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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPSD-020-14 ICE n Leading the Way REPORT PLANNING SERVICES DEPARTMENT Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINSTRATION COMMITTEE Date: March 31, 2014 Resolution#: 61019- 19 -1Y By-law#: N/A Report#: PSD-020-14 File #: PLN 37.4 Subject: COURTICE COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT -- BANNERS RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report PSD-020-14 be received for information. E Submitted by: Reviewed by: ,. q' . J. Crome, MCIP, RPP Franklin Wu, Director of Planning Services Chief Administrative Officer DJC*FL*sn 10 Mar 2014 CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L1C 3A6 T (905)623-3379 F (905)623-0830 REPORT NO.: PSD-020-14 PAGE 2 1. PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND 1.1 At the January 13th, 2014 Council meeting the following Resolution was approved: "THAT Staff be directed to prepare a report on the cost of removal and replacement of street banners in Courtice under the Courtice Community Improvement Plan funding, including opportunities to pursue funding partnerships." 1.2 Courtice Main Street has been receiving funding under the Community Improvement budget for works that enhance the streetscape and public realm since 2009 (see Attachment 1). 1.3 The Courtice Main Street Study was adopted by Council and the Secondary Plan resulting from it has been approved by Council and the Region of Durham. The Courtice Main Street Study includes Urban Design Guidelines that set out the objectives and principles that are to be adhered to for future development. The Urban Design Plan included examples of how the banners are to be integrated with the street furniture and pedestrian environment. 2. COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT 2.1 The Courtice Corridor was identified as a Community Improvement Project Area through Amendment 77. Unlike Orono, Newcastle and Bowmanville, a Community Improvement Plan (CIP) has not been prepared for this area. The streetscape improvements which may be part of a CIP have conceptually been addressed in the Urban Design Guidelines appended to the Secondary Plan, although an actual Streetscape Plan has yet to be prepared. 2.2 Highway 2 is a Regional Corridor from Townline Road in the west to Hancock Road (future Hwy 407) in the east. The streetscape plans will be coordinated to complement the works of the infrastructure and roadwork construction by the Region. Durham Region's Arterial Corridor Guidelines (ACGs) and Durham Transit's future projections for implementing transit along Highway 2 will be considerations when determining the design of streetscape elements. 2.3 Implementation of the streetscape improvements in the public realm will be dependent on Regional and local capital budget allocations. Regional works will include the installation of a centre median to manage property access; this can only proceed when the inter-parcel laneways on private commercial properties has been achieved. Ultimately, it is being planned to include a separated transit lane for higher order transit. In the meantime, improvements to private property will be on a property by property basis as redevelopment occurs; the design elements will be reviewed to ensure consistency as part of the site plan review process. REPORT NO.: PSD-020-14 PAGE 3 3. STREETSCAPE PLAN 3.1 A streetscape development would be part of a comprehensive capital program that would implement traffic improvements (e.g. centre median) and other pedestrian enhancements along the length of the Highway 2 corridor, most likely in phases. The Urban Design Guidelines do not detail the utilities and streetscape furniture type, however; they provide direction as to the overall objectives and principles to be achieved. It was generally acknowledged that new light standards would be equipped to accommodate banners. 3.2 The implementation of a substantive and comprehensive banner program should be part of an overall streetscape capital development to enhance the character of the Courtice community. Ongoing banner renewal would be part of an implementation program that would have to be addressed at the time of the capital development. Banners have a limited lifespan; their exact length of time depends on climatic conditions and the quality of the banners. 3.3 In the meantime the banner hardware on the existing light standards can be updated and maintained. The updating of hardware and reinstallation of banners should be considered an interim and ad-hoc measure. The lack of continuity of the light pole design, spacing, and height of the banners will not achieve the rhythm and impact of a well-planned and implemented streetscape. 4. COST ESTIMATE FOR INTERIM BANNER REPLACEMENT 4.1 The banner hardware and banners were installed through the efforts of the Rotary Club of Courtice. It is believed that part of the impetus was to promote the service club. 4.2 The banner hardware was reused from the Backyard Festival and is no longer serviceable. To update the existing banner hardware (8 poles) and replace the banners (16) at the existing locations and an additional two banners at Townline, including banner design is an estimated cost of less than $5,000. This would include additional banners ordered at the time of purchase to allow for replacements. 5. FUNDING PARTNERSHIPS 5.1 This is a limited interim project that can be covered by the 2014 CIP budget for Courtice. 5.2 We have been advised that the Courtice Business Association is no longer active. 5.3 With regard to partnering with service clubs such as the Courtice Rotary Club and Lions Clubs, their organizational purposes are for humanitarian service, often around the world. Streetscape enhancement does not align with these purposes unless there was some "advertising" value to the Club. As such, staff have not approached these groups. REPORT NO.: PSD-020-14 PAGE 4 5.4 Staff have been approached by shopping mall owners in the Bowmanville West Town Centre but their interest was to use the banner poles for store advertising. We could approach land owners in Courtice but it is likely that their interests would be similar. 5.5 Having the commitment of a local group to partner on an ongoing banner program would be beneficial. A partnership could be developed around the design competitions for the banners and help to promote the character and feel of the area and the groups involved. Unfortunately there is no readily organized group and pursuing partnerships at this time would divert staff resources from other work. 6. CONCURRENCE (N/A) 7. CONCLUSION 7.1 Staff are planning on using the 2014 funding for the Courtice CIP to replace the existing banner hardware and banners. Any remaining funds would be used for additional street trees to be installed along Highway 2 in locations that will not impede future redevelopment of the streetscape. CONFORMITY WITH STRATEGIC PLAN The recommendations contained in this report conform to the general intent of the following priorities of the Strategic Plan: Promoting economic development Maintaining financial stability Connecting Clarington Promoting green initiatives Investing in infrastructure X Showcasing our community Not in conformity with Strategic Plan Staff Contact: Faye Langmaid Attachments: Attachment 1 — Courtice CIP Works ATTACHMENT 1 TO REPORT NO.: PSD-020-14 COURTICE CIP WORKS 2009 Street Trees A street tree planting program began in 2009 utilizing community improvement funding. A total of 26 street trees were planted at four locations along the Courtice Highway 2 corridor between Townline and Courtice Road under the supervision of the Manager of Parks Development. It is anticipated that future funding will augment the street tree planting program on the municipal road allowance, thereby continuing to implement the recommendations of the Courtice Main Street Master Development Plan, 2010 Tooley Memorial The Municipality acquired the house and property at 71 Old Kingston Road in 2009 with the intention of providing a trailhead and small parkette along the Farewell Creek Valley. This initiative was to start to fulfill the actions identified in the Municipality's Corporate Strategic Business Plan 2007-2010 to create a focal point and develop a trail system along the Farewell Creek, also known to some as Barber's Creek. Funds were allocated for the construction of the cairn in the 2010 budget and the project was completed in November. The Clarington Museum and Archives prepared the wording for the plaque, in consultation with the Clarington Heritage Committee and Staff. 2011/2012 Parkette Trulls Road and Highway 2 Capital Funding was allocated in the 2011 budget for development of a parkette at this intersection. The project was designed, tendered and awarded in 2011 with construction to commence in the spring of 2012. The construction cost of the pergola feature and other amenities will exhaust the capital funds allocated for this project. The CIP funds were used to augment the capital budget, the funding provided light standards and fixtures adjacent to the pergola. Lighting will assist in deterring vandalism and making the pergola more usable and visible. Summation To date a total of$45,000 has been allocated for Highway 2 improvements; $26,000 has been expended and $19,000 is available for additional improvements which is anticipated to be used for additional street tree planting and banners.