from Rotherglen Road to Elizabeth Street, Church Street from
the Memorial Park to Hwy 401, and Old Kingston Road. The study area also contains adjacent
residential areas and town-owned lands consisting of the Village arena and community centre,
Village Library and Memorial Park, as well as the decommissioned Mill Street fire hall. The
boundaries were largely delineated to encompass those parts of Pickering Village affected by
recent inquires for development and those properties directly fronting onto the three main roads.
Fig 1.1 – Study Area Boundaries
Pickering Village is largely defined by the character of the roads that give it its shape.
Kingston Road (Highway 2) functions as the main east-west spine of the study area and
serves as a major regional artery with high-volume four-lane traffic. Old Kingston Road
which veers north-west from Kingston Road at Church Street, is a remnant of the original
Kingston Road alignment left from when Highway 2 was realigned in the 1980s. Old Kingston
Road has retained the form of a traditional mainstreet which would have also served as
a regional artery in an era of less intense automobile traffic movement. Church Street functions
as the study area’s main north-south axis and like Kingston Road features four lanes of traffic,
albeit at much lower volumes. An additional important defining feature in terms of natural
heritage is Duffin’s Creek which flanks the study area to the west.
Together the roadways give shape to the study area as a whole. Separately they define three
sub-areas with their own particular characteristics (see Figure 1.2). Overall the built form
of the area is comprised predominantly of single detached dwellings. Along Church Street most
of these buildings retain residential uses. On Kingston Road, especially east of Church, many
properties have been converted from residential to commercial uses. Although at one point
in time Old Kingston Road was home to a bank, post office, food store and various other shops,
competition from other retail and service outlets including shopping centres, power centres and
strip malls has resulted in a decline in the retail vibrancy of the street and a conversion of many
retail spaces into medical and professional offices. Other commercial activity is concentrated
in small retail plazas that have been developed along Church Street and Kingston Road.
The study area is surrounded by neighbourhoods consisting of single detached dwellings.
Properties largely remain within the 1-3 storey height range, with a few exceptions including
church spires and two apartment buildings set back along Church Street. Heritage buildings
exist throughout the area and include several churches particularly worthy of note. The
treatment of heritage properties overall has been mixed; some have been restored, others
have been left to deteriorate or undergone inappropriate renovations over the years.
Fig. 1.2 – Pickering Village Sub-Areas
1.3 Public Benefit Rationale
Pickering Village is under pressure for change. Town staff have received numerous development
inquiries with respect to properties in the area. At present, development applications are
considered on a site-by-site basis. However, redevelopment without a plan or overall vision for
the direction of the area might cause irreparable damage to the character of Pickering Village
through demolitions and inappropriate new developments and conversions. Even without these
development pressures, the current condition of the study area reflects a formerly coherent
urban space weathered by deterioration and a jumble of renovation styles and new development.
The Town of Ajax wants to stimulate new development and investment in Pickering Village,
but within a framework which will preserve the positive attributes that make it a unique place
within the larger community. The Pickering Village Land Use Planning and Urban Design Study,
through background research and public consultation, has generated a unified vision for
Pickering Village and a list of recommended actions. A Community Improvement Plan (CIP)
will entrench the collective vision of Pickering Village, and more importantly provide the tools
that will act as the stimulus for local landowners to do their part in its implementation. For this
reason, it is particularly important that the Region be strongly encouraged to participate
alongside the Town in the CIP for the Village to realize the maximum benefit.
The recommendations combine to create a plan that will create harmony between the private
and public realms and a unity within the study area as a whole, revitalize the retail activity along
a traditional mainstreet, preserve the heritage quality of the community, enhance the pedestrian
and cycling experience of the areas and reinforce Pickering Village as a well-connected focal
point for the Town of Ajax.
In doing so, the Town’s vision for the evolution of Pickering Village as the most significant
historical and cultural centre in Ajax, and one of the most significant such centres in Durham,
will be facilitated. Likewise, the prominence of the Village as a tourist destination will grow,
benefiting both the private sector as well as the Town’s own public image. Durham, too, stands
to benefit given the Village’s geographical location straddling Kingston Road – a major arterial
route and future transit spine – and therefore should formally recognize Pickering Village as
a regional tourist destination.
1.4 Public Process
The recommendations detailed in this report are the product of an extensive process of public
consultation. The project team has worked with the Town of Ajax to engage the public in
a manner that captured both local knowledge of the area and creative ideas for its improvement.
The end result is a set of recommendations that reflects public sentiment and their aspirations
for their community.
The methodology for public engagement was varied so as to capture a broad range of input
while at the same time allowing for a varied depth of connection to the process. A Stakeholder
Advisory Committee drawn from Town and Regional staff, various external agencies (such
as the Toronto Regional Conservation Authority), as well as members of key community groups
such as the BIA, heritage groups, and the library board provided an important continuity across
the process. This mechanism allowed access to a depth of knowledge of the area while
securing amongst a small group of community leaders a commitment to be involved over the
entire course of the process. The Stakeholder Advisory Committee was consulted at intervals
throughout the study.
To further broaden the range of perspectives feeding into the preliminary background research
phase of work, interviews were held with key stakeholders identified through conversations
with Town staff.
The main method for capturing public opinion was a series of public consultations. Each phase
of the study included a public meeting, specifically designed to contribute to the completion
of key project milestones:
Public Consultation #1: SWOT and Vision (October 2006)
Public Consultation #1 was an open public meeting to review existing conditions of the study
area, review and confirm issues identified by the project team in background interviews and
develop an overall vision through a set of principles for the improvement of the area. About fifty
community members attended this evening meeting. The result was a finalized evaluation of the
area’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats and a draft vision. The SWOT analysis
and vision were needed to guide the steps of the study process to follow. This first public
meeting also allowed the project team to understand where the community’s priorities lay
and identify “hot button” issues that needed to be resolved.
Public Consultation #2: Design Workshop (December 2006)
Drawing on the SWOT analysis and draft vision identified at the first public meeting, the purpose
of the second public meeting was to identify key design components, addressing issues of land
use, urban design, streetscaping, linkages, outdoor spaces, traffic, parking, transportation/
cycling, and heritage preservation. Approximately thirty members of the public attended the
open evening meeting. Attendees were organized into groups of ten, with each group addressing
the design challenges of a particular sub-area of Pickering Village as well as examining how
all areas might be tied into the greater whole. Each group had a facilitated discussion led by
a team member and assisted by an urban designer who helped the group visualize their
suggestions through sketching. Heritage and transportation experts were on hand to act as
resources to the group discussions. A design workshop was also held in the afternoon with the
Stakeholder Advisory Committee. The end result of the workshops was essentially a brainstorm
of design and land use planning ideas.
Public Consultation #3: Review of Alternatives (May 2007)
The project team used the output of the design workshops to develop a range of alternatives
for the area. For the purposes of a better-informed discussion, graphical representations of the
alternatives concerning land development intensity, urban design features and streetscape
possibilities were prepared. The purpose of the open public meeting was to gain feedback from
the public on each of the alternatives and evaluate how well each met the study principles and
draft vision elaborated earlier in the process. Approximately forty members of the public
attended. Based on the feedback on alternatives, the project team made a recommendation
to the Town.
