beltline area redevelopment plan · redevelopment plan • the connaught/west victoria area...
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AN BELTLINE
AREA REDEVELOPMENT PLAN
Offi ce Consolidation2011 February
PUBLISHING INFORMATION
TITLE: BELTLINE AREA REDEVELOPMENT PLAN
AUTHOR: LAND USE PLANNING & POLICY PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT & ASSESSMENT
STATUS: APPROVED - 2006 MAY 15 BYLAW 2P2006
PRINTING DATE: 2011 MARCH
ADDITIONAL COPIES: THE CITY OF CALGARY RECORDS & INFORMATION MANAGMENT (RIM) DEVELOPMENT & BUILDING APPROVALS P.O. BOX 2100, STN ‘M’, #8115 CALGARY, ALBERTA T2P 2M5
PHONE: 3-1-1 OR OUTSIDE OF CALGARY 403-268-2489FAX: 403-268-4615
WEB: www.calgary.ca/planning/landuseCLICK ON: Publications
NOTE: This offi ce consolidation includes the following amending Bylaw:
Amendment Bylaw Date Description1 15P2007 2007 June 11 (a) Delete and replace Map 3 entitled “Land Use Concept”. (b) Add Section “4.6 Special Policy Areas”. (c) Add Section 4.6.1 “Special Policy Area 1”. (d) Delete and replace text in Section 4.4.6 under the heading “Existing School Site”.2 52P2008 2008 June 05 (a) Delete and replace Map 3A entitled “At-Grade Residential Use Policy Area”. (b) Delete and replace Map 3B entitled “Non-Residential Use Policy Area”. (c) Section 4.2.4 a), third paragraph, after the word “consider”, add the text “(through land use amendment)”. (d) Section 4.2.4 b), after the word “consider”, add text “(through land use amendment)”. (e) Section 4.2.4 c), delete and replace “200” with “300”. (f) In Section 4.2.4, following item d), add paragraph item e). (g) In Section 5.3.2. 3 Provision of Affordable Housing Units under Bonus Rate, fi rst paragraph, delete and
replace the second instance of, “the units” with “1000m2 of affordable housing units”. (h) In Section 5.3.2 3 Provision of Affordable Housing Units under Bonus Rate, second paragraph, after the
number “75%)”, add text and delete and replace number “2,469 m2” with “3,469 m2”. (i) In Section 5.3.2 3 Provision of Affordable Housing Units under Bonus Rate, delete and replace the last
paragraph. (j) In Section Six, under Table 6.1 title, after the word “GUIDELINES”, add the text “FROM A STREET”. (k) In Section Six, Table 6.2, header of 2nd and 3rd column, after the word, “Line”, add text.4 2P2010 2010 June (a) Add new Section 4.2.4.1.5 15P2010 2010 May 10 (a) Add text in Section 11.3.6 9P2011 2011 January 10 (a) Delete & replace text in Section 6.3.2.2.7 8P2011 2011 February 07 (a) Delete & replace text in Section 7.6.6.
Amended portions of the text are printed in italics and the specifi c amending Bylaw is noted.
Persons making use of this consolidation are reminded that it has no legislative sanction, and that amendments have been embodied for ease of reference only. The offi cial Bylaw and all amendments thereto are available from the City Clerk and should be consulted when interpreting and applying this Bylaw.
{table of contents}
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PReFAce .........................................................................................4
HISTORY OF THe BeLTLINe ..........................................................8
VISION AND PRINcIPLeS ............................................................16
PLANNING FOR NeIGHBOURHOODS ........................................22
LAND USe cONcePT ...................................................................28
DeNSITY .......................................................................................44
BeLTLINe PUBLIc ReALM PLAN ..............................................56
TRANSPORTATION ......................................................................80
cHARAcTeR AReAS ...................................................................90
HISTORIc ReSOURceS ...............................................................98
cOMMUNITY AND SOcIAL DeVeLOPMeNT ............................102
IMPLeMeNTATION ......................................................................108
APPeNDIceS
A - POSSIBLe ReDeVeLOPMeNT SceNARIOPOSSIBLe ReDeVeLOPMeNT SceNARIO ........................112
B - BeLTLINe PUBLIc ReALM PLAN DeFINITIONS AND DeSIGN GUIDeLINeS ...........................................................114
c - APPeNDIx c SUPPORTING MAPS .....................................136
D - BUILDING FORM PRINcIPLeS ............................................138
e - PROPOSeD IMPLeMeNTATION PROjecTS AND STUDIeS .......................................................................146
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PREfAcEBackground
TheBeltlineCommunitywasformedbytheamalgamationofthepreviouscommunitiesofConnaughtandVictoriaPark.ItisboundedbytheCanadianPacificRailwaytrackstothenorth,17Avenuetothesouth,theElbowRivertotheeastand14Streettothewest(seeMap1).
AsrecommendedbytheTheBlueprintfortheBeltline(approvedbytheCouncilinJune2003),theBeltlineAreaRedevelopmentPlan(ARP)istoreplacethethreeexistingplanningpolicydocumentsthatapplyintheBeltline:• theVictoriaParkEastArea RedevelopmentPlan
• theConnaught/WestVictoriaAreaRedevelopmentPlan,and
• theCoreAreaPolicyBrief.
TheBeltlineARPproposesacomprehensivesetofpoliciesandimplementationinstruments.ThePlancoversthemainplanningissues
intheBeltline,includinglanduse,density,historicalandcharacterplaces,publicspaces,buildingdesign,transportationandsocialandcommunitydevelopment.Itisintendedtoguidetheformulationofdetailedlanduseregulations,designguidelinesandthedecision-makingprocessfordevelopmentapplicationsintheBeltline.
Interpretation of Policy Area Boundaries
TheboundariesseparatingdifferenttypesoflandusesinTheLandUseConceptMapandtheboundariesseparatingdifferentdensityrangesinTheDensityRangesMapareintendedtobeconceptualonly.Thepreciselocationoftheseboundaries,forthepurposeofevaluatingdevelopmentproposals,willbedeterminedbyCityAdministrationatthetimeofapplication.
Interpretation of Specific versus GeneralLanguage
ThePlanuseslanguagethatisbothgeneralandveryspecificinnature.Wheregeneraldirectionisgiven,flexibilityshouldbeusedin
theinterpretationofthePlan.Wherespecificlanguageisused,itismeanttogiveclearandunambiguousdirectiontoboththeDevelopmentAuthorityandthedevelopmentindustry.
The centre city Family of Plans
TheBeltlineARPisamemberoftheCentreCityFamilyofPlansthatcovertheentiredowntownandBeltlineareas.OtherplansthathaveapplicabilitytotheBeltlineinclude:• TheCentreCityPlan:anactionoriented
strategicplan;
• MadeinMidtown:CalgaryVision2100:aninspirationalandideas-based100yearurbandesignstrategy.
Theseplansarenon-statutoryinnature,butdocontainideas,actionsandprojectsthatrelatetotheBeltlinecommunity.
Non-Statutory components of the Plan
AllAppendicesattachedtothisplanareconsideredtobesupportinginformationanddonotformpartoftheAreaRedevelopmentPlan.
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environmental constraints
AreaRedevelopmentPlans(“ARP”)arelong-termplanningdocumentsbynature.Assuch,theypromoteavisionforacommunityandputinplacepoliciesandguidelinesthatworktowardachievingthatvisionovertime.PoliciesandguidelinesinanARParenottobeinterpretedasanapprovalforauseonaspecificsite,asthepoliciesdonotaddressthespecificsituationorconditionofeachsitewithinaplanarea.Inthatregard,norepresentationismadehereinthatanyparticularsiteissuitableforaparticularpurposeassiteconditionsorconstraints,includingenvironmentalcontamination,mustbeassessedonacasebycasebasisaspartofanapplicationforlanduse,subdivisionordevelopmentapproval.
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p MAP 1: AREA REDEVELOPMENT PLAN BOUNDARY
Downtown
Beltline
CPR Tracks
17 AV SW
14 S
T SW
Elbo
wR
iver
0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000250Meters
pDate: 10/11/2005File: bl_location.mxdLoc: O:\plan\operations\4407...\plan_maps_final\Land Use Planning & Policy
HISTORY Of THE BELTLINE{section one}
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PROPOSED BELTLINE ARP, NOVEMBER 29, 200�
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HISTORY Of THE BELTLINE
TheBeltlineCommunityweknowin2005isexperiencinganewphaseofurbangrowth
andchange.Since2000,therehasbeenanincreasingemphasisandsupportforhigher
density,mixed-usedevelopment.Thisisinrecognitionoftheneedtoincreasethepopulationandtheamenitiesintheareatosupportandencouragethegrowthofanalreadyvibranturbancommunity.Recentdevelopmentincludedavarietyofbuildingformsandusesinresponsetomarketdemands.Thiscurrentphaseis
consistentwiththehistoricdevelopmentpatternsoftheBeltlinearea.
TheBeltlinehasdeeprootsinCalgary’searlyhistory.MadeupofthehistoriccommunitiesofVictoriaParkandConnaught,thisinnercityareawaspartoftheTownofCalgaryfromthedateofincorporationin1884,atleastonpaper.ThetownlimitsextendedfromeastoftheElbowRiverasfarwestastoday’s14StreetWest,andfromtheBowRiversouthacrosstherailwaytracksto17Avenue.Inthislargespacetherewerebarely500residents.Nearlyallofthemlivedandworkednorthoftherailwayline,closetotheCPRstation.Therestofthetown,includingtheBeltline,wasopenprairie.
Allofthisvacantlandhadbeenmappedanddrawnupbysurveyorsintoapatternthatpersiststothisday.TheDominionLandsSurveylaidoutanunderlyinggridofmile-squaresectionsinthesummerof1883.Therailwayarrivedsoonafter,passingthroughthreesectionsthatwerecontrolledbyalargelandcompany,twosyndicatesandabranchofthefederalgovernment.Ineachofthesesectionstheland
p Looking north west from Victoria Park (Glenbow Archives NA-2267-2)
Photograph courtesy the Glenbow Museum
southoftheBowRiverwasthensubdividedintostreets,blocksandlots.Togetherthesesubdividedparcelsformedthenewtown.
By1891,thepopulationhadgrownto3876,andCalgarybecameacitythreeyearslater.
After1902,thecitydevelopedintoaregionalwarehousingandmercantilecentre.LandnorthoftheCPRline(inthetraditionaldowntown)becamescarceasthisactivitygrew,whichledtothedevelopmentofthewarehousedistrictalong10and11Avenues,southofthetracks.Therailways,asCalgary’slargestindustryformanyyears,locateditsmainoperationsalongthe
southernedgeoftheCPRmainline,westoftheElbowRiver.ThiscomplexprobablyattractedtheinitialinfluxofworkingclassresidentsinwhatweknowtodayasVictoriaPark.
OriginallyknownastheEastWard,thisareawasoneofthefirstareasofCalgarytobedeveloped.WhentheCalgaryStampedenamedits94-acreparkandfairgroundalongtheElbowRiverasVictoriaPark,afterQueenVictoria,theEastWardsoonadoptedthenameVictoriaParktorepresenttheareaadjacenttothefairgrounds.VictoriaParkwasoneofthefirsttenparksinCalgary.
Withthearrivaloftherailroad,landwasneededforworkshops,warehouses,stables,lumberyardsandrowsandrowsofhouses.Churches,storesandschoolsfollowed.Untilabout1912,thiscommunityledthewayinpopulationgrowthsouthofthetracks.Meanwhile,intheConnaughtarea,westof4thStreetS.W.,successfulentrepreneurslikeSenatorJamesLougheed,locatedtheirfinenewhomestogetawayfromthecrowdeddowntown.
By1914,thegreaterpartoftheBeltline’slandhadbeenbuiltupon.Someolder
propertieswerebeingreplacedeventhentomeetnewdemands.DevelopmentdecisionsintheBeltline’searlyyearswereusuallymadewithlittleguidancefromCityauthorities.Rather,theyweretheresultsofprivateinitiative,drivenbyanexpandingeconomyandreadymoney.TheagenciesthatfirstcontrolledthelandintheBeltlinefolloweddifferentstrategiesforsellingbuildinglots.Speculatorswhoboughtuplotsinlargenumbersalsohadastronginfluenceondevelopmentpatterns.Theresultwasaverymixedurbanlandscape,wherehomesstoodnexttoabakeryoragarage,andboardinghousesor
p Looking north to warehouse district. (Glenbow Archives NA-1604-41)
Photograph courtesy the Glenbow Museum
p Marlborough apartments - Northwest corner of 4 Street S.W. and 12 Avenue South (since demolished). (Glenbow Archives NA-2919-1)
{section one}
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Photograph courtesy the Glenbow Museum
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apartmentspoppedupeverywhere.Someofthisvariedcharacterpersiststoday.Otherplayershaveleftimportantlegacies.TheblockoflandthatbecameCentral(laterMemorial)Park,Calgary’sfirstpublicopenspace,wasreservedforthispurposebyanagentofthefederalgovernment.Thepublicschoolboardacquiredfourlargeplotsoflandatanearlydate.DistributedfromwesttoeastacrosstheBeltlinearea,theseschoolyardsbecameimportantopenspacesasthesurroundinglandwasbuiltup.TheCityitselftookasignificantstepwhenitexpandeditslimitsforthefirsttimein1901,byannexingtheexhibitiongroundssouthof17
Avenue.TomkinsGardens(laterTomkinsPark),thethree-sidedlot(or“gore”)on17Avenue,between7and8Street,wasgiftedtoTheCityin1915byMrs.ElinorTomkins,actingonbehalfofherlatehusbandHenryWilliamTomkins.ThelandwastobeusedforparkpurposesandwastobeknownasTomkinsGardens.Theuniqueparcelwascreatedasaresultofthecollidingoftwodifferentsurveypatterns,onealignedwiththeCPRtracksandonealignedwith17Avenue.
Theyearof1908wastheyearofthesubway.Tomanypeopletodaythiswordmeansan
undergroundtransitnetwork,butinCalgaryitmeansarailwayunderpass.Twowerebuiltthatyear,at1stStreetWestand2ndStreetEast.
TheyopenedthewayforsafetrafficmovementbetweendowntownandtheBeltline,especiallyfortheCalgaryMunicipalRailway(CMR),whichbeganoperatinginthesummerof1909.TheCMR’sstreetcarsranontracksabovegroundinthemiddleofthestreet,andhelpedshapeCalgary’sgrowthintheyearsbefore1914.InadditiontotheRedandWhiteLines,thefirsttimetablelistedaBlueLine,whichraninacircuitfromdowntown,throughasubwayandalong12and17Avenuesandbackdowntown.Thiskindofrouteisknownasa“beltline”.ThesewordsappearedonsignscarriedbyBlueLinecars,andthispartofCalgaryhasbeenknownastheBeltlineeversince.
p View along 12 Avenue. (Glenbow Archives NA-1202-7)
Photograph courtesy the Glenbow Museum
p View along 12 Avenue, looking east (Glenbow Archives NA-3589-13)
Photograph courtesy the Glenbow Museum
Theyearof1908alsomarkedthebeginningofafour-yearperiodofimprovedeconomicconditionsinCalgary.Moneyformortgagesand
investmentsbegantoflowagain,andTheCitywentintoaconstructionfrenzy.Thepopulationhadgrownto43,704by1911.Familyhomesand
apartmentbuildingssprangupinlargenumbersalongthefavouredavenues.Thelittlewoodenwardschoolsofthe1890swerereplacedbylargesandstoneones,likeVictoriaandConnaught,andoldermissionchurchesbygrandnewstructures,suchasFirstBaptistandGracePresbyterian.
Residentialdevelopmentwasmorethanmatchedbymercantileexpansion.Calgary’semergenceasAlberta’sfirstwholesaledistributioncentrehadfilledupavailablespacenorthoftherailway.Withthecomingoftheboom,newerandmuchlargerwarehouseswerebuiltalongthenorthernedgeoftheBeltline.ThomasUnderwood,contractor,philanthropistandonetimeMayorofCalgary,hadlongownedseverallotsalong1stStreetWest.Withtheadventofthestreetcarhereplacedhisworkshopandlumberyardwithlargecommercialandapartmentbuildings.
OthersfollowedUnderwood’sexample,creatingbusystreetsofshopsandturningoncequietcornersintohighrentlocations,especiallyiftheywereservedbytheBlueLine.Theintersectionof1stStreetWestand12thAvenuebecame
p Beltline Streetcar (Glenbow Archives NA-4223-1)
Photograph courtesy the Glenbow Museum
{section one}
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aprimesite,adornedin1912byahandsomenewbranchoftheBankofCommerce.Ontheoppositecornerstoodtheyear-oldPryce-JonesDepartmentStore,whosemanagerlivednearbyintheupscaleSandringhamApartments.
ThePryce-JonesStorewithitsRoyalWelshTeaRoom,likemanysuchenterprises,fellvictimtothebustthatfollowedtheboom.By1916itwasclosed,itsmanagergonetowar.AfterWorldWarIeconomicrecoveryinCalgarycameslowly.InvestmentintheBeltlinewaslimitedatfirsttonewerkindsofbusiness,suchasautopartswarehousesanddealerships.Bythelate1920sconditionsinCanadaandlocallyhadimprovedenoughtostimulateanotherwaveofnewconstruction.SeveralofthesmallerapartmentblocksthatsurviveintheBeltlinedatefromthistime.DuringthisbriefflurryofactivityanattemptwasmadebyTheCitytomanagedevelopmentthroughzoningbylaws.However,thisopportunitysoonfadedinthefaceofeconomicdepressionandwartimeausterity.
ThelateSenatorLougheed’spropertyon13AvenuewasseizedbyTheCityin1934forrecoveryoftaxarrears.Fouryearslater
thelastofthefamilyhadleft,andthehousebecameatrainingfacilityforyoungwomen.Otherlargehomesnearbyweredivideduptobecomeroominghouses.HousinginCalgaryhadbeenscarcethroughmuchofitshistory,andbecamemoresointimeswhennomorewasbeingbuiltandscoresofruralpeoplewereflockingtothecity.Amongtherowsofworkers
cottagesintheVictoriaareaweremanylargerhomesofmerchantsandmanagersandtheirfamilies.Thesebiggerhouseswerealmostalldividedup,transformingthecharacteroftheoldneighbourhood.Evenpostwarprosperitytookyearstochangethissituation.RedevelopmentsincethereturnofprosperityafterWorldWarIIbroughtmassiveimpactonthe
p Central Memorial Park. (Glenbow Archives NC-26-101)
Photograph courtesy the Glenbow Museum
Beltlinecommunity,particularlyinthewesternBeltlinearea.Developmenthaslargelymeantreplacement.Manyoftheoldwarehouseshavebeenadaptedtonewuses,firstforretail,laterforresidentialandofficespace.Ontheotherhand,new,largerapartmentcomplexessproutednearlyeverywhere.ManyoftheseapartmentbuildingswerebuiltundertheFederalMulti-unitRentalBuilding(MURB)taxdeferralprogram.Newbusinesses,offeringnewproductsandservices,colonizedtheoldercommercialstrips,attractingtheircustomersfromthedistrictsburgeoningpopulationandalsofromCalgariansatlarge.Muchofthisdevelopmentwentaheadwithlittleconsiderationofthehistoric,socialoraestheticvaluesofwhatitreplaced.
ThesuccessiveexpansionsofStampedeParkhaddramaticeffectontheevolutionofVictoriaParkinthelate1960’s.WhenanattempttomovetheStampedetoLincolnParkin1965failed,TheCitymadeacommitmenttofindspaceadjacenttoStampedeParkasanalternative.Theimpactoftheexpansionsresultedinadecliningresidentialpopulationandanoveralldeclineinthenumberandconditionofexistinghousesandotherbuildings.Duringthistimetherewas
continuousdialoguebetweenVictoriaParkresidents,TheCityandtheCalgaryExhibitionandStampedeBoard.
Theeconomicbustintheenergysectorintheearly1980’ssawdevelopmentalmostcometoastandstill.Duringthistime,BusinessRevitalizationZoneswerecreatedalong17Avenueand4thStreet.Theseassociationsofareabusinessesplayedakeyroleinmaintainingthecommercialvitalityalongretailorientedstreetsandinrevitalizingthecommunity.Thelate1980’sandtheearly1990’ssawarejuvenationofthewarehousedistrictasoldwarehousebuildingswererestoredandadaptedtonewusesbyprivatedevelopmentinterests.Theninthelate1990’sandearly2000’sthecommunitycametogethertore-invigorateinterestintheBeltline.LeadersoftheConnaughtandVictoriaCommunityAssociations(amalgamatedin2004intotheBeltlineCommunitiesofVictoriaandConnaught)andleadersoftheVictoriaCrossing,Uptown17and4StreetBusinessRevitalizationZonesjoinedforcestoproducenewvisionsandideasforthearea.KnownastheBeltlineInitiative,thisgroupproducednewplanssuchasRediscoveringtheCentreandthe
BlueprintfortheBeltline(co-producedwithTheCity).Thesedocuments,withtheiremphasisonquality,highdensity,mixedusedevelopmentandre-investmentincommunityinfrastructurehavehelpedcapturetheimaginationofCityCouncilandthedevelopmentindustry.Withthiscommunityinterestandcoupledwithchangingdemographicsandarenewedinterestininner-cityliving,theBeltlinehasseensignificantredevelopmentinthe2000’sincludingcommercialandresidentialprojects.ThisredevelopmentandchangeisexpectedtocontinueinearnestasCalgarycontinuestogrow.
YettheBeltlineareastillretainsmanytangiblesignsofacenturyofhistory,despitethelossofoldstreetscapesandimportantbuildings.Evenitslong-establishedpatternofmixedlandusesurvivesincertainplaces.SeveralgenerationsofCalgarianshavenowcalledthisareahomesinceSenatorLougheedmovedhisfamilyherein1891.CurrentresidentsoftheBeltlinecommunitieshaverecentlydemonstratedtheirawarenessofthislegacy,andtheirrecognitionofitsvalues.ThisisasuresignthattheBeltline’shistoricalrootsarelivingroots.
{section one}
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VISION AND PRINcIPLES{section two}
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VISION AND PRINcIPLES2.1 VISION
TheBeltlinewillbeanauthentic,livableanddiversehighdensityurbancommunity.Thiswillbereinforcedbycreatinghighqualityneighbourhoodsthroughtheprovisionofawidevarietyoflandusesandbuildingtypes,supportedandenhancedbyquality privatedevelopmentandpublicspacesandamenities.
2.2 PRINcIPLeS
TheBeltlineARPisbasedonthefollowingtenprinciples:
2.2.1 Foster and Support Neighbourhoods
• Identifyclearandlogicalneighborhoodboundaries• Supportresidentialdevelopmentwhereverpossible• Ensurevibrancyofmixed-useareas• Supportandpromotelocaleconomicdevelopment• Supportpublicsafetyinitiatives• Ensureallneighborhoodshaveconvenientaccesstoessential
communityamenitiesandservicessuchastransit,pedestrianandcyclingpaths,schools,childcarefacilities,socialservices,openspaces,playgroundsandpublicrecreationfacilities
2.2.2 Provide for High Density and Mixed-Use Development While ensuring Neighbourhood Livability
• Provideforhighdensitydevelopmenttosupporttheprovisionandcreationofafullrangeofservicesandamenities
• Usearangeoflanduseregulationsandotherfinancialtoolstoassistincreatingcommunitybenefitsfromhigherdensitydevelopment
• Provideadiversemixofhousingandotherlanduses,suchasoffice,retail,lightindustrial,recreationalandcultural,bothwithintheneighborhoods,withinblockfacesandwithinindividualbuildings
2.2.3 Protect and enhance Unique character and Heritage
• Developpolicytoolstoencouragethepreservationofheritageandcharacterbuildingsandpublicspaces
• Encouragereuse/adaptationofhistoricbuildingsbypromotingsensitiveconversionofuses
• Developstrategiestolocatenewcharacterpublicbuildingsandpublicopenspacesinthemostappropriateplaces
2.2.4 Improve Pedestrian and cycling environment and Manage Transportation Demand
• Givethepedestrianandcyclingenvironmentahighpriority• ImprovepedestrianandcyclingconnectionsbothwithintheBeltline
andtothesurroundingcommunities,destinationsandtheregionalpathwaysystem
• Increasepedestrianandbicycleaccessibility,includingaccessibilityforpersonswithvisualorphysicaldisabilities,throughthedesignofblocks,streets,buildingsandparks
• Givegreaterprioritytothepedestrianandthebicycleinthedesignandoperationofintersections,trafficsignals,crosswalksandtransitstops
• Recognizethattherewillbenomajorincreasesinroadcapacity,exceptthroughtheprovisionofnewlinkssuchasanewintersectionat10AvenueSouthand14StreetS.W.,aconnectionbetween4StreetS.E.andOlympicWayS.E.andnewroadsinEastVictoriawhererequiredtofacilitatetheredevelopmentoftheformerCPRlandsandtheVictoriaParkTransitCentresite
• Recognizethatimprovementstomobilitywilllargelybeachievedthroughthemanagementoftransportationdemandincluding:
u accommodatingandpromotingalternativetransportationmodessuchasconvenienttransit,bicycling,walking,carpoolingandcarsharingoptions;
u increasingthefrequencyoftransitserviceasdemandincreases; u improvingthequalityofinfrastructureforalltransportationmodes;
and u employingnewtechnologiessuchasIntelligentTransportation
Systems.
2.2.5 encourage Diversity in Building Types and Styles
• Encouragebuiltformthatisanexpressionofitstime,istechnologicallyandenvironmentallyinnovativeandofthehighesturbandesignandarchitecturalquality
• Encouragediversityinbuildingsiting,massing,heights,materials,setback,sitecoverage,orientationandoveralldesignthatcomplementsandisincontextwithsurroundingdevelopment,streetscapes,andlanescapes
2.2.6 Provide for a Variety of Physical and Social environments and Housing Types
• Encouragethedevelopmentofanappropriaterangeofpublicandprivateamenities,servicesandhousingtypestoaccommodateadiversepopulationincludingpersonsofvariousincomelevels,householdcomposition,orabilities
• Encourageavarietyofhousingtypesandbuildingformsincluding,butnotlimitedto,apartmentunitsfromstudiotomulti-bedroom,townhouses,live/workunits,hostels,single-roomoccupancydwellings,specialcarefacilitiesandlodginghouses
• Supportandenhanceexistingresidentialqualitiesintheneighborhoodsbyapplyingappropriatelanduseregulationstomitigateanynegativeimpactsofnon-residentialuses
• Recognizetheneedsandrequirementsofnon-markethousingandsocialfacilitiesbothwhenconsideringnewdevelopmentinthevicinityofexistinglocationsandwhenconsideringtheappropriatenessofexpansionsornewlocations.
{section two}
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2.2.7 Improve the Public Realm
• EnhanceexistingpublicspacessuchasCentralMemorial,HaultainandTomkinsParks
• Planforandprovideavarietyofnewparks,includingactiveandpassive,tomeettheopenspaceandrecreationalneedsofthelocalresidentsandgeneralpublicintheBeltline
• Createappropriateprocesses,policies,criteriaandimplementationtoolsfortheimprovement,adaptationandreconfigurationofexistingparksandthecreationofnewpublicspaces
• Ensuresignificantpublicstreetsandopenspaces,includingriverbankareas,arenotadverselyaffectedbyshadowsfromnewdevelopment
• Takefulladvantageoftheriverbankareasforavarietyofopenspaceneedsandensurelinkagetotheoverallriverpathwaysystem
• Connectsignificantpublicspaceswithhighqualitystreetscapes• Improvethequalityofallstreetscapesandensuretheyaredesignedto
accommodatepersonswithvisualandphysicaldisabilities
2.2.8 Promote the Development and Use of “Green” Building and Infrastructure Design and Technology
• StronglyencourageLeadershipinEnergyandEnvironmentalDesign(LEED)certificationofallnewCitybuildingsandstructures.
• PromoteLeadershipinEnergyandEnvironmentalDesign(LEED)certificationofnewbuildings,bothpublicandprivate.
• Promotegreenbuildingtechnologiesinbuildingdesignsuchasgreenroofs,utilizationofdistrictheating,recyclingcollectionsystemsand
innovativeon-siteandoff-sitestormwatermanagementsystems.• PromotetheuseofinnovativegreentechnologiesforallCity
infrastructureincludingsuchthingsaslightingandstormwatermanagement.
