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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPSIC - 2013-03-18 - Central Transit Corridor Community Building Strategy Report: P-13-007 REGION OF WATERLOO PLANNING, HOUSING AND COMMUNITY SERVICES Community Planning TO: ChairWideman and Members of thePlanning and Works Committee DATE: FILE CODE: January 29, 2013D-10-20 SUBJECT: CENTRAL TRANSIT CORRIDOR COMMUNITY BUILDING STRATEGY (CBS) - RELEASE OF FIRST DRAFT RECOMMENDATION: For Information. SUMMARY: The rapid transit initiative has the dual goals of moving people and shaping the community. The draft Community Building Strategy (being tabled with this report) is a flexible framework, and focuses on shaping the community around station areas and throughout the broader Central Transit Corridor. The Community Building Strategy (CBS) is being led by the Region of Waterloo and the Cities of Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo. Regional Council retained Urban Strategies (with sub consultants Nelson Nygaard and Colliers) in February 2012 to complete this work. The Community Building Strategy has been underway for approximately one year, and has included a broad range of public and community consultation, including (to date) thirteen workshops, twelve open houses, five speaker events and regular opportunities (April December 2012) to drop into the project storefront on King Street in Kitchener to speak one-on-one with staff. The Strategy and related initiatives have been developed by the Project Team, which includes representatives from the Cities of Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo, and Regional staff (including the Rapid Transit Office). The draft Community Building Strategy is a lengthy, detailed document that addresses many aspects of shaping the community. The draft CBS also reflects substantial public input, from which this initiative benefitted greatly. The Strategy has been developed as a flexible framework respecting the jurisdictional responsibilities of the Region and the Area Municipalities. Considerable focus has been placed on the implementation of the CBS respecting adjacent stable neighbourhoods, informing investment opportunitiethe community. The CBS explicitly acknowledges that many initiatives are yet to be considered for inclusion in municipal budgets, while other initiatives are expected to be realized through such processes as development applications. Public-private partnerships may also be appropriate in some instances. The draft strategy is planned to be presented to the public for input at a series of public consultation sessions: Wednesday, February 20, 2013 Knox Presbyterian Church, Uptown Waterloo (4:00 P.M. 7:00 P.M.) Thursday, February 21, 2013 The Tannery Event Centre, Downtown Kitchener (4:00 P.M. 7:00 P.M.) Monday, February 25, 2013 Cambridge City Hall Atrium, Downtown Cambridge (4:00 P.M.7:00 P.M.) 1325636Page 1 of 7 2 - 1 January 29, 2013Report: P-13-007 Anumber of subsequent next steps are also described in this report. This will include immediate additional work on priority-setting anddevelopment of potential incentives (e.g. regulatory, financial) with the three cities, given the large number and broad range of initiatives contained in the CBS. The Project Team will also have the benefit of receiving input on priorities from the February open houses to help inform its decision-making process. All individuals on the mailing list will conti. REPORT: Overview The rapid transit initiative has the dual goals of moving people and shaping the community. The Community Building Strategy (CBS) is a flexible framework, andfocuses on shaping the community around station areas and throughout the broader Central Transit Corridor. The CBS is being led by the Region of Waterloo and the Cities of Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo. Regional Council retained Urban Strategies (with sub consultants Nelson Nygaard and Colliers) in February 2012 to complete this work. The CBS has been underway for approximately one year, and has included a broad range of public and community consultation including to date thirteen workshops, twelve open houses, five speaker events and regular opportunities (April December 2012) to drop into the project storefront on King Street in Kitchener to speak one on one with staff. The Strategy and related initiatives have been developed by the Project Team, which includes representatives from the Cities of Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo, and Regional staff (including the Rapid Transit office). This report introduces the draft CBS to Council and the community. Public Consultation and Engagement The CBS has involved a year long, highly collaborative planning process in all three cities, involving hundreds of stakeholders and community members. Efforts to host a robust community dialogue built ast consultation efforts included a project launch, stakeholder interviews, three storefront. experts with experience planning rapid transit in other communities presented their perspectives to encourage a broader based community dialogue. Speakers at these sessions included Steve Cassidy, Director MRC McLean Hazel Ltd, G.B. Arrington, Principal Practice Leader for Parsons Brinckerhoff, Sue Zielinski, Managing Director of SMART at the University of Michigan, and Karina Ricks, Principal with Nelson\Nygaard.All have international