Action Plan Workshop (June 2007)
Critical to the success of a Community Improvement Plan is an action plan undertaken by
those responsible to see improvements carried out. The goal of the action plan workshop was
to engage all key stakeholders in a discussion concerning the implementation of such a plan.
Stakeholders not only included Town and Regional staff, but also members of the community,
especially business owners. The meeting involved the Stakeholder Advisory Committee and
was open to the public. Overall attendance was approximately forty participants. The end
product of this workshop was a matrix of actions represented in the recommended design
alternative for Pickering Village with a timeline for completion, necessary sub-tasks, identification
of those responsible and possible sources of funding. The implementation plan matrix
is included in the appendix of this document.
To add to the accessibility and transparency of the process, key information on the study
and interim documents have been available on-line at the Town of Ajax’s web site.
Part 2
Community Improvement Plan Context and Recommendations
2.1 Legislative Authority and Policy Basis
2.2 Vision and Principles
2.3 Community Action Plan Recommendations
2.4 Next Steps
2.1 Legislative Authority and Policy Basis
A full description of the provincial, regional and municipal policy context as it pertains to the
Pickering Village study area is included in the background report. The following is an outline
of the legislative authority that enables municipalities to use Community Improvement Plans
(CIPs) and Heritage Conservation Districts as planning tools.
Planning Act
Under Section 28 of the Planning Act, community improvement generally refers to the planning,
design, development, and/or rehabilitation of a community improvement project area.
A community improvement project area is defined as a “municipality or an area within a
municipality, the community improvement of which in the opinion of the council is desirable
because of age, dilapidation, overcrowding, faulty arrangement, unsuitability of buildings
or for any other environmental, social or community economic development reason.”
Once Council has designated a community improvement project area by by-law, the
municipality may:
“(a) acquire land within the community improvement project area with the approval
of the Minister if the land is acquired before a community improvement plan mentioned
in subsection (4) comes into effect and without the approval of the Minister if the land
is acquired after the community improvement plan comes into effect;
(b) hold land acquired before or after the passing of the by-law within the community
improvement project area; and
(c) clear, grade or otherwise prepare the land for community improvement.” (Sec.28(3))
A community improvement plan (CIP) may then be prepared. Once Council has adopted
the CIP, the municipality may then conduct the following activities for the purpose of carrying
out the CIP:
(a) construct, repair, rehabilitate or improve buildings on land acquired or held by it in the
community improvement project area in conformity with the community improvement plan,
and sell, lease or otherwise dispose of any such buildings and the land appurtenant thereto;
(b) sell, lease or otherwise dispose of any land acquired or held by it in the community
improvement project area to any person or governmental authority for use in conformity
with the community improvement plan;
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(c) make grants or loans, in conformity with the CIP, to registered owners, assessed owners
and tenants of lands and buildings within the community improvement project area, and
to any person to whom such an owner or tenant has assigned the right to receive a grant
or loan, to pay for the whole or any part of the eligible cost of the community
improvement plan.
Given that the changes under Bill 51 (in force as of January 1, 2007) now permit upper-tier
municipalities to actively participate in area muncipal CIPs, participation by the Region
of Durham in concert with the Town represents an opportunity to augment the effectiveness
of a CIP for Pickering Village. Accordingly, both the Town and the Region should undertake
as partners to offer financial incentives and programs to the private sector.
Section 28 (7.3) states that the total of the grants and loans made in respect of particular lands
and buildings under subsection (7) and the tax assistance as defined in section 365.1 of the
Municipal Act, 2001 that is provided in respect of the lands and buildings shall not exceed the
cost of rehabilitating the lands and buildings. Section 28 (10) specifies that as conditions
of sale, no land acquired and no building constructed by the municipality in the community
improvement project area shall be sold, leased or otherwise disposed of unless the person
or authority to whom it is disposed of enters into a written agreement with the municipality that
the person or authority will keep and maintain the land and building and the use thereof in
conformity with the community improvement plan until such a by-law or amending by-law is in
force, but the municipality may, during the period of the development of the plan, lease any land
or any building or part thereof in the area for any purpose, whether or not in conformity with the
community improvement plan, for a term of not more than three years at any one time.
Municipal Act
The Municipal Act (2001) provides opportunities for municipalities to supply grants (section 106)
and bonuses (section 107) to landowners within a community improvement project area to carry
out a community improvement plan associated with that area. Making a grant includes the
power to “sell or lease land for a nominal consideration” or to make a grant of land and to
provide use of municipal-owned facilities.
Section 365 provides the power to municipalities to pass a bylaw that cancels, reduces or
refunds taxes for local municipal and school purposes in a given year to any person who
applies during that year for relief and whose taxes are considered “unduly burdensome as
defined in the by-law. 2001, c. 25, s. 365 (1).
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Bill 51
Bill 51, the Planning and Conservation Land Statute Law Amendment Act, 2006, came into
effect on January 1, 2007. The amendments introduced under Bill 51 included changes to the
definition of “community improvement” to include “construction” and “improvement of energy
efficiency”. These additions allow municipalities to include new building construction and energy
efficient development as “eligible costs” under grant and loan programs.
“Eligible costs” (formerly known as rehabilitation costs) for which municipalities can provide
community improvement grants and loans include:
• environmental site assessment;
• environmental remediation;
• development, redevelopment, construction and reconstruction of lands and buildings for rehabilitation purposes; and
•energy efficient uses, buildings, structures, works, improvements or facilities.
Ontario Heritage Act
The conservation of cultural heritage properties is governed at the provincial level by the Ontario
Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990, amended 2006. Under the Ontario Heritage Act (OHA),
municipalities can pass bylaws to formally designate properties of cultural heritage value
or interest. Designation under the OHA applies to real property, and helps to recognize and
protect the heritage features on that property. Designation also provides a process for ensuring
that changes to a heritage property are appropriately managed and that these changes respect
the property’s heritage value. Individual properties are designated under Part IV of the OHA.
Designation is not limited to buildings or structures but can include groups of buildings,
cemeteries, natural features, cultural landscapes or landscape features, ruins, archaeological
and marine archaeological sites, or areas of archaeological potential. Part V of the Ontario
Heritage Act enables the council of a municipality to designate any defined area or areas of the
municipality as a Heritage Conservation District (HCD). District designation enables the council
of a municipality to manage and guide future change in the district, through adoption of a
district plan with policies and guidelines for conservation, protection and enhancement of the
area’s special character.
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2.2 Vision and Principles
The purpose of the Pickering Village Land Use Planning and Urban Design Study was
to elaborate appropriate policies and regulations to ensure that Pickering Village undergoes
a positive process of transformation and renewal. Determining, with broad strokes, where
this transformation and renewal might lead was the focus of the initial phases of the study.
As described above, a Vision for Pickering Village was developed at the first public meeting.
This Vision is as follows:
The Village of Pickering has the potential to build on its unique wealth of heritage assets,
its attractive buildings, abundance of mature trees, proximity to prominent natural features
and intimate streetscape along Old Kingston Road to become the most significant historical
and cultural centre in Ajax and one of the most significant such centres in Durham.