• Promotethedevelopmentofmixed-usebuildings.
2.2.9 Integrate the expansion of Stampede Park into the Surrounding Neighbourhood
• CelebratethelegacyanddevelopmentofStampedeParkasanintegralpartoftheBeltlineandthecityasawhole
• RecognizeandpromotetheexpansionplansoftheCalgaryExhibitionandStampedeasexpressedintheirMasterPlanof2004
• EnsurethattheinterfacebetweenStampedeParkandadjacentneighbourhoodsconsistsofcompatibleusesandbuiltform
2.2.10 Promote Processes that are Open to creativity and Innovation and Reward Achievement of the Vision and Principles
• Recognizethattherewillalwaysbenewconceptsandideasthatarisethatarenotanticipatedbythisplanandmaybeconstrainedbyorcontradictorytocertainpolicies.WheresuchnewconceptsandideasrespondtoandmeettheintentoftheVisionandPrinciplesorofferacreativesolutiontoaparticularproblem,effortsshallbemadetofindwaystoallowfortheirimplementation,including,wherenecessary,amendmentstothePlan.
• WhereexistingCitystandardsorprocessesaredeterminedtobebarrierstotheimplementationoftheVisionandPrinciplesofthisPlan,effortsshallbemadetoseekcreativesolutions.Thismayincludemakingamendmentstothisplan.
• AnticipatingsignificantgrowthandchangeintheBeltlinethatmayrequirequickandcreativesolutions,thePlanpromotesusingnewprocesses,toolsandpartnershipsintheimplementationofthisPlan.
• Inallcases,resultsfromimplementationofnewideas,concepts,processesandpartnershipsshoulddemonstrateanimprovedoutcomeinrelationtotheVisionandPrinciplesthanwouldusinganapprovedpolicyorprocedure.
{section two}
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PLANNINg fOR NEIgHBOuRHOODS{section three}
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PLANNINg fOR NEIgHBOuRHOODS3.1 INTRODUcTION
TheBeltlineCommunityDistrictwasofficiallyformedin2003whentheformercommunitiesofConnaught/WestVictoriaandVictoriaParkEastwereamalgamated.TheBeltlineCommunityDistrictcurrentlyspansfrom14StreetS.W.onthewesttotheElbowRiverontheeast.ThenorthernboundaryistheCPRtracksandthesouthernboundaryisgenerally17AvenueSouth,butalsoincludestheareainthevicinityofParkRoad,eastof1StreetS.E.(SeeMap1)
TheBeltlineCommunityDistrictisphysicallylargeinsizeandconsistsofadiversityofareaswithdifferentphysical,economicandsocialcharacteristics.Forexample,someareashaveastableandlongestablishedresidentialcharacter,whileothershavesignificantvacantorunderutilizedlandsthatareexpectedtoundergomajorredevelopmentinthefuture.
Thisdiversityisexpectedtoevolveandchangeovertime.TheDistrictalsohaslargeresidentialandemploymentpopulationsthatareexpectedtosubstantiallyincreaseoverboththeshortandlongterm.BecauseofthescaleanddiversityoftheBeltlineDistrict,itisusefulforplanningpurposestodistinguishseparate,butacknowledgedtobeintegrated,neighbourhoodunits.EstablishingneighbourhoodunitsforplanningpurposesisconsistentwiththeoverallCentreCityplanningstrategy.
3.2 RecOGNIzING NeIGHBOURHOODS
ThisPlanrecognizesfourneighbourhoodsandareillustratedonMap2.Boundariesarerepresentedbythemajornorth-southstreets(14StreetS.W.,8StreetS.W.,4StreetS.W.andMacleodTrail),theCPRtracks,17AvenueandtheElbowRiver.InthecaseoftheElbowRiverandtheCPRtracks,theseboundariesrepresentactualphysicalbarriers.Inthecaseofthenorth-southstreetsand17Avenue,theboundariesaremorepsychologicalinnatureduetothesignificantactivityandtrafficlevelsthatoccuralongtheirlength.These
boundariesdonotsegregateorlimitmovementamongtheneighbourhoods.Thenorth-southstreetsand17Avenueserveasmeetingplacesforallresidentsandemployees.Thenorth-southstreetsalsoserveastheconnectionsor“bridges”intoDowntownastheyphysicallybreachtheCPRtracksviatherailwayunderpasses.Inthisway,thesestreets(aswellasothersintheBeltline)physicallyintegrateandconnecttheneighbourhoodsintotheoverallBeltlineCommunityandtothebroaderCentreCityandotheradjacentneighbourhoods.
Theboundariesalsorecognizeneighbourhoodsthatareofasizethatensureswalkingdistancetoneighbourhoodamenitiesandservicesandthatcanaccommodatesufficientresidentialandemploymentgrowthtosupportthoseamenities.Thefourneighbourhoodsare:• WestConnaught:locatedbetween14
StreetS.W.and8StreetS.W.• ConnaughtCentre:locatedbetween8
StreetS.W.and4StreetS.W.
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• VictoriaCrossingCentre:locatedbetween4StreetS.W.andMacleodTrail.
• EastVictoriaCrossing:locatedbetweenMacleodTrailandtheElbowRiverandnorthofStampedePark.
3.3 POPULATION TARGeTS AND ASPIRATIONS
ItisanobjectiveofThePlanto:• Achieveandaccommodateaminimum
populationof40,000withintheBeltlineCommunityand10,000withineachneighbourhood.
• EncouragepopulationgrowthbyensuringtheBeltlineneighbourhoodsareprovidedahighqualityenvironmentwithallthenecessaryamenitiesandservices,bothpublicandprivate,toserveagrowingresidentialandemploymentbase.
ThePlandoesnotsetalimitonfuturepopulationgrowthorprovideaformalpopulationforecasttiedtoaspecificyear.However,toprovidesomeindicationofpossiblepopulationgrowth,onepossibleredevelopmentscenariowasdeveloped(seeAppendix‘A’)thatdemonstrateshowtheBeltlineareacouldphysicallyberedevelopedtomorethantriplethecurrentpopulationfrom17,230toover55,000people.
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Accordingtorecentpopulationanalysis,theBeltlinecouldreachapopulationofbetween25,000to35,000bytheyear2035.HowfasttheBeltlineactuallygrowswilldependontheattractivenessofthearearelativetootherinnercitylocations.TheCityhastheresponsibilitytoencouragethisgrowthbyensuringtheBeltlineneighbourhoodsareprovidedahighqualityenvironmentwiththenecessaryamenitiesandservicestoserveagrowingresidentialpopulation.
Oftheanticipatedgrowth,itisexpectedthatitwillcontinuetoberepresentedbyhighproportionsofhouseholdsinthe25to44agegroup.Thisgroupcurrentlyrepresents53.4%oftheBeltlinepopulation.Householdsinthisgroupwilloftenbeoneortwopersonhouseholdswithoutchildren.Anothersignificantandgrowinggroupwillbeseniorsinthe55andoveragegroup.Thisgroupcurrentlymakesup15.8%ofthepopulation,butcanbeexpectedtoincreaseasCalgary’soverallpopulationages.Currently,thereareveryfewchildrenlivingintheBeltline.In2004,therewere687childrenbetweentheagesof0and14.Thisrepresents4.2%ofthetotalBeltline
population(asopposedto18.4%oftheoverallCitypopulation).Itisnotexpectedthatthisagegroupwillincreasesignificantlyunlessspecificeffortsaremadetocreateorprovidemorechildandfamilyorientedenvironmentsandamenities.
TheBeltlineisalsohometoahigherthanaverageproportionofimmigrantsthantherestoftheCity,whoareoftendrawntotheareabyacombinationofhigherdensitylivingandtheavailabilityoflowercostrentalaccommodation.Ifaffordablerentalhousingremainsprevalentinthearea,theBeltlineshouldcontinuetobeattractivetonewcomersasaplacetolive.
AllofthesesocialanddemographictrendsmustbemonitoredtoensureplanningcontinuestoreflecttheneedsoftheBeltlinepopulation.
3.4 eMPLOYMeNT
ItisanobjectiveofthisPlanto:• Supportexistingbusinessesandprovide
opportunitiesforavarietyofnewbusinessesbymaintainingaflexiblelandusesystemandbyencouraginginvestmentin
programsandinfrastructurethatsupportlocalbusiness.Examplesmayincludeaccommodatingsmallbusinessincubatorprograms,educationalprogramsandlive/workspaces.
TheBeltlinehasasignificantanddiverseemploymentbaseincludingtheofficeconcentrationsouthoftheDowntowncommercialcore,smallscalelightindustrialoperations,vibrantretailandservicebusinessesaswellasasignificantnumberofinstitutionalusessuchasschoolsandhealthcarefacilitiesandofcourse,StampedePark.ThecontinuedgrowthanddevelopmentofemploymentusesisessentialtotheoverallsuccessoftheBeltlineasanintegrated,mixed-usearea.ThePlansupportstheuseandaccommodationoflocaleconomicdevelopmentinitiativestoassistinachievingthisaim.
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3.5 AMeNITIeS AND SeRVIceS
ItisanobjectiveofthisPlanto:• Provideamenitiesandservicesthatwill
respondtothecurrentandchangingneedsandprioritiesofeachneighbourhoodovertimetoensureresidentiallivabilityandcommercialvibrancy.
• Supportthedevelopmentofsocialinfrastructurethroughastrongnetworkofcommunityservicesandfacilitiesdesignedtomeettheevolvingneedsofthecommunity.Thisincludessupportingexistingandplanningfornewservicesandfacilities.
Thetypeandlevelofamenitiesandservicesthatareprovidedwillinfluencethelivabilityofeachneighbourhoodandthestrengthandvibrancyofcommercialareas.Generally,amenitiesandservicesthatarerequiredinanyneighbourhoodareasfollows:• recreationservices• communityfacilities• elementaryschools• daycares• libraries
• policingandbylawenforcementservices• fireprotection• socialservices• healthservices• transitservice• educationalandculturalinstitutions• parks• pedestrianandbicyclefacilities• placesofworship• retailshopsandpersonalservicesthatserve
localconvenienceneeds• supermarkets,foodstoresetc.• otherCityservicessuchasrecycling
collectionfacilities
Notallneighbourhoodswillneedall,orthesamelevel,oftheseamenitiesandservices.Forexample,someareasmayrequireanemphasisonpolicingorbylawenforcement,somemayneedimprovedparksorsocialserviceswhileothersmayneedrevitalizationeffortstosupportandenhancelocalbusiness.Astheneighbourhoodschangeandevolveovertime,sotoowilltheprioritiesforamenityandserviceprovision.
Toassistinplanningforchanges,thereneedstobeperiodicreviewsofdemographics,inventoriesofareaservicesandfacilitiesandtheidentificationofgapsinfacilitiesandservices.
3.6 PHYSIcAL INFRASTRUcTURe
ItisanobjectiveofthisPlanto:• Evaluate,analyseandplanforthenecessary
physicalinfrastructurerequirementstosupporttheproposeddevelopmentobjectives.
PhysicalinfrastructurewithintheBeltlinehasnotrecentlybeenevaluatedinacomprehensivemannerwithrespecttoconditionandcapacity.Inordertosupportthedesiredandexpectedfuturedevelopment,TheCitymustunderstandpotentialinfrastructurerequirementssothattheymaybeplannedforandprioritizedrelativetootherCityobligations.Thisworkhasstarted,specificallywithanevaluationofinfrastructureintheEastVictoriaCrossingneighbourhooddoneaspartoftheEastVictoriaLandUse,Density,TransportationandInfrastructureStudyin2005.
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LAND uSE cONcEPTThelanduseconceptfortheBeltlineconsistsoffourdistinctlanduseclassifications:PrimarilyResidential;UrbanMixed-Use;PublicParks,Pathways,OpenSpaceandRecreation;and,StampedePark.TheconceptmayalsodesignatecertainareasasSpecialPolicyAreasinordertoaddressspecificissuesorsituationsnotaddressedbythebroaderlanduseclassificationsorpoliciesoftheplan.ThedistributionoftheselanduseclassificationsisshownonMap3.ThedeterminationofpreciseboundarieswillbemadebytheDevelopmentAuthority.
4.1 General Policies
Generalpoliciesapplyinalllanduseclassifications.
4.1.1 Private Outdoor Amenity Space
Allnewresidentialunitsshallbeprovidedwithprivateoutdooramenityspace,eitherexclusivetoanindividualunitorasacommonamenity
availabletoallunitswithinadevelopment.Commonamenityspacemaybeprovidedatorabovegrade,withincourtyards,behindfacades,oronrooftops,terracesorground-levelpatiosthatmaybecompletelyorpartiallyvisiblefromthestreetorotherbuildings.
4.1.2 Developments Abutting a Public Lane
Developmentsthatabutapubliclaneshallprovideactiveusesalongthelaneelevation,wherefeasibleandappropriate.Wherefeasible,theseactivitiescouldbeco-ordinatedonbothsidesofthelane(i.e.,amews).Examplesmayincludedwellingunits,amenityspaces,port-cochereorlobbyentrances,vehicledrop-offsandwhereappropriate,smallscalecommercialuses.Throughfurtherstudy,specificlocationsmaybeidentifiedwheremoredetailedrequirementsforlaneorientedusesandthedetaileddesignandconstructionofthelaneright-of-waywillbedeveloped.
4.1.3 Surface Parking and Lay-By Facilities
Exceptinthecaseofahotel,healthcarefacilityorassemblyuse,vehicularsurfaceparkingandlay-byfacilitiesarenotpermittedtobeaccesseddirectlyfromapublicstreetfrontageorlocatedbetweenthebuildingfaceandapropertylinethatabutsapublicstreet.Suchfacilitiesmaybeaccessedfromarearlaneorlocatedbetweenabuildingfaceandapropertylineabuttingarearlane.
4.1.4 Bicycle Parking and Storage Facilities
Allnewdevelopmentsshallmakeprovisionsforcommonprivateparkingandstorageofbicycles.ReferenceshallbemadetotheBicycleParkingHandbookandSection7ofthisPlan.
4.1.5 Recyclable Materials collection Facilities
Allnewdevelopmentsshallmakeprovisionforthecollectionandpick-upofrecyclablematerials.Suchfacilitiesshallbelocatedentirelywithinthebuilding.
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4.2 Primarily Residential
IntentToaccommodateavarietyofresidentialdevelopmentsalongwithcompatibleandaccessoryretail,personalserviceandinstitutionalusestosupportthelocalresidentialpopulation.
Objectives• Toincreasetheresidentialpopulation
throughouttheBeltlineandwithineachneighbourhood.
• Tosupportthelocalresidentialpopulationbyallowingforlow-intensitynon-residentialuses.
• Toaddressthelivabilityofresidentialareasbyregulatingthelocationandsizeofnon-residentialuses.
• Toallowforavarietyofbuildingformsincluding,butnotlimitedto:
towerswithorwithoutcommercialortownhousepodiums;
lowandmid-risebuildings; buildingsorcollectionsofbuildingsthat
createinternalcourtyardsormews;and
townhousesincludingstreetfrontingunitsorcourtyardorientedunits,ortownhouseunitsabovethefirststoreythatfrontontoaprivateamenityspace.
• Toprovideforarangeofhousingtypesandunitsizestomeettheneedsofadiverseurbanpopulation.
• Toaccommodateandencouragelive/workunits.
• Toallowforcreative,adaptivere-useofexistingbuildings.
• Topromotebuildingformsthatrespectthelocalcontextandinterfaceswithadjacentproperties,includingconsiderationofvisiblefacades,decks,roofs,accesspointsandbalconiesfromvariousviewpoints.
• ToencourageandaccommodatesmallsitedevelopmentthatwillsustainthediversityofbuildingformsandscaleswithintheBeltline.
Policies
4.2.1 Uses
UsesappropriateinPrimarilyResidentialareasinclude,butarenotlimitedto:
• Communityassociationfacilities• Culturalfacilities• Communityservices• Hotelaccommodation• Healthcarefacilities• Institutionaluses• Live/workunits• Offices• Parks,pathwaysandopenSpace• Recreationfacilities• Residentialdwellings(alltypesandforms)• Restaurants• Retailandpersonalservice• Schools
4.2.2 Parking Structures
Allparkingstructuresarerequiredtobelocatedbelowgrade.However,incertainexceptionalcases,abovegradeparkingmaybeconsideredwhereithasbeendemonstratedtobeimpracticaltolocateallparkingbelowgrade,orwhereprovidingabovegradeparkingcanbebeneficialtomeetingotherobjectivesofthisPlan.Whereaparkingstructureisproposedtobelocatedabovegrade,thefollowingdesignguidelinesshall
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be applied to determine the appropriateness of allowing for the above grade parking:• the parking structure be limited to two levels;• at grade level, the parking structure shall be
screened from public streets with residential or other active uses;
• portions of parking structures above grade level shall be screened from public streets with active uses and/or architectural treatments that make the parking levels indistinguishable from the rest of the building facade;
• the parking structure shall be adequately screened from adjacent developments to the satisfaction of the Development Authority; and
• where parking structures have exhaust vents, such vents shall be directed away from any public street frontage and adjacent residential uses.
4.2.3 Grade Level Uses
• Within the areas shown on Map 3a, new developments should provide residential units at grade level wherever possible. Any
non-residential uses shall still be uses that create pedestrian activity and provide natural surveillance to the street.
• Where residential units are provided at grade level, all residential units that front a public sidewalk or publicly accessible private sidewalk are required to have individual,
primary entrances (i.e., front doors) providing direct access to and from that public sidewalk or publicly accessible private sidewalk.
• All at-grade residential units should, in most cases, have the main fl oor (entrance level) set slightly above grade in order to achieve
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visual privacy from any public or internal sidewalks without the need for high or non-transparent privacy fences or walls that detract from the active street edge.
• Separate, below grade residential units are generally discouraged.
4.2.4 Non-Residential Uses
a) Non-residential uses are appropriate provided they meet the following criteria:
• the use is located within the fi rst two storeys of a building; and
• the use is situated along the street frontages as shown on Map 3b.
The Development Authority may consider (through land use amendment) non-residential uses above the second storey, provided they are clearly minor in nature and subordinate to the residential uses and do not create incompatible interfaces with adjacent residential uses. Examples of such uses may include penthouse offi ces or live/work spaces. Bylaw 52P2008
In addition, the Development Authority may consider non-residential uses in other locations
provided they are situated at the corner of a block and would not detract from the essentially residential character of the immediate vicinity.
b) The Development Authority may also consider (through land use amendment) a non-residential use where the use would:
Bylaw 52P2008
• allow for the adaptive re-use of a building on the Heritage Inventory;
• promote varied building form and historic character by encouraging the retention and productive use of a structure built prior to 1950; or
• help meet the design and diversity objectives of a Character Area as identifi ed in Section 8 of this Plan.
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c) Individual commercial uses such as retail, service commercial, offi ce and restaurant/food service uses should generally not exceed 300 square metres in size. In considering such uses, the Development Authority shall have regard to the character of the immediate area, and the impacts that such uses may create particularly with respect to noise, light and local traffi c impacts. Bylaw 52P2008
d) The design of new developments shall be guided by the intent and policies of Section 4.3.2.
e) New development containing a stand alone Place of Worship - large use are discouraged within the Primarily Residential Area.
Bylaw 52P2008
4.2.4.1 Hotel Accommodations
Although hotel accommodations are most appropriate in the Urban Mixed Use Area, the Development Authority may consider (through land use amendment) hotel accommodations within the primarily residential area provided the development: • Contains a signifi cant residential component; • The building design contextually complements
the character of the surrounding primarily residential neighbourhood;
• The ancillary uses associated with the hotel component should be limited by size so as not to generate excessive amounts of localized vehicular traffi c and generally serve the occupants of the building;
• Hotel rooms are encouraged to be designed to allow for the easy conversion into dwelling units by providing a kitchen component;
• All parking and loading is contained within the development;
• Any proposed signage must be appropriate in scale and complementary to the context of the adjacent residential neighbourhoods. Bylaw 2P2010
4.2.5 Residential Conversions
The intent of this policy is to promote varied building forms and historical character by encouraging the retention and productive use of residential structures by allowing conversion to non-residential uses. When considering a proposed conversion through a Land Use Re-designation or a Development Permit, the following criteria shall be considered:• Residential structure is on the Heritage
Inventory or is a single-detached, duplex or
semi-detached dwelling built prior to 1950, • The structure is within a Character Area as
defi ned in Section 8 of this Plan; • Proposed use must not, in the opinion of
the Development Authority, generate an excessive amount of localized traffi c or detract from the residential character of the immediate area; and
• Any proposed signage has a total surface area of less than 1.0 square metre.
4.3 Urban Mixed-Use Areas
IntentTo allow for a wide range and mix of uses in many possible confi gurations, both within buildings and within the local context resulting in vibrant, pedestrian streets. Some uses may be restricted or prohibited where they are adjacent or in close proximity to Primarily Residential areas.
Objectives• To create vibrant pedestrian streets that
provide activity throughout the daytime and evening hours.
• To provide for uses that serve the local and broader population.
• To encourage and support innovation and
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experimentation in how different uses can be combined within new and existing buildings.
• To create streetscapes that respond to the context of the particular area, that have buildings that are built to and frame the sidewalk, and that have a high degree of permeability between interior and exterior space through the use of transparent windows and doors.
• To encourage and support the development of uses and built forms, other than just loading and vehicle access, that create activity and natural surveillance in rear lanes.
• To encourage residential uses above the street level, and, where appropriate to the local context, at street level.
• To promote live-work units in a variety of confi gurations including at street level.
• To ensure compatibility of adjacent uses, within and among buildings and properties, particularly with respect to residential uses.
• To promote building forms that respect the local context and interfaces with adjacent properties, including consideration of visible facades, decks, roofs, access points and balconies from various view points.
Policies
4.3.1 Uses
Uses appropriate in Urban Mixed-Use areas include, but are not limited to: • Community association facilities• Community services• Cultural facilities• Drinking establishments• Entertainment establishments• Health care facilities• Hotel accommodation• Institutional uses• Light industrial• Live/work units• Offi ces• Parking facilities• Parks, pathways and open space• Personal services• Recreation facilities• Residential dwellings• Restaurants• Retail• Schools
4.3.2 General Urban Mixed-Use Area Policies
The intent of these policies is to create mixed-use areas and business streetscapes, as opposed to residential streetscapes, that are:• active, • pedestrian scaled,• aesthetically appealing,• visually interesting,• permeable and transparent, • safe, • sensitive to residential uses adjacent to or in
close proximity to, a commercial area, and• able to meet the needs of both the local
residential population, local employees and other visitors to the area.
It is acknowledged that new development in mixed-use areas can experience signifi cant change due to changing markets and circumstances and that there will always be emerging development prototypes and forms that can’t be foreseen by this Plan. As a result, the Development Authority may use discretion in approving developments that may not meet all of the policies below, provided the new development can demonstrate that it meets the overall intent of the polices as stated above.
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a) Street level uses that front a business street edge shall consist primarily of retail, personal service, offi ce and restaurant uses.A business street edge is where a building elevation faces a street whose primary street level uses are commercial.
b) Live/work units may be located at street level provided the units are constructed in a manner that allows for conversion to a commercial occupancy according to the Alberta Building Code.
c) The width of individual entrance lobbies, whose only function is to provide access to upper or lower level uses, shall be minimized along the commercial streetscape so as not to create major gaps in activity and should not exceed 7.5 metres in width. Where the lobby serves as the principal entrance lobby for a residential or hotel building, the width may be exceeded to the satisfaction of the Development Authority.
d) Where there is an established streetscape pattern with respect to building scale, spacing of entrances and store front width, new development shall maintain and reinforce the existing pattern. Existing streetscapes with strong, established
patterns include portions of 17 Avenue and 1 Street S.W.
e) Street front elevations shall be highly permeable and transparent by providing doorway entrances to the street and allowing for pedestrian views directly into the business along the majority of the facade.
f) Facades shall be highly articulated and incorporate architectural elements that suggest a rhythm of narrower business frontages. As a guideline, a business frontage width of 7.5 metres is considered to be a useful benchmark based on the historic lot widths established in the Beltline.
g) Individual business fronts that are greater than 30 metres in width: • Should provide for multiple entrances
at the street level, which may include incorporating separate, individual uses that have entrances oriented to the street.
• May be located on fl oor levels above the street level fl oor.
h) Other than fully-enclosed retail and accessory service, no new automotive uses are permitted.
i) No new drive-through facilities are permitted.j) Surface parking areas are not permitted to
be located between a building and a street.
4.3.3 Parking Structures
All parking structures are strongly encouraged to be located below grade, particularly where the subject site is adjacent to a Primarily Residential area. However, in certain cases, above grade parking may be considered where it has been demonstrated to be impractical to locate all parking below grade, or where providing above grade parking can be benefi cial to meeting other objectives of this Plan. Where a parking structure is proposed to be located above grade, the following design guidelines shall be applied to determine the appropriateness of allowing for the above grade parking:• at grade level, the parking structure shall
be screened from public streets with active uses with suffi cient depth to function as leasable commercial fl oor area or as residential dwelling units;
• portions of parking structures above grade level shall be screened from public streets with active uses and/or architectural treatments that make the parking levels
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indistinguishable from the rest of the building facade;
• the parking structure shall be adequately screened from adjacent developments to the satisfaction of the Development Authority; and
• where parking structures have exhaust vents, such vents shall be directed away from any public street frontage and adjacent residential uses.
4.3.4 Restaurants, Drinking Establishments and Entertainment Establishments
a) General
Restaurants, drinking establishments and entertainment establishments are subject to Section 4.3.2 and are only allowed where:• The business can be fully enclosed within a
building, except for outside patios;• Noise, odour, vibration, heat, high
illumination levels or waste that are caused by the business are not disruptive to adjacent uses and are, to the extent possible, mitigated through development permit approval requirements.
In order to address potential impacts on Primarily Residential Areas, the Development Authority may consider restricting the size of the business or the type of use proposed. For example, in some cases a restaurant may be appropriate, but not a drinking or entertainment establishment.
b) Clustering of Drinking Establishments
Well-designed and well-managed drinking establishments can be valuable components of a balanced, active urban street, in particular bringing night-time activity and vitality. However excessive clustering of such uses can negatively affect residential livability while upsetting the mix of a well balanced commercial street. As both 17th Avenue SW and 1st Street SW are adjacent to residential districts and are intended to evolve toward well balanced urban streets with many inter-mixed commercial uses, the intention of this Plan is to continue to allow consideration of such operations, but to limit excessive clustering.
The following policies will apply:
1. In considering development permit applications for Drinking Establishments, with or without dancing or performance space, applications should be strongly discouraged that would result, either individually or cumulatively with other existing or proposed operations, in more than 50% of the linear frontage of any one block, at grade, being taken up by such uses.
2. In considering new individual applications for such uses adjacent to (including separated by an intervening street or lane) lands designated Primarily Residential in this Plan, a maximum size of 140 m² net fl oor area, is generally considered desirable.
3. Where new operations exceeding 75 m²
of net fl oor area are proposed adjacent to lands designated Primarily Residential in this Plan, additional requirements should be considered at development permit approval, to address/mitigate noise and vibration, vehicular and parking access issues, exterior crowd control, etc. in order to mitigate as much as is feasible any negative effects on adjacent residential livability.
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4.3.5 Large Scale Uses
Businesses or uses that have fl oor areas in excess of 1,200 square metres may be accommodated in the following ways:a) Street front elevations shall be highly
transparent and allow for unobstructed pedestrian views directly into the business for a minimum of two-thirds of the facade length.
b) Facades shall be highly articulated and incorporate architectural elements that suggest a rhythm of narrower business frontages. As a guideline, a business frontage width of 7.5 metres is considered to be a useful benchmark based on the historic lot widths established in the Beltline.
c) Individual storefronts that are greater than 30 metres in width should provide for multiple entrances at the street level, which may include incorporating separate, individual retail units that have entrances oriented to the street.
d) May be located on upper fl oor levels.e) May be multi-storey with one level being at
street level.
