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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPSD-051-17Planning Services Report If this information is required in an alternate accessible format, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131. Report To: Planning and Development Committee Date of Meeting: June 26, 2017 Report Number: PSD-051-17 Resolution: PD-141-17 File Number: PLN 37.0.1 By-law Number: Report Subject: King Street Streetscape Project in Bowmanville Recommendations: 1.Report PSD-051-17 be received; 2.That Council approve $100,000 funding as an upset limit from the Community Improvement Plan Reserve Fund for the implementation of the King Street streetscape project; and 3.That the Bowmanville BIA be notified of Council’s decision. Municipality of Clarington Report PSD-051-17 Page 2 Report Overview Council instructed staff to implement a public domain streetscape project on King Street in Bowmanville to help animate the street, provide a more desirable seating area and improve the integration of this space with the streetscape. This report outlines the existing conditions and requests approval of funding from the Community Improvement Plan Reserve Fund to implement the streetscape works. 1. Background 1.1. On April 10, 2017, Council requested Planning staff work with restauranteurs in the downtown of Bowmanville and Newcastle to use on-street parking spaces as a patio for patrons to eat and drink outdoors. In Report PSD-033-17 staff advised that it was unlikely any restaurants would be able to implement for the 2017 summer season. In addition, staff recommended that public spaces along King Street could be better utilized to provide outdoor gathering areas. 1.2. Council approved the development of a public domain streetscape project in the under- utilized public space next to 44 King Street East, a Municipal parking lot. The King East parking lot has been the topic of previous proposals from the BIA and Municipality. This area could play a more vital role as an outdoor gathering spot adjacent to the bus stop. The existing woodchip beds could be hard surfaced to provide seating areas, with planters enclosing the space. Similarly, more elaborate concepts could be considered to provide tables or shade structures. This area would benefit a number of take-out restaurants in the area including Norm’s, Pita Pit and Bowmanville Thai. It would also make better use of the area by providing a hard surface area with features that screen off the parking lot. 2. Progress to Date on Streetscape Project 2.1 Staff has now been able to study the existing conditions and determine the best way to proceed with this project. The existing trees are hedge maples which have reached their maximum growth and are in decline. Changing the surface area of the root zone will cause further decline of the trees. As such it has been recommended by the professionals involved that the trees be removed, soil cells installed and new trees planted to ensure that the trees will survive and thrive in the adverse site conditions. 2.2 In looking at options, there is also the desire to include a shelter for transit users and create a distinct separation of the parking area from the gathering space and to address the additional space beside the Olympia Restaurant that wasn’t previously considered. The same treatment as shown in Figure 1 would be implemented on the west side of the parking entranceway. Municipality of Clarington Report PSD-051-17 Page 3 2.3 To address the additional costs to achieve the program and design as now envisioned, Staff are requesting funds up to $100,000 be approved from the Community Improvement Plan Reserve Fund. Figure 1 - King East Bus Stop The Community Improvement Plan Reserve Fund was created when the first Community Improvement Plan was approved. The original thought was that Fund would be used for features on projects in downtown areas that get cut from the contract award when costs for the basics are higher than anticipated. The Fund has been used for enhancement of public projects. Previous examples are the stamping of the fish pattern into the sidewalk of the King Street bridge, the brick columns and railing surrounding the Silver and Church Street parking lot and the railing project in Orono. 3. Progress to Date on Parklets Subsequent to the resolution by Council to allow restaurants outdoor patios on either the sidewalk or in a parking space, staff have been in contact with the downtown restaurants. At this point we are working with three restaurants (2 in Bowmanville, 1 in Newcastle) that wish to pursue implementing an outdoor on-street patio in 2018. Implementation is dependent upon the restaurants ability to expand their liquor licence, cost and design. Staff continue to meet with each of the restauranteurs to work through the process. As part of the review and renewal of the Community Improvement Plans a new grant and the guidelines for outdoor patios will be addressed. The input from other departments such as Operations, Engineering, By-law and the Accessibility Co-ordinator is being taken into considered in the formulation of the guidelines. Municipality of Clarington Report PSD-051-17 Page 4 4. Concurrence This report has been prepared in consultation with the Director of Engineering Services and Director of Finance who concur. 5. Strategic Plan Not applicable. 6. Conclusions The Community Improvement Plan review and renewal has been delayed to free up time for staff to work on the guidelines and approval process for sidewalk (outdoor) patios, and the streetscape project. To implement the King Street streescape project, additional funding will be required given the existing condition of the trees, request for a canopy structure and the expansion of the project to address the west side of the parking lot entrance. It is recommended that funding be approved from the Community Improvement Plan Reserve Fund for up to $100,000. A better idea of the actual costs will be known once a detailed design has been drawn-up. Submitted by: Reviewed by: David Crome, MCIP, RPP, Curry Clifford, MPA, CMO Director of Planning Services Interim CAO Staff Contact: Faye Langmaid, Manager, Special Projects, 905-623-3379 x2407 or flangmaid@clarington.net FL/tg I:\^Department\LDO NEW FILING SYSTEM\PLN Planning Files\PLN 37 Community Improvement Plan\PLN 37.0 CIP General\PLN 37.0.1 Cafe's Parklet & Streateries\Staff Report\PSD- 051-17_King St. Parklet.docx