The Village of Pickering will be an area where:
•Heritage resources, both buildings and open spaces, are proudly restored
and celebrated;
•There is a focus on arts and cultural activities that provide a range of opportunities
for all residents of Ajax and Durham;
•Old Kingston Road becomes a vibrant, thriving, beautiful shopping street filled
with pedestrians at all times of the day;
•Streetscapes and sidewalks are attractive and inviting both for passersby
and pedestrians;
•Businesses will flourish and, through an appropriate diversity, create
a self-contained mixed use area which meets the needs of local residents
and draws people from across the region;
•Public spaces are designed in order to provide for the needs of many users
at various times of day and year;
•Natural features, including the canopy of mature trees, and connections to the
regional trail systems are protected and enhanced; and
•Pedestrians and cyclists feel welcome and can safely travel on streets with links
to the off-street path system.
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To more finely influence the development of action items, the vision was translated into
principles and evaluation criteria. They are as follows:
1.Preserve and enhance the heritage character of the area as a distinct district
within the larger Ajax community
2.Create a destination/community focal point for Ajax and the region – arts, niche
retail, access to trail system, special events
3.Support commercial diversification by creating the conditions for small businesses
to thrive, with Old Kingston Road as a focal point
4. Rectify regional traffic and transit needs with those of the locality
5. Create unity between sub-areas
6.Improve the connections to the area’s many parts and to surrounding
neighbourhoods and amenities
7.Beautify the area and improve public spaces
8.Increase pedestrian friendliness
9.Increase amenities for cyclists
10.Preserve the integrity of the Duffins Creek natural heritage system and the
mature urban forest canopy within the area
11.Enhance connections to the trail system
12.Respect the environmental sensitivity of low-lying areas associated with the
Duffins Creek flood plain
13.Address parking management
14.Strengthen the area’s identity in people’s minds
The sum total of these principles represents a vibrant Pickering Village that preserves and
enhances its existing positive characteristics and in so doing strengthens its position as
a community focal point. Change must reflect a balance between natural heritage and built
form, between pedestrians, cyclists and motorists and between the dynamism of the private
and public realms. Businesses are envisioned to flourish and create a self-contained mixed
use area which meets the needs of local residents and draws people from across the region.
The Community Action Plan recommendations lay out paths to make progress on realizing
these diverse goals.
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2.3 Community Action Plan Recommendations
These Community Action Plan recommendations are the product of the public process outlined
in Section 1.4.
In contributing to the future evolution of Pickering Village, the actions detailed here are intended
to carry out or stimulate improvements in both the public and the private realms. The public
realm includes streetscapes, open spaces, parks and community facilities, streets, traffic,
pedestrian and bicycle trails and linkages. The private realm deals with private property
and development, including the important transitional area between road right-of-way and
street-facing building facades. One has a great impact on the other and both must advance
if the vision of Pickering Village generated through this study process is to come to fruition.
The distinction between public and private realms needs to be made when considering how
change will happen and who will take responsibility for realizing this list of actions. It is important
to recognize both the significance and the limitations of direct public sector actions. Public
realm improvements can be planned and implemented by the municipality or region, though the
timing of improvements can be tied to adjacent private sector development. However, changes
to the economic base of the area are really triggered by new development and land use
changes in the private realm. These changes are entirely dependent on the landowners, the
existing businesses, and the real estate market. The public sector can – and should – do some
things on its own to lead by example and help trigger further private sector investment. In some
circumstances it is more effective and appropriate to leverage public funds by partnering with
the private and non-governmental sectors. In many instances improvements will be made by
the private sector alone. Even in these circumstances, the public sector has a key role to play
by offering the right incentives to stimulate private sector improvements that fit into the broader
public vision for the area.
The recommended actions listed here are organized into a number of categories. Guidelines
translate the vision for Pickering Village into standards meant to shape change in both the
public and the private realms. Improvements are action items the public sector can directly
carry out by themselves or in partnership with other sectors. Zoning Changes are intended
to shape change in the private realm. Programs are incentives aimed at the private sector to
stimulate improvements and investments in the private realm. Finally, Coordination Mechanisms
are actions meant to enable cooperation between levels of government and key stakeholders,
as well as measuring performance and maintaining momentum in the community
improvement process.
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Recommended Actions – Guidelines
The study process brought a focus on design to the consideration of the future evolution of
Pickering Village. It has been recognized that design can be used to increase activity in the area,
strengthen its heritage character, and foster a unity which makes Pickering Village a distinct and
identifiable area within the Town of Ajax. To these ends urban design guidelines have been
prepared to serve as standards that will set the tone of local improvements. Likewise, standards
for signs used for advertising purposes, and regulations for the protection of mature trees,
are important components which will assist in maintaining the distinct character of the Village.
1.Bring Into Effect Urban Design and Built Form Guidelines for the Pickering Village
Community Improvement Area
Examples of Built Form Guidelines – Refer to document entitled Urban
Design and Built Form Guidelines for Pickering Village, dated March 2008.
Based on the outcome of public deliberations during the study process, urban design
and built form guidelines have been developed that set a clear direction for Pickering
Village, addressing both the public and private realms and the interface between the two.
These guidelines are detailed in a separate document, entitled Urban Design and Built Form
Guidelines for Pickering Village, dated March 2008. Adherence to these guidelines will be
a major consideration in evaluating the appropriateness of all public and private sector
development and improvements in the Pickering Village Community Improvement Area
through the Town’s capital improvement and site plan control planning processes.
2.Investigate amendments to the Town of Ajax Tree-Protection By-law
Early on in the study process, the canopy of mature trees within Pickering Village and
the presence of a long-established urban forest were recognized as valuable assets
to be protected and enhanced. Accordingly, it is recommended that the Town investigate
amendments to the Tree Protection By-law, in conjunction with initiatives to protect and
enhance the canopy of the urban forest within the Town. Where deemed appropriate,
potential amendments may be made to address the removal of trees in the context
of efforts to maintain a healthy urban tree canopy, not only in the Village but throughout
Ajax as an urban area.
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3. Introduce Amendments to the Town of Ajax Sign By-law
Given the unique character of the Village, its heritage buildings, and its intimate urban
form and scale, it is important that the urban design and built form guidelines discussed
with respect to Action Item 1 be accompanied by appropriate standards for signage.
Accordingly, it is recommended that signage employed by private land owners, business
owners, or home-based business owners as an advertising device be subject to
appropriate design, size and siting criteria, in the context of Pickering Village. In this regard,
appropriate amendments to the Town’s Sign By-law should be undertaken to ensure that
signs are compatible with, and complementary to, the built form and heritage character
of the Village.
Recommended Actions – Improvements
These action items are improvements the Town of Ajax can carry out to lead by example
and set the tone of Pickering Village’s redevelopment. They are clustered into groups
by intended outcome.