Because of the importance of food stores to the livability of a neighbourhood, the Development Authority may consider exceptions to the above in order to accommodate their unique needs and requirements. However, the development must still meet the intent of Section 4.3.2.4.3.6 Light Industrial Uses
Light industrial uses will include those that are small-scale in nature and can demonstrate that they have a low impact on adjacent uses. Examples include warehousing, distribution and small-scale assembly, fabrication and manufacturing.
Light industrial operations are subject to Section 4.3.2 and are only permitted under the following conditions:• They are located within the area shown
on Map 3c.• The operation can be fully-enclosed within a
building with no outside storage of materials or products
• Noise, odour, vibration, heat, high illumination levels or waste that are caused by the business are not disruptive
to adjacent uses and are, to the extent possible, mitigated through development permit approval requirements.
4.3.7 Residential Uses
a) Residential uses are encouraged and allowed above the fi rst storeys of the street front elevations and at street level along a lane or mews frontage of any new development. Depending on the local context, residential uses may also be appropriate at the street level along street frontage elevations where the existing or proposed future context will be compatible with residential uses. One specifi c example would be the north side of 12 Avenue South.
b) The provision of live-work units is encouraged throughout Urban Mixed-Use areas.
c) Residential uses are generally discouraged below grade.
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4.4 Schools and Public Parks, Pathways, Open Space and Recreation
Intent To protect, enhance and provide guidance for the possible redevelopment of existing, parks, pathways, open space, school and recreation
sites and to provide guidance for the future provision of new school, park, pathways, recreation and open space facilities.Objectives• To provide and foster high quality, accessible,
safe, well-designed and well maintained urban parks, pathways, public spaces, and
recreation facilities throughout the Beltline for the purposes of attracting and supporting a growing and diverse population.
• To foster the sustainability of the Connaught School as well as new schools within the Beltline.
• To ensure no net-loss of total park and recreational facilities, while increasing the quality of existing open space.
• To provide a range of types and sizes of facilities that are appropriate to the particular neighbourhood and local context.
• To protect public parks, pathways and open spaces from shadow and wind impacts from new developments.
• To provide high quality and legible non-vehicular linkages between public amenities.
• To ensure the continuation and enhancement of the public river pathway system, connecting the Beltline north to East Village and south through Stampede Park.
• To explore new management models for the design, construction, maintenance, operating and programming of parks and recreation facilities. Such models may include partnerships with The City, City partners, community-based groups and the private sector.
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Policies
4.4.1 UsesUsesappropriateinPublicParks,Pathways,OpenSpaceandRecreationareasinclude,butarenotlimitedto:• Accessorycommercialuses• Communityassociationfacilities• Daycares• Naturalareas• Openspace• Parks• Pathways• Recreationfacilities• Schools• Stormwaterretentionfacilities
4.4.2 General Policies
a) Parkspacesshallbeframedwithresidentialoractiveuseswhereverfeasible.
b) Thereshouldbeamixofactiveandpassiveparkspacesandfunctionsthatareconsistentwithbothsurroundinglandusesandtheneedsoftheneighbourhood.Insomecases,bothactiveandpassiveuses
maybeprovidedwithinthesamepark.c) Considerthepossibilityofroadorlane
closureswherethereisanopportunitytoreconfigure,enlargeorimprovethefunctionalityofapark.
d) TheCitywillexplore,andwhereappropriate,implementnewadministrativearrangementsforthedesign,construction,maintenanceandprogrammingofurbanparkspacesandrecreationfacilitieswithintheBeltline.SucharrangementsmayincludepartneringwiththeParksFoundationCalgary,businessrevitalizationzones,communityassociations,theCalgaryExhibitionandStampede,andwhereappropriate,privatesectorparties.Sucharrangementsmayincludeoffsettingincreasedoperatingcoststhroughacombinationof:revenuegenerationfromleasing,bookings,specialevents,concessionoperations,lessonsandprogramsandadvertisingorsponsorships,donations,endowmentfundandmillratesupportaswellaspartneringwiththeParksFoundationCalgary.
4.4.3 existing Parks
a) central (Memorial) ParkCentralMemorialParkisthepre-eminentparkspacewithintheBeltlineandisahighlyvaluedHistoricResource.TheCitywill:
pursuethedesignationoftheparkasaMunicipalHistoricResource
acknowledgethereceiptofthe2004CentralMemorialParkStudy
prepareandimplementadetailedDesignDevelopmentPlanfortherestorationandenhancementofCentralMemorialPark
recognizetheheritagevalueoftheMemorialParkLibraryBuilding
b) Haultain School and ParkHaultainSchoolisaprovinciallydesignatedHistoricResource.HaultainParkistobesubstantiallyimprovedandupgradedandwherepossible,integratedwiththeeventualredevelopmentoftheprivatelandstotheeast.Individualresidentialunitsorcommercialspacesareencouragedto“front”ontotheparkinordertogenerateactivityandachievenaturalsurveillanceof
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thepark.AprivateparkingfacilitymaybelocatedunderneathHaultainParkinordertofacilitatetheredevelopmentofthelandstotheeast.
c) 16 Avenue Park (between 11 and 12 Street)Thisparcelofpublicly-ownedlandispresentlythelocationofaparkandtheCalgaryLawnBowlingClub,whichleasestheirsitefromTheCity.AreviewofthepurposeandfunctionofthisparkshallbeundertakenbyTheCityandmayincludeconsiderationofrelocatingthelawnbowlinggrouptoanotherexistingbowlingfacilityandredevelopingtheparkspace.
d) Tomkins Gardens (Park) (8 Street and 17 Avenue)TomkinsGardensisthegreen“heart”of17Avenue.Thisparkshallcontinuetobemaintainedandenhancedtothehighestpossiblestandard.
e) Humpy Hollow Park (centre Street and 17 Avenue)HumpyHollowParkisthesiteoftheformerShermanRollerRink.Areviewofthepurposeandfunctionofthisparkshall
beundertaken.Thereviewshallincludetheconsiderationofexchangingthissiteforpublicopenspaceinabetterlocationfarthertothenorth.ThefutureofthisparkshouldnotresultinareductionofpublicopenspaceintheBeltline(i.e.,otherparkspaceshouldeitherbeinplaceoraspecificreplacementstrategyhasbeenapprovedandfundedbyCouncilbeforeapossiblesaleoptionisconsidered.Alandswapmaybeanoption.)
f) connaught Park (14 Avenue and 11 Street)AreviewofthepurposeandfunctionofthisparkshallbeundertakenbyTheCity.
g) Lougheed House and Beaulieu Gardens (6 Street between 13 and 14 Avenues)AportionofthissiteisdesignatedasaNationalHistoricSite.Theuseanddevelopmentofthisportionofthesitearegovernedbytheappropriateheritagelegislation.Theremainderofthesiteshallbemaintainedtothehigheststandard.
h) 16 Avenue Park (between 8 and 9 Streets)Thisparkisinanawkwardandpoorlocation.Considerationshouldbegivento
exchangingtheselandsforasiteinabetterlocation.
4.4.4 Development of Future Parks Strategy
TheCity’sParksBusinessUnithascompletedastudyentitledOpenSpaceStrategyforEstablishedCommunities.Thisstudyincludedanassessmentoftheuse,citizensatisfactionandsuggestedimprovementsofBeltlineparks.Thisstudyshouldbeusedasthebasisforthedevelopmentofalongtermstrategyfortheimprovementofexistingandprovisionoffutureparks,pathwaysandopenspaceintheBeltline.ThisstrategyshallalsoconsidertheframeworksuggestedinAppendixB.
4.4.5 Future Recreation Needs and the Beltline Pool and Fitness centre
TheCityshouldundertakeareviewofthelongtermrecreationneedsoftheBeltline,includingthelongtermviabilityoftheBeltlinePoolandFitnessCentre.Thereviewshoulddeterminethetypeoffacilitiesthatwillbeneededand
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the appropriate location or locations that are best able to serve the broad community needs including residents and workers. New facilities should be centrally located and easily accessible by transit, bicycle and pedestrian modes. Should it be determined that the Beltline Pool and Fitness Centre site is not able to meet the future needs of the community, a strategy for the re-use of the existing site should be prepared.
4.4.6 Existing School Sites
The Calgary Board of Education (CBE) is proposing to redevelop the Connaught School site. The Connaught School site lies within the Primarily Residential land use area. In considering the future of this site, it is The City of Calgary’s objective to preserve the heritage building, retain signifi cant open space and support the continued use of the Connaught School as a public elementary school. To that end The City will work in co-operation with the CBE to attempt to develop a mutually benefi cial redevelopment plan. This may include the use of a Special Policy Area. Bylaw 15P2007
4.4.7 River Pathway System
The City should assess the possibility of a comprehensive riverfront park and pathway system for the lands on the west side of the Elbow River in Victoria Park. Such a system would include integration with Stampede Park and the redevelopment of the Victoria Park Transit Centre site.
4.4.8 Historic Parks (Cultural Landscapes)
Due to the historic designations of Central Memorial Park and Haultain Park, there is substantial responsibility for:a) Maintaining the historic quality and integrity
of these designated spaces;b) Maintaining the health of the sites due
to increased use as a city-wide heritage attraction and due to their location within a high density neighbourhood;
c) Accommodating a variety of performances, ceremonies and community functions while enhancing the visual effect of the formal gardens instead of altering or damaging them; i.e., the formal gardens were designed
to be seen and walked about in, and access to them must be restricted to the extent demanded by their size and vulnerability, so that their physical fabric and cultural message may be preserved;
d) Selecting those species of trees, shrubs, plants and fl owers to be replaced periodically must be with regard for established and recognized practice of Calgary’s botanical and horticultural region with the aim to determine the species initially grown and to preserve them; and
e) Removing or displacing the permanent or movable architectural, sculptural or decorative features which form an integral part of the historic gardens only insofar as this is essential for their conservation or restoration.
4.5 Calgary Exhibition and Stampede Park
Intent To recognize and celebrate the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede; its importance to Calgary, its boundaries and its overall plans for development.
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The need to create a seamless interface between Stampede Park and the surrounding community is also recognized.
4.5.1 Stampede Park Boundaries
Those portions of Stampede Park within the Beltline are bounded on the north by 12 Avenue, on the east and south by the Elbow River and on the west by Macleod Trail.
4.5.2 Uses
In order for the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede (Calgary Stampede) to reach its full potential, a wide range of uses and activities needs to be accommodated on Stampede Park.
4.5.3 Policies
a) This Plan recognizes the importance of the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede to the image, culture and economy of Calgary. The Plan endeavours to ensure the continued evolution of Stampede Park in its current and historic location in the Beltline.
b) The successful integration of Stampede Park with the surrounding community will require the sensitive treatment of uses, activities and building form, especially along the 12 Avenue interface. More detailed guidelines shall be included in the new Land Use District or Districts.
4.6 Special Policy Areas
Intent A Special Policy Area is being created to accommodate those special cases of unique developments as outlined on Map 3 entitled Land Use Concept.
4.6.1 Special Policy Area 1
General Policies
In addition to the policies of Section 4.3, the following shall apply:
a) Lands designated as Parks, Open Space and Pathways, upon acquisition by The City of Calgary, may be designated as Municipal Reserve. In that instance, any
density permitted by the Land Use District in force at the time of acquisition, may in the future, be transferred to another site within the Beltline, consistent with the provisions of Section 5.4.2 Density Transfer for Public Open Space, subject to the execution of any necessary legal arrangements.
b) A minimum of 2,940 square metres of the Urban Mixed Use lands should be secured for public access through a public access agreement.
c) Notwithstanding Section 5 of this Plan, a maximum of 2.86 commercial FAR excluding the sandstone building is allowed within Special Policy Area 1.
d) Development of the Special Policy Area 1 shall maintain a view of the east facade of the sandstone building to the satisfaction of the Development Authority.
e) The Development Authority shall work with the CBE to preserve the Sandstone School following the standards outlined in the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada.
Bylaw 15P2007
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DENSITY 5.1 INTeNT
1. Toensuredensitiesaresetatalevelthatdeliversanadequatesupplyofredevelopmentsitestomeetexpecteddemandforresidentialunitsandemploymentspace.
2. Toensuredensitiesareappropriatefortheareainordertocreatelivableneighbourhoodsandvibrantmixed-useareas.
3. Tobalancehigherdensitydevelopmentwithpublicbenefitsandamenities.
4. Tofacilitatethepreservationofhistoricresourcesandaffordablehousingandtheprovisionofpublicspaces.
5.2 DeNSITY AReAS
TheBeltlinehasbeencategorizedintoareas
ofdifferentdensitydependingonthepurposeandcharacteroftheareaandanarea’sabilitytoaccommodatehigherdensities.ThedifferentareasareshownonMap4andaredescribedbelow.Table5.1providesasummaryoftheDensityAreaPolicies.
DensityshallbemeasuredbyFloorAreaRatio
(FAR).FARmeansthequotientofthegrossfloorareaofabuildingdividedbythegrosssitearea.
AreaA:AppliestoareasthatarePrimarilyResidentialorareexpectedtobedevelopedaspredominantlyresidentialareas.Thebasedensityisconsideredtobetheminimumdensityrequiredtocreatean
Table 5.1: Density Areas
DensityArea BaseDensity(FloorAreaRatioFAR) MaximumDensitywithBonusesandTransfersofDensity(inFAR)
A 5.0 7.0
B 3.0forCommercialWestofMacleodTrail5.0forCommercialEastofMacleodTrail5.0forResidential/MixedUse
3.0forCommercialWestofMacleodTrail8.0forCommercialEastofMacleodTrail9.0forResidential/MixedUse
C 5.0forCommercial8.0forResidential/Mixed-Use
8.0forCommercial12.0forResidential/MixedUse
D 3.0 3.0WestofCentreStreet4.0EastofCentreStreet
Note:ThemaximumdensitieslistedinTable5.1maybeexceededbyupto10%throughatransferofheritage
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adequatesupplyofredevelopmentsites.Themaximum7FARisconsideredthemaximumdensitythatcanbe“comfortably”accommodatedwiththeprovisionofsomeoffsettingpublicamenitiesorbenefits.
AreaB:AppliestoareasalongmajorroadsandadjacenttoPrimarilyResidentialareasandStampedePark.Theseareasareappropriateforhigherdensitybecauseoftheirproximitytotransitandbeinglocatedonthemajornorth-southpedestrianandcycleroutesintodowntown.Theadditionaldensityalsohelpssupportthecommercialusesalongthemajorstreets.Thebasedensitiesrepresentexistinglandusedesignationsplusadditionaldensitytoallowformoreresidentialdevelopment.Themaximumdensityof9FARisdesirablealongthesecorridorsprovidednewdevelopmentisintheformofmixed-usebuildingsandsomeoffsettingpublicbenefitsandamenitiesareprovided.
AreaC:ThisisthehighestdensityareaoftheBeltline.Itsproximitytothedowntownandalongmajor
transportationcorridorsmakesthisareaappropriateforhighdensitylevels.Thebasedensityhasbeenestablishedtoallowforsignificantdevelopmentintensitytoencouragetheredevelopmentofunderutilizedsites.Themaximumdensitieshavebeensetat8FARforcommercialand12FARforresidential/mixed-use.Theselevelsindicatethatthisareaistobecomeamixed-useareaandnotaprimarilyofficeareatocompetewiththedowntownofficecore.Althoughthedensityissignificant,itcanbeaccommodatedprovidedhigherdensitydevelopmentsprovidesomeoffsettingpublicbenefitsandamenities.
AreaD:Appliestothe17AvenueSouthcorridor.ThedensityforthecorridorrecognizesitsroleasoneofCalgary’smainpedestrian-orientedretailstreetsanditsabilitytoprovideatransitionfromthehighdensitydevelopmentintheBeltlinetothelowerdensitydevelopmenttothesouth.HigherdensityispossiblewithbonusingeastofCentreStreetwheretheroleofthestreetislessdefinedandisneartheVictoriaPark-StampedeLRTstation.
5.3 DeNSITY BONUSING
5.3.1 Principles
1. Densitybonusesshouldonlybeestablishedforitemsorfeaturesthatprovideaperpetualorenduringbenefittothecommunityinwhichthedensityisbeingaccommodated.
2. Densitybonusesshouldnotbegrantedforelementsofbuildingorsitedesignthatcanbeachievedorrequiredthroughothermeans.
3. Theamountoffloorareagrantedthroughabonusshouldbebasedontheadditionalmonetaryvalueaddedtothelandasaresultofthebonusandthecosttothedeveloperofprovidingthebonusitem.
4. ContributionsandamenitiesachievedthroughbonusingareonlyaportionofwhatwillberequiredtomeettheneedsoftheBeltlineasitgrows.Othersourcesoffundingwillalsoberequired.
5.3.2 Bonus Schedule
Developmentsitescanbedevelopeduptothebasedensitywithoutprovidinganybonusitems.Inordertodevelopabovethebasedensityanduptothemaximumdensity,developmentsmayprovideoneormorebonusitemsinexchangeforadefinedamountofadditionaldensity.Anycombinationofitemscanbeusedtoearnadditionaldensity,subjecttothediscretionoftheDevelopmentAuthorityandthelocalcontextoftheproposeddevelopmentsite.Detailsofeachitemareasfollows:
1. Provision of community Amenity Space
Description:CommunityAmenitySpaceisdefinedasfloorareamadeavailablewithintheproposeddevelopment,inperpetuitytoTheCityofCalgary,inaformacceptabletoTheCityofCalgaryfornot-for-profitcommunitypurposesincludingbutnotlimitedto:offices,meetingrooms,assemblyspaces,recreationfacilities,educationalfacilities,culturalfacilities,daycaresandothersocialservices.
Rationale:Withanincreasingpopulation,newfacilitiesandnewwaysofdeliveringsuchfacilities,needtobeprovidedinordertocreatethenecessarysocialinfrastructuretofosterthedevelopmentofastrongcommunity.Havingsuchcommunityuseswithinprivateprojectscanalsobeanadvantagetothedeveloperiftheprojectispairedwithacomplementaryuseorgroupthatfitstheoverallprojectobjectives.Forexample,providingspaceforsenior’sprogramminginanadultorientedbuildingoragymnasiuminabuildingtargetedtoayounger,activemarketmaybeofbenefittothedeveloperandthecommunity.
Eligibility:Projectsmustprovidephysicalspaceofalocation,sizeandconfigurationthatisacceptabletoTheCityandtheproposedusergroupwhentheproposedusergroupisnotdirectlyaffiliatedwithTheCityofCalgary.ThespacemustbesecuredbyTheCityinperpetuitythroughownershiporotheracceptablemeans.TheCitywillthencontractthespacetospecificusergroups.Developersareencouragedtodeveloptheirownrelationshipswithpossibleusersor
consultwithTheCityofCalgaryonpotentialusersforcommunityamenityspacewithintheirproject.
BonusRate:Theallowablebonusfloorareawillbebasedontheconstructioncostoftherawfloorspaceand,whereprovided,anyimprovementstothespacerequiredbytheproposeduser.Itdoesnotincludeoperatingcosts.CostestimatesshallbepreparedbyaProfessionalQuantitySurveyor.Forexample,ifthecosttothedevelopertoprovidethespaceis$500,000andtheaveragelandvaluepersquaremetreofbuildablefloorareafortheareais$270,thentheamountofthebonusfloorareawillbecalculatedasfollows:
Totalconstructioncost/(Averagelandvaluex75%)=AllowableBonusFloorArea$500,000/($270x75%)=2,469m²
Note:Theaveragelandvalueisdiscountedatarateof25%toaccountfortransactionalcostsassociatedwiththeprovisionandnegotiationofthebonus.
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2. Provision of Publicly Accessible Private Open Space
Description:PubliclyaccessibleprivateopenspaceisdefinedasaportionofaprivatedevelopmentsitethatismadeavailabletothepublicthroughalegalagreementacceptabletoTheCity,thatisinalocation,formandconfigurationandisconstructedinawaythatisacceptabletoTheCity,basedonthecriteriaidentifiedinAppendix‘B’oranyothercriteriathatmaybedefinedfromtimetotime.
Rationale:ActualacquisitionofparkandopenspacebyTheCityshouldnotbereliedontobuildtheentireopenspacenetworkovertime.Opportunitiesoftenexisttoutilizeprivatelandsforpublicpurposesthatcanbenefitboththeprivatedevelopmentandthepublic.Sucharrangementscanhelpmitigatedensityimpactsonbothanindividualsiteorthecumulativeimpactofdensityinabroaderarea.
Eligibility:Anydevelopmentthatcanprovideapubliclyaccessibleprivatespacethatisinalocation,formandconfigurationthatisacceptabletoTheCityiseligibleforthisbonus.
BonusRate:Thebonusisbasedonthecostofconstruction(excludinglandcosts)oftheproposedspacetobeaccessiblebythepublic.CostestimatesshallbepreparedbyaRegisteredLandscapeArchitectorProfessionalQuantitySurveyor.Forexample,ifthecosttothedevelopertoconstructthespaceis$500,000andtheaveragelandvaluepersquaremetreofbuildablefloorareafortheareais$270,thentheamountofthebonusfloorareawillbecalculatedasfollows:
Totalconstructioncost/(Averagelandvaluex75%)=AllowableBonusFloorArea$500,000/($270x75%)=2,469m²
Note:Theaveragelandvalueisdiscountedatarateof25%toaccountfortransactionalcostsassociatedwiththeprovisionandnegotiationofthebonus.
3. Provision of Affordable Housing Units
Description:Affordablehousingunitsaredefinedasnon-markethousingunitsownedandoperatedbyTheCityofCalgaryoranybonafidenon-markethousingproviderrecognizedbyTheCityofCalgary,providedwithintheproposeddevelopment.
Rationale:Asallowabledensitiesincrease,sodoesthelikelihoodthatsmaller,affordablerentalapartmentbuildingswillberedevelopedtohigherdensityuses.Providingforsomeaffordablehousingunitswithinnewdevelopmentswillhelpoff-setthelossofexistingaffordablehousing.
Eligibility:Anynewdevelopmentthatcan,inperpetuity,providehousingunitswithinaproposeddevelopmentinanumber,locationandofadesignacceptabletoTheCityorotherbonafidenon-markethousingproviderrecognizedbyTheCity,iseligibleforthisbonus.
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Bonus Rate: The allowable bonus fl oor area will be based on the total construction cost of the units to a standard acceptable to The City. Cost estimates shall be prepared by a Professional Quantity Surveyor. For example, if the cost to the developer to provide 1000 m2 of affordable housing units is $500,000 and the average land value per square metre of buildable fl oor area for the area is $270, then the amount of the bonus fl oor will be calculated as follows: Bylaw 52P2008
Total construction cost / (Average land value x 75%) + gross fl oor area of affordable housing units = Allowable Bonus Floor Area$500,000 / ($270 x 75%) + 1000 m2 = 3,469 m² Bylaw 52P2008
Note: The average land value is discounted at a rate of 25% to account for transactional costs associated with the provision and negotiation of the bonus.
Maximum densities still apply. Bylaw 52P2008
4. Heritage Designation
Description: A building or portions of a building are designated as a Municipal Historic Resource.
Rationale: As allowable density increases, the pressure to redevelop heritage sites also increases. To counterbalance this situation, incentives are required to preserve and re-use heritage resources.
Eligibility: A heritage resource on a proposed development site must be designated a Municipal Historic Resource. The upgrade to the structure shall be consistent with the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada and to a degree that will allow for residential or commercial occupancy under the Alberta Building Code. Any cost estimates for the preservation, rehabilitation or restoration shall be submitted by the applicant and prepared by a Registered Architect with demonstrated experience in heritage conservation.
Agreement on the cost estimates shall be determined through negotiations with the applicant and the Senior Heritage Planner.
Bonus Rate: The amount of additional fl oor area that may be earned through the preservation of heritage features will be determined through negotiations between the owner/developer and The City, based on the overall cost of the preservation, rehabilitation or restoration and any other related costs, depending on the specifi c circumstances of each building. As with other bonus items, the fl oor area bonus will relate to the average land value per square metre of buildable fl oor area for the area. For example, if the total cost is determined to be $500,000 and the average land value per square metre of buildable fl oor area for the area is $270, then the amount of the bonus fl oor area will be calculated as follows:
Total cost / (Average land value x 75%) = Allowable Bonus Floor Area$500,000 / ($270 x 75%) = 2,469 m²
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AnybonusfloorareaoverandabovethemaximumallowableFARforthesubjectpropertywillresidewiththepropertythroughanagreementacceptabletoTheCityandmaybetransferredorsoldtoothersiteswithintheBeltline.
5. Incorporation of Sustainable Building Features
Description:Sustainablebuildingfeaturesincludethefollowing:• Agreenroof,definedasasystemofplants,
growingmediumandroof/waterproofmembranethatactasawholetomaximizetheavailableenvironmentalbenefitsofimprovingairtemperature(reduceheatislandeffect),airpollution,stormwatermanagementandgreenspace.
• Adiversityofhousingunittypeswithinadevelopmentwhereaminimumof10%ofallunitsaremadeupofeithertownhouseorthreebedroomunits
• Amixed-usebuildingwhereoneuseisresidential.Theresidentialuseandthesum
ofallnon-residentialusesmusteachoccupyatleast25%ofthegrossfloorareaofthebuilding.Forthepurposesofthisbonus,live/workunitsaredeemedtobeanon-residentialuse.
• Useofarenewableenergyresourcesuchassolarorgeo-thermalheatingthataccountsforaminimumof5%oftotalannualenergyuse.
• Re-useofanexistingbuildingshelland/orstructure.
• Useofwaterefficientlandscapingresultinginnopotablewateruseforirrigation
• ReduceddevelopmentfootprintinordertoconservenaturalsitefeaturesasidentifiedbyTheCity.
• ThesefeaturesaresummarisedinTable5.2.
Rationale:Increaseddevelopmentintensityandthedemandsitplacesonutilitiesandinfrastructureisoffsetbygainsinenergyandwaterefficiencyandreductionsinoff-sitestormwaterfloworwastewaterthatmustbehandledbyCityinfrastructure.Dependingonthefeaturesincluded,itmayalsoreduceemissionsthatcanharmlocalairquality.Withrespecttogreen
roofs,increaseddevelopmentintensityandthereductioninpermeablesurfacesandgreenspaceareoffsetbyimprovementstoenergyperformance,airtemperature,airpollution,stormwatermanagementandgreenspace.Inadditionagreenroofprovidesopenspaceamenityforthebuildingoccupantsandaestheticbenefitsforupperstoreybuildingoccupantsinsurroundingbuildings.Reuseofexistingbuildings,whereappropriate,conservesenergyandresourcesandpreservesaspectsoftheexistingurbanfabricwhilereducingthewastethatmustbehandledbymunicipallandfill.
Mixed-usedbuildingsanddiversehousingtypesareessentialcomponentsofasustainablecommunity.
Eligibility:ApplicationstosecureabonusforthisitemmustbesubmittedbeforeDecember31,2011.Wherenecessary,legalagreementsmayberequiredtosecurethelongtermmaintenanceofthebonusedfeatures.
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BonusRate:Atotalofupto1.0FARmaybegrantedforapackageofsustainablebuildingfeaturesbasedonnegotiationsbetweentheapplicantandtheDevelopmentAuthority.Asaguideline,theTable5.2maybeusedtopro-ratetheindividualfeatures.
Ifadevelopmentcanachieve10points,thenitmayearnafull1.0FARbonus.Ifthedevelopmentachieveslessthan10points,thebonuswillbeprorated.Forexample,achieving6pointswillearna0.6FARbonus.