experience, and gave the public the opportunity to directly ask questions about their work in other communities. Through these events and activities, the community came together to develop a more focused vision for the Central Transit Corridor, being a lively, well connected and inviting corridor that demonstrates excellence in community building.The CBS helps articulate this vision by providing guidance for future planning, development and investment along the Corridor, as well as considering established stable neighbourhoods. A series of openhouses are planned to be held in the Cities of Waterloo, Kitchener and Cambridge onFebruary 20,21, and 25, 2013, respectively. These open houses will allow members of the public and key stakeholders to review the draft CBS and provide input. The public will also be requested to top priorities. The open houses will be a drop-in format with a presentation at 5:00 p.m. and discussion at 5:30 p.m. led by staff and the consultant team. 1325636Page 2 of 7 2 - 2 January 29, 2013Report: P-13-007 Planned upcoming public consultation opportunities consist of: Wednesday, February 20, 2013 KnoxPresbyterian Church, Uptown Waterloo (4:00 P.M. 7:00 P.M.) Thursday, February 21, 2013 The Tannery Event Centre, Downtown Kitchener (4:00 P.M. 7:00 P.M.) Monday, February 25, 2013 Cambridge City Hall Atrium, Downtown Cambridge (4:00 P.M. 7:00 P.M.) The draft CBS will be available on the project website (as noted below), on CD, through limited hard copies for viewing/borrowing (including copies at the City libraries), and through a consolidated executive summary of the work. Project Website The website (www.centraltransitcorridor.ca)currently contains information and resources, news and media coverage, links to other related projects and project contact information. It also includes an interactive section where the public may view materials presented at past public events, including: consultant and speaker presentations, maps and display panels. There is also an opportunity to provide online comments. The draft Strategy will be posted on the website for public review and comment as well. Storefront Space A project storefront was established in April, 2012 at 220 King St. W., Kitchener to house project materials, provide a space to host discussions with various stakeholder groups and to act as a community resource for the public to drop in and have conversations with staff. The storefront closed on Dec 20, 2012. The storefront was open regular hours every week and during special events in Downtown Kitchener (100th Anniversary, Cruising on King, Blues Festival, Christkindl Market). A staff member was available during these times to speak with interested parties about the project. In addition, project working materials were available for review. Over one thousand people dropped by the storefront to learn more about the CBS. Outcomes (Deliverables) The CBS has produced the following seven broad outcomes or deliverables: i) Hosting Dialogue and Building the Constituency Exploring the Opportunity The community and stakeholder sessions along with the Forums have helped to engage a broad-based constituency, including leaders from business, technology, development, mobility and environment. These groups will be able to continue to provide input to the Region and the Area Municipalities in a variety of ways. Regional staff is also developing forums to facilitate ongoing public dialogue, including the continuation of the speakers series. ii)AMore Focused Vision for the Corridor Corridor-wide enhancements are described that can help optimize new investments. These opportunities reflect a shared understanding of the kind of place the community wants the Central Transit Corridor to become and are guided by the strong overall vision for the Corridor. iii) Urban Structure Mapping An enhanced mobility grid creates a framework for integrating land use and transportation across the CTC. This structure can inform investments in improving streets and open spaces, directing the provision of community amenities and guiding the form and function of new development over time. 1325636Page 3 of 7 2 - 3 January 29, 2013Report: P-13-007 iv) Place Specific Initiatives Along the Central Transit Corridor, there are a number of places where unique opportunities exist. To energize the process of community building in the Corridor, a number of place specific initiatives have been identified. These initiatives respond to issues and challenges in specific places related to larger reurbanization efforts in the Region. v) Station Area Snapshots bring together the setting, key market considerations, mobility considerations, city building opportunities and conceptual areas of influence around each station. vi) Illustrations of Transformation: What Could Be A series of visual models and renderings, focusing on specific areas along corridor, are included in the CBS. The visualizations, developed in consultation with the Area Municipalities, are essential to help illustrate several examples of change that may occur over time. vii) Implementation Strategies The CBS includes a number of very specific actions. Discussions around implementation will continue through a CBS implementation working group of the Region and City planning departments. Key Aspects of the Draft Community Building Strategy The following dimensions of the CBS are particularly worthy of