Group A – Creating Links to Existing Amenities and Open Spaces
Ajax features an extensive network of recreation paths and pedestrian amenities. Their impact
on Pickering Village should be maximized by announcing and improving connections and
access points. These pathways provide the opportunity to connect natural and built heritage
features, reinforce the unity of the area and solidify Pickering Village’s position as a natural
community focal point.
4.Improve Pedestrian, Cycling and Recreational Links
It is recommended that the Town of Ajax create and strengthen links to community facilities
and the open space system by improving pedestrian and cycling links from Pickering
Village to the Duffins Creek North Trail, Memorial Park, the Village Arena/Library Complex
and the Duffins Creek Trail System south of Highway 401 (see Figure 2.1). A further
recommendation is to establish a network of bicycle routes which link to the larger Town
of Ajax network. A north-south bicycle route along Church Street would connect to the
boulevard bike path along Church Street North and to the path south of Highway 401.
The existing Duffins Creek Trail would also be allowed to accommodate bicycles. This route
would connect with both the north-south Church Street bicycle route and the east-west
Sherwood Road bicycle route. The east-west route could start at Duffins Creek and
Elizabeth Avenue, continue along Old Kingston Road and jog up Windsor Street to
Sherwood Road West. It would cross Church to Sherwood Road East. With a new bicycle
path in the public park at Hewison Court, Sherwood would be used to reach Westney
Road (see Figures 2.2 and 2.3).
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Fig. 2.1 – Pickering Village Heritage Loop and Links to Other Amenities
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Fig. 2.2 – Study Area and Existing Trail Network
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Fig. 2.3 – Connecting the Trail System Through Pickering Village
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5.Create Pickering Village Heritage Walk
It is recommended that the Town of Ajax create a Pickering Village Heritage Walk that
connects the Duffins Creek Trail, Church Street and Old Kingston Road in a loop.
Signage would announce the presence of the walk and assist in way-finding. Interpretive
kiosks would communicate the story of the area, act as gateway features for key trail
access points, and serve as community notice boards. A children’s play area and rest
area would be added to the Duffins Creek Trail portion of the loop. Public art should be
tied into the design features wherever possible. Adequate parking would be provided
at a designated trailhead. The Town of Ajax Trail Master Plan should be updated to add
the Heritage Walk (see Figure 2.1).
Group B – Improving the Public Realm and Streetscapes
The public realm lies within the jurisdiction of both the Town and the Region. Improvements
made in the public realm can act as a “pump-primer” for private development and set the
tone for the redevelopment of the area.
6.Improve Streetscapes
It is recommended that the Town of Ajax carry out a program of streetscape improvements
for Pickering Village using a common palette of streetscape elements, including street tree
planting, pedestrian-scale street lights, banners, bicycle racks, transit shelters, benches
and information/historic panels. Using streetscape elements of common form and design
serves to indicate the unity of the area, and by introducing them at different levels of
intensity will further indicate the hierarchy of spaces within Pickering Village. The lowest
concentration of elements (Level 3 treatment) are to be used along parts of Kingston Road,
Randall Drive, Sherwood Road and Windsor Drive. More intensified use of elements (Level
2 treatment) would be used in pedestrian amenity zones, e.g. Church Street North from
Kingston Road to Memorial Park; Church Street South from Mill Street to the northerly leg
of Christena Crescent; Kingston Road from Linton Avenue to George Jones Street, and
Elizabeth Street from Kingston Road to Kearney Drive. Maximum intensity of streetscape
elements (Level 1 treatment) would be used along Old Kingston Road, Linton Avenue from
Old Kingston Road to the Village Arena site, and Church Street between Kingston Road
and the north leg of Christena Crescent. Streetscape improvements should be coordinated
with the forthcoming reconstruction of Old Kingston Road, efforts by the BIA and the vision
for streetscape improvement expressed in the Town’s Integrated Community Arts and
Culture Plan (see Figure 2.4).
21
Fig. 2.4 – Streetscape Improvements
22
7.Transform Intersection of Old Kingston Road and Kingston Road
Based on the favorable response of the majority of public participants, the Study Advisory
Group and the BIA, it is recommended that the Town of Ajax redevelop the intersection
of Old Kingston Road and Kingston Road to calm traffic and increase pedestrian amenity.
This would be accomplished by removing, re-locating or reconfiguring the right-in-only
access to Old Kingston from Kingston Road, creating a pedestrian urban square, and
adding a gateway feature to create a signature focal point within the Village. This treatment
would facilitate the use of Old Kingston Road during street festivals and other pedestrian
events. The transformation of this intersection should be timed to coincide with the planned
reconstruction of Old Kingston Road. A design competition could be held to develop
a design and a gateway feature for this location. Members of the design competition
committee would be drawn from local stakeholder groups like the BIA, the Heritage
Advisory Committee and Town staff, as well as leading design professionals from the GTA
(see Figure 2.5).
8.Improve Other Intersections and Crossings
Example of Public Realm Improvements (Hamilton, ON)
It is recommended that the Town of Ajax develop pedestrian amenity zones at intersections
whose features include an appropriate mix of the following elements: special paving
for pedestrian crossings, raised traffic tables, bollards, pedestrian scale lighting, benches,
and wider sidewalks integrated with transit shelters at intersections. Intersections to be
improved include Church Street South/Mill Street, Church Street South/Randall Drive,
Elizabeth Street/Old Kingston Road, Church Street/Kingston Road, Elizabeth Street/
Kingston Road, Linton Avenue/Sherwood Road, Linton Avenue/Kingston Road,
Old Kingston Road/Linton Avenue, and Windsor Drive/Old Kingston Road.
9.Create Gateway Features
Existing Conditions at Kingston
It is recommended that the Town of Ajax create gateway features and special design
elements to announce the presence of Pickering Village and Duffins Creek. The locations
of gateway features would be on Kingston Road at Duffins Creek to the west and
Rotherglen Road to the east. An additional gateway feature would mark the urban square
at Old Kingston Road and Kingston Road. These gateway features may be the topic of
the design competition mentioned above in Action 7. Similarly, the Town should explore
the use of the Town-owned lands at the north-east corner of Kingston Road and Elizabeth
Street (currently a parking lot) as a potential development site for a landmark signature
building, reflective of the location’s gateway function. Special treatment of the bridge
crossing Duffins Creek would help reestablish the link to this natural heritage feature. A sign
announcing Pickering Village from the 401 should also be considered. Any changes to the
study area must preserve views to existing landmarks and be conscious of important view
corridors (see Figure 2.6).
23
Fig. 2.5 – Transformation of Intersection of Old Kingston Road and Kingston Road
24
Fig. 2.6 – Gateways, View Corridors and Landmarks
25
10.Improve the Campus of Town-owned Facilities Surrounding Memorial Park
as an Arts and Cultural Hub
It is recommended that the Town of Ajax plan for the redevelopment/re-programming
of the Town-owned facilities clustered around Memorial Park as an arts and cultural hub.