6. contribution to the Beltline community Investment Fund (BcIF)
Description:TheBCIFisafundtobeusedforprojectswithintheBeltlinerelatedtopublicrealmimprovements,includingbutnotlimitedto:parkacquisition,parkdesign,redevelopmentorenhancement,streetscapedesignandimprovementswithinCityrights-of-way,implementationofurbandesignstrategiesandpublicartonpublicland.ProjectstobefundedinwholeorinpartwithBCIFmoniesshould,wherepossible,beincludedwithintheapprovedCapitalBudget.Wherepossible,projectswillbefundedthroughmultiplesourcesincludingmillratesupport.ItisanobjectiveoftheFundtoimplementprojectsthroughouttheBeltline.Rationale:Asdevelopmentintensityincreases,thereisincreaseddemandplacedonpublicparksandopenspaces,sidewalks,lanesandroads.Inordertoprovidebothexistingandfutureresidentswithaqualitypublicenvironment,additionalparkandopenspaceandenhancedexistingspaces
Table 5.2: Sustainable building features
SustainableBuildingFeature MaximumAllowablePoints
GreenRoof(vegetated)-Installedoveraminimum75%ofroofarea 5HousingDiversity 4MixedUseBuilding 4
RenewableEnergyResource-5%oftotalannualenergyusethroughon-sitesystems-10%oftotalannualenergyusethroughon-sitesystems
11
Re-useofanexistingbuilding-Maintainatleast75%ofexistingstructureandshell. 1
Useofwaterefficientlandscaping/waterusereduction-Eliminateuseofpotablewaterforirrigation
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Reduceddevelopmentfootprint-Preserve/enhanceexistingnaturalsitefeatures
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andfacilitieswillneedtobeprovided.Providinghighqualitypedestrianandcyclingfacilitieswillalsominimizethepotentialnumberofautomobiletripsandmaximizetransit,pedestrianandcyclingtrips.UpgradingthepublicenvironmentwillmaketheBeltlineamoreattractiveresidentialandbusinesslocationand,asaresult,willassistinallowingtheBeltlinetoreachitsfullpotential.
Eligibility:UponcreationoftheBCIF,anydevelopmentproposingtobuildabovethebasedensityallowedforthesubjectsiteiseligibletomakeacontributiontotheBCIF.Thecontributionmaybeonecomponentofalargerpackageofbonusitems.
BonusRate:TheamountofthecontributionwillbecalculatedatthetimeofdevelopmentpermitapprovalbasedontheaveragelandvaluepersquaremetreofbuildablefloorareaasestablishedbyTheCity.Forexample,iftheaveragelandvaluefortheareaisequalto$270persquaremetreofbuildablefloorarea,andadeveloperisproposingtobuild1,000m²offloorareaabovethebase,
thentheamountofthecontributionwillbecalculatedasfollows:
AveragelandvaluexProposedamountofbonusedfloorarea=Contribution$270x1,000m²=$270,500Thiscontributionamountrepresentswhatadeveloperwould,onaverage,havetopayfortheadditionallandwithintheBeltlinenecessarytosupporttheadditionalfloorarea.
5.3.3 Administration of the Beltline community Investment Fund
TheBCIFwillbeestablishedbyCouncilandadministeredbyaCommitteewithaTermsofReferenceandmembershiptobeapprovedbyCouncil.TheCommitteeshouldhaveacoremembershipfromthefollowingCityBusinessUnits:LandUsePlanningandPolicy,CorporatePropertiesandBuildings,Parks,Recreation,UrbanDevelopment,andTransportation.AdditionalmembershipcouldincludeotherstakeholderswithintheBeltlineCommunitywhohaveaninterestsuchasBusinessRevitalization
ZonesandCommunityAssociations.Eachyear,orasisnecessary,theCommitteewillpreparealistofpriorityprojectsforfundingthatwillbeapprovedbyCounciland,wherepossible,throughtheCapitalBudget.
5.3.4 establishing the Average Land Value per Square Metre of Buildable Floor Area
TheactualdollaramountusedtorepresenttheaveragelandvaluepersquaremetreofbuildablefloorareainthebonusfloorareacalculationswillbeapprovedbyCouncil,reviewedannuallyandupdatedasnecessaryinordertorepresentchangingmarketconditions,i.e.theamountcouldbeincreasedordecreased.Whereappropriate,thedollaramountmaybedifferentfordifferentareasoftheBeltlinewheremarketconditionsaresignificantlydifferent.
5.4 DeNSITY TRANSFeR
5.4.1 Density Transfer for Heritage Preservation.
1. SourceSites:Unuseddensityrightsonanindividuallot,createdasaresultoftheformaldesignationofabuildingasaMunicipalHistoricResourcemaybetransferredorsoldtoanotherdevelopmentsiteorsiteswithintheBeltline.Nolimitshallbeplacedontheamountofdensityrightsthatcanbeassignedto,ortransferredfrom,adesignatedsite.Ataminimum,theunuseddensityshallbedeterminedbysubtractingtheexistingfloorareafromthetotalmaximumallowablefloorarea.Forexample,fora1,500m²siteinDensityAreaAthatcontainsa6,000m²buildingontheheritageinventory,theminimumunuseddensityuponformaldesignationwouldbecalculatedasfollows:
(SiteAreaxMaximumDensity)–ExistingFloorArea=MinimumUnusedDensity(1,500m²x7.0FAR)–6,000m²=4,500m²
Additionalunuseddensityrightsmaythenbeassignedoverandabovethe4,500m²basedonthebonusdeterminedundersection5.3.2,subsection4HeritageDesignation.TheseunuseddensityrightsshallbesecuredthroughanagreementacceptabletoTheCityandwherepossible,registeredontitle.
2. ReceivingSites:
Sitesreceivingheritagedensitytransfersmayexceedtheirmaximumallowablefloorareabyupto10percent,providedtheadditional10percentisentirelytheresultofaheritagedensitytransfer.Forexample,ifasiteinDensityAreaAwithamaximumallowabledensityof7.0FARcanachieveafloorareaof10,000m²,thedevelopmentcouldachieve11,000m²providedtheadditional1,000m²istheresultofaheritagedensitytransfer.UntiltheARPisimplementedthroughCity-initiatedlanduseredesignations,receivingsitesmustobtainasite-specificLandUseRedesignation,implementingtheoverallARPDensityprovisions,inordertoimplementthisprovision.
Receivingsitesmayexceedtheirmaximumallowablefloorareabymorethan10percentwitha
heritagedensitytransfersubjecttoacomprehensiveevaluationthroughaLandUseRedesignation.Theadditionaldensitymustbeappropriateandsupportablegiventhelocalsitecontext.
5.4.2 Density Transfer for Public Open Space
WherethePlansupportsdedicatingprivatelandtoTheCityasapublicopenspacesuchthatTheCityisthelegalowneroftheopenspaceandthatthesiteisinalocationandofasizeandconfigurationacceptabletoTheCity,theunuseddensityfromthelandstobededicatedmaybetransferredtoanothersitewithintheBeltlineatarateof2.5timestheallowablefloorareaassetoutfortheBaseDensityspecifiedinTable5.1.Forexample,ifthelandstobededicatedwereallowedatotalfloorareaof1,000squaremetres,then2,500squaremetresoffloorareacanbetransferredtoanothersite.
SitesreceivingdensitytransferredfromadedicatedpublicopenspacemayexceedthemaximumdensityasspecifiedintheapplicableDensityAreafoundinTable5.1,subjecttoacomprehensiveevaluationthroughaLandUseRedesignation.Theadditionaldensitymustbeappropriateandsupportablegiventhelocalsitecontext.
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BELTLINE PuBLIc REALM PLAN{section six}
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BELTLINE PuBLIc REALM PLAN
INTRODUcTION
Theimageofeverycity,especiallyinnercityanddowntowncommunities,isdefinedbythequalityofitspublicrealm–itsstreets,boulevards,publicsquares,parks,riverfronts,andpublicart–aswellastheurbanvitalityandeconomicvibrancythatisgeneratedandcontainedinthepublicrealm.Overtheyears,publicandprivateinvestmentinthepublicrealmofinnercitycommunitieshasdeclinedsuchthattherehasbeenlittleornoopportunitytorevitalizeandimprovethisrealm,eachreducingtheother.TheBeltlinePublicRealmPlanisintendedtoprovidedesignandimplementationstrategiestoallowtheopportunityforthisrealmtobeenhancedovertimeandtherefore,protectandenhancethisvaluablecomponentoftheBeltlinecommunity.
The Purpose of the Public Realm Plan
Awellplanned,designedandmaintainedpublicrealmattractspeople,evokesapowerfulsenseofplace,communityprideandinstantrecognition.Itservesasapowerfuleconomiccatalystandhelpstosustainandenhancetheeconomicandsocialheartofinnercitycommunities.Intoday’sglobalcompetitionforaneducatedworkforce,citiesarerecognizingtheimportanceandvalueofplace-makingandcreatingahigh-qualitypublicrealm.TheBeltline’sidentity,cultureandspiritcannotreadilybeseparatedfromthephysicalappearanceofitspublicrealm.Thisisevenmoreimportantifthecommunityseekstointensifyandcreateahigh-qualitylivingandworkingenvironmentinaninherentlymorecomplexcontext.
TheBeltlineconsistsofboththepublicandprivaterealms.Accesstoprivatelandisensuredthroughanextensivenetworkofpubliclyownedandcontrolledstreetsandotherlinkages.Thisrelationshipofthepublicandprivaterealmisfundamentaltotheexistenceofcities,therefore,relatedtoownership,thepublicrealmcanbe
classifiedintotwoformswhicharepublicopenspacesandsemi-privatespaces.Fromanurbanperspectivethepublicrealmisasynthesisofpublicandprivatedomains,theprivaterealmprovidingenclosure,creatingthewallofthe“room”,thepublicrealmthe“floor”andtogetherthe“stage”.
Giventhispublicrealmownership,thePublicRealmPlanwillservethefollowingtwopurposesfortheBeltlinecommunity:• Toguidepublicinvestmentdecisions;and• Toguideprivatedevelopmentrequirements.
What is the Public Realm Plan?
ThePublicRealmPlanisacomprehensiveplanofspecialplaces,linkages,interfacesandthebuildingformwhicharefundamentaltothecreationofafunctional,visuallyattractiveandsafepublicrealm.
InordertoprovidelivableandvibrantneighbourhoodsintheBeltline,differentkindsofplaces,linkages,interfacesandbuildingformswillbeneeded.Thetype,size,location,
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uniquenessofuseanddesignofspecialplaceswillneedtocorrespondtothelanduseandhigherpopulationsintheBeltline.Giventhatthelinkages(theavenues,streets,rearlanesandenclosedlinkages)arethefoundationoftheBeltline’scharactertheywillbeacriticalcomponenttothequalityoflivinginthishigh-densityurbanenvironment.Thebuildingform,beitcivicorprivate,withgenericorlandmarkqualitieswillformandshapethelinkagesandspecialplacesaswellasbeimportantforthecreationofasenseofplaceandhumanscaleenclosure.
ThePublicRealmPlanisacomprehensivePlanofkeycomponentstoimprovethequalityofthepublicrealmforresidents,employeesandvisitorstothecommunity.ThePublicRealmPlanisdividedintothreekeycomponents:public,semi-privateandbuildingform.ThepubliccomponentsarePlaces(publicopenspacesandbuildings)andLinkages(thecarriageway,sidewalkandrearlaneways).Thesemi-privatecomponentconsistsofInterfaceswhichincludesfrontsetbacksandotherprivateopenspaceswithpubliceasements.Thebuildingformcomponentisthe
buildingswhichareaprivaterealmcomponentthatincorporatesthefaçadeandthebuildingformastheyservetoenhancethepublicandsemi-privatespacesandtherefore,makeupacomprehensivepublicrealm.
6.1 PUBLIc cOMPONeNTS
ThetwopubliccomponentsofthePlanarespecialplacesandlinkages.Publicopenspacesmustbecreatedanddesignedprimarilyforpeoplewholive,work,andplayintheBeltline.Thesuccessofthepublicrealmwilldependoneverydayuserssuchastheresidentsandemployeesthatsupportlocalbusinessesandactivities.Vibrancywithinthepublicrealmcreatedbylocalresidentswillthenattractadditionalvisitorsandaddtothelocalsuccessofthecommunity.
Improvedpubliclinkageswillprovidespacefordifferentmodesofmovement,tietogethercomplexactivitiesinthecommunityandcreateanenvironmentwhereeverybodyfeelscomfortableandsafe.Bycreatinghigherqualitylinkages,asenseofplacewillbeestablishedaswellas
additionalsupportfortheeconomicandsocialactivitiesofthestreet.
Majorpublicbuildingsplayanimportantroleinfosteringcivicidentityandprideofplace.Assuch,existingandfuturepublicbuildingsandstructuresshouldcontinuetobekeyelementsintheBeltlinecommunity.SuchplacesareexemplifiedintheLougheedHouse,CentralMemorialParkLibrary,ConnaughtSchool,CentralHighSchool(knownastheCarlSafranCentre),StampedeRound-upCentre,theSaddledome,thebridgeovertheElbowRiverandotherreligious,culturalandrecreationalfacilities.
Futurepublicbuildingsshouldhavealandmarkquality.Thesitingofnewbuildingsofbroadercivicandculturalsignificanceshouldbeonprominentsitesthatsupporttheirlandmarkstatus(e.g.theterminationofastreet,attheintersectionsofmajoravenuesandstreets).Existingandfuturepublicbuildingsshouldbeofthefinestarchitecturaldesign,qualityofmaterials,andmostimportantlythesebuildingsshouldhaveahighqualitypublicrealmandinterfaceattachedtothem.
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Theplanning,design,constructionandmaintenanceofpublicplaces,linkages,andbuildingsiscomplex,butifproperlyexecuted,afunctionalandvisuallyattractivepublicrealmisachievable.Duetothehighcostinvolvedinplanning,implementationandthemaintenanceofpublicopenspaces,itwillbeimpossibletoalwaysachievea“specialcharacter”withthehighestqualityinallplacesandwiththeidealspatialdisbursement,size,materialsandfeatures.Therefore,themajorityofthepublicrealmwillhaveagenericcharacterwithalong-termdesiretoimprovethequalityfrombeingsimplygenerictoamorespecialquality.
Onelastimportantelementisthatofpublicviews,specifically,viewsthatcanbeobservedfrompublicplaces.ExamplesincludetheviewupCentreStreetStotheCalgaryTower,theviewdown1StreetS.W.toSt.Mary’sCathedral,viewsdownstreetsandavenuestowardthesurroundingescarpmentsandviewsofimportantbuildingssuchasschools,churchesorotherlandmarkstructures.ThisPlanhasnotanalysedthisissueinanydetail,butitissomethingthatrequiresconsiderationduringtheevaluationofnewdevelopment.
6.1.1 Places
TheBeltlinecurrentlyhasseveralexistingspecialplaceshowever,theopportunityexiststoenhanceandbuilduponthisportionofthepublicrealmwithnewtypesofplacestocreateamorecohesiveandvibrantpublicrealmnetwork.Itwillbecomprehensivedevelopmentofurbanandgreenspacesandthepubliclinkagesystemthatwillcreateavibrantanddiversepublicrealmtomeettheneedsoftheurbandensitiesinthecommunity.
Thefollowingthreetypesofexistingandfuturetypesof“place”shouldbeincorporatedintotheBeltlinecommunity:• UrbanPlaces;• UrbanParks;and• UrbanRiverfront.
A450metrewalkingradiuswasestablishedforeachexistingurbanplace,parkandriverfrontintheBeltline.ThisinformationwasthenanalyzedtoidentifylocationsintheBeltlinethatwereinadequatelyservedbypublic“places.”SeeMap1inAppendixBforexistingplacesandlocations
forpossiblenewplaces.ActuallocationsandtypesofnewplacesshouldbefurtheranalyzedinconjunctionwiththeOpenSpaceStrategyforEstablishedCommunitiesreferredtoinSection4ofthisPlan.
6.1.1.1 Urban Places
IntentToenhanceexistingurbanplacesandprovideasignificantnumberofnewurbanspecialplacesinordertodevelopamorecohesive,diverseandvibrantpublicrealm.
Policies1. Avarietyofurbanplacetypesshouldbe
providedthroughouttheBeltline.Examplesincludesquares,plazas,courtyards,mallsandsidewalks.SeeAppendixBfordetailsonpossibletypesanddesignoftheseplaces.
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2. Thefollowingareconsideredkeyopportunitiestoprovidenewplaces:
• InthevicinityoftheCalgaryTower • ConnaughtSchoolsite • CentralHighSchool(CarlSafran
Centre)site
Thislistisnotfiniteandtherewillbeotheropportunitiesandlocationsovertime.
3. Wheretheopportunityexiststoprovidepedestrianconnectionsthroughablock,aplazashouldbeprovidedonthesouthsideoftheblocktoactasaforecourttotheconnection.Whereverpossible,suchplazasshouldbeedgedwithretail,commercialorotherusesat-gradethatgeneratepedestrianactivityandoffernaturalsurveillance.
4. Southeastandsouthwestcornersofblocksarepreferredlocationsforplazas.Whereverpossible,suchplazasshouldbeedgedwithretail,commercialorotherusesat-gradethatgeneratepedestrianactivityandoffernaturalsurveillance.
5. Largescaleandcomprehensivemixed-usedevelopment/redevelopmentareencouragedtoprovidecourtyardspacesaspartoftheiroverallsite.Thesecourtyardsmaybepublicspace,publiclyaccessibleprivatespaceorentirelyprivatespace.Thesespacesshouldbevisiblefrompublicstreetsandlanes.
6. Whereopportunitiesexisttoconnectintothe+15systemonthenorthsideof10Avenue,appropriatelyscaledsquaresorplazasshouldbeprovidedatstreetlevelinordertoincreasethelegibilityofthe+15entranceconnection.
7. NewandimprovedpublicspacesshouldbeprovidedinconjunctionwithexistingornewLRTstationsorothersignificanttransitstopsorterminals.Wherepossible,thiscouldbeintheformoftransitmalls.
8. Priorityforimprovedandwherepossible,widenedsidewalksshallbeplacedon:
• OlympicWayS.E. • MacleodTrailS.E. • 1StreetS.E.
• 4,8,11and14StreetsS.W. • 10,11,12and17Avenues
9. Awiderangeofstrategiesshouldbeconsideredfortheacquisitionandprovisionofnewplacesincluding,butnotlimitedto,landpurchasebyTheCityofCalgary,throughredevelopmentofpublicandprivatesites,orthroughtheuseofpublicaccesseasementsoverprivatelands.
6.1.1.2 Urban Parks
IntentToprotectandsignificantlyenhancethequalityofthesignificanthistoricalandneighourhoodparkswhileprovidingadditionalurbanparktypestocreateamorediverseurbanparksystemwithinthecommunity.
Policies1. Awidevarietyofurbanparksshouldbe
providedthroughouttheBeltline:historicparks(culturallandscapes),neighbourhoodparks,linearparks,urbanparkettes/pocketparks,urbanrockgardens,indoor
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wintergardens,greenroofs,communityvegetable/flowergardens.SeeAppendixBforDefinitionsandDesignGuidelinesforeachoftheseurbanparks.ActuallocationsandtypesofnewplacesshouldbefurtheranalyzedinconjunctionwiththeOpenSpaceStrategyforEstablishedCommunitiesreferredtoinSection4ofthisPlan.
2. IdentifyapreferredlocationforaneighbourhoodparkintheVictoriaCrossingCentreneighbourhood.
3. Priorityshallbeplacedonthepreservation,enhancementandcreationofurbanparktypesinthefollowinglocations:
• HistoricParks:CentralMemorialPark,HaultainParkandLougheedHouse/BeaulieuGardens;
• CentralHighSchool(CarlSafranCentre)andConnaughtSchoolsites;
• TheedgeofStampedePark,particularlytheRundleRuinssiteandtheexistingVictoriaParkCommunityPark;and
• TheElbowRiverfront
4. Preserve,redevelopandenhanceallexistingneighbourhoodparksinthecommunityandprovidenewlocationsinallneighbourhoods.
5. Considergreenroofsorothertypesofabove-gradeoutdoorspacesasacreativewaytocreatenewparkspace,particularlyincircumstanceswheresomemeasureofpublicaccesscanbeprovided.
6. Communityvegetableorflowergardensshouldbeconsideredandaccommodatedonpiecesofundevelopedpublicorprivatelandwheretheycanprovidegoodaccessibilityforresidents.Locationsnearsignificantresidentialdensityarepreferred.
6.1.1.3 Urban Riverfront
IntentToprovideamixofnaturalandurbanparkexperiencesalongtheElbowRiver.
Policies1. TopreserveandenhancetheElbowRiver
byprovidingacombinationofriverfrontdevelopmentintheformofnaturalareasandriverfronturbanparks.SeeAppendixBforDefinitionsandDesignGuidelinesforeachoftheseurbanriverfrontplaces.
2. Priorityshallbeplacedonthefollowinglocations:
• VictoriaParkTransitCentresite • StampedePark.6.1.2 Linkages
Linkagesaredefinedastherealmthatincludesthevehiclecarriageway,publicsidewalksandboulevards(fromcurbtopropertyline),setbacks,rearlaneways,privatelanewayswithpublicaccesseasementsorelevatedpedestrianorcyclepathways(suchasthe+15system).Linkagesarecriticalelementsofapublicrealmplan.Itiswhathappensinthisrealmthatcansignificantlyenhancethelivabilityandvitalitywithinthecommunity.
LinkagesarefundamentalorderingdevicesofCitybuildingandtheyareintendedtoaccommodatenewdevelopment;provideflexibletransportationalternativesandacomfortable,green,animatedandsafepedestrianenvironmentaswellasintegratearangeoflanduses.
ThequalityoflinkagesintheBeltlinehavesufferedfromalackofattentionandtheywillrequireconsiderableimprovementinordertosupporttheanticipatedgrowthinpopulationandactivitywithintheBeltlinethatisoneoftheprincipalgoalsofthisplan.
ThefollowingthreetypesoflinkageshavebeenidentifiedintheBeltlinecommunity:
• Streetsaretheeast/westorientedAvenuesandnorth/southorientedStreetsthatconnecttheBeltlinewithotherpartsoftheCentreCityandTheCityasawhole.
• Lanesaretheeast/westorientedrearlanewaysthatvaryincharacteristicsdependingonwhethertheyserveresidential,commercialormixeduses.
• Pedestrian connectorsareat-gradeoratthe+15level,openorcoveredpedestrianorcyclelinkagesthroughlargepublicorprivate,residential,commercial,ormixed-useblocks.
Itisimportanttonotethatthepurposeofcategorizingtheselinkagesisforthepurposeofdeterminingoverallstreetscapecharacteranddesign.ItdoesnotreplacetheInnerCityTransporationStudyortheCityRoadHierarchywithrespecttothefunctionoftheroadfromavehiclemovementperspective(seeAppendixCforamapoftheRoadHierarchy).
6.1.2.1 Streets
IntentStreets,includingunderpasses,aretoaccommodateallmovementmodes-pedestrians,bicycles,cars,serviceanddeliveryvehiclesandpublictransitvehicles(buses,LRT).Streetsshouldprovideahighstandardofdesignforallelementsincludingthecarriageway,sidewalk,boulevard,setbacks,urbanfurniture,civicartandwayfindingtreatmentstoenhance
themobilityandsocialactivitiesthattakeplacealongtheselinkages.
Policies1. StreetswillbeidentifiedasBoulevards,
CommercialStreets,HighStreets,GreenStreets,ResidentialStreetsandBridges/Underpasses(seeMap5).SeeAppendixBforDefinitionsandDesignGuidelinesofeachoftheprimarylinkages.Asthecharacterofastreetoritssurroundingcontextevolves,streetsmaybereclassifiedtobetterreflecttheirfunction.Forexample,overtime,8StreetSWmaybecomeacandidateforspeciallandscapingtreatmentsbecauseofitswideright-of-wayandevolvinglandusecontext.
2. StreetswillbeincrementallyredevelopedbasedonaStreetMasterPlanwhichwillbeacomprehensiveplanfortheexistingright-of-waycross-section,setbacksandlanduses.ThedevelopmentoftheseplansshouldconsidertheDesignGuidelinesinAppendixBforeachlinkagetypeandshallinvolveallrelevantCityBusinessUnitsandUtilities.
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3. PortionsofalinkagethatmaybereconstructedpriortothecompletionofaStreetMasterPlanshouldconsidertheDesignGuidelinesinAppendixB.
4. AreviewofbylawedsetbacksshallbeconsideredinconjunctionwiththepreparationofaStreetMasterPlanandwhenandwhereitisdeterminedthattheyarenolongerneededtheymayberemoved.(SeealsoSection7–Transportation)
6.1.2.2 Lanes
IntentLanesaretoprovideanefficientintegrationofservicefacilities(suchasloadinganddelivery),andcarandpedestrianaccessintoexistingandnewdevelopments.Inadditiontotheirfunctionalrole,lanesshouldalsobedesignedandupgradedforsafetyandaesthetics.ForthepurposeofthisPlan,lanesrefertotheareabetweenbuildingsoneithersideofandincludingthepublicright-of-way.
Policies1. AlllanesintheBeltlineshallberetainedand
improved.Principalimprovementsincludingpavingandlighting.Suchimprovementsshouldbeaddressedatthetimeofredevelopmentofadjacentproperties,throughaCity-initiatedimprovementprogramorcombinedwiththeupgradingorreplacementofotherutilitiesorservices.
2. Allnewdevelopment/redevelopmentshallutilizerearlanewaysforaccessandotherservicefunctions.
3. Laneclosuresmaybeconsideredwheretheclosurecanassistintheachievementofotherurbandesignobjectivesofthisplan.Examplesincludecreatinglongerblockfacesalongnorth-southstreetstoenhancethepedestrianandcyclingstreetscapeortoassistinthecreationorexpansionofaparkorplaza.Anypossiblelaneclosureshallalsoconsiderimpactsoncirculation,accessandservicefunctionsofpropertiesintheimmediatevicinity.
4. Lanewaysshallprovidetheopportunityforalternativepedestrianentrancesandadditionallandscaping.Giventhenarrowlanerights-of-wayintheBeltline,thismayincludeprovidingthelandscapingorpedestrianpathsorsidewalksonprivatelandswhenadjacentlandsredevelop.
6.1.2.3 Pedestrian connectors
IntentPedestrianConnectorsphysicallylinkbuildingsandplacesbetweenandwithintheurbanblock.ConnectionsmaybeperpendicularoratadiagonalfromStreetsorLanes.Onanopportunitybasis,PedestrianConnectorsshallprovidelinksatgradeorvia+15and+30bridgesandshallbewelllandscaped,linedwithcommercialorotheractiveusesoracombinationofboth.
Policies1. Avarietyofwalkways/passages(at-grade/
open),+15and+30linkages/bridges,arcades/colonnades,gallerias,andurbanbikepathwaysshallbeprovided,onan
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opportunitybasis.ThedesignofsuchfacilitiesshallrefertotheDesignGuidelinesinAppendixB.
2. Linkagestothedowntown+15systemareonlyrequiredfromlandsonthenorthsideof10Avenue.Other+15connectionsmaybeconsideredontheirownmeritswheretheycanmeetspecificobjectivesofthisplan.OneexamplewouldbetolinkbuildingstoLRTstations.
6.2 SeMI-PRIVATe cOMPONeNT
Thetwosemi-privatecomponentsareinterfaces(betweenpublicandprivateland)andpubliclyaccessibleprivatespaces.Inmanycasesthesemi-privaterealmhasnotcreatedavisuallyattractiveorafunctionalpublicrealmandhasgenerallyprovidedlittlepublicbenefit.Alackofcleararchitecturalvisionorastronglandscapedesigntheme,alackoffunctionalandaestheticcoordinationbetweenthepublicandprivaterealms,aswellastheuseoflocationswithoutdirectsunaccess,haveresultedinunusedandundesirablepublicandprivatespaces.Oneisto
re-thinkhowthoseplacesmaybere-designed/revitalizedtocreatehighlyattractiveanduseablestreetscapesnowandinthefuture.
Publicright-of-wayshaveaverylimitedspacefortheprovisionofgenerousandvisuallyattractivepedestrianenvironments.Inthenotsodistantpast,carmovementhadthepriorityoverpedestrians.However,thereisanewunderstandinganddesiretocreateabetterbalancebetweenvehicularmovementandpedestrianmovementthroughanewintegratedpublic/privatetreatmentofthepedestrianrealm.Aseamlessintegrationofthepublicandprivatecomponentsofthepublicrealmwillbeachievedthroughnewdesignstandardsforsidewalks,boulevardsandtheinterface(privatefrontyardsetbacksandotherprivateopenspaces).Theuseofavarietyofinterface,sidewalkandboulevardtreatmentsandthepossibilitytocombinethemindifferentconfigurationsshouldensureagreatvarietyofdesignsolutionsandpedestrianexperiences.Occasionally,privatedevelopmentshavepubliclyaccessibleopenspacesintheformofopen
spaces,linkagesandbuildings.Theseareprimarilybuilttosatisfytheneedsofthetenantsoftheprivatedevelopment,butthesespaces,usesandfeaturesshouldalsobeplannedtobesharedwiththegeneralpopulation.
