HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-05-124 - Design Brief for the School of Pharmacy (Health Sciences Campus)
)
~
Development &
Technical Services
~
Report To:
Date of Meeting:
Submitted By:
Prepared By:
Ward(s) Involved:
Date of Report:
Report No.:
Subject:
Development & Technical Services Committee
September 12, 2005
Jeff Willmer, Director of Planning (741-2325)
Ryan Mounsey, Senior Planner (741-2324)
Ward 6 - West - Victoria Park
September 7,2005
DTS-05-124
RECOMMENDATION:
Design Brief for the School of Pharmacy (Health Sciences
Campus)
1. That the Design Brief for the School of Pharmacy dated September 12, 2005 attached as
Appendix "A" to DTS Report 05-124 be adopted.
2. That the adopted Design Brief provide the general basis for site plan development
approvals.
3. That, prior to any future development approval to expand the Health Sciences Campus,
Planning staff be directed to prepare an updated Design Brief for the Health Sciences
Campus to ensure all development proposals are appropriately integrated with the School
of Pharmacy campus and downtown character.
4. That Planning and Communication staff be directed to initiate a public consultation process
and communication plan for the School of Pharmacy Concept Plan, and report back to
Council for information and, if necessary, direction prior to final development approvals
being granted.
REPORT:
Background
The City of Kitchener, in partnership with the University of Waterloo, has prepared a Design
Brief for the former Epton site located at the corner of King Street and Victoria Street in the
downtown Warehouse District. The Design Brief indicates the City's design and development
expectations for the School of Pharmacy campus development, the first phase of a Health
Sciences Campus. The development will be phased and is subject to Regional road widening
requirements to accommodate a planned rapid transit system planned along King Street noted
in a previous DTS Report (05-079) and presented to the Region of Waterloo Planning and
Works Committee on June 14, 2005 which recommended the conveyance of an average 4.30
metre widening from the School of Pharmacy site on the King Street frontage which extends
slightly more than the required Regional road widening requirement. Some additional
refinements to the widening dedication may continue to occur during the site plan process.
The widening is intended to accommodate a dual lane transit underpass and allow for
directional grade traffic (single lane direction) along King Street. An Environmental Assessment
will be initiated in the future to address the rapid transit route and a separate assessment will be
initiated for the underpass.
The Design Brief builds on the general principles identified, and approved, in DTS Report 05-
079 (School of Pharmacy Design Brief and Update, May 16th ,2005). In May, this Report was
limited to general principles given the established timelines and project status. The general
principles are identified, and attached in Appendix B for reference.
During the last several months, City staff in partnership with the University of Waterloo, has
refined the development concept and principles, and now are in a position to recommend
specific design guidelines. The Design Brief for the School of Pharmacy includes specific
guidelines related to the massing and design considerations, the public realm, development
phasing and future transit improvements planned for King Street. The Design Brief will provide
general direction for site development, and may be refined through the site plan approval
process and detailed working drawings.
Context
The site is located at a major gateway intersection and is surrounded by several prominent
industrial buildings, a major rail line to the west and a planned rapid transit route with future
underpass proposed along King Street. Over time, the site has the potential to form part of a
larger Health Sciences Campus. These issues are also addressed in the Design Brief.
The University of Waterloo has a clear vision for the School of Pharmacy to be the first phase of
a world class, integrated health care facility. The program fundamentals are based on
innovation (research), knowledge (education), application (healthcare and development) and
economic development (magnet for new development). The School of Pharmacy will also be a
competitive, innovative facility that attracts the brightest minds, be a student destination, creates
a gateway into the downtown, respects and enhances the Warehouse District, encourages
community uses and balances the theoretical with the practical. The Design Brief is supportive
of the University vision, and includes specific guidelines organized into the following sections:
(1) Gateway Intersection & Massing; (2) General Building Design & Warehouse District
Character; (3) Site Circulation; (4) The Public Realm (5); Parking; (6) Phasing; (7) Transit, and;
(8) Conceptual Development Plan. The Design Brief is attached in Appendix A.
Conceptual Development Plan
The conceptual development plan is illustrated in the Design Brief, and attached in Appendix A.
To summarize, the Concept Plan illustrates an urban campus development with a signature
tower building located at the corner intersection, an appropriately scaled 3-5 storey building
located along King Street, and a lower 2-3 storey building fronting Victoria Street and adjoining
perimeter. The Concept Plan also shows a clearly defined pedestrian circulation system with
emphasis on the public street frontages, internal courtyard with opportunities for public art, and
a planned pedestrian trail proposed along the railway corridor. The building architecture will
create a distinguished landmark building at a gateway intersection while complementing the
surrounding industrial architecture through the proposed massing and specific architectural
treatments which will be refined through the site plan approval process.
Master Plan and Design Brief
Over time, the School of Pharmacy development could form part of a larger health science
campus. Any new development should be considered and approved in context of a Master Plan
exercise and updated Design Brief for the Health Sciences Campus. The Master Plan and
Design Brief is intended to provide a framework for site development and address specific
issues related to development phasing, district character and warehouse compatibility, park
space linkages and parking with emphasis on pedestrian linkages and parking integration. To
ensure a higher level of site integration and vision is achieved, it is recommended Council direct
staff to prepare, and present, an updated Design Brief for any future development related to the
Health Science Campus prior to final development approvals being granted.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
None at this time. Planning staff note that some consideration should be given towards the
allocation of future funding sources related to the proposed trail linkage adjacent to the railway
corridor and improving streetscape conditions for future parking garages leading to/from the
health sciences campus.
COMMUNICATIONS:
A preliminary report was presented to DTS Committee and Council in May 2005 identifying the
general principles for the School of Pharmacy Development. The report was approved, and
provided a mechanism for the University to present a concept plan described in the Record on
May 31,2005, and further described in the City's Media Release dated May 31,2005 attached
in Appendix C. The Design Brief is now finalized, and following Council adoption, will form the
basis for site development applications. Following this Report, the University has agreed to
present in partnership with the City, the Concept Plan and Design Brief to various City
committees and a public open house event for information and discussion purposes. Meetings
have been tentatively scheduled for October 4th(7-9 pm) public presentation, Rotunda City Hall
and October 6th for Committees (time and location to be determined). Planning staff
recommend that any comments be received be presented back to Council prior to final
development approvals being granted.
CONCLUSION:
The City of Kitchener, in partnership with The University of Waterloo, has prepared a Design
Brief for the School of Pharmacy campus. The University has contributed to the Design Brief,
and supports the general design principles and guidelines which will be refined through the site
plan approval process. The Design Brief provides specific guidelines to address key site
development issues such as building mass and the proposed rapid transit improvement planned
for King Street. The Design Brief also provides a general framework for the site plan approval
process and will contribute towards a distinctive landmark building integrated into the downtown
environment. As guidelines, the Design Brief will be implemented with a degree of flexibility to
allow for some refinement and provide the basis for future planning application approvals which
may relate to building setbacks, parking requirements and supporting land uses.
Ryan Mounsey, BES, MUDS, MCIP, RPP
Senior Planner (Urban Design)
Jeff Willmer, MCIP, RPP
Director of Planning
APPENDIX A: SCHOOL of PHARMACY DESIGN BRIEF
(attached under separate cover)
APPENDIX B: SCHOOL of PHARMACY DESIGN PRINCPLES
(OT8 Report 05-079, May 16, 2005)
APPENDIX C: MEDIA RELEASE
May 31,2005