These facilities include the Village Library, the Village Arena/Seniors’ Centre, and the Village
Community Centre. Pickering Village is already identified as a hub for the Town’s arts
community. The Village Community Centre, used by community theatre and arts groups,
and the Village Library are cultural resources which should be supported and enhance
in any proposed redevelopment of the park campus. Through the Town’s Integrated
Community Arts and Cultural Plan (ICACP) consultation process, the need for a central/
common multi-use space to meet future growth needs was identified. More recently, the
consultation process undertaken to date with respect to the preparation of the Town’s
Recreation, Parks, Arts and Culture Master Plan has revealed a strong interest /demand
for arts and cultural facilities, and the Village is seen as an ideal location for these. In this
regard, the location of arts and cultural facilities on Town-owned lands, only one block
away from Old Kingston Road (via Linton Avenue), aligns well with the vision for the Village
as a pedestrian-oriented recreation, cultural, heritage and niche retail destination. Being
mutually supportive in nature and in direct proximity, these activities would be of strong
economic benefit to the Village, attracting small businesses and fostering potential for
increased festivals, events and tourism. Accordingly, it is recommended that the community
complex located between Church Street North and Linton Avenue, north of Sherwood
Road West, be redeveloped with additional arts and cultural uses.
Group C – Balancing Modes of Transportation
The vision for Pickering Village describes a vibrant mixed-use area in a space where both local
and regional transportation needs can be met. Kingston Road is an arterial road and regional
transit corridor. Church Street is also an arterial road, although one of secondary use when
compared to Kingston Road. Reconciling the intensity and the traffic of these arterial roads
with pedestrian and cycling amenities has been a challenge. Parking throughout the area
and access to private laneways from busy Kingston Road were also identified as issues
requiring attention.
11.Access Management Strategy/Shared Parking Arrangements
It is recommended that the Town of Ajax facilitate access management through easements
to allow for consolidation of traffic access points onto arterial roads like Kingston Road.
Potential access easement routes include, but are not limited to, the lots on the south
side of Kingston Road west of Church Street, the auto shop site and surrounding lots at
26
Kingston Road/Church Street, and the lots on the north side of Kingston Road between
Church Street and George Jones Street. Alternatively, the lots along Kingston Road may
be required to share driveways and access points in order to institute access management
principles. Access management is an issue recommended to be addressed through site
plan control for new developments (see Figure 2.7). Similarly, the site plan control process
should be used to arrange and protect for shared parking between contiguous sites on
Kingston Road, Old Kingston Road and Church Street.
12.Encourage On-street Parking
The Town of Ajax should allow on-street parking throughout the study area on all streets
except Kingston Road. As redevelopment increases on the south side of Kingston Road,
west of Church Street, lay-bys should be considered by the Town and the Region
to facilitate parking for customers of grade-related retail (see Figure 2.7).
13.Transform Church Street
It is recommended that the Town of Ajax reconfigure Church Street south of Kingston Road
to increase pedestrian and cycling amenity. South of Randall Drive/Lincoln Avenue, Church
Street would be narrowed to two lanes – one in each direction – and a new bicycle lane
in the pavement and one lane of on-street parking would be added. The overall pavement
width would be 12.5m, with a boulevard width of 3.75m per side. The 12.5 metre wide
pavement would accommodate 2 traffic lanes at 3.5m, commuter bicycle lanes at 1.5m,
and one parking lane at 2.5m. The boulevard could contain a 2.4m wide multi-use path.
North of Randall the lane of on-street parking would revert to a northbound lane
(see Figures 2.8 and 2.9) It is recommended that Church Street south of Randall Drive
be explored as a future transit route as redevelopment along Church Street south
of Highway 401 occurs.
14.Detailed Design for Intersection of Kingston Road and Church Street
The transformation of Church Street South detailed in Action 13 mostly affects the
right-of-way south of Randall Drive/Lincoln Avenue. For the portion of Church Street South
between Randall Drive and Kingston Road and the intersection of Church Street and
Kingston Road itself, special attention must be paid to creating a transition that provides for
increased levels of vehicular traffic while at the same time ensuring a safe environment and
crossings for pedestrians and cyclists.
27
Fig. 2.7 – On-Street Parking and Access Management
28
Fig. 2.9 – Church Street – Improvements (below)
Fig. 2.8 – Church Street – Existing Conditions (above)
29
15.Create Median on Kingston Road at Hewison Court
It is recommended that the Town of Ajax work with the Region of Durham to create
a median along Kingston Road at Hewison Court to calm traffic and act as a gateway
to the Pickering Village area. As traffic volumes on Kingston Road increase, access from
Hewison Court will become problematic. The addition of a median would limit this access
point to a right-in and right-out only. Access to Hewison Court could be improved by
providing a vehicular link from Hewison to Sherwood Road to the west. This would allow
Hewison Court residents to travel via Sherwood Road west to Church Street. The widened
right-of-way for Kingston Road at Hewison Court could be utilized to create a new median.
This median would be as wide and generous as possible. It could be used as a location
for interpretive information and signage to announce Pickering Village or as a location for
public art and special streetscape treatment (see Figure 2.10), in keeping with the Town’s
Integrated Community Arts and Cultural Plan.
Recommended Actions – ZONINg CHanges
Like all neighbourhoods, Pickering Village has undergone change over the course of its
existence and will continue to do so. The study process has established a desired direction for
future change. The public improvements listed above are necessary components of this change.
However, the public sector cannot complete this transformation on its own. Owners of property,
buildings and businesses must be a part of this movement as well. The following actions identify
zoning changes that are intended to provide the appropriate stimulus for change in the private
realm, in concert with various types of incentive programs.
16.Change Zoning to Promote Retail on Old Kingston Road
In coordination with the incentives package detailed in Action 21, the Town of Ajax should
further strengthen the role of Old Kingston Road as a healthy retail street through
appropriate zoning changes. Permitted uses in the current VC-1 zone should be amended
to exclude professional services and offices on the ground floor of buildings. In this manner,
existing offices located along the ground floor would become legal non-conforming
uses and the presence of ground-related retail would eventually strengthen in the area
(see Figures 2.11 and 2.12).
30
Fig. 2.10 – Create Median at Hewison Court
31
Fig. 2.11 – Existing Zoning By-law
32
Fig. 2.12 – Proposed Zoning Changes
33
17.Change Zoning to Recognize Shift to Commercial Uses and Professional Services
Along Kingston Road and the Southern Portion of Church Street
It is recommended that the on-going shift from residential uses to commercial uses and
professional services along Kingston Road be recognized by amending the zoning by-law
to change the remaining properties zoned R1-A, R1-B, AC and I-A (543 Kingston Road
only), between Church Street and Mill Street to a VC-2 type zone. This change would
formalize the conversion of residential house form buildings to office and commercial uses.
Performance criteria and architectural control criteria would be included in site control
provisions to preserve the house form buildings that are important to the character of this
stretch of Kingston Road. Such provisions would allow current owners to preserve the
value of their homes as traffic continues to increase along Kingston Road. Shared parking
that limits access points on Kingston Road would be essential. A similar transition should
be encouraged on Church Street South between Randall Drive/Lincoln Avenue and
the south leg of Mill Street. In recognition of the legalized non-conforming business
uses and home-based businesses already present along this stretch of Church Street,
properties zoned R1-B would be changed to a VC-2 type zonewith a proviso that
house-form buildings must be preserved and continue to have a residential component
(see Figures 2.11 and 2.12).