Somepubliclyaccessibleprivatebuildingsfallintocategoriesofspecialplaces,eitherbecauseoftheirarchitecturalquality,thequalityanddesignofsurroundinglandscapedspaces,orbecauseofthespecificactivitywithinthebuilding.SuchspecialplacesshouldbefullyconsideredandintegratedintheBeltlinepublicrealmwithpubliclinkages.
6.2.1 Interfaces
Thespaceorfrontsetbacksbetweenthebuildingfaçadeandthepublicsidewalk/boulevardareaveryimportantpartoftheimageandcharacterofthepublicstreet.IntheBeltline,frontsetbackstypicallyvaryfrom6.0minresidentialareasto0.0malongcommercialstreets.Becausethebuildingsinmanycasesarenotbuilttothepropertyline,theseinterfacespacesprovidetheopportunityforavarietyoftreatmentsthatcanbe
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coordinated with the public components (Places and Linkages).
IntentTo provide a clearly programmed, legible and cohesive pedestrian environment between the sidewalk and the building to better clarify its role and ownership resulting in a safer and more cohesive environment.
Policies1. All new and redeveloped properties
shall design the front setback treatment to complement and integrate with the public realm treatment of sidewalks and boulevards. See Appendix B for Defi nitions and Design Guidelines for front setbacks.
2. Front setbacks located on Residential Streets or Green Streets should be maintained as landscaped gardens that provide proper spatial and visual integration with the public sidewalk. Design elements within these setbacks may take the form of raised terraces, fences and multi-layered landscaping. It must ensure suffi cient
privacy and safety for ground fl oor residential units.
3. Front setbacks located on Boulevards, Commercial Streets or High Streets should, where possible, incorporate trees or other “urban” planting treatments with hard-surface treatments and may accommodate a variety of commercial activities, including restaurant patios, display areas and entrance plazas. These areas should not include extensive use of grass surfaces.
4. The required depth of a setback should provide fl exibility in order to address the immediate local streetscape context and the proposed use and function of the street level building uses. For example, street level residential should have some setback from the sidewalk, whereas retail spaces may be built up to the sidewalk. Table 6.1 provides guidelines for the determination of an appropriate setback requirement depending on the type of Street that it fronts.
TABLE 6.1: SETBACK GUIDELINES FROM A STREET Bylaw 52P2008
Street Type (see Map 5) Guidelines for Minimum and Maximum Setback Requirements (m)
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Boulevard 1.5 – 3.0 6.0
Commercial Street 1.5 3.0
High Street 0.0 – 1.5 3.0
Residential Street 3.0 – 4.5 6.0
Green Street 3.0 – 4.5 6.0
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Inusingthistable,thefollowingadditionalprinciplesshouldalsobeconsidered:• Principalbuildingfacadesshouldgenerally
belocatedwithintheminimumrange.• Deepersetbacksshouldhaveclearlydefined
functions,suchasoutdoorpatiosorpartofanarcadeorcolonnadeandshouldstillcreateastrongedgeconditionalongthesidewalktodefinethepublic/privatespace.
• Cornerlocationsarewellsuitedtoincorporatedeepersetbacksinordertoopenuppedestrianviewsandprovideadditionalspaceforpedestrianassemblysuchaswhereatransitstopmaybelocated.
Figure6.1illustrateshowdifferentsetbackscanbecombinedwhilestillmaintainingunityalongthestreet.
6.2.2 Publicly Accessible Private Spaces
Publiclyaccessibleprivatespacesserveaspecialpurpose.Thesespaceshelptietogetherthelinkages,resultinginacomprehensiveandconnectedpublicrealmofspecialplaces.
IntentToenhanceexistingpubliclyaccessibleprivatespacesandprovidetheopportunityfornewspacesthatwillbetterconnectthepublicrealmsystemandenhancethevitalityanddiversityofthepublicrealmforthecommunity.
Policies
1. Atriums,cornerplazas,andstreetcornersshall,onanopportunitybasis,beprovidedand/orupgradedinexistingbuildingsasperAppendixBDefinitionsandDesignGuidelinesforpubliclyaccessibleprivatespaces.
2. Whereverappropriate,newdevelopmentsareencouragedtoincludeatriumsasadesignelementandprovideco-ordinationandintegrationofaccesstoandfromthepublicrealm.
3. Cornerplazasshouldonlybelocatedonthesoutheastandsouthwestcornersofablockandbedesignedtointegratewithanynewpublicrealmstandards(e.g.streetscapedesigns).
4. Newcornerdevelopmentsshouldincorporatedeeperfrontsetbacksonallcornersandprovidefullintegrationwiththenewpublicrealmstandards.
5. Semi-privateopenorenclosedmid-blockconnectionsintheformofwalkways,atriaorgalleriasshouldbeprovidedaspartofmajorredevelopments.Thesefeaturesprovidedesirableconnectionsandcanbeanopportunityforadditionalcommercialactivities.
6.3 BUILDINGS
TheBeltlineareaisdevelopedwiththreegenerationsofbuildings.Dramaticchangeinthelast30yearshascontributedtotheeclecticcharacterofbuildingforms,scaleandmassing,andlandscapetreatments.Thismixoflotsizesandbuildingformhasbothpositiveandnegativeinfluencesontheurbanenvironment.Onthepositiveside,avarietyofbuildingformssupportsthediversityandvitalityoftheneighbourhood.Onthenegativeside,thereareexamples
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wheredevelopmentscanbedetrimentaltosurroundingprivatelandsandthepublicrealm.Examplesofthisare:thesometimesrandomandinappropriateuseoftallerbuildings;thecreationofpoorrelationshipsbetweenbuildingsandthestreet,andbetweennewbuildingsandexistingbuildings;andwherethemassingandorientationofbuildingsareoutofcontextwiththeimmediatearea.
TheintentofthisPlanistoensurethateveryfuturedevelopmentsitehasreasonabledevelopmentopportunitieswhilerespectingthecommunitycontextandadjacentproperties.Soundurbandesignprincipleswillprovidemorecertaintyforpropertyowners,developersandthecommunity,aswellassimplifytheplanninganddevelopmentprocess.Theseurbandesignprinciplesshallprovideabasicframeworkforcreativeandinnovativearchitecturalsolutionsaswellasforamoreconsistentandcoherenturbanenvironment.IllustrationsofsomeofthepoliciesarefoundinAppendixD.
6.3.1 Variety Of Building Form
IntentToprovideforvarietyinthebuildingformofnewdevelopmentswhilerecognizingthatbuildingformisafunctionofmanyvariablesincludinglanduse,lotpatternsandsizes,location,characterandaccess.
Policies1. Newdevelopmentsshouldcontinuetoreflect
theeclecticcharacterwithintheBeltline.
2. Newdevelopmentsmaytakemanyformsincluding,butnotlimitedto,thefollowingtypes:
• Low-risebuildings(0-4storeys); • Mid-risebuildings(4-12storeys); • High-risetowers(over12storeys); • Perimeterblocks(lowandmid-rise); • Lowandmid-riseperimeterblockswith
ahigh-risecomponent; • Streettownhouses(ontheirownorin
conjunctionwithotherbuildingforms); • High-risesonlowormid-risepodiums;
• Mewsdevelopmentonrearlanesandotherlinkages;and
• Appropriatecombinationsoftheaboveortypesthatmaybedevelopedinthefuture.
6.3.2 Fit within the community context
IntentToprovidebuildingformsthatareanexpressionoftheirtimeandemploytimelessarchitecturalprinciplesratherthanthereplicationofhistoricstyles.Newbuildingformsmustcontributetothesenseofpedestriancomfortandaestheticinterestandallowforthecreationofhealthyandlivableneighbourhoods.
Policies1. Newbuildingformsshouldbelocated
andplannedtofitwithneighbouringbuildings,surroundingurbanblocks,theneighbourhoodandcommunityaswellasframeandsupportspecialplacesandlinkages.
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2. Thebaseofabuildingshallbelocatedgenerallyparalleltothestreetoralongtheedgeofaparkoropenspacewithaflexiblebuildingsetback.Thisflexibilitymayincludegradualchangesofsetbackswhendeemedappropriatetoensurebetteroverallstreetscapedesign.
3. Buildingedgesthatareorientedtowardapublicright-of-wayorparkshouldbelinedwithusesthatcreateactivityandprovidenaturalsurveillance.
4. Oncornersites,thebuildingformshallbeorientedtobothadjacentstreetfrontageswithbothelevationsgivenequalimportance.
5. Themainbuildingentrancesshallbelocatedsothattheyareclearlyvisibleandidentifiedanddirectlyaccessiblefromthepublicsidewalk.
6.3.3 Amenity Spaces
IntentToprovideamenityspacesinnewdevelopmentsthatwillenhanceadjacentplacesandlinkages
andmaketheseareasattractive,comfortableandsafeforpedestrians.
Policies1. Newdevelopmentsshallprovidelandscaped
openspaceorenclosedlandscapedspace(e.g.indoorgardensoratriums)thatisavailablefortheuseofresidentsortenants.Suchspacesmaybelocatedatorabovegradelevel.Whereappropriate,thesespacescouldbemadephysicallyorvisiblyavailabletothepublic,inordertoenhancethepublicrealm.
2. Artorwaterfeaturesshouldbeconsideredaspartoftheamenityspacetomakethebuildinganditsopenspacesmoreattractiveandinteresting.
3. Landscapeimprovementsinsetbackareasshouldbecoordinatedandintegratedwithexistingorplannedstreetscapeimprovementsinthepublicright-of-wayinordertocreateattractiveinterface/transitionsfromprivatetopublicrealms.
4. Canopiesorotherarchitecturalfeaturesthatareintegratedwiththeoverallbuildingdesignshouldbeprovidedtoprotectpedestriansfrominclementweather.
5. Whererequired,orproposedbyadeveloment,improvementstotheadjacentright-of-way,shouldbeconsistentwithorcomplementarytoanyapprovedstreetscapingstandards.
6.3.4 Service, Access & Parking Areas
IntentTolocateandorganizevehicleparking,vehicularaccess,serviceareasandutilitiesinnewdevelopmentstominimizetheirimpactonthepropertyandsurroundingproperties,andtoimprovesafetyandtheattractivenessofadjacentstreets/linkagesandspecialplaces.
Policies 1. Useexistingrearlaneswheretheyare
availableandcreatesharedserviceareaswhenfeasible.
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2. Minimizetheimpactofaccesspointsonthepedestrianstreetscapebykeepingaccesswidthstoaminimum(consolidatingwithadjacentaccesspointswherepossible)andusingarchitecturalorlandscapetreatmentstominimizethevisualimpactofbuildingopeningsandramps,especiallywhenviewedfrompublicspaces.
3. Loadingandgarbagepick-upfunctionsareencouragedtobeincorporatedentirelywithincommercialandmixed-usebuildings.
4. Integrateservicesandutilitiesentirelywithinthebuilding.
5. Allparkingareasshallbeconcealedfromviewfrompublicspacesandideallyarelocatedunderground.Abovegroundorat-gradeparkingmaybeconsideredasprovidedforelsewhereinthisplan.
6.3.5 Building Height, Shadow Protection and Wind Impact Studies
IntentToprovideforflexibilityinbuildingheightinordertoachievebothpublicandprivatedesignobjectives.
contextThisPlandoesnotdefineanyspecificheightlimitations,therebyallowingnewdevelopmentconsiderabledesignflexibilitytomeetbothpublicandprivatedesignobjectives.However,atthesametime,thePlanrecognizesthattallbuildingsdohaveenvironmentalimpactsonthepublicrealm.Specifically,heightimpactsinclude:disruptionorblockingofpublicviews,shadowingofpublicspacesandlinkages,affectsonlocalmicro-climate,particularlywithrespecttowind,andchangestotheoverallskylineasseenfromdifferentpublicviews.
Policies
1. Toassessshadowimpacts,alldevelopmentapplicationswillberequiredtosubmita
detailedshadowanalysis.Theanalysisshallshowshadowimpactsbetweenthehoursof10:00a.m.and4:00p.m.asmeasuredatvarioustimesoftheyear(specifically,betweenMarch21andSeptember21).
2. Theimpactofshadowsonhistoriclandscapesorarchitecturethatdependonsunlightfortheirsignificance,suchasimportantnaturalfeaturesorvegetationorstainedglasswindowsshallbeconsideredandevaluatedthroughthedevelopmentapplicationprocess.
3. Pursuanttothisplan,shadowprotectionenvelopesmaybedevelopedforspecificpublicspacesandlinkages.Thefollowingareidentifiedasstrategiclocationsthatrequireshadowprotection:
• Parks,pathways,openspacesandschoolsites;
• Sidewalkareasalongthefollowingcorridors:17Avenue,13Avenue,11Avenue,12AvenuebetweenMacleodTrailS.E.andtheElbowRiver,11StreetS.W.,8StreetS.W.,4Street
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S.W.,CentreStreet,1StreetS.W.,MacleodTrailS.E.,andalongOlympicWayS.E.;
4. Thefollowingspecificshadowprotectionguidelinesapply:
a) CentralMemorialPark
DevelopmentsinthevicinityoftheParkshouldnotcastshadowsoveranysensitivehistoriclandscape,architecturalfeatureorparkspacethatdependonsunlightfortheirsignificanceorfunction.Ataminimum,newbuildingsshallnotcastshadowsbeyondalinemeasured20metresintothepark,paralleltoanyexteriorpropertylinebetweenthehoursof10:00a.m.and4:00p.m.onSeptember21.
b) HaultainPark
DevelopmentsinthevicinityoftheParkshouldnotcastshadowsoveranysensitivehistoriclandscape,architecturalfeatureorparkspacethatdependonsunlightfortheir
significanceorfunction.Ataminimum,newbuildingsshallnotcastshadowsbeyondalinemeasured20metresintothepark,paralleltoanyexteriorpropertylinebetweenthehoursof10:00a.m.and4:00p.m.onSeptember21.
c) BeaulieuGardens/LougheedHouse
DevelopmentsinthevicinityoftheParkshouldnotcastshadowsoveranysensitivehistoriclandscape,architecturalfeatureorparkspacethatdependonsunlightfortheirsignificanceorfunction.Ataminimum,newbuildingsshallnotcastshadowsbeyondalinemeasured20metresintothepark,paralleltoanyexteriorpropertylinebetweenthehoursof10:00a.m.and4:00p.m.onSeptember21.
5. Moredetailedshadowprotectionguidelinesmaybedevelopedforotherspecificparkspaces.
6. Windimpactstudiesarerequiredforallnewdevelopmentover24metresinheight
inordertoassessimpactsonpedestriancomfortatthestreetlevel.
6.3.6 Building Massing
IntentToensurenewbuildingscontributetothecreationofapedestrian-scaledstreetwall,areincontextwiththesurroundingbuildingforms,minimizetheirimpactonsunlightpenetrationtonearbybuildingsandpublicspacesandcontributetoavisuallyinterestingskyline.Thiscanbeachievedbythedesignofthethreemainbuildingcomponents:base,bodyandtop.
Policies
1. Base • Thebaseofabuildingshouldbe
designedtocreateahumanscaledstreetwallandestablishastrongvisualrhythm.
• Buildingbasesshouldbedesignedtomitigatenegativewindimpactsassociatedwithatalltower.
• Ingeneral,astheheightofabuilding
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2. Body • Thebodyofthebuildingshouldbe
scaledtoprovideanappropriatetransitionbetweenthenewdevelopmentandanyexistingadjacentbuildings.Discretionshouldbeusedindeterminingtherelative“permanence”ofadjacentbuildings.Forexample,iftheadjacentbuildingisaone-storeystripmall,thismaynotbetheultimateor“nextgeneration”buildingonthesite.
• Thereshouldbeastronglydefinedtransitionbetweenthebaseandthebodyofabuildingthroughtheuseofsetbacks,materialsorotherapplicablearchitecturaltreatmentssuchascornices,canopiesortrellises.
• Thebodyofthebuildingshouldbemassedtoprovideadequatelightpenetrationtoexistingbuildingsandallowforreasonablenearanddistantviewsforexistingbuildings.Thismaybeachievedbysteppingthebuildingbackawayfromthepropertylineororientingthebuildingmassawayfromthepropertyline(e.g.settingthenewbuildingwallsata45°anglefroman
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increases,theheightordefinitionofthebuildingbaseshouldalsoincreaseinheight.
• Buildingsareencouragedtobebuiltuptopublicsidewalksoranyspecificsetbackrequirementstopreventthecreationoflandscapedareasthathavenosenseofownershipandnonaturalsurveillance.
• Whereanewbuildingistobebuiltadjacenttoanexistingbuildingwallthatisbuilttothecommonpropertylineandhasnoopenings,thenewbuildingmayalsoconsiderbuildingatorclosetothecommonpropertyline,avoidingthecreationof“dead”spaces.
• Internalcourtyardsormewsarestronglyencouraged.Suchspacesshallhavegoodnaturalsurveillanceand,wherepossible,bevisiblefrompublicstreetsorlanes.
• Buildingmassshalldefinethepublicandsemi-privaterealms.
• Newdevelopmentshallavoidthecreationofblankbuildingfacades.Facadesshallbepedestrianscaled,
createvisualinterestandusefullytransparentglass.
• Inthecaseofresidentialbuildings,thecharacterofstreettownhousesandlowerstoreyunitswithinapartmentbuildingsshouldbereinforcedbyprovidingeasilyidentifiableunitswithindividualfrontdoorsandwindowsrelatingdirectlyto,andprovidinganoverviewofstreetsandpedestrianpathways.
• Forprivacypurposes,townhouseandapartmentunitsat-gradeshouldbelocatedslightlyabovegradewithappropriatelyscaledstairaccessandlandscapelayeringconsistingofverticalwalls,lowandvisuallypermeablefencesandhorizontalandverticallandscaping.
• Unlessotherwiseimpractical,noutilitymeters(suchasgasandwater)shallbelocatedonthefrontelevationofabuildingfacingapublicstreet.
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TABLE 6.2: GUIDELINES FOR BUILDING SETBACKS FROM A COMMON PROPERTY LINE
Portion of a Building Minimum Setback from Property Line shared with a lane or another parcel
Primarily Residential Areas Urban Mixed-Use Areas
0 - 2 storeys 0 m 0 - 3 m*
2 - 4 storeys 0 - 3 m 0 - 3 m*
5 - 8 storeys 6 m 0 - 6 m*
9 - 12 storeys 12 m 0 - 9 m*
Above 12 storeys 12 m 9 -12 m
TABLE 6.3: FLOOR PLATE SIZE RESTRICTIONS
Primarily Residential Areas Urban Mixed-Use Areas
Below 25 m No restriction Below 36 m No restriction
Above 25 m 650 m² Above 36 m for a commercial fl oor plate
No restriction
Above 36 m for a residential fl oor plate
650 m²
Above 36 m for a residential fl oor plate within the area shown on Map 5A
930 m²
Note: The fl oor plate is measured from outside wall to outside wall, excluding any unenclosed balconies.
* Where a new building is proposed adjacent to an existing building that is built to the property line and has no openings, the setback may be reduced to 0 metres.
existing building wall). Appendix D provides illustrations of how this may be achieved. Where building stepping is used, Table 6.2 may be used as a guideline.
• In general, the body of the building should be massed to minimize shadow impacts on adjacent or nearby public sidewalks and public spaces. Specifi cally, buildings on the south side of an avenue should be massed to allow for reasonable sunlight penetration to the sidewalk on the north side of the avenue.
• In order to reduce the massing impacts of high density buildings, the fl oor plate size restrictions, shown in Table 6.3, shall apply unless otherwise indicated below. Notwithstanding the provisions contained in Table 6.3, the Development Authority may consider increasing the fl oor plate size restriction of a residential building above 25 m in a Primarily Residential Area and above 36 m in an Urban Mixed-Use area from 650 m2 to a maximum of 750 m2.
Bylaw 52P2008
Notwithstanding the provisions contained in Table 6.3, the Approving Authority may consider modest relaxations of the fl oor plate restrictions based on contextual site conditions and overall consistency with the objectives of the ARP, where an approved Development Permit has commenced, but construction has been suspended past the maximum days allowed as per the approved Building Permit requirements, prior 2011 January 01. When evaluating such requests, the Development Authority shall comprehensively consider: • Shadow casting impacts on the
public realm and the need to provide
adequate light penetration to adjacent buildings;
• The ability to achieve a 24 m tower separation from existing or future development on adjacent sites;
• The ability to use building orientation, shape and massing to mitigate any negative impacts; and
• The cumulative building mass impact given the potential “build-out” of the block. Bylaw 9P2011
• The Development Authority shall not be bound by the fl oor plate restrictions in Table 6.3 when evaluating a development proposal that is subject to compliance with a shadow protection guideline.
• Tower fl oor plates are encouraged to reduce width in the east/west dimension and be longer in the north/south dimension. In the case of a residential fl oor plate, the maximum dimension should not exceed 30 metres.
3. Top • It is encouraged that tower tops
contribute to the skyline profi le by having an identifi able, iconic architectural design that skilfully incorporates within the tower top all elevator cores and mechanical rooms.
• For buildings over 12 storeys in height, the top fl oors are encouraged to use techniques such as reductions in fl oor plate sizes, stepping of building mass, or creation of distinctive architectural or structural elements.
• All rooftops, including podium and tower tops are encouraged to incorporate landscape amenities or green roofs in order to achieve aesthetic and environmental benefi ts.
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TABLE 6.4: TOWER SEPARATION REGULATIONS
Primarily Residential Areas Urban Mixed-Use Areas
Below 25 m No restriction Below 36 m No restriction
Above 25 m 24 m Above 36 m between two commercial or one commercial and one residential building
18 m
Above 36 m between two residential buildings
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6.3.7 Building Separation And View Plane Requirements
IntentItisanticipatedthatinordertoachievethepopulationsdesiredintheBeltline,morelargeandtallerbuildingswillbedevelopedovertime.Theintentofthissectionistoensurethatthelivabilityofresidentialunitsinthesenewandinexistingbuildingsismaintainedintermsofaccesstosunlight,privacyandnearanddistantviews.
Policies• Theminimumhorizontalseparationbetweenany
twotallbuildingsshallbeasoutlinedinTable6.4.• Thedesignofnewresidentialbuildings
shouldensurethatatleastonewindowofanyhabitableroom(excludingakitchenorbathroom)providesaminimumunimpededhorizontalviewplanewithanangleof50°,ortwoanglesthatsumto70°,foradistanceof18metres.Theviewplaneshallbemeasuredfromthecentreofthebottomofthesubjectwindow.
• Inthecaseofsmallinfillsites,theseparationdistancesinTable6.4andtheviewplanerequirementsmayberelaxedinordertoallowformaximizingdensitypossibilities.Forthepurposeofthissection,asmallinfillsiteisonethathaslessthan22.5moffrontageonanyonestreetoravenue.
• Acknowledgingtheabilitytoexercisegreaterdesigncontrolinthecaseofdevelopmentswithmultipletowersaspartofacomprehensivedevelopment,theseseparationandviewplanerequirementsmayberelaxedprovidedtheintentofthissectioncanbeaddressedtothesatisfactionoftheDevelopmentAuthority.
6.3.8 Special Architectural Materials And elements
IntentToprovideguidanceintheuseofarchitecturalmaterialsandelementstoencouragequalityinbuildingsthatmakefordurable,long-lastingstructuresthatcontributetothelongtermcharacteroftheBeltlineandthatprovideforpedestriancomfortandvisualinterest.
Policies
1. MaterialsandColour • Aconsistentpaletteofmaterialsshould
beusedoneachdevelopment. • Buildingbasesareencouragedtouse
masonryorotherdurablematerialsandotherarchitecturaldetailsthatestablishastrongvisualrhythmwithhumanscaledelements.
• Bodymaterialsmaydifferfrombasematerials,butcompatibilityandtransitionbetweenmaterialsshouldbeconsideredandtherhythmofthelowerfloorsshouldberespected.Buildingelementsinthiszonemayhavea“lighter”appearancewithmoreglazingthanusedatthebase.
• Specialconsiderationshouldbegiventotheexcessiveuseofdarkcolouredreflectiveglassinordertopreventnegativelightreflectionimpactsonsurroundingproperties.
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2. Balconies • Balconiesshouldbedesignedas
integralpartsofthebuildingsratherthanbeing“attached”tothebodyofbuilding.
• Fullyorpartiallyrecessedbalconies,regardlessofsize,arepreferredover“tackedon”balconies,especiallyonhigherfloors.
3. Awnings,Canopies,EntriesandArcades • Weatherprotectionfeaturesthatare
integraltothearchitecturaldesignofthebuildingareencouragedalongstreetswithcommercialormixedlanduseswhereretailandofficespacesarelocatedonlowerportionsofthebuilding,orwherethepublicmightcongregate,suchasattransitstops.
• Entriesshouldbeclearlyidentifiedbyprominentstructuralcanopies.
4. Lighting • Particularattentionshouldbegiven
tothelightingofpublicandprivateareasat-gradetoprovideeffectiveand
attractiveat-gradelight. • Specialeffects,includingfloodlighting
ofthetowerportionandtowertopportionmaybeincludedifitdoesnotnegativelyimpactsurroundingproperties.
6.3.9 Sustainable Building Practices
IntentTostronglyencouragetheintegrationofsustainablebuildingandsitedesignpracticesintoallnewdevelopmentsandrenovations.
Policies• Thefollowingdesignconcepts,development
practices,andtechnologiesareencouraged:• Constructionwastemanagement:recycling
todivertmaterialfromlandfillsites.• Optimizingbuildingenergyperformance.• Useofrenewableenergysources.• Theuseofinnovativewastewater
technologies.• Stormwatermanagement:reductionof
quantity;collection,filtering,reuse.• Provisionofwaterefficientlandscaping.
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{section six}• Provisionofbuildingrecyclingfacilities. • Provisionofoccupanttransportation
alternatives.• Provisionofahighqualityofindoorair
qualityandthermalcomfort.• Maximizingdaylightingandviews.• Useofbuildingmaterialswithahigh
recycledcomponent.• Useofdurableandrapidlyrenewable
materials.• Encouragementofinnovationinthedesign
ofbuildings,theirsystems,andtheirsiteconsiderations.
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TRANSPORTATION 7.1 STRATeGIc POLIcY cONTexT
Future Policy
ThepoliciesinthisAreaRedevelopmentPlanwillneedtobeupdatedoncetheCalgary Transportation Plan(CTP)isupdatedandtheCentre City Transportation Planiscompleted.ACentreCityTransportationPlanneedstobedevelopedthataddressesseveralissuesincluding,butnotlimitedto:• Existingandpotentialnewtransitcorridors
androutes;• Operationalimprovementsforvehicularflow
throughthearea;• Parking;• Thepedestrianenvironmentandassociated
amenities;• Bicyclecorridorsandroutes;• Fundingstrategiestopayforimprovements;• Implementationplanandprioritylist;• Levelofserviceexpectations;• Transportationdemandmanagement
strategies;• Commercialgoodsandservice;and• Managementofspecialeventtraffic.
Until,theCentre City Transportation Planiscompleted,thepoliciesofthisPlan,andtheCTPshallapplytotheBeltline.
Background
In1995,theCalgary Transportation Plan(CTP)putforwardthefollowingpositionrelatedtoInnerCityconcernsandissues:
"Maintaininghealthyandvibrantcommunitiescapableofadaptingtochange,andattractingareasonableshareofgrowthisakeythrustoftheproposedlandusestrategy.Inordertoachievetheforecastlevelsofgrowthinestablishedcommunities,theimpactoftheroadhierarchy,itsoperationandadjacentlandusesbeneaththe"skeletal”networklevelshouldbereviewed.Thereareaspectsoftheexistinghierarchy(e.g.,wideningsetbacks,reverselanes,roadclassifications,etc)whichmaybeatoddswithcommunityobjectivesrelatedtoqualityoflifeand
theongoingviabilityoflocalbusinessesadjacenttoroadways.Thesehavetobeconsideredinthecontextofcity-widegoalsasexpressedintheCalgary Transportation Plan;however,itisrecognizedthatattractinggrowthintoexistingcommunitiesisjustasdependentoncertainty,andqualityofenvironmentasitisinthenewsuburbs."
