Downtown Plan Community Workshop May, 2009 Downtown Community Plan - - PDF document

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Downtown Plan Community Workshop

May, 2009

The Big Picture

Phase 1: Background Analysis Phase 2: Issues and Opportunities Phase 3: Ideas into Directions Phase 4: Draft Plan Preparation (we are here) Phase 5: Sustainability Action Plan Phase 6: Final Plan and OCP Implementation

Downtown Community Plan Process

Vision and Planning Principles

Proposed Vision for the Downtown

The Downtown is a unique neighbourhood in the

• City. It functions as the economic, cultural,

historic and residential hub of New Westminster. Its natural amenities along the riverfront and historic streetscapes enhance its tourism, entertainment and retail appeal. Its high density residential and commercial buildings adjacent to transit provide a showcase for the attributes of sustainable and responsible growth in Metro Vancouver.

Plan Principles

The Downtown: Is a Complete and Livable Community Is Inclusive and Safe Is Connected to the Waterfront Is Accessible Is Vibrant and Unique Is Economically Sustainable and Viable Is a Neighbourhood and a Destination

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• A key objective - involve a wide diversity of

interests and stakeholders

• Important to identifying issues and gaining

different perspectives on how to address them

• Important to building a sense of ownership

and commitment, which will be critical to later plan implementation and success

Public Consultation

Public Consultation

• 1000 people involved in shaping the plan so far

– December 2007 Open House (50 people); – a telephone survey of residents and businesses (600 people); – September 2008 Open House (40 people); – Workshop (50 people) – Design Charrette (60 people) – March 2009 Open House and Workshop (70 people) – Several City committees/commissions (100)

• Downtown Community Plan Task Group
• 1. Develop Downtown as a Regional Town Centre
• 2. Create a Complete Community
• 3. Create an Inclusive and Intergeneration

Downtown

• 4. Enhance Open Space and Parks in Downtown
• 5. Connect Downtown to the Waterfront

Community Consensus Community Consensus

• 6. Promote Walking, Cycling and Transit Use in

Downtown

• 7. Create a High Quality Urban Environment
• 8. Preserve Heritage Character which makes the

Downtown Unique

• 9. Create a Livable and a Socially Sustainable

Downtown 10.Create a Viable and Economically Sustainable and Viable Downtown

Non Consensus

1. Incongruence – NFPR and Downtown as growth concentration area 2. Columbia Street – retaining heritage character while allowing redevelopment in historic district and issue of façade retention 3. Role of Downtown – neighbourhood versus regional destination uses

Non Consensus

4. Parkade – needed for public parking to support business versus unattractive barrier between Downtown and Waterfront 5. Eastern side of Downtown – lack of clarity regarding amount and type of development 6. Heights – lack of clarity regarding allowable heights in high density development

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Growth Management

Metro Vancouver’s Regional Growth Strategy and New Westminster’s Downtown

A new Regional Growth Strategy…

• Preliminary Draft to

Land Use and Transportation Committee and Board early in 2009

• What issues in the new

Regional Growth Strategy will be key to Downtown?

Connecting Land Use & Transportation

Land use patterns that support practical transit choices: – Regional Town Centres which are interconnected areas for residences, employment and cultural activities. – Capitalize on significant public investments in transportation infrastructure.

• Attract a diverse workforce
• Ensure adequate land supply to

meet the region’s economic needs

• Ensure a good match between

where people live and work

• Ensure good transit/goods

movement accessibility (but not in conflict with other growth

• bjectives)

Supporting a Prosperous Economy

Source: Metro Vancouver. 2007 Lower Fraser Valley includes Metro Vancouver and FVRD

High density, mixed use areas served by transit results in reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Planes, trains, marine vessels and off-road equipment

10 % 31 % 35 % 20 % 4 %

Cars and trucks Miscellaneous (waste, agriculture and burning) Industrial facilities Buildings

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory

Metro Vancouver & Fraser Valley

Responding to Climate Change

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Growth Projections

Benefits of Urban Development

• 1. Helps create walkable

neighbourhoods

• 2. Supports housing

choice and affordability

• 3. Helps expand

transportation choices

• 4. Reduces municipal

costs (taxes)

• 5. Helps improve security
• 6. Protects the environment
• 7. Efficient use of services
• 8. Support local businesses

City-Wide Population Growth to 2041

Metro Vancouver vs. Coriolis Forecasts for New Westminster

103,000 94,000 82,000 116,903 97,263 80,940 61,800 40,000 60,000 80,000 100,000 120,000 140,000 2006 2021 2031 2041 Regional Growth Strategy Coriolis

36% 42% 22%

Queensborough Downtown Rest of City

City Population Growth by Area 2008-2031

Housing

City-Wide Population Growth

New Westminster Population

98,000 88,000 76,000 61,800 2006 2021 2031 2041

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Downtown Residential: Population and Housing

Downtown Population and Housing Growth

19,112 15,441 9,265 10,836 8,677 4,770

• 5,000

10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 2006 2021 2031 Population Housing Units

Housing Growth Projections

Citywide Housing Unit Growth - By Type

5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 2008 2021 2031 S ingle Family Townhouse Low-Rise Apts High-Rise Apts

65% High Rise Apartment 26% Low Rise Apartment 5% Townhouse 4% Single Family Dwelling % of Projected Growth Housing Form Housing Unit Growth 2008 to 2031

Downtown Housing Growth

Downtown Housing Unit Growth by Type

2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000 2008 2021 2031 Single Family* Townhouse Low-Rise Apts High-Rise Apts *Single Family: In 2008, there were 40

• units. No added

units are forecast.