note: The CBS as a Flexible Framework The CBS can be used as a resource for such purposes as evaluating the context of development applications, in undertaking comprehensive amendments to the official plans and zoning by-laws, and in considering priorities for public investment (e.g. walkways, bike lanes, streetscaping). The community has been very engaged in the CBS. While the final form of development cannot be completely anticipated, the public has a desire to understand what our community might look like. To this end, the CBS has a number of images to demonstrate how station areas could physically and functionally evolve from their current form. Sensitivity to Adjacent Neighbourhoods The CBS recognizes that many established and stable neighbourhoods are located adjacent to station as a general guideline, 800m or less from rapid transit station stops). One of the goals of the CBS is to inform context-sensitive development and redevelopment, and should be an important resource in considering proposed official plans and zoning by-law amendments, site plans and applications for building permits. The CBS can also assist property owners and developers to better understand the community context of the areas around them. The CBS as an Investment Tool At the present time, investors have information related to the Rapid Transit Line (route and timing), as well as other traditional tools and forms of regulation (e.g. strategic plans, official plans, secondary plans, zoning by-laws, heritage studies and other special-purpose documents). The CBS provides both context and further identifies where similar market conditions exist. In this respect, the CBS can give investors a more focused view of both development opportunities and community priorities and sensitivities. 1325636Page 4 of 7 2 - 4 January 29, 2013Report: P-13-007 Municipal Budget Implications Over 60 Place Specific Initiatives are recommended in the draft Community Building Strategy.These initiatives are intended to further leverage investment in rapid transit andcan assist the Region and Area Municipalities in guiding future development. These initiatives will require implementation by the public or private sectors (or in partnership). Financing for many public improvements identified in the CBSwill not be found in existing municipal budgets. Priorities will need to be set and considered for inclusion in annual budget planning processes. Other opportunities will also arise, particularly as conditions of development applications and where public-private partnerships may be appropriate to aid in the implementation of the CBS. Examples of candidate priorities are appended as Attachment 1 of this report. Next Steps The draft CBS represents a major step in further shaping the community around stations and in the broader Central Transit Corridor. The following short and mid-term steps are expected to occur: Completion of public open houses, as described in this report; Careful review of public feedback by the Region and the three cities; Offers to Area Municipal Councils to formally present the draft CBS (joint Area Municipal and Regional staff presentations); Additional work on priority setting and potential incentives (e.g. regulatory, financial) with the three cities, focusing on both proactive elements and identifying important opportunities related to future development applications; Tabling a final draft with Regional Council for consideration. At this point, and as noted in this report, the CBS is expected to be recommended for use as a flexible framework to inform decisions around shaping our community (as described in this report); Establishing an ongoing Community Building Strategy Implementation Working Group with Regional and Area Municipal Planning staff, and continuing to closely coordinate with the Rapid Transit Office; Continuing to engage the public in a variety of forums (e.g. speakers series, additional Rapid Transit public meetings, presentations to interested parties, and Community Advisory Panel); and Reviewing current development incentive tools (e.g. Brownfield Financial Incentives Program), with a view to potentially revise or recommend additional incentives to catalyze strategic development in station areas and in the broader Central Transit Corridor. Area Municipal Consultation/Coordination Staff from the Cities of Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo have overseen and led the CBS, and their collective continued commitment to this initiative is greatly appreciated. City staff has provided their comments on the CBS, which have been incorporated into the draft document. This report has also been forwarded to Township planning staff for information. The CBS supports compact growth, which helps to preserve agricultural lands and environmentally sensitive areas within the rural areas. CORPORATE STRATEGIC PLAN: The Central Transit Corridor Community Building Strategy directly addresses Focus Area 2: Growth Management and Prosperity (Manage growth to foster thriving and productive urban and rural communities) and the Strategic Objective 2.1. Encourage compact, livable urban and rural settlement form. 1325636Page 5 of 7 2 - 5 January 29, 2013Report: P-13-007 Specifically, this relates to Action 2.1.2.Work with area municipalities to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to promote intensification and reurbanization within existing urban areas. The Strategy also addresses Focus Area 3: Sustainable Transportation (Develop greater, more sustainable and safe transportation choices) and the Strategic Objective 3.1. Implement the Light Rail Transit system in the central transit corridor fully integrated with an expanded conventional transit system. Specifically this relates to Action 3.1.1 Develop an implementation plan for Light Rail Transit including corridor and station area planning. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: The costs of developing the CBS were financed by the Region of Waterloo through budgeted funds previously approved by Regional Council (please see Report No. P-12-012). As described in this report, many of the identified public investment initiatives would need to be considered by the respective Municipal Council(s) as part of their budget process, and through development and redevelopmentpertaining to specific properties. OTHER DEPARTMENT CONSULTATIONS/CONCURRENCE: Staff from the Rapid Transit Office, Transportation and Environmental Services actively participate on eam. ATTACHMENTS: Attachment 1 Candidate Community Building Strategy Priorities Attachment 2 - Draft Community Building Strategy Report (under separate cover). Please note that limited hard copies have been made. PREPARED BY: Rob Horne , Commissioner of Planning, Housing and Community Services Becky Schlenvogt , Principal Planner APPROVED BY: Rob Horne , Commissioner of Planning, Housing and Community Services 1325636Page 6 of 7 2 - 6 January 29, 2013Report: P-13-007 ATTACHMENT 1 CANDIDATE COMMUNITY BUILDING STRATEGY PRIORITIES RECOMMENDED FIRST IMPLEMENTATION STEPS Realizing the vision of the Community Building Strategy will require the Region and municipalities to put in place mechanisms that effectively translate the 8 opportunities and 69 initiatives into reality. Though realizing the vision for the Central Transit Corridor will require long-term commitments, a number of early interventions are recommended over the next few years to build momentum for long term changes and to enable projects through partnerships. The following represents a list of key first steps that the Region and area municipalities may consider as priority. This list is supported by a more detailed set of implementation recommendations (Section 7.3) to help foster investment, shape communities and move people. Complete Priority Station Area Plans 1.to manage change and create positive transformation in and around RT stations over the immediate and longer term Establish an ongoing CTC/TOD Integrated Working Team 2. comprised of Region and City staff to coordinate, collaborate and provide leadership in implementation of the CBS Utilize the CBS as the Foundation to guide planning and investment decisions within the 3. Central Transit Corridor , in particular, the Integrated Land Use and Mobility Framework provides key direction with respect to transformation in terms of transit design, station area planning and infrastructure and capital works Resource the RRCIP to fund catalytic projects and leverage investment 4.in the form of a revolving or capital fund, complemented with financial tools directed to projects, initiatives and public infrastructure to implement the CBS directions. Engage the Reurbanization Community Advisory Panel as Key Ambassadors 5.and advisors in terms of building momentum, design and implementation of projects and promoting community dialogue and awareness with regard to the CBS initiatives. Actively Promote the CBS to the Investment Community 6. economic development agencies, and other existing business stakeholders Build on Existing and Explore New Partnerships that will be key to successfully 6. transforming the Central Transit Corridor. Fostering ongoing and new partnerships between municipalities, public agencies, businesses, institutions and investors to leverage resources, techniques and strategies will advance community building in the CTC. Create an Education and Community Awareness Program focused on community building 8. in the Central Transit Corridor. Building on the value of the community dialogue which informed the CBS, an Education and Community Awareness Program focused on community building in the CTC and aligned with the RT design process should be established. 1325636Page 7 of 7 2 - 7 We invite you to share your feedback on the components of the Strategy by attending these open houses and learning more about the opportunities and initiatives outlined in the Strategy including a new land use and mobility structure, 69 place specific initiatives, 23 station area snapshots and implementation strategies that build upon key community building opportunities: WEDNES DAY DAY MONDAY THURS 0 .2, 2013 FEB FEB. 2,2013FEB. 25, 2013 1 KNOX CHURCH THE TANNERY CAMBRIDGE CITY HALL ATRIUM 50 ERB ST.W., WATERLOO 151 CHARLES ST. W., KITCHENER 50 DICKSON ST., CAMBRIDGE 4 - 7 p.m. 4 - 7 p.m.4 - 7 p.m. Copies of the DRAFT CBS are available for review at the main branches of the public Can’t make the open houses ? his code with t phone libraries in Kitchener, Waterloo and Queen's our smar y To view or download public open house materials Square branch in Cambridge until March 31. visit the project website at: Public comment on the Draft Report is open for submissions until Questions? Comments? Send us an email: centraltransitcorridor@regionofwaterloo.ca or call: 519-575-4400 2 - 8