TheInner City Transportation Study(ICTS)approvedin2000,whichwasaresultoftheCTP1995states:
“ThecapacityoftheexistingarterialroadnetworkwithintheInnerCityshouldnotbeexpandedthroughmajorroadwayconstruction,...rather,throughincreasedefficienciesbeingachievedthroughoperationalchanges.”
Asaresult,theremustbeastrongemphasisonprovidingsuperbcycling,walkingandtransitconnectionsandfacilities.
TheBeltlineincludessomemajorroadwaysintheCity’stransportationnetwork.TheRoadHierarchyMapinAppendixCshowstheexisting
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RoadClassifications.ThePlanrecognizestheimportanceofmaintainingand,wherepossible,enhancingtheabilityoftheseelementstoperformatanacceptablelevel,giventhecontextandcharacteristicsoftheBeltline.Atthesametime,itisunderstoodthatastheCitygrowsandtheBeltlineincreasesinpopulationandemployment,thattherewillbeincreasedtrafficvolumeswithintheBeltline.Thisincreaseintrafficvolumesisacceptableprovideditisproperlymanagedandlocalvehicularaccessibilityandthelivabilityoftheareacanbemaintained.Toendeavourtoachievethisbalance,thefollowingprojectsandinitiativeswillbepursued.(SeealsoMap6)
7.2 TRANSIT
7.2.1 General
TheBeltlinecurrentlyreceivestransitservicecoveragethattravelsbotheast/westandnorth/southwithintheBeltline.ThesebusroutesprovideconnectionsinthedowntownaswellasmostotherCityquadrants.East/westtransitserviceisconcentratedon11,12and17
Avenues.North/southserviceuses14StreetS.W.,11StreetS.W.,8StreetS.W.,5StreetS.W.,4StreetS.W.,1StreetS.W.,1StreetS.E.andMacleodTrail.Thesenorth/southroutingsgenerallyreflectroadwaysthatconnecttothedowntownviatherailwayunderpassesandshouldbeconsideredaskeyroadwaysformaintainingtransitserviceeffectiveness.Initiativestoconsiderincludethefollowing:
1. Consistentwithincreasingdemandfortransitservice,examinethefeasibilityofadditionaltransitserviceandconnectionswithintheBeltline,includingtheinvestigationofapossibleCentreCitytransitloopthatwouldcirculatewithintheCentreCityandconnecttheBeltlineandDowntown.
2. PlanforthefutureSoutheastLRTlinealongtherouteshownonMap6.Thisincludesprotectingforthenecessaryrights-ofwayforboththetracksandthestations.
3. Wherepossible,integratetransitstopsand
othertransitpassengeramenitieswithnewdevelopment.
4. Theuseofvarioustransitprioritymeasures,includingtransitonlylanes/roads,trafficsignalpriority,queuejumpers,etcwillberequiredonsomekeystreetsandavenuesinordertoensurethatbusservicesarenotimpededbytrafficcongestionthatwillincreaseasaresultofhigherdensitydevelopment.ThesetransitprioritymeasuresshouldbedesignedinconjunctionwiththeCentreCityTransportationPlan.
7.2.2 Victoria Park Transit centre
TheVictoriaParkTransitCentre(VPTC)iscriticaltotheoperationandefficiencyofCalgaryTransit,inparticular,servicetodowntownorientedroutes,CTraincontrol,communications,safetyandsecurity.ThesefunctionsareatriskifacomprehensiverelocationplanisnotdevelopedaspartoftheoverallplanningfortheBeltlineCommunityandtheultimateimplementationstrategyofthenewAreaRedevelopmentPlan.
ThisPlansupportsatwostagestrategy:ashorttermstrategytoaddresstheimpactsoftheexistingoperationontheneighbourhood,
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particularlythenoiseattenuationwallon11AvenueS.E.,andalongtermstrategytoaddresstheultimaterelocationoftheVPTC.
Short Term Strategy
a) Modifytheintersectionof6Streetand11AvenueS.E.toallowbusestoexittheCentreonto12AvenueS.E.Thiswillreducebustrafficon11Avenueby50percent.
b) Removethenoiseattenuationwallthatdivides11AvenueS.E.andreturn11Avenuetotwo-waygeneraltraffic,therebyallowingaccesstolandsonthenorthsideof11Avenue
Long Term Strategy
Theinitialbasisforalongtermrelocationstrategyisasfollows:a) relocatetheCalgaryTransitCTrainControl
Centre,securitymonitoring,communicationsandadministrativefunctionstoanewTransitOrientedOfficeDevelopmentlocatedonCity-ownedlandadjacenttotheHeritageCTrainStation;
b) locateandconstructanewcentralcitybusstorageandlightmaintenancefacilityforapproximately125busesservingdowntown,within4kilometresofthedowntown;and,
c) constructthefirstphaseofanewbusstorageandheavydutymaintenancefacilityforapproximately350buseswithintheplannedSouthOperationsWorkplaceCentre,locatedsouthof194AvenueandeastofMacleodTrailS.E.
Thefinalstrategy,oncedeveloped,shallbepresentedtoCouncilforapproval.
7.2.3 Southeast LRT
AfuturerequirementforanLRTlinetoserveCalgary’sgrowingsoutheastcommunitiesandemploymentareashasbeenidentified.Althoughthelinemaynotberequiredforsometime,itisimportanttoidentifyandprotecttherightofwayrequiredforthisfacilityandtoidentifystationlocationstoguideorrespondtolanduseopportunities.
AfunctionalplanningstudytoidentifyhowSoutheastLRTwilltravelinandoutofthedowntowniscurrentlyunderway.AnumberofoptionshavebeenexaminedwithintheBeltlineanddowntown.
ThepreferredLRTalignmentofSoutheastLRTwouldcrosstheElbowRiverwithinthesouthportionoftheexistingCanadianPacificrailwayright-of-way(SeeMap6).TheLRTalignmentwouldcrosstheproposed4StreetS.E.underpasswithintherailwayrightofwayandthenswingsouthto10AvenueS.E.LRTtrackswouldproceedalong10Avenueandthenswingnorthwardintothedowntownviaatunnelunder2StreetS.W.TheLRTtunnelwouldpassundertherailwayandremainundergroundalong2StreetS.W.withinthedowntown.Downtownstationsareproposednorthof7Avenueandat3AvenueS.W.
On10Avenue,LRTwouldoperateinthecurblanesthatwouldbereservedforLRTuse.ThisLRTlinewouldutilizelowfloorlightrailvehicles(LRVs)thatpermittheuseofatighterturningradius.Aswell,lowfloorvehiclespermitthe
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useofslightlyraisedsidewalkstoactasstationplatformsallowingforeasierintegrationofLRTstationswithadjacentlanduse.WithintheBeltline,stationsareproposedinthevicinityof4StreetS.E.and1StreetS.W.Thesestationlocationswillpermitnorth/southpedestrianconnectionstobeestablished.
ThepreferredLRTalignmenton10AvenueincludesanoptionofenteringthedowntowntunneleitherwestofMacleodTrailorwestof1StreetS.W.IftheLRTlineisundergroundatMacleodTrail,LRTwouldoperateinthecentrelanesof10Avenuetominimizelanduseimpactsofthetunnelentrance.Withthisoption,theproposedstationat1StreetS.W.wouldbeunderground.
7.3 PeDeSTRIAN FAcILITIeS
1. Designandimplementacomprehensivestreetscapingandway-findingprogramtoimprovepedestriancomfortandorientation.Suchaprogramshouldincludefullconsiderationofpersonswithmobilitylimitationssuchasthevisuallyimpairedand
thosewhousewheelchairs.PriorityshouldbegiventoimplementingimprovementsonmajorpedestriancorridorsasidentifiedonMap6.DetaileddesignandimplementationwillrequireconsultationwithrelevantCitydepartmentsandaffectedstakeholders.
2. Explorewaystoincreasepedestrianmobilityanddecreasepedestriandelay.Examplesmightincludeshortersignalcycles.
3. Encouragenewdevelopmenttoprovideintegratedweatherprotectiondevicesorstructuresoverthepublicsidewalks.
4. Reducethenumberofvehicleconflictswithmajorpedestriancorridorsandsidewalks.
7.4 cYcLING FAcILITIeS
Definitions (fromThe Pathway and Bikeway Implementation Plan(PBIP)approvedbyCouncilin2000)
BicycleCorridor:Arouteidentifiedanddesignedtogive
preferencetobicycletrafficthroughtheuseoftrafficcalmingdevices,favourablestopsignorientation,partialroadclosureswhichpermitthroughbicycletraffic,andothertechniques.WideCurbLane:Aroadwherethecurbtravellaneisatleast4.3m(excludingparking)suchthatmotoristsandcyclistscansafelysharethelane.Asidecurblanemaybeidentifiedbyastencil,signageorothermarkings.
BicycleLane:Adedicatedandmarkedon-streettrafficlanefortheexclusiveuseofcyclists.
On-StreetBicycleRoute:Astreetidentifiedasacyclingroutebysignsandamap.
Projects/Initiatives
1. Develop13Avenuefrom14StreetS.W.toMacleodTrailasabicyclecorridorandgreenwaywherethedesignoftheright-of-wayplacesspecialemphasisontheneeds
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ofcyclistsandothernon-vehiculartraffic.ThedesignforthegreenwayshouldrefertothePathwayandBikewayImplementationPlanconceptforabicyclecorridor.
2. Createon-streetbicycleroutesasnotedonMap6andimplementacomprehensivesignageandlanemarkingprogramtoimprovethelegibilityofthecycleroutenetwork.
3. UpgradeunderpassesundertheCPRTrackstoaccommodatebicycles,whentheopportunityarises.
4. UndertakemoredetaileddesignandconsultationwithrelevantCitydepartmentsandaffectedstakeholders,whenimplementingnewbicycleroutes.
5. Requireanynewdevelopmenttoprovideadequateon-sitebicyclefacilitiesinaccordancewiththeCityofCalgary’sBicycleParkingHandbook.Twotypesofbicycleparkingarespecified:
Class1: Lockersorcontrolledareaswhereabike
canbestored.Thesefacilitieswillprotectbikesfromadverseweatherconditions,vandalismandtheftbyenclosingtheminsecureplaces.Theyaresuitableforlong-termparkingatkeycyclingdestinations,suchashighdensityresidentialcomplexes,employmentcentresandschools.ExamplesincludeBike’n’RidelockersatLRTstationsandbike“cages”inselectparkades.
Class2: Anydevicethatisspecificallydesigned
toparkbikes.Thepreferred‘bikeracks’allowcycliststosecurebothwheelsandthebikeframetotherack.Thesefacilitiesareprimarilyforshort-termuseatavarietyofdestinations,includingcommercialandrecreationcentres,shoppingcentres,restaurantsandschools.
PotentiallocationsforClass1facilitiesareindicatedonMap6.
AboutthirtyClass2shouldbeprovidedatallexistingLRTstationsandpotentiallyanynewstations.
6. ExploretheutilityandfeasibilityofdevelopingoneormoremajorbicycleparkingfacilitiesatoptimallocationswithintheBeltline.
7.5 VeHIcLe FAcILITIeS
7.5.1 General
VehiclefacilitiesintheBeltlineprovidemobilitytoautomobiles,transitvehicles,bicyclesandpedestrians.
VehicletrafficcapacityintheBeltlinewillbeaddressedinthefollowingways:
1. ConnectOlympicWayS.E.to4StreetS.E.bybuildingaconnectionacrosstheCPRright-of-way.Anyconnectionshallincorporateahighqualitypedestrianandcyclingenvironment.
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2. Investigatemeasurestoincreasetheutilityof10Avenueandvehicularaccessibilityintheareathroughtheselectiveexpansionofthecarriagewaytothenorth.Anyexpansionmustalsobeaccompaniedbyhighqualitystreetscapingandpedestrian,cyclingandtransitfacilities.
3. Investigatethepossibilityofaddingleftturnlanesinstrategiclocations.
4. Consideranewintersectionat10Avenueand14StreetS.W.
5. Otherthan10Avenue,nowideningsofexistingroadcarriagewaysforthepurposeofcreatingnewvehiclelanes,otherthanleftturnlanes,areproposed.SomewideningsmayberequiredtoaccommodatewidecurblanesforbicyclesordesignatedbicyclelanesasshownonMap6.
6. NewroadsmayberequiredtofacilitatetheredevelopmentoflandsinVictoriaPark,specifically,theformerCPRlandsandthesiteoftheVictoriaParkTransitCentre.
7. Maintainanacceptablelevelofserviceforregionaltrafficmovementsonmajorarterialstreets.ThismayincludeimprovementsoutsideofthePlanareasuchasthe25Avenue/26AvenueConnectorlinkingBlackfootTrailandMacleodTrail.
7.5.2 Parking
1. Allowforon-streetparkingwhereverandwheneverfeasible.
2. ExplorethepotentialroleoftheCalgaryParkingAuthorityinprovidingsurfaceparkinglots(eitherpermanentorinterim)tomitigateagainsttheimpactofPMpeakhouron-streetparkingrestrictions.
7.5.3 Access
1. ConsidernewvehicularconnectionsacrosstheSouthLRTtracksintoStampedeParktoallowforimprovedaccessforthePark.
2. DevelopnewaccessroadstotheformerCPRlandsandthesiteoftheVictoria
ParkTransitCentreinordertoallowforredevelopment.
7.5.4 11 and 12 Avenues
Thisplanrecognizesthattheconversionof11and12Avenuesfromone-waytotwo-waycanprovidemanybenefitstothecommunityandlocalbusiness.Benefitsincludeenhancingpedestriancomfortandmobility,improvingretailandbusinessvitalityandimprovinglocalaccessforvehiclesandcyclists.However,theconversioncanresultinanunacceptablelossofmobilityforregionalcommutertraffic,giventherole11and12Avenuesplayintheregionaltransportationnetwork.
Overtime,asothertransportation-relatedinitiativesareimplemented,theimpactoftheconversiononcommutermobilitymaybemitigated.Examplesofthoseinitiativesinclude,butarenotlimitedto,increasedtransitservicetoandfromthewest,newLRTconnectionstothewestandthesoutheast,anunderpassconnectingOlympicWayto4StreetS.E.,aflyoverfromthewestconnectingto5Avenue
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inthedowntownandthecreationofafull,signalizedintersectionat10Avenueand14StreetS.W.Thesetypesofimprovementsmayeventuallyallowtheconversiontotakeplacewithminimaldisruptiontocommutertraffic.
Inthemeantime,thefollowingisrecommendedtoimprovepedestrianandcyclingmobilityandenhancethebusinessenvironment:
1. Developapedestrian/cycleenhancementplanalong10,11and12Avenueswithintheexistingone-wayoperationandrightsofway.
2. Prepareanurbandesignstreetscapeenhancementplanfor11AvenueS.W.between5StreetS.W.and11StreetS.W.withconceptsandfundingalternatives.
Theabovetwoprojectsmaybeundertakentogetherorasseparateprojects,providedtheworkiscoordinatedandintegrated.
7.6 MANAGING TRANSPORTATION DeMAND
AstheBeltlineincreasesinpopulationandactivity,trafficvolumeswillincrease.Thiswillresultinanon-goinglossofcommutermobilityviatheautomobileandcreatetheneedforstrategiesthatprovideforoptimalaccessibility.Thefollowingmeasuresshallbeimplementedtomanagethiscongestioninaninnovativeandpro-activeway:
1. ImplementTransportationDemandManage-ment(TDM)programsandstrategies.Thisincludesprogramsandstrategiesthatenhance,promoteandencouragecommuteroptions,reducetrafficcongestion,reducegreenhousegasemissions,improveairqualityandenhancemobilitythroughabalancedandequitabletransportationinfrastructure.TDMstrategiesstrivetominimizetheimpactsassociatedwithtravelbyreducingthenumberofpeopledrivingalonebythedevelopmentandpromotionofcarpooling,carsharing,transit,cycling,walkingandteleworkingstrategiesandsupportelements.
2. EmployIntelligentTransportationSystems(ITS)tomanageroadcapacityandparkingsupply.
3. DeveloptransportationmanagementprogramsrelativetotheactivitiesatStampedePark.Thisincludestrafficmanagement,lanereversals,signaltimingandpromotingandimprovingalternativestodrivingsuchastransitserviceandbicycleaccessandparking.
4. Improvethequalityandlevelofserviceofnon-vehiculartransportationmodesincludingtransit,pedestrianandbicycle.Thiswillincludetheimplementationofindicatorstomeasurethelevelofservicefornon-vehicularmodes.Specifically,withrespecttotransitservice,suchmeasurescouldincludeidentifyingappropriatewalkingdistancestotransitservice,transitservicedelaysduetoincreasingtrafficvolumes,servicereliability,transitpassengerstreetamenitiesandfrequencyofservice.
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5. Future long-stay parking facilities should only be provided commensurate with development demand requirements.
6. The development of new temporary surface parking lots within the Beltline should not be allowed. In no case shall the term of renewal for an existing temporary surface parking lot extend beyond 3 years. When renewing an existing temporary surface parking lot, special efforts shall be made to minimize the visual impact of the lot through the provision of interim landscaping or screening elements that can be re-used in other applications or locations. Bylaw 8P2011
7.7 BYLAWED SETBACKS
Bylawed setbacks exist on a number of streets within the Beltline, such as, 10, 11 and 12 Avenues, Macleod Trail, 1 Street S.E. and 1, 5, 8, 9, and 11 Streets S.W. Bylawed setbacks require buildings to be set back from the property line to allow for future expansion of the road right-of-way for purposes of, sidewalk widening, road widening (for bicycle or vehicular purposes)
and above and below ground utility and service locations.
Comprehensive future right-of-way designs have not been prepared for most of these streets and avenues. As a result, new development may be impacted because of the need to protect these setback areas. Examples include:• setting buildings back from the sidewalk
where the sidewalk may in fact never be widened
• preventing arcades, cantilevers or other structures from using the setback area; and
• limiting or prohibiting the placement of street amenities such as trees, planters and lighting.
This Plan commits to reviewing these bylawed setbacks by undertaking comprehensive right-of-way design plans or Street Master Plans. The review should consider future needs for lane widenings for vehicular or bicycle traffi c and the appropriate width for sidewalks given the specifi c location and function of the street. For example, sidewalks that serve retail and commercial streets may require greater widths than sidewalks that serve a primarily residential environment.
Where it is determined that bylawed setbacks are still required, it should be clearly stated what the purpose of the setback is so that judgements can be made on what is or is not appropriate encroachments into the bylawed setback.
This review may take many years and, as a result, a mechanism is required to evaluate confl icts that occur during the development process. It is recommended that a report be prepared by Administration discussing possible alternatives and forwarded to Calgary Planning Commission and Council for consideration. Preparation of the report should include consultation with the Calgary Regional Homebuilders Association, the Urban Development Institute, Business Revitalization Zones and Community Associations.
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cHARAcTER AREASWhat is a character Area?
Acharacterareaisanareawhereacombinationoflanduses,historicalorolderbuildingsorotherdistinctivebuildingdesigns,publicopenspacesanduniquestreetscapeshavecombinedtocreateareasthatareidentifiableashavingspecialoruniquequalitiesthataredifferentfromneighbouringareaswithinthecommunity.
CharacterAreaObjectives:• Topreserveandstrengthenthespecial
oruniquequalitiesthatidentifiedareasexemplifyandcontributetothepositiveurbancharacteroftheBeltlinecommunity.
• Toprovideguidanceintheevaluationofdevelopmentapplications.
• Toprovideguidancewhenplanningfornewinvestmentinthepublicrealm.
• Toidentifylocationsforlandmarkbuildingandopenspaceopportunities.
• Toprovideanopportunityforfuturecharacterareastodevelop.
character Areas and Design Objectives
Map7identifiestheboundariesofthecharacterareas.Detailsonthecontextanddesignobjectivesforeachareaarediscussedbelow.Newcharacterareasmaybeidentifiedandaddedtotheplaninthefuture.Detaileddesignguidelinesmaybedevelopedforeachofthecharacterareas.
8.1 11 STReeT S.W. PeDeSTRIAN cOMMeRcIAL cORRIDOR
contextThisareaconsistsof11StreetS.W.fromtheCPRtracksto17AvenueSouthandincludes:• Astrong,establishedpedestrian-scale,
particularlytheblockcontainingthehistoricallysignificantBrigdenBlock,ShopandGrocerystorebuildingsandtheJ.W.C.blockbetween14and15AvenuesS.W.;
• ConnaughtParkat11StreetS.W.and14AvenueS.W.;
• Aparklocatedon11StreetS.W.and16AvenueS.W.;
• ThehistoricalConnaughtSchoolandits
associatedopenspace;and• Asignificantat-gradepedestrianlinkage
acrosstheCPRtracks,connectingtheBowRiverto17AvenueS.
8.1.1 Design Objectives
• Maintainastrong,pedestrian-scalecommercialbuildingformalong11StreetS.W.between12AvenueS.W.and17AvenueS.W.
• Encouragenewdevelopmenttobesetbackatleast6.0montheeastsideof11StreetS.W.Thisadditionalyardshallbeusedtoprovideawiderpedestrianenvironment.
• Enhancethepedestrianstreetscapeexperiencenorthwardsalong11StreetS.W.fromthecommercialareabetween14AvenueS.W.and15AvenueS.W.totheCPRtracksandeventuallybeyondtotheBowRiver.
• Enhancethequalityoftheexistingopenspacesat16Avenueand14AvenueS.W.tobetterservetheneedsofthelandusesinthearea.
• WorkwiththeCalgaryBoardofEducation
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11 Street SW Pedestrian Commercial CorridorDesign DistrictWarehouse DistrictNorth Stampede Entrance Way17 Avenue Pedestrian Commercial Corridor
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toensurethattheConnaughtSchoolsitecontinuestoprovidesignificantusablepublicspaces.
• Attheintersectionof11StreetS.W.and17AvenueS.W.,providelandmarkbuildingformsand/orurbanspacesthatrespondsensitivelytothepedestriancharacterandscaleofbothofthesestreets.
8.2 DeSIGN DISTRIcT
contextThisareaconsistsofarectangleofblocksbetweentheCPRtracksandthelanesouthof11AvenueS.W.inanorth/southdirectionandtheblocksbetween5StreetS.W.and14StreetS.W.inaneast/westdirectionandincludes:• Somesignificanthistoricalbuildingssuch
asMcArthur’sFurniture(SherwinWilliams),EllisonMilling&ElevatorCompanyandtheGeneralMotorsBuildingbetween6StreetS.W.and8StreetS.W.;and
• Aclusteringofeclecticandinnovative,newandadapted,design-relatedbusinesses,buildingsandlandusesthroughoutthisarea.Aparticularemphasisonretailisdevelopingwithinthearea.
8.2.1 Design Objectives
• Enhancethepedestrianstreetscapeexperiencethroughoutthearea.Priorityareasforimprovementshouldbealong11Avenue,between11StreetS.W.and5StreetS.W.
• Balanceanenhancedpedestrianstreetscapewiththeneedsoftheareasretailandlightindustrialbusinessesforvehicularaccesstoparkingandloadingareasgiventheirfocusondesignandbuildingrelatedproductsthatcanbelarge,bulkyandheavy.
• Provideparking(andloading)totherearofsitesand/orindesignatedparkingareas/structuresinordertofacilitateanenhancedpedestrianrealm.
• Supporttheexpansionoftheeclecticandinnovativedesignofbuildingswithinthearea.
• Stronglyencourageretailcommercialat-gradealong11AvenueS.W.
• Provideaco-ordinated,themedpedestrianrealmthatidentifiestheareaasadesigndistrict(e.g.,banners,entrancesigns,lighting,streetfurnitureetc.).
8.3 17 AVeNUe SOUTH
Anurbandesignstrategyiscurrentlybeingpreparedforthefulllengthof17AvenueSouthwithintheBeltline.TheoutcomesofthestrategyshallbeincorporatedintotheBeltlineARPbyamendment.
8.4 WAReHOUSe DISTRIcT
contextThisareaconsistsofarectangleofblocksbetweentheCPRtracksand12AvenueS.W.inanorth/southdirectionandtheblocksbetweenOlympicWayS.E.(4StreetS.E.)and4StreetS.W.intheeast/westdirection.TheareaiscurrentlyknownastheWarehouseDistrictandspecificcontextualelementsinclude:• Asignificantnumberofhistoricbrickand
sandstoneindustrialbuildings(someofCalgary’searliestarchitecture–early20thCentury)suchastheMassey-HarrisCompany(Ribtor)Warehouse,HudsonBayCompanyWarehouse(CanadaSafeway),andImperialTobaccoWarehouse.Manyofthesebuildingshavebeenadaptedto
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• ThedesignatedheritagesitesoftheLouiseBlock,theCustomsBuilding(ExaminingWarehouse);and
• Abuildingformwherebuildingsarelocateduptothepropertylineand/orclosetothesidewalk.
TwodistinctareasarerecognizedwithintheWarehouseDistrict.
8.4.1 Primary Warehouse District
ThisareaislocatedbetweenMacleodTrailS.E.and4StreetS.E.Mostofthehistoricwarehouseandcommercialbuildingsinthisareahavebeenrestoredandareactivelybeingre-used.Fewnewbuildingshavebeendevelopedinthearearesultinginafairly“intact”representationofwhattheareawaslikeintheearlydevelopmentofCalgary.Newdevelopmentintheareashouldpaycloseattentiontotheexistingscale,massingandconfigurationoftheexistinghistoricbuildingsandshouldnotdetractfromtheoverallcharacterofthisarea.
Specific Design Guidelines:• Whiletallbuildingsandtowersare
acceptable,lowerbuildingsarepreferredinordertomaintainthehistoricqualityandcharacterofthearea.
• Wheretallerbuildingsortowersareproposed,thebaseofthenewdevelopmentshouldapproximatethescaleandmassingoftheexistingwarehousebuildingsandbebuilttothepropertyline,therebyreinforcingthestrongstreetwallthatisadefiningelementofthisdistrict.
• Thebaseofnewbuildingsshouldbecappedwithstrongcornicelinesorsimilararchitecturalfeaturesthatmaintainthestreetcontinuityofexistingbuildings.
• Towersorbuildingmassabovethecornicelineshouldhaveasignificantsetbackfromthebuildingbase.Thesetbackshouldbeatleast3metres,but6metresispreferred.
• Thebaseofnewbuildingsshouldnotemploycurtain-walldesign.Buildingelevationsshouldincorporate“punched”windowssimilarinscaleandspacingtothehistoricwarehouses.
• Theuseofbrickandmasonry,inacolour
palettethatisrepresentativeofthewarehouseeraisstronglyencouragedtobeusedonthebuildingbase.Theuseofveneerorartificialmasonryproductsisdiscouraged.
• Buildingmassabovethebaseshouldbedistinctandsubordinatetothebase.Curtain-walls,extensiveglazingandlightercoloursareencouragedtoreducethevisual“weight”ofthetower,relativetothebase.
• Supportopportunitiesforresidentialloftsinbothexistingbuildingsandnewcontextuallydesignedbuildings.
8.4.2 Secondary Warehouse District
Thisareaislocatedbetween4StreetS.W.andMacleodTrailS.E.Whilestillhavingsomeoftheoriginalwarehousebuildings,othershavebeenlostwiththeresultantdevelopmentmostlytakingtheformofsurfaceparkinglotsorcommercialbuildingsthatpaidlittleattentiontothehistoricforms.Asaresult,thisarealacksthecontinuityandconsistencyfoundeastofMacleodTrailS.E.However,theviewlookingeastalong11Avenuefrom4StreetS.W.stillprovidesan
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excellentrepresentationofhowtheareawouldhavelookedandfeltwhentheareawasbeingactivelyusedasawarehouseandwholesaledistrict.Theintentofpolicyforthisareaistoallowforgreaterdesignfreedom,butensurethatnewdevelopmentdoesnotdisregardthewarehousebuildingformandcharacter.
Specific Design Guidelines:• Newdevelopmentsshallbecompatible
withandcomplementtheexistinghistoricwarehousebuildingformsofthearea.
• Applicationsshouldshowhowthenewdevelopmentintegratesintothestreetscape,usingperspectivedrawingsorphotographsbasedontheviewfrom4StreetS.W.
• Newdevelopmentshouldrespecttheexistingstreetwallheightsandcornicelinesthroughbuildingmassing,setbacksorotherarchitecturaldetailing.