Affordable Housing

Draft AHS and the Downtown:

• Limit the loss of existing affordable rental housing (e.g., replacement policy)
• Use financial tools and incentives (i.e., Density Bonusing for affordable

housing)

• Support the development of a mix of housing products (i.e., more ground-
• riented housing; adaptable design)

12% Share of City purpose-built rental stock 15.9% DT purpose-built rental stock $48,773 Median hh income (2006) $31,000 Qualifying hh income to rent $770/month Average gross rent 59% Residential units owned 41% Residential units rented

Downtown Focus = Rental Housing

• Aging stock (all built between 1895 –

1977)

• Is a critical form of affordable

housing

Commercial

Livable City Strategy

Actions to create a strong Downtown:

• Build relationships with senior

governments to locate offices Downtown

• Promote the Downtowns assets such

as the riverfront, regional centrality, character and excellent transit, to

• ffice developers
• Enhance the Downtown’s role as an

arts/culture and visitor draw

From the Livable City Strategy (Economic Development Strategy)

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Downtown Commercial: Office

Forecast Office Growth to 2031

526,500 80,000 420,000

• 200,000

400,000 600,000 800,000 1,000,000 1,200,000

• Sq. Ft. of Office Space

Regional Centre Office Local-Serving Office Existing (Occupied)

Downtown Commercial: Retail

Forecast Retail Growth to 2031

665,000 180,000 27,000

• 200,000

400,000 600,000 800,000 1,000,000

• Sq. Ft. of Retail Space

Columbia Square Retail (underway) Plaza 88 Retail (underway) Existing (Occupied)

Pop'n Related Demand is 208,000

• sq. ft.

Arts & Culture

• Downtown has history as

City’s cultural hub

• Existing arts and culture

events and festivals - Hyack Festival, Santa Claus Parade, Fraserfest, Show n’ Shine

Downtown as Cultural Hub

Challenges

• limited funding for arts and culture programs
• limited facilities in Downtown
• entertainment dollars leaving to neighbouring Cities

(Shadbolt, Red Robinson Theatre)

• Downtown is an attractive location for arts and

cultural facilities and events

• Commercial and residential growth in the

Downtown will help stimulate tourism, arts and culture

• Arts and Culture sector is growing regionally
• City needs to capitalize on this important sector
• More focus needed on tourism infrastructure

Opportunities

Livable City Strategy

Tourism

• New Westminster Tourism Plan emphasizes

that arts and culture is a key sector which should continue to be developed.

• The downtown community plan should:

– Foster the Downtown as a tourism destination. – Facilitate the provision of an entertainment and arts program opportunities that meets a diversity of affordability levels and age groups. – Identify the Downtown as the preferred location for City-serving cultural facilities.

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Good access – two transit stations and direct connection to Downtown Vancouver Availability of space - unique historic atmosphere and underutilized retail space Affordability - lower rents than other cities Asset inventory - Museum and Archives at Irving House Renewed investment - renovations to FRDC and River Market offer synergistic opportunities; revitalization of Hyack Square New civic facility - theatre, arts studios/gallery, and museum and archives space.

Opportunities

Multi Use Civic Facility

Multi Use Civic Facility

• $35 million from DAC

– Priority 2

• What is DAC and is it

used here?

• Started with need for

convention centre in 1999 - $10 million DAC

Multi Use Civic Facility

• Documented need for

new performing arts component in City

• Documented need to

upgrade important city services such as museum and archives function

• Needs of existing and

new Downtown residents

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% None of the above Museum & Archives Fitness facilities Child care facilities Seniors meeting space Performance theatre Outdoor parks space Arts centre % Definitely Should be Included

Multi-Use Civic Facility Uses

Residents Businesses

Multi Use Civic Facility

• Arts Centre and

Performance Theatre

• top priorities

identified in the telephone survey

• Need for community

space and meeting space

• Need for recreational

facilities

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Multi Use Civic Facility

• Commissioned Theatre Study

2008

– recommends City include a 300-400 seat non-proscenium theatre in the Multi Use Civic Facility – outlines floor space requirements for review and consultation with community