18.Change Zoning to Promote High/medium-density, Mixed-use Development Along
Parts of Kingston Road and Church Street South (North Of Randall Drive)
The Town of Ajax should promote land redevelopment on the south side of Kingston Road,
between Randall to the west and the eastern edge of the auto shop east of Church,
through a zoning change. This area would also encompass both sides of Church Street
South north of the Randall Drive/Lincoln Street intersection. The zoning change would
promote a degree of intensification and introduce more residential units in the study area by
allowing for mid-rise, mixed-use buildings. Accordingly, it is recommended that the zoning
by-law be changed to increase the maximum height from12.5m to 20m, which would result
in a 1:1 ratio of building height to the 20m road right-of-way width of Kingston Road. The
height increase would allow 6-storey mixed-use buildings, with retail and commercial uses
on the ground floor. The ground floor would be required to have a minimum height of 4m.
Along Kingston Road, a building height of 20m would be allowed along the first 40m from
the front property line, so that the density and height would be deployed along the
Kingston Road frontage, and not next to the rear against adjacent low-rise residential
dwelling units. The zoning by-law would also be more flexible regarding land uses in these
buildings, including the range generally covered by the VC-1 and VC-2 designations and
other uses as appropriate. The performance criteria accompanying this change would
34
include minimum built frontages on Kingston Road to ensure that mid-rise buildings are
built parallel to the street at the street line with minimal setbacks, rather than perpendicular
to the street; and rear lane access easement agreements to ensure adequate traffic
management practices (see Figures 2.11 and 2.12). The performance criteria would also
function to protect existing views of the St. Francis de Sales church steeple looking south
from Church Street North.
Recommended Actions – Programs
Accompanying zoning changes are a series of programs to promote heritage preservation
and appropriate private sector redevelopment of the Pickering Village Community
Improvement Area.
19.Develop Property Tax Rebate Grant Program for Improved Properties
It is recommended that the Town of Ajax establish a program to provide grants to property
owners to rebate property tax increases resulting from property and building improvements
to eligible sites within the Pickering Village Community Improvement Project Area boundary,
if the improvements are judged by the Planning and Development Services Department
to be in keeping with the intent of the Community Improvement Plan. This program would
offer grants on a declining basis over a 10-year period to rebate Town taxes received
on increased assessment values resulting from the improvements (100 percent of the
increased tax revenues in year 1, 90 percent in year 2, etc.). This program would address
a serious financial impediment to rehabilitation and redevelopment efforts, namely the large
tax increase that results when a property is rehabilitated/improved. By granting back a
portion of the Town’s taxes attributable to the increased assessment over an extended
period, this program would encourage development by not immediately “penalizing”
property owners who undertake improvements resulting in tax increases.
20.Establish Heritage Conservation District
Examples of other HCDs in the GTA: Collingwood
It is recommended that the Town of Ajax move to the next stage of creating a Heritage
Conservation District (HCD) for Pickering Village. A full discussion of the merits of an
HCD in the Pickering Village context and next steps in the HCD process are included
in the supporting document, entitled Precedents and Recommendations on a Heritage
Conservation District for Pickering Village, dated March 2008, prepared by Architects
Rasch Eckler Associates Ltd. This document recommends that a HCD proceed in phases,
initially comprising the properties fronting onto Old Kingston Road and Church Street north
of Kingston Road. After two years, the effectiveness of the HCD can be evaluated and its
expansion to Kingston Road and Church Street considered (see Figure 2.13). During the
35
HCD process guidelines for heritage preservation and incentive programs for improvements
will be created. In the interim, it is recommended that the Town of Ajax approve an
incentives package for improvements to properties designated under the Heritage
Conservation Act. In addition to being eligible for the tax rebate detailed in Action 19,
heritage properties could receive assistance through a Façade Improvement/ Heritage
Conservation Program. This program would provide interest-free loans, all or part of which
may be forgivable, for façade and other improvements within the Community Improvement
Project Area. The recipients of the loans would be expected to make an equivalent
contribution towards the improvement and agree to submit their drawings for review and
approval by the Planning and Development Services Department in consultation with the
Heritage Advisory Committee.
21.Approve Incentives Package for Retail Uses on Old Kingston Road
Old Kingston Road has the potential to return to its traditional mainstreet roots and provide
a retail environment that offers a different experience than those currently present in Ajax
and neighbouring communities. The Town of Ajax should promote the transition to more
retail uses along Old Kingston Road by creating a package of financial incentives.
Recommended programs include:
Thornhill
1.A Small Retail Loan Program that provides loans for small retail business start-ups
and expansion of existing small retail businesses along Old Kingston Road;
2.Interest-free loans for interior/exterior renovations for small retail businesses,
in conjunction with the heritage restoration incentives that would be part of the
Heritage Conservation District mentioned above;
3.A commercial property tax rebate to business owners of small retail businesses that
would effectively bring their property tax rate down to residential rates for the first year
of operation and gradually equalize to full commercial rates after ten years.
The above incentive programs should be paired with a broader strategy to attract niche
retailers, like specialty food stores, cafes, etc., to Old Kingston Road. The Town of Ajax
should work with the Pickering Village BIA to design such a strategy.
Unionville
36
Fig. 2.13 – Proposed Phasing of Heritage Conservation District
37
22.Develop an Incentives Package to Promote Development on Old Kingston Road,
Parts of Kingston Road and Church Street South (north of Randall Drive)
The zoning changes of parts of Kingston Road and Church Street South detailed in Action
18 are meant to stimulate transit-supportive development that is in keeping with the
characteristics of Pickering Village on these properties. Further incentives may be
necessary to encourage this shift. It is recommended that the Town of Ajax develop an
incentives package that encourages new development that appropriately intensifies the
area, meets urban design guidelines, and is in keeping with the intent of the Community
Improvement Plan. Such a package should also apply to appropriate development along
Old Kingston Road. The Planning and Development Fees Grant Program and the
Development Charge Exemption/Grant Program created for the Downtown Ajax
Community Improvement Plan serve as models that could be adapted and implemented
under a CIP for Pickering Village to address this specific portion of the study area. Figures
2.14 and 2.15 depict the development potential along the southern side of Kingston Road
in the vicinity of Church Street.
Recommended Actions – Coordination Mechanism
23.Form Implementation Task Force
It is recommended that the Town of Ajax establish an Implementation Task Force to monitor
and assess at regular intervals the progress made toward achieving the action items of the
Community Improvement Plan. The task force members should be drawn from involved
departments of the municipal and regional governments, representatives of the local and
regional councilors, the Pickering Village BIA, the Heritage Advisory Committee and other
key stakeholder groups. The Task Force would be chaired by planning staff. The work
of the Task Force would be coordinated and supported by the Planning and Development
Services Department of the Town of Ajax. The Task Force would report to Council on
a biannual basis for the duration of the Community Improvement Plan’s lifespan. Given
that the lifespan of the CIP could be lengthy and that the Task Force would likely include
stakeholders that are local residents, consideration should be given to establishing the
duration of terms of appointment, and the potential option to sit for an additional term.