• Theuseofbrickandmasonry,inacolourpalettethatisrepresentativeofthewarehouseeraisstronglyencouragedtobeusedonthebuildingbasewiththeadditionandintegrationofappropriatecontemporarybuildingmaterials.Theuseofveneeror
artificialmasonryproductsisdiscouraged.• Supportopportunitiesforresidentialloftsin
bothexistingbuildingsandnewcontextuallydesignedbuildings.
• Newdevelopmentshouldbesensitivetotheinterfaceofresidentialloftswithinhistoricwarehousebuildingsinthearea,particularlywithrespecttoaddressingsunlightaccessandpenetrationandbothnearanddistantviewsforthewarehouseloftunits.Thisisparticularlyimportantforconvertedloftsbecausetheresidentialwindowsareoftenlocatedonthepropertyline.
• Enhancethestreetscapesandprotectvistasalongallthreeavenues(e.g.,lookingeastalong10,11and12AvenuestowardstheRamseycommunity).
8.4.3 Development Application Review
Thereviewofapplicationswithinthischaracterareawouldbenefitfromtheinputofanarchitectspecialisinginhistoricbuildings.TheDevelopmentAuthoritymayconsiderseekingsuchadviceduringtheapplicationreviewprocess.
8.5 NORTH STAMPeDe eNTRANceWAY
contextThisareaconsistsofOlympicWayS.E.(4StreetS.E.)betweentheCPRtracksandanareawithinStampedeParkneartheStampedeCorraland12AvenueS.E.betweentheElbowRiverandMacleodTrailS.E.Specificcontextualelementsinclude:• Significanthistoricbuildingssuchas
theVictoriaBungalowSchool&VictoriaSandstoneSchool,RundleRuins/GeneralHospital#2,StampedeCorral,WestborneBaptistChurch,Neilson’sFurnitureWarehouseaswellasseveralresidences;
• FourdesignatedHeritageSiteswhicharetheFaireyTerraceandDafoeTerraceApartments,theVictoriaSandstoneSchoolandtheVictoriaBungalowSchool;
• AsignificantceremonialentrancetoStampedeParkfromthenorth(tobefurtherconnectedinthefutureacrosstheCPRtrackstoEastVillage);
• ThesignificantRundleRuins(remnantlegacyofthefirstGeneralHospital)andassociatedopenspacealong12AvenueS.E.;
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{section eight}• Acloseproximityandconnectiontothe
ElbowRiverandadjacentpathway/openspacesystem;and
• 12AvenueS.E.whichwillbecomeanimportanturbaninterfacebetweentheStampedeParkandtheadjacentEastVictorianeighbourhood.
8.5.1 Design Objectives
• IntegrateStampedeParkintothecommunitywithanurbaninterfacealong12AvenueS.E.
• Re-conceiveOlympicWayS.E.asaceremonialentranceandMainStreettoStampedeParkwhilemaintainingapedestrian-scalestreetscapewithat-gradecommercial/retailuses.
• ProvideastrongandlegiblepedestrianstreetscapeexperiencealongOlympicWayS.E.tolinkStampedeParkwithEastVillageandtheBowRivertothenorth.
• EncouragegreaterbuildingsetbacksontheeastsideofOlympicWayforthepurposesofcreatingawiderpedestrianenvironmentthatwilllinkStampedetoafutureLRTstationneartheCPRtracks.
• Enhancethepedestrianstreetscapeexperienceandpublicurbanspaceopportunitiesattheintersectionof12AvenueS.E.andMacleodTrailS.E.
DevelopaStreetscapeMasterPlanfor12AvenueS.E.eastofMacleodTrailtopromotethedevelopmentoftheavenueasapedestrian-friendly“greengateway”interfacebetweentheStampedeandtheevolvingmixeduse/residentialcommunitytothenorththattheaddressesthefollowingobjectives:• thecreationofanactivestreetedge;• noundergroundparkingaccessfrom
12Avenue;• buildingelevationsorientedtotheavenue
andtreatedasprinciplefacadeswithahighdegreeoftransparency;
• entrancesatgradeforcommercialuses;• provisionofa6.0metrepedestrianzone
frombackofthefuturecurbtothebuildingedgealongthelengthofthe12AvenueinterfaceandlinkingtotheElbowRiver;and
• provisionofadoublerowoftreeswithinthe6.0metrepedestrianzone.
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HISTORIc RESOuRcES{section nine}
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HISTORIc RESOuRcESTheBeltlineisrichinhistoricalresources.Thefollowingpolicieswillhelptoidentify,protectandenhancetheseresources.City-widehistoricresourcepoliciesandprogramsprovidethebroadercontextwithinwhichtheBeltline-specificmeasuresarerecommended.
TheCityandtheCalgaryHeritageAuthoritymaintainanInventoryofPotentialHeritageSites,whichidentifiesthosepropertiesthathavebeenevaluatedanddeterminedtohavesufficientheritagevaluetomeriteligibilityforincentivestoencouragetheirpreservation.SomeofthepropertiesontheInventoryhavebeenformallyprotectedthroughDesignationBylaws.DesignationpreventsdemolitionandrequiresthatanyalterationsbedoneinaccordancewiththeStandardsandGuidelinesfortheConservationofHistoricSitesinCanada.
city-Wide Policies
1. TheInventoryofPotentialHeritageSitesispubliclyaccessiblethroughtheCity.TheInventoryMapinAppendix“C”identifiesallcurrentlydesignatedandpotentialheritageresourcesidentifiedintheBeltline.TheCityandtheCalgaryHeritageAuthority(incooperationwiththecommunity)willupdatetheInventoryasnewpropertiesareidentified.PropertiesontheInventorymaybeeligibleforgovernmentassistancefortheirconservation,rehabilitationorrestoration.Inaddition,thesepropertiesareprovidedopportunitiesfordensitybonusinganddensitytransfersasdescribedinSection5ofthisPlan.
2. TheCityshouldcontinuetooperateaHeritageIncentiveProgramthatmakesfinancialassistanceavailablefortheconservation,rehabilitationorrestorationofbuildingsorpropertiesthatareformallydesignatedbyCouncilasMunicipalHistoricResources.
3. TheCitywillbepreparingaCity-wideHistoricResourceManagementPlan.HeritageplanningwithintheBeltlineshallbefullyintegratedwithinthisbroadercontext.
4. Anyre-use,alteration,conservation,rehabilitationorrestorationofanydesignatedMunicipalHistoricResourceshallfollowanyapplicablestandardssuchasthe“StandardsandGuidelinesfortheConservationofHistoricPlacesinCanada”,asamendedorreplacedfromtimetotime.
Beltline Policies
1. Wheredensityfromapropertyistransferredtoanothersiteinconcertwithaformalhistoricresourcedesignation,thetransferorsiteshallbere-designatedtoaDirectControlDistricttoclarifyanyapplicablelanduserestrictionsandanyremainingallowabledensity.
2. TheCitywill,tothebestofitsknowledge,adviseownersordevelopersofhistoricresourcesoftheexistenceofotherfinancial
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ortechnicalassistancethatisavailablefromotherlevelsofgovernmentforthepurposesofpreserving,rehabilitatingorrestoringheritageresources.TheCitywillassistowners/developersinacquiringsuchassistance.
3. InadditiontothedensitybonusingandtransferoptionsspecifiedinthisPlan,theCitywillconsiderthepossibilityofadditionstoheritagebuildingswherearchitecturallyappropriateandtechnicallyfeasible.
4. Inordertoencouragetheretentionandre-useofpropertiesontheInventoryofPotentialHeritageSites,theDevelopmentAuthorityshallconsider:theappropriatenessofaconversiontoawiderangeofpossibleuses,despitethelandusepoliciescontainedinSection4.Also,theDevelopmentAuthoritymayconsiderrelaxingparkingrequirementswhenabuildingontheInventoryisproposedtobeconvertedtoanewuse.
5. InordertorecognizeandhonourtheBeltline’shistory,CouncilshouldconsidertheuseofhistoricalBeltlinenamesinthenamingofpublicstreetsandotherfacilities.
6. ThehistoricalimportanceandsignificanceofStampedeParkwithintheBeltlineisrecognizedbythisPlan.TheCalgaryStampedemustmakeeveryefforttore-usebuildingscontainedontheInventorywithintheiroverallParkdevelopmentovertime.
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cOMMuNITY AND SOcIAL DEVELOPMENT
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cOMMuNITY AND SOcIAL DEVELOPMENTINTRODUcTION
Inordertofosterasociallysustainablecommunitywithadiversesocio-economicpopulation,thisplansupportsthedevelopmentofabroadrangeofhousingtypes,encouragesmixedusedevelopment,supportslocaleconomicdevelopmentopportunities,andpromotesenhancedpublicsafetyinitiatives.
IntegrationofsocialinitiativesintheBeltlinewithotherinnercityandCityofCalgaryinitiativeswillbemoreclearlydefinedandstrengthenedthroughtheCalgaryCentreCitySocialPlan.TheongoingsuccessofsuchastrategywillrequirethedevelopmentofanintegratedapproachtosocialissuesintheBeltlineandinner-cityandthestrengtheningofworkingrelationshipswiththefederalandprovincialgovernments,inner-citycommunities,socialagenciesandtherecipientsoftheirservices,thebusinesscommunityandotherkeystakeholders.
10.1 OBjecTIVeS
InordertosupportasociallysustainablecommunityintheBeltline,thefollowingobjectivesshouldbeachieved:
• Ensurethatpublicandprivatebuildings,facilities,services,andamenitiesareaccessibletoallcitizens;
• Encouragethedevelopmentofanappropriaterangeofpublicandprivateamenitiesandservicesthatareavailabletoadiversepopulationincludingpersonsofvariousincomelevels,culturalbackgrounds,orabilities;
• Encourageadiversityofhousingoptionsinordertoprovidechoicesinhousingtypestoaddresstheneedsofdifferenthouseholdsizes,agegroups,incomegroupsandlifestylesandtoprovidehousingforpeopleemployedinthecommunityandintheCentreCity;
• Incorporatenewdevelopmentdesignthatacknowledgesandintegratesexistingaffordablehousingandsocialfacilitieswithinthecommunityfabric.Housingdevelopments
whichofferavarietyofhousingtypesincludingmarketandintegratednon-markethousingareencouraged;
• Encouragespacesforlocatingeconomicdevelopmentinitiativesincludingsmallbusinessincubatorprograms,educationalprograms,artistlive-workstudiosandcommunityserviceagencies.
• Supporttheconservationandrenovationofexistingaffordablehousingthroughadaptivereuseofexistingbuildingstockforresidentialunitstoincreasepopulationandprovidealternativehousingoptionsandenableoptimizationofseniorgovernmentprograms(e.g.,ResidentialRehabilitationandAssistanceProgram)
• Promotetheinclusionofresidents,usersandotherstakeholderswhoarerepresentativeofthediversitywithintheBeltlinecommunityindecisionsaffectingthecommunitytoensuretheacceptabilityofsuchdecisions;
• Ensurethattherequirementsofpersonswithspecialneedsareattendedtointhedesignofpublicandprivatespaces;
• Enhancethefeelingofsafetyforresidents,
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usersandotherstakeholdersliving,workingandrecreatinginthecommunity;
• Encouragethecontinueddevelopmentofasociallycohesivepopulationwithastrongsenseofcommunity;
• Supportsocialinfrastructurethroughtheinclusionofastrongnetworkofcommunityservices&facilitiesdesignedtomeettheevolvingneedsofthecommunity.
10.2 POLIcIeS
Inordertoachievetheforegoingobjectives,thefollowingpoliciesshouldbeimplemented:
10.2.1 Accessibility
Inordertopromoteuniversalaccessibilityforallcitizens,TheCityshould:• Workindependentlyorcollaboratewithother
ordersofgovernmenttoexaminepoliciesandbuildingpracticesinrelationtotheDutytoAccommodatelegislation,andensureaccountabilityformeetingtherequirementsofhumanrightslegislationbyexaminingandevaluatingriskmanagementpractices;
• PromotetheuseoftheCityofCalgary’sAccessDesignGuidelinesandtheservicesoftheAdvisoryCommitteeonAccessibility,AccessDesignSub-committeeintheevaluationanddesignofnewbuildingsandpublicspaces;
• StronglyencourageallnewprojectsfundedpartlyorfullybyTheCitytouseTheCityofCalgary’sAccessDesignGuidelines.
• Providecurbcutsatallcornerstoensureaccessibilityforthedisabled;
• Ensureprovisionforadequateaccesstocommercialandresidentialbuildingsforpara-transitvehicles;
• Considermobilityrequirementsinthelocationdecisionsofhousingforseniorsorpersonswithdisabilities;and
• IncreasetheuseofuniversalsymbolsinCityofCalgarysignageanduseaudibletrafficsignalsasappropriateforthesafetyofthevisuallyimpaired.
10.2.2 Public Safety
Toensurethatresidents,usersandotherstakeholdersfeelsafeliving,workingand
recreatinginthecommunity,TheCityshould:• ContinuetheuseofCrimePrevention
ThroughEnvironmentalDesign(CPTED)assessmentsaspartofthedevelopmentpermitapplicationprocess;
• UseCPTEDassessmentsinthedesignanddevelopmentofallpublicspaces,lanes,mews,andopenspacesystems;
• InvestigatetheestablishmentofacommunitysafetycommitteecomprisedofrepresentativesfromtheCommunityAssociation,areaBusinessRevitalizationZones,theCalgaryPoliceService,AnimalandBy-lawServices,EMS,CommunityandNeighbourhoodServicesandsocialserviceagenciestomonitorsafetyanddevelopstrategiestoaddressemergingpublicsafetyconcerns;
• SupportthecontinuationofAnimal&BylawServices’CommunitySupportOfficer(CSO)initiative,whichinpartnershipwithCalgaryPolice,providesanaccessiblestreet-levelpresenceofenforcementofficersinthecommunity.TheCSO’saddressproblemsandconcernsinapro-activemanner,andpositivelyimprovethecommunity’s
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perceptionofsafetybyaddressinggraffiti,unsightlyproperties,panhandlingandotherenvironmentalconcerns;and
• EvaluatethepilotCommunitySupportOfficerinitiativeofBylawServices.
10.2.3 Building a Strong community
InordertoensurethattheBeltlinefostersandmaintainsastrongandcohesivecommunity,TheCityshould:• Supportthedevelopmentofsocial
infrastructurethroughastrongnetworkofcommunityservicesandfacilitiesdesignedtomeettheevolvingneedsofthecommunity.Thetypesandlevelsofcommunityservicesandfacilitieswillbeinformedthroughperiodicreviewsofexistingandprojected:demographicprofilesofarearesidents,inventoriesofareaservicesandfacilitiesandgapsinservicesandfacilities;
• Developstrategiesforprovidingnewsocialinfrastructureorimprovingexistingcommunityservicefacilitiesforareasthatareinadequatelyservicedorexperiencingmajorgrowthorchange;
• Preparestrategiestoimplementthetimely
andefficientdevelopmentofcommunityfacilitiestoservetheBeltline.Strategieswillbeinformedbyconsultationwithresidentsandserviceprovidersandthefindingsofinvestigationsconductedtoimplementthepolicyabove.Opportunitiesforco-locationofserviceswillbeconsideredaspartofanystrategy.Updatesofthestrategieswillconsider:themarketresponsetonewhousinginandaroundtheBeltlineandit’seffectontheemergingdemographiccomposition;thestatusoffunding,schedulinganddeliveryofplannedfacilities;andanyimplicationsforserviceplanninganddelivery;and
• Providehighqualityparks,publicspacesandrecreationfacilitiesthroughouttheBeltlinetomeettheneedsofagrowinganddiversecommunity.
10.2.4 Affordable Housing
Inordertomaintainorincreasetheexistingaffordablehousingstock:• Citydepartments(e.g.CorporateProperties
&Buildings,CalgaryHousingCompany)shouldworktogethertoprotectrental
housingbyundertakinginitiativessuchaspurchasingexistingrentalhousingorpurchasingunitswithinnewdevelopmentsfortheuseofaffordablehousingwhenadequatefundingisavailable;
• Citydepartments(e.g.CorporateProperties&Buildings,CalgaryHousingCompany)shouldworktogethertomaintainthenumberofaffordablehousingunitsintheBeltlinethroughthepublicornon-profitpurchaseofsuchunitswhereappropriateandfeasible;
• TheCityshouldworkwithsocialagencies,fundersandrelevantstakeholderstoinvestigateandfacilitateoptionsforservicedeliverymodelstoaddresstheneedsofhomelesspersonsandlowincomeresidentsincludingtheworkingpoor;and
• ConsiderpartnershipsbetweenTheCityandprivatesectordeveloperstodevelopnewnon-markethousingunitswherethereisanopportunityformutualbenefit.
Inordertoencourageandfacilitatethedeliveryofaffordableandnon-markethousingwithinthePlanarea,theApprovingAuthorityisencouragedtoconsiderthefollowing:• Givehighpriorityintheapprovalprocessfor
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applicationsthatdemonstratedevelopmentofaffordableand/ornon-markethousing;
• Whereappropriateonasitespecificbasisfacilitatetheprovisionandretentionofaffordablehousingbysupportingrelaxationstobylawregulationswhereitisdemonstratedthatthedevelopmentissecuredthroughalong-termhousingagreementforlow-incomehouseholdsandtherelaxationisappropriatefortheproposeduse;and
• Considerparkingrelaxationsforproposedaffordablehousingdevelopmentswhereitisdemonstratedthataproposedaffordablehousingdevelopmentwouldhaveareducedautomobileownershiprateandthatthedevelopmentissecuredthroughahousingagreementtoensurelong-termaffordabilityforlow-incomehouseholds.
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IMPLEMENTATION{section eleven}
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IMPLEMENTATION11.1 FUTURE PROJECTS AND STUDIES
In order to realize the potential of the Beltline as envisioned by the Plan, the key will be in successful implementation. The approval of this Plan is only the fi rst step. Appendix E outlines some key projects and studies that will have to be undertaken.
In no way is this list fi nal or comprehensive. Timing for these projects will depend on City work programs and priorities as well as on the priorities of other stakeholders in the Beltline. Specifi c timing for projects identifi ed in Appendix E will in some cases be set by Council either through reporting on specifi c projects or studies or through the approval of corporate work programs. The list in Appendix E should serve as a guide in the development of future work programs.
11.2 BELTLINE ARP AND THE CENTRE CITY PLAN
The Beltline ARP is a member of the Centre City Family of Plans. While the ARP stands alone with respect to land use and planning matters within the Beltline, many other issues including, social, economic development, cultural and governance may be addressed by specifi c strategies in the Centre City Plan. These plans will work together to implement the overall Centre City and Beltline Visions. As a result, specifi c implementation strategies or action plans that directly address the Beltline may be coordinated under the auspices of the Centre City Plan.
Also part of the Family of Plans is the Made in Midtown Vision (Urban Design Strategy). This document has informed the preparation of the Beltline ARP. As the Made in Midtown Vision has a 100 year planning horizon, it will continue to inform planning and policy development over the long term, not just for the Beltline, but the Centre City as a whole.
11.3 REVIEW OF DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS
All development applications within the Beltline Community District are subject to the provisions of the Beltline ARP. There will be a period of time between the approval of the Beltline ARP and when new Land Use Districts are prepared and approved by Council. During this time, development applications that seek to implement the new Beltline ARP policies will require Land Use Bylaw relaxations and, in some cases land use redesignations in order to comply with the ARP.
In the case of a Land Use Redesignation, a new Direct Control District will have to be created. These new DC Districts shall use the policies of the ARP as a guide.
For the purpose of evaluating development permit applications, Direct Control Districts approved by City Council between June 16, 2003 and the date of adoption of this Plan, and that are “tied to plans”, shall be deemed to comply with this Plan.
The Approving Authority may consider exemptions to the density and bonusprovisions contained in Section 5 of this Plan in accordance with a Direct ControlDistrict approved prior to 2010 01 April. Bylaw 15P2010
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11.4 MONITORING
InordertoensurethePlanismeetingitsobjectives,itisproposedthatAdministrationprepareregularreportingforCouncil’sinformationandconsiderationthatsummarizes:
• Developmentactivity• PublicRealmimprovementsconstructed
orplanned• Historicalresourcesidentified,preserved,
restoredorrehabilitated• ThestatusoftheBeltlineCommunity
InvestmentFund• Progressonkeyimplementationprojects
orstudies• Anybarrierstoimplementationthathave
beenidentified• Progressonlinkingcommunitycomposition
andtypeandlevelofamenitiesandservicesrequired
• Areasorissuesthatrequirefurtheraction• Anyothertopicsthatmaybeofinterest
toCouncil.
Thepreparationofthisreportshouldincludeparticipationfromothercommunitystakeholdersinordertoobtaintheirperspectiveandideas.ThisreportwillprovidethebasisfordevelopingstaffworkprogramitemsandmayalsoprovidetheimpetusforothercommunitybasedinitiativesrelatedtotheBeltline.
11.5 cOMMUNITY INVOLVeMeNT
IncludeBeltlinecommunitiesandBRZ’sinongoingimplementationcommitteesandprojectsrelatedtotheBeltlineARPincludingreviewoftheeffectivenessoftheBeltlineARP.
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APPENDIx{a, b, c, d, e}
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POSSIBLE REDEVELOPMENT ScENARIO
Thetablebelowdescribesthefourneighbourhoodsintermsofexistingandfuturepopulationpotential.Asnoted,thepotentialexiststomorethantriplethepopulationintheBeltline.
Thepotentialpopulationforeachneighbourhoodisbasedontheassumptionthatvacantandvirtuallyvacantland(landsoccupiedbybuildingswithtwostoreysorless)couldbedevelopedatanaverageFAR(floorarearatio)of4.5northof12Avenueand3.5FARsouthof12Avenue.Individualdevelopmentswillexceedorbelessthanthisaverage.Thislevelofdensitywasusedbasedonananalysisofexistingfullydevelopedresidentialblockswithinthecommunityandtakesintoconsiderationfutureincreasesinresidentialdensity.Inthefullnessoftime,thepotentialwillstillexisttoexceedthesepopulationlevels.
Neighbourhood 2004Population AdditionalPopulation
Potential
TotalPotential
Population
WestConnaught 7,265 9,458 16,723
ConnaughtCentre 4,780 6,299 11,079
VictoriaCrossingCentre 4,519 8,607 13,126
EastVictoriaCrossing 666 13,537 14,203
TotalBeltline 17,230 37,901 55,131
Foreachneighbourhood,adifferentproportionofcommercial,recreationandresidentialbuildingareahasalsobeentakenintoconsideration.Thisisbasedonthepremisethatsomeneighbourhoodswillbemoreresidentialthanothers.
{appendix a}
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BELTLINE PuBLIc REALM PLAN DEfINITIONS AND DESIgN guIDELINESINTRODUcTION
ThisAppendixisnotpartoftheStatutoryARPdocumentandismeanttobeusedasareferenceforfutureworkandasaguidelineforthedevelopmentofnewpublicrealmprojectsorprogramsandintheconsiderationofdevelopmentapplications.
THe PUBLIc cOMPONeNTS OF THe PLAN
PlacesTheexistingandfuturetypesofplacesintheBeltlineconsistofthreemajortypes:Squares,ParksandtheRiverfront.SeeMap1-AppendixBforsuggestedlocationsofthenotedbelowplaces.
URBAN PLAceS
Squares
DescriptionAsquareisacentrallylocated,animatedgatheringspacewhichispredominantlyhard-surfacedwithcomplementarylandscaping.
PreferredLocationsTheBeltlinecurrentlydoesnothaveanysquareshowever,thefollowinglocationshavebeenidentifiedaspreferredfuturesquares:• CalgaryTowerareaasatypeof
VolunteerSquare;• Todefinethetower’spodium/terraceover
theCPRtracksandtoconnecttheCalgaryTowerto10AvenueandCentreStreet;and
• Toprovideafocalpointfornew“VolunteerWay”(CentreStreet)andspaceforvariousactiveandpassiveactivitiesandcelebrations.
CalgaryStampedeMarket• Thistypeofsquaremaybeattachedtoan
existingornewbuilding(e.g.,thePublic
MarketplannedintheVictoriaCrossingneighbourhoodasapartoftheMidtownUrbanDesignPlan).ThistypeofsquarewillcomplementthegrowingneedsoftheStampedeParkactivitiesandprovideagreatlinktotheshoppingandentertainmentplannedfortheEastVictorianeighbourhood.
EastUrbanCampus• Developedinconjunctionwiththepotential
developmentofaUniversityUrbanCampusaspartofthedevelopmentofOlympicWay(4StreetS.E.)andthefutureunderpass.
DesignGuidelines• Thesquareshouldencompassoneorparts
ofurbanblocksinmixeduse/businessdistrictsoftheBeltlineandshallataminimumbeboundbystreetsonatleasttwosides.
• Protectthesouthsunexposuretotheurbansquare.
• Animatetheedgeswithavarietyofuses,whichsupportday/nightvitality.
• Civicbuildingssuchaspubliclibraries,outdoorcafes,restaurants,orpublicly
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{appendix b}
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1. Historic Park Central Memorial Park2. Neighbourhood Park with Historic Site Haultain Park3. Neighbourhood Park with Historic Site Beulieu Gardens/Loughheed House4. Neighbourhood Park with Historic Site Rundle Lodge Memorial Park5. Neighbourhood Park with Community Facilities6. Urban Parkette Playground at Calgary Lawn Bowling Club7. Urban Parkette At the corner of 14th Ave. and 11th St.8. Urban Parkette At 16th Ave. SW and 9th St. SW9. Urban Parkette Tomkins Park10. Urban Parkette Humpy Hollow Park
0 200 400 600 800 1,000100M
Date: 10/11/2005File: bl_public_realm.mxdLoc: O:\plan\operations\4407...\plan_maps_final\Land Use Planning & Policy
11. Linear Park 10th Ave. Grand Boulevard12. Linear Park Macleod Stampede Linear Park13. Linear Park Bow Riverfront14. Linear Park 13th Avenue15. Linear Park Centre Street/Voluteer Promenade
1. Urban Square Calgary Tower - Volunteer Sqaure2. Urban Square Calgary Stampede3. Urban Square East Campus Square4. Urban Plaza Connaught School5. Urban Plaza Carl Safran Site6. Plus 15 Entry Square 10th Ave. and 6, 7, 9, 10 Streets SW and 3, 5 Streets SE7. Public Market Square Macleod Trail at 12th Ave. SE8. Public Market Square Stampede Grounds9. Transit Mall/Public Transit Terminal Plaza LRT Station Macleod Trail/17th Ave. SE10. Winter Garden
Preferred Linear ParksPlan Boundary
Neighbourhood BoundariesLRT TracksCPR TracksBlock Outlines
Building Outlines
Parks and School Parks
Public Parks, Pathways,Openspace & Recreation
River
Existing Urban Places and Urban ParksPreferred New Urban Places,Urban Parks and Urban Riverfronts!( !(
p MAP 1-APPeNdIx B: exIStING ANd PRefeRRed PLACeS
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accessiblebuildingsortouristattractionsshouldbelocatedonurbansquares.
• Avarietyofcommercialortourist-orientedactivitiesatthegroundlevelshouldbeprovidedforcontinuouspedestriantrafficanduseoftheurbansquare.
• Predominantlyhard-surfaced.• Amajorpublicartfeaturecelebrating
Calgary’shistoryagricultural/cattle/oilindustryisrecommended.
• Largerreflectivepoolsorfountainsarehighlyrecommended.
• MayincorporateLRTstationandlocalbusterminalorundergroundparking.
Urban Plazas
DescriptionAnopenareafrontingonastreetorsidewalkwideningwhichisaccessibletothepublicatalltimesfortheuseandenjoymentoflargernumbersofpeople.Urbanplazashavelesshardandmoresoftlandscapedareas.
PreferredLocationsTheBeltlinecurrentlydoesnothaveanyurbanplazashowever,intheeventthefollowinglocationshavebeenidentifiedaspreferredfutureurbanplazas:• GiventheWestConnaughtneighbourhood
currentlyprovidesthehighestexistingresidentialdensityinCalgary,anurbanplazawithinthisneighbourhoodwouldbedesirable.Considerationshouldbegiventocreatingandurbanplazainassociationwithmajorredevelopmentprojects.