• Strategic Niche - relationship

with Massey Theatre and smaller venues such as Bernie Legge Theatre

p p Program Components 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 TOTAL Meeting Space/Theatre 1500 Meeting Rooms 1500 1500 1500 Multipurpose/Fitness 1500 1500 2500 Theatre Lobby/Information 2500 2500 1100 Concession/Catering 1100 1100 10500 Theatre/Lower Seating 10500 10500 4400 Upper Seating/Ledge 4400 4400 Open to Below 4100 8500 1800 Performer's Spaces 600 1200 1800 1300 Box Office & Support 810 490 1300 2400 Technical Core 2400 2400 Arts/Community 10300 Arts Studios 10300 10300 2000 Community Arts Centre Admin 2000 2000 3000 Community Mtng Space 3000 3000 Museum & Archives 1200 Museum Lobby/Orient. 1200 1200 1200 Museum/Archives Offices 1200 1200 3700 Archives 3700 3700 10000 Galleries 10000 10000 11000 Museum Storage/Prod. 1000 10000 11000 10400 Building Support @ 15% 3100 2700 2300 2300 10400 79800 TOTALS 24,010 25,090 25,700 17,600 79,800

Floor Capacity Analysis Multi Use Civic Facility

• City is currently examining

existing Downtown sites – strategic synergies with Downtown Vancouver

• Discussing programming

needs with the community

• Mindful of DAC timeline
• bligations

Port of Nanaimo Centre

Nanaimo Museum Conference Centre Building Exterior Nanaimo Theatre

Multi Use Civic Facility

• Commence Consultation Process with Stakeholders
• Once City site is identified – more detailed consultation

with community and stakeholders

• Need for programming refinement based on design
• bjectives and site development

Public Art

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Role of Public Art

• Creating a Downtown
• f social

inclusiveness

• Public art promotes

social interaction

• Creates important

element of whimsy in

• therwise “serious”

neighbourhood

High Quality Public Realm

• Public art promotes

pedestrianization which in turn promotes shopping and other retail activities

• High quality public

realm promotes tourism and entertainment

Parks and Open Space

Parks & Recreation Comprehensive Plan

Neighbourhoods in deficit in parkland include: Brow of the Hill, parts of Uptown, and Downtown

Existing Park Space Ratio Across City 2.04 ha/1,000 population Recommended Target Park Space Ratio 2.22 ha/1,000 population

Existing Downtown Parks Downtown & Area Parks

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Downtown Park & Open Space Supply

47.1

• 21,400

2031 33.9

• 15,400

2021 20.4 5.74 9,200 2007

Target (ha)* Supply (ha) Population Estimate Year

* Target Ratio of 2.2 ha/ 1,000 population

CHALLENGE: Cannot realistically achieve open space targets solely within

• downtown. Will rely on adjacent neighbourhoods and greenway connections.

Parks & Recreation Plan: Downtown Issues

Public Survey

• Participation

– Downtown and new residents less likely to participate in parks & recreation programs/activities

• Facilities

–Desire for community centre

• Parks & Open Space

–Desire for additional green space

• Challenges

–Geographical levels of service

Parks & Recreation Plan: Increasing Diversity

• City’s demographics are

changing

– More young people and variety of cultures

• P&R needs to be active:

– developing relationships with new residents – ensuring access to programs and facilities – focusing on the needs and interests of youth, single parents, younger seniors, different cultures

• Growth concentration area

– Expectation of a complete neighbourhood

• Changing Demographics

– Different expectations around parks, recreation & cultural services – Necessary to address the interests and needs for all ages, lifestyles and cultures.

Parks & Recreation Plan: Awareness and Promotion

• Certain areas of the community have difficulty

accessing facilities due:

– distance – transportation challenges – topography

• Downtown residents do not have convenient

access to the pool or community centres

• Limitations to the number and location of

recreation facilities and the associated costs

Parks & Recreation Plan: Geographic Equity Parks & Recreation Plan Recommendations

Recreation Services & Facilities

• Strategy to specifically reach younger adults in

Downtown as new spaces developed

• Development Assistance Compensation Project

– Multi Use Civic Facility in Downtown – Consider including arts, heritage (museum), community meeting spaces, health & fitness space

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Parks & Recreation Plan Recommendations

Parks & Open Space

– Acquire waterfront land for City Park

• To serve as significant community destination
• Part of overall riverfront trail network
• Westminster Pier (3.84ha), Muni Evers (1.92ha)

– Acquire additional parkland in the Downtown

• Needed for population growth – neighbourhood focus
• Additional park acquisition in nearby neighbourhoods

– Develop additional outdoor athletic facilities

• Multi-use sport courts
• Strategy to specifically reach younger

adults in Downtown as new spaces developed

• Strategy to specifically reach younger

adults in Downtown as new spaces developed

Downtown & Area Parks

Today Downtown & Area Parks Future

Proposed Queensborough Pedestrian Bridge (DAC) Hume Park Patullo Bridge Central Valley Greenway BC Parkway Bridge

Central Valley Greenway

Parks & Recreation Plan Recommendations

Park Programming Opportunities

• Community gardens
• Horticultural plantings

– Downtown beautification

• Upgrade play opportunities

– Emphasis on areas of lower income and higher % of children

• Art in parks

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Parks & Recreation Plan Recommendations

Neighbourhood Services

• Use of schools for local

programming

• Opportunities at new

elementary school site?