These and other facets of the organization/structure of the Task Force, including its
mandate, would be addressed through the preparation of Terms of Reference
38
Fig. 2.15 – Development Potential for Kingston Road – Northeast
Perspective (below)
Fig. 2.14 – Development Potential for Kingston Road – Northwest
Perspective (above)
39
2.4 Next Steps
These recommendations provide the basis for a Community Improvement Plan for Pickering
Village. As a next step, Town Council will need to pass an Official Plan amendment that
changes the boundaries of the Village Central Area designation and the corresponding
Community Improvement Area in Schedule A – Land Use of the Official Plan.
The recommendations included in this report provide a comprehensive strategy and approach
to the improvement of Pickering Village. The Town of Ajax presently has the authority to
implement many of the actions identified here, such as zoning by-law changes and many of the
improvements listed. Other actions, such as incentives programs, require the planning powers
specific to Community Improvement Plans as enabled by Section 28 of the Planning Act. It is
our recommendation that this document be used in support of the preparation of a Community
Improvement Plan that is comprehensive in scope. This Community Improvement Plan would
be approved through enactment of a by-law by Town Council subsequent to review and
comment from the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) of the Province of Ontario.
In order that the greatest possible benefit may be achieved through the CIP, it is further
recommended that the Town seek partnership/participation with the Region of Durham for the
implementation of the CIP. In addition to augmenting the financial incentives available through
the CIP, Regional participation would serve as a means to showcase Pickering Village as
a significant Regional tourist destination.
40
Appendix
Recommended Community Improvement Plan For Pickering Village
Implementation Matrix
RECOMMENDATION
details
responsibility
timeline
costs
1
Bring into effect urban design
and built form guidelines for
the Pickering Village Area
• M
ake the guidelines developed during
the study process a consideration in the
approval of all public and private sector
development and improvements in the
CIP area through the Town’s capital
improvement and site plan control process
• Planning and Development
Services
• Ongoing
• For private
development – low
• For public
development see other
recommendations
2
Investigate amendments
to the Town of Ajax Tree
Protection By-law
• C
onsider amendments to protect and
enhance the tree canopy in Pickering
Village, in the context of the larger urban
forest in the Town of Ajax as a whole.
• P
lanning and Development
Services (Planning)
• Legislative and Information
Services (By-law Enforcement)
• Spring/Summer 2008
• Low
3
Introduce amendments to
the Town of Ajax Sign By-law
• D
evelop appropriate design, size and siting • Planning and Development
criteria for signage employed by private land
Services (Planning)
owners, business owners and home-based • Legislative and Information
business owners to ensure compatibility
Services (By-law Enforcement)
with the built form and heritage character
of the Village
• Spring/Summer 2008
• Low
4
Improve pedestrian, cycling
and recreational links
• C
reate and strengthen links to community
facilities and open space system
– D
uffins Creek Trail
– M
emorial Park Campus (Village Arena,
Library and Community Centre)
– C
hurch St. South Trail, south of 401
• C
onnect and improve existing Town of Ajax
recreational and cycling trail system
– E
ast-west route connecting the
boulevard trail along Kingston Road
to Duffins Creek via Elizabeth, Old
Kingston, Windsor and Sherwood
– N
orth-South route as per Church St.
South transformation
• Links to components
south of 401 are
in progress
• Signage improvements
– medium term
• Church St. transformation
– long term (post 2012)
• Acquisition of parking
lot lands at Duffins Creek
Elizabeth St. / Old
Kingston Road trailhead
in progress
• A budget has already
been allotted for the
southern link
• Church St. transformation – high cost
• P
Services
• Operations and Environmental
Services (maintenance)
5
Create Pickering Village
Heritage Walk
• C
onnect the trail sections – Duffins Creek
trail, Old Kingston Road, and Church St.
• K
iosks at key access points
• Signage to announce the trail and help
with way-finding
• C
hildren’s play area and rest area along
the Duffins Creek portion of the trail
• P
arking area for trailhead
6
Improve Streetscapes
7
Transform Intersection
of Old Kingston Road
and Kingston Road
• Design piece (2-5 years)
• Implementation (3-6 years)
• Redevelopment using
money from Section 37
bonusing – only over
the long term
• Combination of direct
municipal investment
and other funding
• D
evelop common palette of streetscape
features, including street tree planting,
Services (Engineering,
pedestrian scale street lights, banners,
Planning and Urban Design)
bicycle racks, transit shelters, benches,
• BIA involvement where
and information/historic panels
applicable
• A
pply at different levels of intensity
to different parts of Pickering Village
– H
igh intensity (Level 1) – Old Kingston
Road, Church St. S. between
Kingston Road and the north leg
of Christena Cres., and Linton Ave.
from Kingston Rd. to Sherwood Rd.
– M
edium intensity (Level 2) – Pedestrian
amenity zones such as Church St. N.
from Kingston Road to Memorial Park,
Linton Ave. north of Sherwood Rd.,
Church St. S. between Mill St. and the
north leg of Christena Cres., Kingston
Road from Randall Dr. to George
Jones St., Elizabeth St. from Kingston
Road to Kearney Drive
– L
ower intensity (Level 3) – Kingston
Road east of George Jones St.,
Randall Dr., Sherwood Rd. and
Windsor Dr.
• R
emove parking spaces in front existing
buildings on Old Kingston Road to
normalize curb, as opportunities permit
• Medium term
• High, but road reconstruction is potentially
covered as a budget
item in the Town’s long
term capital forecast
• D
evelop detailed urban design
– C
lose, re-locate or reconfigure
Services (Urban Design,
entrance to Old Kingston
Planning, and Engineering)
Road to create urban square
– S
pecial paving treatment
applicable
– Gateway feature
– T
raffic calming measures
• D
esign competition for gateway
and public space
• F
eatures to facilitate the closure of the street
for festivals and other pedestrian events
• Incorporate components
with reconstruction
of Old Kingston Road
• Other parts will be
longer term
• Old Kingston Road
reconstruction budget
• BIA contribution
• P
Services
• Legislative Services
(responsible for Heritage)
Services (maintenance)
• Outside contractor to design
signs and kiosks
8
Improve other intersections
and crossings
• D
evelop pedestrian amenity zones
at intersections whose features could
include special paving for pedestrian
crossings, raised traffic tables, pedestrian
scale lighting, benches and wider
sidewalks integrated with transit shelters
at intersections.
• Intersections to be improved include:
– Church/Mill
– Church/Randall
– C
hurch/Kingston Road
(see recommendation No. 14)
– Linton/Old Kingston Road
– Linton/Kingston Road
– Windsor/Old Kingston Road
– Elizabeth/Old Kingston Road
– Elizabeth/Kingston Road
– Linton/Sherwood
• Improvement of pedestrian crossing
of Kingston Road at Linton Ave.
