HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAO-07-047 - King Street Master Plan - Environmental Committee ReviewI
~~~
~~ ~~~
~:;;iel:1~~~;"i?irilSti?;rGl"~i
~>r ~,-~
Report To: Environmental Committee
Date of Meeting: October 18, 2007
Submitted By: Cory Bluhm, Urban Investment Advisor, Economic
Development
Prepared By: Cory Bluhm, Urban Investment Advisor, Economic
Development
Ward(s) Involved: 1 & 6
Date of Report: October 1, 2007
Report No.: CAO 07-047
Subject: King Street Master Plan -
Environmental Committee Review
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Environmental Committee support the incorporation of liveable and sustainable design
features as part of the streetscape enhancement planned for King Street (between Frederick /
Benton Street and Francis Street) and Speaker's Corner.
BACKGROUND:
New urban design policies for Downtown Kitchener were adopted in 2006, which include
direction to green downtown streets, promote liveability, support alternative modes of
transportation, and support LEED techniques.
Subsequently, the City embarked on a master planning process to identify a new streetscape
plan for King Street, from Frederick / Benton Street to Francis Street, and Speaker's Corner.
Council has now endorsed the use of the "pedestrian-first" model as the preferred design theme
for King Street, with the expectation that sustainable design elements will be incorporated into
the final design.
REPORT:
The City of Kitchener, in partnership with the IBI Group, has recently released proposed plans
for a new streetscape design for King Street. The plan aims to achieve 4 key objectives:
1. A Lively King Street
2. A Liveable and Sustainable King Street
3. A Beautiful King Street
4. Vibrant Shopping and Dining
Under "A Liveable and Sustainable King Street", the final plans could include the following
design elements, which support a more sustainable streetscape:
- More than 60 additional new street trees, to improve air quality, absorb heat and improve
microclimate;
- The use of a continuous soil trench system, and/or structural soil, to promote good tree
growth;
- Planter beds that can collect and filter contaminants from storm water and recharge the
ground water;
- Permeable sidewalks that allow infiltration of storm water to tree roots;
- The use of recycled materials during construction (eg. street furnishings, asphalt, etc)
- Best Management Practices for energy conservation;
- Using solar powered technology where possible (ex: tree lights, bollard lights) and,
- Introducing landscaping where possible (ex: growing vines up banner poles, hanging pots,
portable planters, etc).
The final plans could also include the following design elements, which better enable residents
to live a more sustainable lifestyle:
- New bike racks and "share the road" signage to encourage cycling;
- New transit stops and improved shelters to encourage transit usage;
- A lively streetscape with more space for outdoor cafes, restaurant seating and retailing, to
encourage walking;
- Improved microclimate to encourage walking; and,
- Possible on-street parking stalls reserved for "smart", "small", or "hybrid" cars.
CONCLUSION:
The inclusion of the above listed items in the final streetscape plans, and ultimate construction,
would establish King Street as one of the first "Urban Green Streets" in North America, and
could set Kitchener as a leader in green street design.
~.,ury aiurirri ivi~,ir nrr uric; ~duricaer5uri
Urban Investment Advisor Project Manager
Economic Development DTS Engineering