• Public leisure services as a

social utility

• Amenities to support

recreational and social needs under one roof

Principles of Park Sustainability

Park History

New Westminster has a 150 year history of park development:

• Scenic pleasure ground
• Activities and facilities
• Ecological connection and sustainability

Downtown Plan

Sustainability Initiatives to:

• Protect and enhance the

natural environment

• Minimize resource and

energy use

• Foster a culture of

environmental stewardship

• Encourage a sense of

place and provide for personal connections to the environment

Creating an Urban Forest

Sustainable park design and management is a step toward fulfilling the community’s priority of a greener and more natural Downtown.

Sustainable parks

• Flexible design that accommodates a wide variety
• f uses and activities
• Part of a public open space system
• Ecological model (support for natural systems

and biological diversity)

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Sustainable public open space must support a wide variety of community needs:

• Individual and quiet
• Group and social
• Community and celebrations
• Active or passive
• Young, old, fit, challenged
• Different cultures

Sustainable parks

Downtown Plan Strategic Role of Parks and Open Space

Downtown Plan – Strategic Role of Parks and Open Space

• 1. Downtown As City’s Growth

Concentration Area

• 2. Downtown Nuisance Issues and

Perception of Personal Safety

• 3. Need for Waterfront Connectivity

Growth Implications

• Land is Scarce
• Competition for Land

Uses

• Downtown is highly

urbanized and built out

• Need to be innovative and create parkland
• pportunities wherever possible

Green the sidewalks

Create the “urban forest”

Creating Creative Park Spaces

Closure of the Easterly Portion of the 2000 Block of W. 11th Avenue

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Close partial street ends

Housing Growth in Apartment

Downtown Households by Type, 2006

4.5% 9.6% 23.2% 39.9% 4.5% 12.5% 45.5% 24.8% 29.1% 8.5% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% Single, living with others Single parent family Couples with children Couples without children Living alone Downtown New West 10.2% 22.5% 27.1% 14.8% 11.0% 9.8% 26.3% 27.2% 7.8% 14.3% 9.7% 19.1% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 70+ 50-69 35-49 25-34 15-24 0-14 Downtown New West

Downtown Population by Group

Downtown Housing Unit Growth by Type

2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000 2008 2021 2031 Single Family* Townhouse Low-Rise Apts High-Rise Apts *Single Family: In 2008, there were 40

• units. No added

units are forecast.

Downtown Housing Growth

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The “Communal Backyard”

• Housing will not have

traditional backyards

• Greater reliance on

public spaces to address private and individual outdoor needs

• Role of community

gardens

Downtown Nuisance Issues & Perception of Personal Safety

Hyack Square

Program Positive Activity

• Revitalized Hyack

Square

• Complaints about drug

dealing and nuisance behaviour

• CPTED Process with

community and Police

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Hyack Square

• Permanent platform

stage constructed and programmed during summer months

• Electrical/AV/water

supply services required for events,

• utdoor vending,

special lighting,

• Design references

to the historic role and heritage of the site

Program Positive Activity

• Amphitheatre type

seating

• Children’s water

feature

• New landscaping

and street furniture

Hyack Square

Create Opportunities for Positive Neighbourhood Interaction

New Doggy Park

• Complaints about

lawlessness – drug dealing, drug use

• Taking back the

neighbourhood with community focal point

The Need for Waterfront Connectivity

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NFPR and Front Street

Challenges

• Challenge moving north to

south – top of the hill to the water

• Parts of the waterfront are

underutilized and unwelcoming experiences

• Regional truck traffic

affecting the livability of the Downtown

• Rail lines severing linkages
• Large volumes of through

traffic – how to mitigate?

Parkade and the waterfront

• Partial deconstruction?
• Examine option to remove
• lder section from Begbie St.

to 6th St. – 400 spaces would remain (38% utilization)

• Improved streetscape on Front

Street between Begbie and 6th

• St. by allowing more sunlight

and open space

• Assuming Larco buildout by

2031, open views of the waterfront for next 20 years

North Fraser Perimeter Road

TransLink Study

• Queensborough Bridge to Pitt River

Bridge

• Define the role and function of NFPR

within the region

– Regional perspective – City perspective

City Study

• Front Street portion of NFPR
• Technical/Financial Review of Mitigation

Options

• Needs direction from the Downtown Plan

in order to determine role of NFPR

City’s Position if NFPR Proceeds

The City will only consider support for the NFPR if:

• 1. It is demonstrated that the corridor supports the

City’s economic, social and environmental goals;

• 2. The NFPR does not compromise the livability
• f the Downtown;
• 3. The corridor will only utilize the existing 2 lanes
• f Front Street; and
• 4. The NFPR is designed in a manner that

seamlessly connects the Downtown with the waterfront.

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How to Achieve Seamless Waterfront Connections?