• T
reatment of Linton Ave. (between
Kingston Road and Sherwood Road)
• P
• Region of Durham
• Design – short
to medium term
• Implementation –
long term, phased
• High
9
Create gateway features
• G
ateway features to be added to Kingston
Road at either end of the Pickering Village
area, i.e. Rotherglen and Duffins Creek
• P
otential design competition for
gateway features
• G
ateway at Duffins Creek to establish
connection to natural heritage system
• A
dditional gateway feature to mark the
central urban square at Old Kingston Road
and Kingston Road
• E
xplore the potential redevelopment
of Town-owned lands at the north-east
corner of Kingston Road and Elizabeth St.
for landmark signature building
• P
applicable
• Economic Development
(Office of the CAO)
• Medium term
• Varies on design
10
Improve the campus
of Town-owned facilities
surrounding Memorial Park
as an arts and cultural hub
• T
he Parks and Recreation Master Plan
(underway) and Integrated Community Arts
and Cultural Plan (July 2006) have identified
the need for a centralized arts and cultural
facility in Ajax
• T
he former St. Francis de Sales Church has
been acquired by the Town and will serve
as a southerly anchor within the Village as
a community arts and culture venue
• P
ickering Village is widely perceived as the
arts and cultural hub of Ajax
• T
he role of the Village Community Centre
and library as cultural resources, well used
by community theatre and arts groups,
should be supported and enhanced through
future redevelopment of the Town-owned
facilities surrounding Memorial Park as an
arts and cultural hub for Ajax
• T
he proximity of an arts and culture hub,
incorporating the Town-owned facilities,
to the commercial core along Old Kingston Road aligns well with the vision for the
Village, and would be of strong economic
benefit (attracting small business and
fostering the potential for an increased
number of festivals and events, and an
increase in tourism)
• P
Services (Planning, Urban
Design)
• Recreational Services
Services
• Library Board
• Office of the CAO
• Long term
• High
11
Access management strategy/
Shared Parking Arrangements
• F
acilitate access management through
easements to allow for consolidation of
traffic access points onto arterial roads like
Kingston Road. Easement routes include:
– the lots on the south side of Kingston
Road, west of Church
– the auto shop site and surrounding
lots at Kingston/Church
– the lots on the north side of Kingston
Road between Church St.
and George Jones St.
– V
arious contiguous lots on the north
side of Old Kingston Road
• D
evelop access management requirements
for new developments as a part of site plan
control to decrease the number of access
points on to Kingston Road, Church St.
and Old Kingston Road, and also arrange
and protect for shared parking between
contiguous sites
• P
Services
• Set the policies in place
in the short term
• Implementation over the
long term
• Minimal
12
Encourage on-street parking
• P
ermit on-street parking throughout the
Pickering Village area, with the exception
of Kingston Road
• L
ay-bys may potentially develop on
Kingston Road, west of Church St.,
as need increases due to redevelopment
• P
Services
Services (Bylaw Enforcement)
• Region of Durham (concerning
Kingston Road)
• Short term
• Potential for lay-bys
on Kingston Road
is development driven
• Minimal
13
Transform Church Street
• South of Randall Dr./Lincoln St. intersection
– L
imit vehicular traffic along Church
Street to two lanes
– A
dd commuter bicycle lanes in the
pavement and one lane of on-street
parking with bump-outs
– W
iden sidewalks and increase
plantings
• North of Randall
– L
imit vehicular traffic to three lanes
(two northbound, one southbound)
– C
ontinuation of the commuter bicycle
lanes and widened sidewalks
• E
xplore Church St. south of Randall Dr.
as a future transit route as redevelopment
along Church St. south of Highway
401 occurs
• P
• Ministry of Transportation
• Durham Region Transit
• Phased
• High
14
Detailed design for intersection
of Kingston and Church
• G
iven the transformation of Church Street,
special attention must be paid to the
intersection with Kingston Road to create
a safe crossing for pedestrians and cyclists.
• P
• Phased with other
road and streetscape
improvements
• High
15
Create Median on Kingston
Road at Hewison Court
• E
stablish Town of Ajax/Region of Durham
working group
• D
etermine design requirements, including
laneway access to Sherwood Rd
to the west
• D
etermine budget and funding
arrangements
• P
• Medium to long term
• To be arranged
between the Town
and the Region
16
Change zoning to promote
retail on Old Kingston Road
• C
hange permitted uses in the VC-1 zone
to exclude professional services and offices
at ground level
• P
Services (Planning)
• Immediate – needs to
comply with Planning
Act requirements re:
public process
• Minimal
17
Change zoning to recognize
shift to commercial uses and
professional services along
Kingston Road and along the
southern portion of Church
• C
hange the remaining properties zoned
R1-A, R1-B, AC and I-A (543 Kingston
Road West only) fronting onto Kingston
Road between Church St. and Rotherglen
Rd. to VC-2 type zoning. Include
performance criteria and architectural
control criteria in site control provisions
to preserve the house form buildings.
• C
hange properties on Church Street
between Randall St./Lincoln Ave. and
the 401 zoned R1-B to VC-2 type zoning
with the proviso that house-form buildings
must be preserved and continue to have
a residential component
• P
Services (Planning)
• Concerning parking and
access management
– long term
• Zoning change – short
– needs to comply with
Planning Act requirements
re: public process
18
Change zoning to promote
mixed-use, medium density
development along parts
of Kingston Road and
Church Street South (north
of Randall Drive)
• C
hange zoning on the southern side
of Kingston Road between Randall Dr.
Services (Planning)
and the eastern edge of the auto shop,
and along both sides of Church St. S., north
of the Randall Dr./Lincoln Ave. intersection,
to increase the allowable height from
12.5m to 20m to allow 6-storey mixed use
buildings, with retail and commercial uses
on the ground floor
– T
he ground floor will be required
to have a minimum floor-to-ceiling
height of 4m
– T
he 20m height will be allowed along
the first 40m from the front property
line, so that the density and height will
be deployed along the Kingston Road
and Church St. frontage, and not next
to the rear against adjacent low-rise
residential dwelling units
– T
he performance criteria for this
change are to include minimum built
frontages on Kingston Road and
Church St. to ensure that mid-rise
buildings are built parallel to the street
at the street line with appropriate
setbacks, rather than perpendicular
to the street
– S
etbacks will protect views to the
St. Francis de Sales Church
• Short– needs to comply
with Planning Act
requirements
re: public process
• Minimal
19
Develop Property Tax Rebate
Program for Improved Properties
• E
stablish a program to provide grants
to property owners to rebate tax increases
resulting from property and building
improvements within the CIP Project Area
• P
Services (Planning)
• Finance
• Short term
(through Village CIP)
• Low (based on the
principle of foregone
revenue)
20
Establish Heritage
Conservation District
• C
arry out a Heritage Conservation District
(HCD) study of those properties fronting
onto Old Kingston Road and Church St. N.
• S
et timeline for the evaluation of the
effectiveness of HCD
• C
onsider extending HCD to include
Kingston Road and Church Street
• In the interim, use the Village CIP
to establish an incentives package for
designated properties (grants/loans
for façade improvements and building
rehabilitation, tax relief program)
• P
Services (Planning)
Services
• Heritage Advisory Committee
• Finance
• Short to Medium term
• Low

CIP Recommendations Report

Transcription

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