1940’s

Seamless Connections

• 1. Plinth and Encapsulation over truck route

and rail lines

• 2. Strategic Intersections – promote

north/south linkages

• 3. Create new real estate and new park land
• 4. Knitting Downtown and Waterfront with

Park and Open spaces

• 1. Plinth and Encapsulation over

Truck Route and Rail Lines

A Plinth

• One level plinth construction 6th St to Elliot

St.

• Back of Columbia St, over Front and rail to

waterfront

• Requires assistance from Senior Gov’t

grants

• Create new real estate and park land over

plinth

Plinth – Elliot St. to 6th St

• Back of Columbia St over trucks and rail to

Westminster Pier

Encapsulate – 8th to 6th Street

• Over Front St encapsulating trucks and rail lines

connecting to Larco development

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Rail Corridor

• Long term strategy
• Work with rail companies

to determine interest to relocate 1 or more lines

• utside Downtown
• City would reclaim land

and consider connectivity

• pportunities
• 2. Strategic Intersections –

Promote North/South Linkages

Strategic Intersections to Promote North/South Linkages

• Expanded Pedestrian

Overpasses at:

– 3rd Avenue – McInnes Street – Hyack Square

• Overpasses to create

park experience

Strategic Intersections to Promote North/South Linkages

• Grand Stairs and Generous Walkways over Plinth:

4th Street and Elliot Street

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Grand Staircase and Walkways Columbia at 6th St.

• Open early with at grade crossing
• With funding assistance, construct elevated

crossing over Front St. and rail as part of NFPR

• 3. Create new real estate and

new park land

Create New Real Estate over Plinth and Encapsulation Create New Park Land over Plinth and Encapsulation

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• 4. Knitting the Downtown and

Waterfront with Parks and Open Space

McInnes Street Sixth Street Fourth Street

Larco Development Consolidation of Rail Lines – Create New Real Estate Westminster Pier Park Encapsulation

Hyack Square

Waterfront Connections

Trail to Albert Crescent Park Trail to Muni Evers Park Elliot Street Third Ave Overpass

Pedestrian Overpass Stairs

3 Downtown Parks Muni Evers Park

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Muni Evers Park

• MOU for 3 uses:

–CSO facility –Sustainable housing with some non-market units –Park

• No time table for the

housing development

Background

9.5 acre site owned by the City and GVSDD

Context

• Retain natural setting, especially at River’s edge
• Create peaceful, tranquil park
• Create access to the River
• Passive uses: benches, picnic areas and trails
• Connect to Esplanade

Muni Evers Park

Public Feedback

Albert Crescent Park

• 4.5 acres, established in 1876
• Originally larger but dissected by road construction
• Not historically a highly developed park

Albert Crescent Park

1912

Background

• Neighbourhood oriented
• Community garden
• Tot lot
• Children’s water feature
• Use topography as an

advantage

• Use terraces to create flat

areas

• Maximize views
• Use park as a gateway

marker to Downtown

Albert Crescent Park

Public Feedback

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Albert Crescent Park

Westminster Pier Park

Waterfront Park at Westminster Pier

• Acquisition of Westminster Pier site for a new

waterfront park and marina

• Addresses park deficiencies in the Downtown
• Addresses vision of public access to the water

Existing Conditions

• Old pier structure
• Limited land area to build heavy structures
• Environmental remediation necessary
• Fraser River becomes very deep, very quickly
• Proximity to rail and Front St.

Site Constraints Westminster Pier Park Principles

1. Create a unique Fraser River experience that speaks to City’s heritage 2. Ensure strong pedestrian and bicycle connections to Columbia Street, Downtown, the Esplanade, Sapperton Landing and beyond 3. Create opportunities for visual connections to Columbia Street, along the waterfront and across the river 4. Create opportunities to experience the tidal activity and touch the water

• 5. Celebrate the end of Sixth Street
• 6. Reduce the visual and auditory impact of the rail

lines and Front Street

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• 7. Create a variety of river edge experiences
• Possible experiences: Riparian edge, stepped man made

edge, historic pier edge, tree-cover edge and overlook edge

• Possible activities: community gathering space, views to

the water, waterfront restaurant or café, boat moorage

• 8. Create a variety of spaces and activities for all ages and

abilities

• 9. Use plant material to reinforce habitat values, create

shade, form spaces and reinforce the image of a ‘garden city’ 10.Use materials that are durable and respond to the waterfront’s heritage

Westminster Pier Park Principles Park Sketches Esplanade? Water Activities?

Commercial Uses & People Watching?

Boardwalk Lookout

• “Incorporate Opportunities

for Cafes”

• “Places to watch river front

activities”

• “Places to sit and watch the

passing parade of people”

Riverfront Café and Restaurants Café / Restaurant Seating Seating on Waterfront Tidal Staircase

Dipping your toes in the water …

• “Interaction with Water”
• “A means to experience the water

interactively”

Waterfront Tidal Staircase Riverfront Walkway Beach Area

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Inter-generational spaces?

Water splash park

• “Open spaces to be inter-

generational

• “Children’s water play”
• Create amenities for sports for youth

such as beach volleyball, soccer, basketball and skateboarding.

Field Hard surface court Beach play area

Active Spaces?

Beach area for soccer or volleyball

• Incorporate both active and passive uses
• Create amenities for sports fields and

courts as well as spaces for beach soccer and volleyball.

• Encourage cultural and destination

activities

• “Venues for movies under the stars, or
• ther visual spectacles”

Hard surface courts for basketball or tennis Sports field Amphitheatre

Next Steps

• Consultation process to develop park

plans based on Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Plan

• Financing park development through new

park DCC

Density Bonus Program

Density Bonus – Downtown

Council Endorsed Guiding Principles (June 23, 2008)

• 1. Location and amount of bonus density conform to OCP
• 2. The system should allow development under existing zoning
• 3. DB amenities should benefit growth areas
• 4. The system should be as clear and simple as possible
• 5. Excludes Columbia Street

High Rise Low Rise

Heights as Density Control

• Relationship between height, zoning and

built form

• New Westminster has used height as one of

the density controls

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Actual Downtown Heights Principles for Height Limits

• A community value
• Should factor view corridors and sunlight

penetration

• Height must not compromise pedestrian or

historic nature of the Downtown

• Height thresholds should consider existing

tower heights

5 Land Use Precincts

Precincts

• Downtown is highly urbanized - need fine

grain approach to growth

• Creation of precincts with unique

development characteristics

• 1. Institutional and Tower precinct
• 2. Transit precinct
• 3. Historic and Columbia Street precinct
• 4. Neighbourhood precinct
• 5. Waterfront precinct

Land Use Precincts

Neighbourhood Precinct Waterfront Precinct Transit Precinct Historic Precinct Tower Precinct

Institution and Tower Precinct

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Institution and Tower Precinct

• Area bounded by 10th St, Royal, eastward of 6th St

and Clarkson St

• Has well established residential, business and

institutional sectors

Institution and Tower Precinct

• 1. Promoting expansion opportunities for institutional

sector

• 2. Encourage office development and promote

commercial intensification on underutilized sites

• 3. Maintain view corridors and sunlight penetration

amongst high density buildings

• 4. Factor distance between buildings to ensure

livability

• 5. Design key corridors such as 8th, 6th, Agnes and

Carnarvon Streets as high quality public realms to promote pedestrian use

Design Principles Height – up to 20 storeys (200 ft)?

Design Principles

• Building design – roof tops, pedestrian

streetscapes

Transit Precinct

SkyTrain SkyTrain

Transit Precinct

Two areas - at 8th Street and 4th Street Skytrain Station

Transit Oriented Developments (TOD) are an approach to facilitate more complete, sustainable communities.

• 5 min. walk and easy access to

SkyTrain

• provide a mix of land uses
• de-emphasize the automobile, be

place oriented and pedestrian and bicycle friendly, emphasizing memorable streets, squares and plazas

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Transit Precinct

• 1. Build on existing infrastructure

investments

• 2. strategic relaxation for taller buildings to

attract office investment

• 3. Sustainability model for growth – Town

Centre designation

• 4. Maximizing live/work concept
• 5. Promote transit use

Design Principles

Height - up to 30 storeys with density bonus for

commercial development?

Design Principles

• CPTED for Skytrain stations
• Promote positive space and users

Neighbourhood Precinct

Neighbourhood Precinct

• Area bounded by Royal Ave, McBride Blvd,

Clarkson St and westward of 4th St

• Most of the Downtown’s affordable housing and

rental stock is in this precinct

• Has an organic mix of low, medium and high

density

Neighbourhood Precinct

• 1. Retention of affordable rental housing stock

– recommendations from AHS

• 2. Promoting housing choices and services for

families

• 3. Program park space at Albert Crescent
• 4. Consider the relationship with St. Mary’s site
• 5. Celebrate Irving House and historic churches
• 6. Design key pedestrian corridors such as

Agnes, Carnarvon and 4th Streets

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Design Principles

Height:

• Low to medium density sites
• up to 6 storeys?
• High density sites – up to 12

storeys for large sites?

Design Principles

• Green pedestrian corridors
• Ground oriented housing

Historic and Columbia Street Precinct

Historic and Columbia Street Precinct

• Area bounded by

Clarkson St, Front St, McInnis St, 4th St

• Within this precinct,

special designation for Columbia Street as a celebrated people-oriented street

Heritage Value

• The heritage buildings on Columbia Street and

all throughout the Downtown are important heritage assets.

• 82% of residents and 73% of businesses want

to retain the heritage buildings.

• 58% of residents and 69% of businesses

would accept taller buildings downtown in

• rder to offset the cost of retaining the heritage

buildings.

Historic and Columbia Street Precinct

Key Issues:

• 1. Identify and protect important heritage

assets

• 2. Celebrate the heritage architecture and

history by promoting tourism, retail and entertainment in high quality public realm

• 3. Promote pedestrian use on key streets

such as Columbia, Carnarvon, Lorne and Begbie Streets

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Historic and Columbia Street Precinct

• 4. Provide clear guidelines for development

sites (non register properties) that must be sympathetic to heritage properties, historic streetscapes and view corridors

• 5. Provide guidelines for façade retention
• 6. Clarify relationship between density

transfer program and density bonus program

Downtown Heritage Register Properties Sympathetic Development in Historic District

• In order to retain architectural integrity, rules must be in place for

height, streetscape and building material

• Strong relationship between streetscape, heritage street wall and

placement of towers

• Building heights will be determined based on proximity and

relationship to heritage properties –can not overwhelm heritage assets

612-618 Columbia St. 607-609 Columbia St.

Design Principles

Height - Columbia Street - small sites (dependent on lot size) non heritage properties between 8th and 4th Streets:

• 3 to 7 storeys? depending on neighbouring properties

Design Principles

Height:

• large sites, non heritage

properties:

• 8 - 12 storeys? depending on

adjacency of heritage asset

Density Transfer Program

• Donor sites on Columbia Street
• Recipient sites within eligibility area + 1.0 FSR

Total # of properties Downtown = 365 Total # of properties included in the Heritage Density Transfer System = 131

• Donors = 21 properties
• Recipients = 110 properties

E ST E ST E ST E ST E ST ELLIOT ST ELLIOT ST ELLIOT ST ELLIOT ST ELLIOT ST DICKENSON ST DICKENSON ST DICKENSON ST DICKENSON ST DICKENSON ST AGNES ST AGNES ST AGNES ST AGNES ST AGNES ST AGNES ST AGNES ST AGNES ST AGNES ST AGNES ST CUNNINGHAM ST CUNNINGHAM ST CUNNINGHAM ST CUNNINGHAM ST CUNNINGHAM ST AGNES ST AGNES ST AGNES ST AGNES ST AGNES ST FOURTH ST FOURTH ST FOURTH ST FOURTH ST FOURTH ST FOURTH ST FOURTH ST FOURTH ST FOURTH ST FOURTH ST MERIVALE ST MERIVALE ST MERIVALE ST MERIVALE ST MERIVALE ST BLACKWOOD ST BLACKWOOD ST BLACKWOOD ST BLACKWOOD ST BLACKWOOD ST C H U R C H S T C H U R C H S T C H U R C H S T C H U R C H S T C H U R C H S T CARNARVON ST CARNARVON ST CARNARVON ST CARNARVON ST CARNARVON ST AGNES ST AGNES ST AGNES ST AGNES ST AGNES ST CUNNINGHAM ST CUNNINGHAM ST CUNNINGHAM ST CUNNINGHAM ST CUNNINGHAM ST AGNES ST AGNES ST AGNES ST AGNES ST AGNES ST ROYAL AVE ROYAL AVE ROYAL AVE ROYAL AVE ROYAL AVE ROYAL AVE ROYAL AVE ROYAL AVE ROYAL AVE ROYAL AVE F O F O F O F O F O FRONT ST FRONT ST FRONT ST FRONT ST FRONT ST FRONT ST FRONT ST FRONT ST FRONT ST FRONT ST FRONT ST FRONT ST FRONT ST FRONT ST FRONT ST FRONT ST FRONT ST FRONT ST FRONT ST FRONT ST C O L U M B I A S T C O L U M B I A S T C O L U M B I A S T C O L U M B I A S T C O L U M B I A S T R K DE K CRT K DE K CRT K DE K CRT K DE K CRT K DE K CRT ROYAL AV ROYAL AV ROYAL AVE ROYAL AV ROYAL AV ROYAL AVE ROYAL AVE ROYAL AVE ROYAL AVE ROYAL AVE ROYAL AVE ROYAL AVE ROYAL AVE ROYAL AVE TEN TEN TEN TE TEN ROYAL AVE ROYAL AVE ROYAL AVE ROYAL AVE ROYAL AVE A G N E S S T A G N E S S T A G N E S S T A G N E S S T A G N E S S T R E L I A N C E C R T R E L I A N C E C R T R E L I A N C E C R T R E L I A N C E C R T R E L I A N C E C R T E N T R A N C E T O P A R K I N G L O T E N T R A N C E T O P A R K I N G L O T E N T R A N C E T O P A R K I N G L O T E N T R A N C E T O P A R K I N G L O T E N T R A N C E T O P A R K I N G L O T C A R N A R V O N S T C A R N A R V O N S T C A R N A R V O N S T C A R N A R V O N S T C A R N A R V O N S T E I G H T H S T E I G H T H S T E I G H T H S T E I G H T H S T E I G H T H S T COLUMBIA ST COLUMBIA ST COLUMBIA ST COLUMBIA ST COLUMBIA ST C L A R K S O N S T C L A R K S O N S T C L A R K S O N S T C L A R K S O N S T C L A R K S O N S T CARNARVON ST CARNARVON ST CARNARVON ST CARNARVON ST CARNARVON ST SEVENTH SEVENTH SEVENTH SEVENTH SEVENTH S I X T H S T S I X T H S T S I X T H S T S I X T H S T S I X T H S T S I X T H S T S I X T H S T S I X T H S T S I X T H S T S I X T H S T COLUMBIA ST COLUMBIA ST COLUMBIA ST COLUMBIA ST COLUMBIA ST ROYAL AVE ROYAL AVE ROYAL AVE ROYAL AVE ROYAL AVE PATTULLO ON-RAMP PATTULLO ON-RAMP PATTULLO ON-RAMP PATTULLO ON-RAMP PATTULLO ON-RAMP FRONT ST FRONT ST FRONT ST FRONT ST FRONT ST BUSHBY ST BUSHBY ST BUSHBY ST BUSHBY ST BUSHBY ST V I C T O R I A S T V I C T O R I A S T V I C T O R I A S T V I C T O R I A S T V I C T O R I A S T E B L V E B L V D E B L V D E B L V D E B L V D COLUMBIA ST COLUMBIA ST COLUMBIA ST COLUMBIA ST COLUMBIA ST COLUMBIA ST COLUMBIA ST COLUMBIA ST COLUMBIA ST COLUMBIA ST R O Y A L A V E R O Y A L A V E R O Y A L A V E R O Y A L A V E R O Y A L A V E LORNE ST LORNE ST LORNE ST LORNE ST LORNE ST QUAYSIDE DR QUAYSIDE DR QUAYSIDE DR QUAYSIDE DR QUAYSIDE DR Q U A Y S I D E D R Q U A Y S I D E D R Q U A Y S I D E D R Q U A Y S I D E D R Q U A Y S I D E D R Q U A Y S I D E D R Q U A Y S I D E D R Q U A Y S I D E D R Q U A Y S I D E D R Q U A Y S I D E D R A G N E S S T A G N E S S T A G N E S S T A G N E S S T A G N E S S T A L I C E S T A L I C E S T A L I C E S T A L I C E S T A L I C E S T SIXTH ST SIXTH ST SIXTH ST SIXTH ST SIXTH ST FOURTH ST FOURTH ST FOURTH ST FOURTH ST FOURTH ST ROYAL AVE ROYAL AVE ROYAL AVE ROYAL AVE ROYAL AVE C O L U M B I A S T C O L U M B I A S T C O L U M B I A S T C O L U M B I A S T C O L U M B I A S T M O O D Y S T M O O D Y S T M O O D Y S T M O O D Y S T M O O D Y S T BEGBIE ST BEGBIE ST BEGBIE ST BEGBIE ST BEGBIE ST V I C T O R I A S T V I C T O R I A S T V I C T O R I A S T V I C T O R I A S T V I C T O R I A S T MCINNES ST MCINNES ST MCINNES ST MCINNES ST MCINNES ST V I C T O R I A S T V I C T O R I A S T V I C T O R I A S T V I C T O R I A S T V I C T O R I A S T LEOPOLD PL LEOPOLD PL LEOPOLD PL LEOPOLD PL LEOPOLD PL

Donors Recipients

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Density Transfer System

Donor Site Recipient Site

Density Transfer Program

Need to factor in 1 extra FSR Large sites, non heritage properties acting as density transfer recipients: 12 - 17 storeys? (adjacency issue)

Façade Retention

• partial demolition limited to parts of the

building that are beyond physical repair;

• removal of parts of a building may be

justified in order to achieve the conservation of the most significant parts

• f the building;
• new construction behind the façade

should not be visible when viewed from principal viewing points;

• at least one-room depth of the original

structure should be retained in order to permit an understanding of the exterior to the interior functions. Sometimes this is not practical to conserve the building. Considerations:

• Columbia Street

“Special People- Oriented Designation”

• City celebrates this

historic area with a high quality public realm - colourful, lively banners, public art, colourful street furniture

Columbia Street Fun Public Art and Streetscapes! Active Street Life

• Consider zoning to
• nly allow retail and

restaurant use on street level – to encourage active, lively street life

• Amendments

against large liquor primary establishments

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Waterfront Precinct

Waterfront Precinct

Area bounded by the Fraser River from Elliot St to 3rd Street Overpass

Waterfront Precinct

Key Issues: 1. Planning and integrating new waterfront park 2. Promote natural habitat areas in the Downtown 3. Working with tourism and entertainment focus of the Market 4. Connectivity between Columbia, Front and waterfront 5. Implement comprehensive pedestrian and bike corridor along the waterfront 6. Placement of towers to preserve view corridors of the water

Design Principles

Height: up to 22 storeys?

• Larco: existing up to 35 storeys

It’s all about the Fraser River!

Phase 1: Background Analysis Phase 2: Issues and Opportunities Phase 3: Ideas into Directions Phase 4: Draft Plan Preparation (we are here) Phase 5: Sustainability Action Plan Phase 6: Final Plan and OCP Implementation

Downtown Community Plan Process

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Contact Us

Website: www.newwestcity.ca Email: downtown@newwestcity.ca