DesignGuidelines• UrbanPlazasshallhavesouthernorS.E./
S.W.exposuretosecurecontinuoussunlightaccessfromthemorningtolateafternoon.
• Thedesignshouldavoidoddlyconfiguredspaceswithunrelatedpieces.Themajorityoftheurbanplazashallbevisibleatanytimefromanyonepoint.
• Elevationchangesarerestrictedandaccessguaranteedtopeoplewithphysicaldisabilitiesalongmuchofthestreetfrontage.
• Urbanplazasshouldincludeorbeedgedbycultural,mixeduse/commerciallandusesandmayincorporateexistingheritagebuiltform.
• Surface/groundparkingisprohibited-tobeprovidedundergroundandon-street.
• Fountains,reflectingpoolsandwaterfallsshouldbeconsidered.
• Children’splaygroundsshouldbeconsidered.
• Amenitiescanincludekiosks,open-aircafes,sculpturesandotherworksofart,benches,movableseats,bicycleracks&otherstreetfurniture.
• Trees,bushesinplanters,arboursandtrellises,awnings,andcanopiesshouldbeincludedintheurbanplazadesign.
• Speciallightingfeaturesandpublicrestroomsshouldbeconsidered.
• LRT/Busstationscanbeincorporatedintheurbanplaza.
Residential Plazas
DescriptionAneighbourhoodpublicspacewithhigherdesignandamenitystandards.Theyare“livingrooms”ofresidentialneighbourhoods-openspacesthatareaccessible,inviting,sunlit,safeandbeautifullylandscaped.
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{appendix b}
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PreferredLocations• TheBeltlinecurrentlydoesnothaveany
residentialplazasbutshouldbeconsideredaspartofmajorredevelopmentprojects.
DesignGuidelines• Theresidentialplazasarelocatedinthe
centresofneighbourhoodsandaremainlyaccessedbyfoot.
• Spatially,residentialplazasmaybedividedintothreeconceptual/functionalareas:primary(public)space,usableresidualspace(semi-private)andvisualresidualspace(private).
• Primaryandusableresidualspaceshouldbeaccessibletoandusablebythepublic,whereasvisualresidualspaceshouldbelandscapedandnotrequiredtobepubliclyaccessible-itprovidesa“privacybuffer”toadjacentresidentialunits.
• Theprimaryspaceconstitutesthelargestportionoftheresidentialplazaandhousesthemajorpublicuseandrecreationalactivities(e.g.tennisandbasketballcourts).
• Residentialplazasmayincludeexistingheritagebuilding(s)(e.g.adaptivere-use,
communityspace).• Similartourbanplazas,residentialplazas
willhavepedestrian-scalelighting,specialpaving,andafullrangeofstreetfurniture.
• Parkingspaces,passengerdrop-offs,anddrivewaysshouldnotbepermittedintheimmediatevicinity.
• Richlandscapingwithtreesshouldbeprovided.
Forecourts/Mid-block Street Plazas
DescriptionAmid-blocklocationwheretheforecourtextendsrightthroughtheblockwhichwillgeneratesubstantialpedestrianthroughtrafficandmayalsobecomeanoasisspaceorquietsittingarea,dependingonitssize.
PreferredLocationsTheBeltlinecurrentlydoesnothaveanyforecourts/mid-blockstreetplazashowever,thefollowinglocationshavebeenidentifiedaspreferredfutureforecourts/mid-blockstreetplazas:• Wheretheopportunityexiststoprovidea
mid-blockconnection,aforecourt/mid-blockstreetplazashouldbeprovidedonthesouthsideoftheblockaswelltheforecourt/mid-blockstreetplazashouldprovidethebenefitofaretail/commercialuseat-grade.
DesignGuidelines• Streetedgeshouldbedefinedbya
continuousrowoftrees.• Emphasisshallbeonpassiveuses,suchas
sitting,readingand/orwatchingby-passers.• Forecourts/Mid-blockstreetplazasshould
havesouthernexposureandbepartiallyprotectedfromovershadowing.
• Seating(benches,specialledges),waterfeatures(smallerreflectivepools,fountains)andsmallerpublicartfeaturesshouldbeincorporatedintothespace.
• Moreelaboratelandscaping(flowerbeds,smallgardenfeatures)shouldbeprovided.
corner Plazas
DescriptionCornersitesareoneofthemostprominentbuildingsites.Landmarkbuildingsofadistinct
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andmemorableformshouldalsocreatememorableanddelightfulpublicspaces.Cornerplazasarepublic/privatespaceswheretwoadjacentstreetsareatapproximatelythesamegradeandenabletheplazatobecomeanactivemeetingplace,aplaceforcommercialexchange,aplacetopassthrough,andaplacetowatchthepassers-by.
PreferredLocationsCornerplazasexistintheBeltlineinvariouslocationsalong11Avenue,12Avenue,and17Avenue.AnopportunityexistsforcornerplazastobelocatedoneveryS.E.andS.W.cornerwiththeadditionalbenefitofretail/commercialusesat-grade.Thestreetedgeintheselocationsshouldbedefinedbyacontinuousrowoftrees.
DesignGuidelines• Thistypeofpublicspacemustutilizedirect
sun,thereforetheyshouldbelocatedontheS.E.andS.W.cornersituations.IflocatedontheN.E.andN.W.corners,theyshouldbecreatedassemi-openorfullyenclosedyet,transparentsuchthattheyareconnectedto
at-gradeusesandmainentrances.• Themainentrancestolargerofficeor
residentialbuildingsshouldbeideallylocatedatthecorners.
• Themainentrancestobuildinglobbies/atriumsorlargerretailvenuesshouldbeaccompaniedbycornercolonnadesorglasscanopies.
• Cornerplazasmusthaveactiveedge.• Locationsofcornerplazasshouldhave
minimallevelchange.• Highqualityhardlandscapingshould
permitfullaccessibilitytoencourageactivepedestriantraffic.Cornerplazasmustbalancehardandsoftlandscaping.
• CornerPlazasmustprovideprotectionfromseverewindimpactsatgradelevel.
• Designfeaturesmayincludewaterfeaturesandpublicart.
courtyards
DescriptionLandscapedopenspacesinthecentreofacommercial,institutionalorresidentialblockwithnostreetfrontage.
PreferredLocationsCourtyardscouldbelocatedoneverycomprehensivemixeduseblockdevelopment/re-development.
DesignGuidelines• Courtyardsmaybepubliclyaccessible,
semi-privateandprivateopenspaces.• Designshouldgiveconsiderationtothree-
dimensionalproportionsandbeofanadequatesizetoprovideforprogrammedactivitiesandreceiveadequateaccesstosunlightduringthemid-day.Thecourtyardshouldalwaysbeconsideredasapartofthelargerconnectedpublicrealmtoencouragepublicuse.
• Accesstocourtyardsisthroughtheadjacentbuildingsorpublicspaces(walkways,gallerias,plazas).
• Ifthecourtyardisapartofanoffice/commercialdevelopmentitshouldhaveanactivegroundflooredge.
• Courtyardsmaybeopenand/ormayhaveglassroofsthatareoperableduringthewarmerperiods.Theymayormaynotbeclimatecontrolled.
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• Spaceshouldbeprovidedforsittingandotherpassiveactivitiesaswellaswaterfeatures.
• Providehardlandscapingwithanadequateamountofsoftlandscaping.
+15 entry Squares (including +30)
Description+5Entrysquaresarespecialgatheringplacesthatconnectthegroundfloorandthe+15realm.+15Entrysquaresprovideanopportunityforactiveretailusesandpassiverecreationonthestreet,aswellasmuchsafer+15access.PreferredLocationsThistypeofsquareislimitedonlytospaceswherenewpedestrianconnectionsareplannedovertheCPRtracks.+15entrysquaresarelimitedto10Avenueandjunctionswith10,9,7,6StreetS.W.and3and5StreetsS.E.wherecarunderpassesarenotfeasible.
DesignGuidelines• +15Entrysquaresmaybepartoflarger
mixed-usedevelopmentsalong10Avenue
andtheCPRtracks.• Futureaccesstothe+15systemshould
havemoreactive(commercial)usesat-grade.
• LRTorbusstops(heated)shouldbeanintegralpartofthesesquares.
• Hardlandscapetreatmentwithtreesandotherappropriatelandscapefeaturesshouldbeincorporatedintothedesignofthesquare.
• Seatingandweatherprotection(colonnades,canopies)shouldbeprovided.
Public Market Squares
DescriptionPublicMarketsarevibrantpublicspacesanchoredbyfoodandentertainmentuses.Alargeproportionoftheirtotalfloorarea(30-50%)typicallyisdevotedtorestaurants,foodandproducevendorscateringtolunchtimeofficeworkers,tourists,andweekendandeveningentertainmentpatrons.Inadditiontofoodsellingareas,publicmarketsoftencontainsmallerboutiquesandspecialtyshops.
PreferredLocationsTwolocationshavebeenidentifiedaspossiblelocationsforaPublicMarketwhicharethenorthwestcorneroftheintersectionof12AvenueS.E.andMcLeodTrailandthe12AvenuefrontageofStampedePark.Theoptionalsoexistsforacombinationofthesetwolocations.
DesignGuidelines• Specialtymarketswillbenefitfromaprime
locationand/orauniqueenvironmentsuchascloseproximitytoStampedeParkorthehistoricwarehousedistrict.
• Publicmarketscanbefullyenclosed,openoracombinationofexterior/interiorspaces.
• Publicmarketsusuallyattractalargenumberofvisitorsonweekends.Proximityoflargerpublicparkingfacilitiesisanecessityforthesuccessoftheseplaces.
• Architecturalcharactershouldbedrawnfromthesurroundinghistoriccontext(useofmaterials,warmcolourschemes)butinterpretedinamodern,contemporaryway.
• Belltowersorotherverticalfeaturesshouldbeapartofthemarketsquareandmarketbuildings.
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• Perimetercolonnadesmaybeopenorflexible(possibletocloseduringthewinter).
• Thepublicmarketsquareshouldprovideattractivepublicareasforsittingandpassiveuse,withtrellisesaswellasspecialwaterfeaturesandpublicartcelebratingagricultureandfarming.
• Edgesandspecialfocalareasshouldbedefinedbylargetrees.
Transit Mall/ Public Transit Terminal Plazas
DescriptionPlaceswheremulti-modalpublictransitsystems(Inter-cityrail,LRT,buses)convergeandmanycommutersarriveandleavethedowntowneveryday.Itisprimarilyapublicspacetomovethrough,butitmayattractseveralretailandhospitalityactivitiesandothervendors.
PreferredLocationsTwolocationshavebeenidentifiedaspreferredlocationsforaTransitMall /PublicTransitTerminalPlazaswhicharethenorthblockattheintersectionofMcLeodTrailand17AvenueS.E.andtheintersectionof
10Avenueand2StreetS.W.alongtheproposednewS.E.-LRTline.
DesignGuidelines• Publictransitterminalplazasshouldbe
enclosed(temperaturecontrolled)withopenedwaitingareas.
• Theplazasshouldprovidecommercial/retailandhospitalityusesat-grade.
• Theplazasshouldbedesignedforeitherashorterstayorasagatheringplace
• Thepublictransitterminalplazashouldbeintegratedwiththe+15connectionatStampedePark
• Publicrestrooms,sittingareas,canopies,colonnadesandpublicclocksshouldbeprovidedintheseplazas.
Sidewalk Widenings
DescriptionSidewalkwideningsareminorpublicspacesthatservethepurposeofimprovingpedestriancirculationand/oraddopportunitiesforcommercialorhospitalityactivities.Theyareacontinuouspubliclyaccessibleprivatepedestrian
areaadjacenttopublicsidewalks,ranginginwidthfrom3-6metresalongawidestreetor1.5-3.0metresalonganarrowstreet.PreferredLocationsSidewalkwideningsexistintheBeltlineinnumerouslocations.Enhancementson4,8,11and14Streetsaswellas10,11,12,and17Avenueshouldbeprovided.
DesignGuidelines• Sidewalkwideningsmayoccuratcorner
locationsandmid-blocklocationsandshouldcomplywithoverallstreetscapeconceptintermsofpavingmaterials,coloursandstreetfurniture.
• Sidewalkwideningsshouldhaveretailorserviceusesdirectlyaccessibletothem.
• Trees,seating,cafépatios,kiosksandotherstreetfurnitureshouldbeco-ordinatedandshouldnotimpedenormalpedestriantrafficonthepublicsidewalk.
• Wideningsarealsopossibleascolonnadesorarcades.
• High-qualityprotectiveawningsandcanopiesareallowediftheydonotobstructpedestrianlines.
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URBAN PARkS
Historic Parks (cultural Landscapes)
DescriptionHistoricparksaretheoldestparksintheBeltline.Overtime,theseparkshavebeenaltered,repairedorrehabilitated,butgenerallyretaintheiroriginalcharacteristics.
LocationsHistoricparksincludeCentralMemorialPark,HaultainParkandBeaulieuGardens.
DesignGuidelines• Theseparksshouldinclude,maintain,
enhanceandrestoreheritagefeaturesandbuildings.Significantheritagefeaturesshallbeidentifiedandprotected.
• Historicparksshouldprovidetheopportunityforpassiveandwhereappropriate,activerecreationfacilities.
Neighbourhood Parks
DescriptionApredominantlysoftlandscapedparkofgrass,treesandplantingareas,usuallylocatedinaresidentialsettinganddetailedandfurnishedforavarietyofactiveuses(childrenplaygrounds/totlots,basketballandtenniscourts,walking)andpassiveuses(sitting,sun-bathing,resting).Thedetailsofusevarywiththedensityandlocationandtypeofneighbourhood.Neighbourhoodparksaresometimesconnectedtoformerorexistingschoolsites.MostexistingparksintheBeltlineareconsideredtobeneighbourhoodparks.
PreferredLocations• WithinoradjacenttoPrimarilyResidential
areas.
DesignGuidelines• Thefollowingfeaturesshouldbeprovidedin
neighbourhoodparks:• Sittingareaswithbenches;• Childrenplaygrounds/adventure
activityareas;
• Passiverecreation;• Heritagearchitecture;• Urbanfurniture;• Waterfeatures;• Landscapingwithminimalhardlandscaping
treatments;• Speciallighting;and• Publicart.
Linear Parks
DescriptionLinearparksarelongparkareasorlandscapedportionsofroadrights-of-way.Theycanbeatgradelevelorelevated.Theycanprovidesignificantopportunitiestocreatenewnodesofactiveandpassiverecreation.Theseparksalsoserveasconnectorstootherpublicopenspaces(northoftheBeltlineandCPRtracks),andcanalsobenaturalparkswithavarietyofecologicalcommunitiesandtrailsintheheartofthecity.Theycanbeachievedbyreclaimingportionsofformerindustrialareasandrailwaylands.
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PreferredLocationsTheBeltlinecurrentlydoesnothaveanylinearparks.However,thereisthepotentialforfivemajorLinearParksinthefollowingpreferredlocations:OptionA:Anat-gradeGrandBoulevardalong
the9or10Avenuecorridorsincludinglands(orportionsof)northandsouthoftheCPRtracks;
OptionB:AnelevatedlinearparkovertheCPRwhichwouldbealarge-scaleredevelopmentschemeabovetheCPRtracks;
OptionC:Anat-gradelinearparkattheleveloftheexistingCPRCorridororabovethefutureundergroundcorridor,iftheCPRmovedoutofdowntownorwasburiedunderground;
OptionD:AnelevatedlinearparkabovetheexistingCPRrailwaywhichwouldincludealimited+15redevelopmentscheme;and
OptionE:Greenways/streetscapeenhancementsalongthe13AvenueGreenway,CentreStreet(VolunteerWay)andMacleodTrail(from17AvenuetoCityHall)
DesignGuidelinesOptionA:Ahighqualitymulti-modal,multi-
boulevardlandscapedtreatmentwithspecialnodesandnorth-southpedestrianconnections.
OptionB:Ahighquality,multi-levelcomprehensivemixedusedevelopmentwithalinearparkcomponent(acombinationofopenand/oropenandenclosedspaces).
OptionC:Ahighqualitymulti-modal,multi-boulevardlandscapedtreatmentwithspecialnodesandnorth/southpedestrianconnectionsinconjunctionwithalarge-scale,mixed-usedevelopmentoftheCPRandadjacentlands.
OptionD:Acontemporary,light,steelandglassmegastructureatthe+15levelconnectingeast/westandnorth/south(downtown+15corridorswithfuturedevelopmentsat10Avenue).
OptionE:StreetscapeenhancementsofexistingstreetstocreatehighlyattractiveceremonialandpedestrianconnectionsfromDowntown/Olympic
PlazaDistrictwithStampedeParkandfuturespecialplaces.
Urban Parkettes/Pocket Parks
DescriptionThefollowingaretwotypesofurbanparkettes/pocketparks:• Asmallhardlandscapedparkforlocal
pedestrianusewithincommercialdistricts,primarilyduringthelunchhours,usuallyusedbyofficeemployeesadjacenttothemini-park;and
• Asmallsoftlandscapedparkforlocalpedestrianusewithinresidentialareas.
PreferredLocationsNewlocationsforurbanparkettesaredesirableinallneighbourhoods(especiallyhigh-densitymixeduse,officeandwarehousedistricts.Whencomprehensiveblockdevelopmentsareproposed,parkettesshouldbelocatedinthemid-blocklocations.
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DesignGuidelines• Theparketteshouldprovideasmalloasis
forrelaxationandpassiveusewithinmixeduseareasofaneighbourhoodorwithincommercial/office/warehouseuses.
• Parkettesshouldbelocatedonthesouthsideoftheblock(S,S.E.,S.W.)andhavefullaccesstosunduringthelunchhour(11a.m.to2p.m.).
• Anactiveuseshouldbeprovidedonatleastoneside.
• Theparketteshouldbeenclosedatleaston3sides.
• Theparkettemaybepartofawintergardenonpublicorpubliclyaccessibleprivateland.
• Parkettesshouldhaveafountainorotherwaterfeature,aswellasaspecialfeatureforchildren(dynamicfountainorothermovablefeature).
• Parkettesshouldprovidefixedormovablebenches/chairs.
• Stand-aloneorintegratedpublicart;chessfieldsorotherpassiverecreationalelementsshouldbeprovided.
Winter Gardens (Indoor)
DescriptionWintergardensaresmallerorlargerclimate-controlled,fullyenclosedspacesadjacenttosidewalksorthe+15system.Theyprovideshelterfromextremecoldtemperaturesandprovideapleasantenvironmentforleisureandotherrecreational,commercial,andculturalactivitiesduringthewinter.
PreferredLocationsTheBeltlinecurrentlydoesnothaveanywintergardenshowever,thefollowinglocationshavebeenidentifiedaspreferredfuturewintergardens:• Generallylocatedwherehighconcentrations
ofresidents,officeworkers,University/CollegestudentsandFaculty,touristsorothervisitorsoccurduringbothdayandnight;and
• ApotentiallocationnearoratStampedeParkcloseto12AvenueS.E.andMacleodTrailS.E.
DesignGuidelines• Interiorgardensmaybeatouristattraction
andhaveavarietyofplantmaterial,includingexotic,non-nativespecies.
• Wintergardensmaybestand-alonestructures/buildings,orcombinedwithlargercivic,officeorothermixed-usebuildingtypes.
• Wintergardensmusthavedirectaccessfromthestreetlevel.
• Wintergardensshouldprovideanactiveuseofinteriorspaceforretailandhospitalityduringbothdayandnight.
• Wintergardensmaybeonmultiple-levels.• Wintergardensshouldprovidewater
features,publicart,provisionofentertainmentspace/features,andtheinclusionofexoticfloraandfauna.
Landscaped/Green Roofs
DescriptionArooftopareadevelopedwithagardensettingforsitting,walkingandviewing.Greenroofsreduceairtemperaturesinurbancentresbymitigatingthe“heatislandeffect”causedbylarge
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areaswithminimalvegetation.Greenroofsandgardensmayalsoprovideimprovedstormwatermanagement,smogreduction,energyefficiency,costsavingsandanattractiveamenityspace.
PreferredLocationsLandscapedandgreenroofsarebeingconsideredinseveralnewprojectsasprivateamenities.Anylocationbeingproposedforcomprehensivemixeduse,office,residential,civicdevelopmentorre-developmentshouldbeconsideredforsuchrooftoptreatments.
DesignGuidelines• Ifusedfortoptreatmentofpubliclyor
privatelyownedundergroundgarages,theroofshouldbefullyorpartiallypubliclyaccessible.
• Maybeconnectedtothe+15system.• Maybeusedaspublicsportfacilities(e.g.
tenniscourts,basketballcourts).• Shouldincludetrees.• Amenitiesforpassiveandactiverecreation,
waterfeaturesandtrellisesshouldbeconsideredasapartofthedesign.
community Vegetable/Flower Gardens
DescriptionCommunitygardensshouldbeanintegralpartoftheBeltlinepublicrealm.Urbanagricultureandcommunitygardenswouldgreatlyassistinmeetingvarioussocial,economicandenvironmentalobjectives.Theyprovideanopportunityforresidentstolearnaboutnatureintheurbanenvironment.Thepresenceofpeopleincommunitygardensalsoincreasescommunitysafety.
PreferredLocationsCommunityvegetable/flowergardensdonotexistonpubliclandsintheBeltline.Theopportunityexistsforthemtobelocatedonpiecesofundevelopedpublicandprivatelandwherethereiseasyaccessandincloseproximitytoresidentialareas.
DesignGuidelines• Remnantpiecesoflandnotsuitablefor
parkettesorsquareswithsunaccessshouldbeconsideredforcommunitygardens.
• Agatewayfeatureandtemporaryplastic
prefabricatedstructurestocreateagreenhouseeffectshouldbeconsideredintheplanningofthecommunitygarden.
• Sittingareasandwateraccessshallbeprovidedforthecommunitygardens.
URBAN RIVeRFRONT
elbow River Natural environment ParksDescriptionRiverfrontnaturalareasareareasdefinedbygreenspacepredominantlycoveredwithindigenousvegetation.Riverfrontnaturalareasshouldbededicatedtotheenjoymentofthewater,floraandfauna,naturewalks,bicycling,birdwatching,etc.
PreferredLocationsTheElbowRiverprovidesanexcellentopportunityforthecreationofmulti-facetedandconnectednaturalareasandurbanparks.TheCalgaryOpenSpacePlan,UrbanParksMasterPlanandNaturalAreaManagementPlanhavealsodefinedregionalpoliciesrelatedtonaturalriverareaswithintheBeltline.
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DesignGuidelines• Theseareasshouldbeasnaturalas
possiblewithlimitedalteration.
Riverfront Urban Park
DescriptionRiverfronturbanparksfunctionasarefugeforlocalresidentsaswellasaregionalcentrewhereCalgarian’sfromallovertheCitycangathertoenjoymusic,civiccelebrations,culturalfestivalsandcertainsportingeventsthatwouldservetobuildawarenessofandcelebratetherivers.
PreferredLocationsTheBeltlinecurrentlydoesnothaveanyriverfronturbanparkshowever,theopportunityexiststoprovidethistypeofparkatthelocationoftheVictoriaParkTransitCentreand/orStampedePark.
DesignGuidelines• Riverfronturbanparksmustbedesignedfor
protectionandenhancementoftherivereco-systems,naturalhabitats,butalsocarefullybalancetheneedforanurbanexperienceofwater.
• Riverfronturbanparksmaybe“divided”intosmallerareaswiththemedgardens.ThemesshouldevolvefromCalgary’sgeography,flora,climate,historyandculture.
• ThesegardensshouldbeapartofalargerPublicRealmPlanandbeincorporatedintoexistingandplannedneighbourhoodsalongtheElbowriverfronttoenhancethebenefitsfortheneighbourhoodandthegeneralpublic,aswellastocreateasenseofownershipandcivicpride.
• Themedformal“Chinesegarden”,“Sculpturegarden”,“OlympicGarden”etc.maybeonlysomeofthepossibilitiesalongElbowriverfrontinBeltline.
• Partoftheriverfrontnearfutureresidentialneighbourhoodsshouldbeupgradedanddevelopedasawidenedpathway(promenade)thatrespondstoareasofheavypedestrianuseandisdesignedtopromotewalkingandsocialization.
• ApromenademaybeoneofthemajorconnectivityelementsoftheElbowriverfrontandadjacentparks/gardens,andmayhavearticulatedpavingareasandstreetfurniture.Ariverfrontesplanademayconnectmajor
nodes(“events”)alongtheriverfrontandprovidespaceformulti-modalmovement.
• Pedestrianshaveanabsolutepriorityonthepromenade,butothermovementmodesmaybeincludediftheyareproperlydesigned.Theriverfrontpromenadeshouldprovidethemaximumexperienceforitsusers:fromnatural,man-madenaturaltourban.Priorityshouldbegiventotheprotectionandenhancementoftherivervistas,viewsandaccesstotheriver.
• Riverfronturbanparksaremodifiedanddesignedbymanandhaveamoreliberalusebyprovidingbicyclingtrails,urbanpromenades,themedgardens,childrenplaygrounds,restaurants/cafes,museums,outdoorlearningareas,natural,native,immigrationandurbanhistoryinterpretation,andpublicart.
Linkages
Streets,lanesandpedestrianconnectorsarefundamentalorderingdevicesofCitybuilding.Theyaccommodateincrementaldevelopment;provideflexibletransportationalternatives
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andacomfortable,green,animatedandsafepedestrianenvironmentaswellasintegratearangeoflanduses.
Thefunctionalrole,visualcharacterandqualityoftheenvironmentalongalinkageisdirectlyinfluencedbytheexisting/plannedlanduses,trafficvolumes,numberoftransportationmodes,number,typeandimportanceofadjacentspecialspaces,scaleandheightofbuildings,walltostreetratio,qualityoflandscaping,dominanttexturesandcolours.
Streetsshouldhavearangeofsidewalk,boulevardandinterfacetypeswhichwillallowadifferentuseofthepublicrealmbyrespondingtotherelativeimportanceofthelinkage.LinkagesbetweenspecialplacesintheBeltlineshouldbeofhighqualitydesignandconstruction.
OnalimitednumberofBeltlineavenues/streets,streetscapesmaybeenhancedbyavarietyofmediantypes.Thelayoutofanymedianshouldbestrategicallylocatedinsuchawayastodiscouragepedestriancrossingswhereitisunsafeandencourageavarietyoflandscapeenhancements.Wherepossible,mediansshould
haveasubstantialwidth(6metresormore)tocreateagrandboulevardandprovidespeciallandscapingopportunities,smallsquareswithpublicart,waterfeatures,andseatingareas.
TheexistingandfuturetypesoflinkagesintheBeltlineconsistsofthreemajortypes,whichare:Streets,LanesandPedestrianConnectors.SeeMap5forthepreferredlocationsofthelinkagesdescribedbelow.
STReeTS
Boulevards
DescriptionBoulevardsaredynamic,greenlinkageswithhightrafficvolumes,aprovisionformultiplemovementmodes,andagenerouspedestrianenvironment.BoulevardsconnectmajordestinationswithintheBeltlineanddowntown.
PreferredLocationsTheidentifiedlocationsforboulevardsare:• 10Avenuefrom14StreetS.W.to
4StreetS.E.;
• 14StreetS.W.fromtheCPRtracksto17Avenue;
• MacleodTrailfromtheCPRtrackstotheElbowRiver;and
• 1StreetS.E.from10AvenuetotheElbowRiver.
DesignGuidelines• Thecarriagewayshallprovideadesign
thatincludescarlanes,bicyclelanes,buslanes/bus-stops,LRT,on-streetparking,crosswalks,trafficsignalization,islands/medians,turninglanes,andturningradii.
• Boulevardsshouldbewell-landscapedwithmultiplerowsoftrees,wherepossible,thatarecombinedwithhardlandscapingat-gradelevelorraisedfromthecarriagewayandintegratedwithurbanfurniture.
• Mediansshallbelandscapedwithorwithoutsidewalksandrestareas.
• Sidewalksshallincludeappropriatepathwidths,wayfindingelements,materials,andpublicartbasedonexpectedpedestrianvolumesandactivities.
• Interfacesshallincludeappropriatesetbacks,softandhardlandscapetreatments,access,andlevelchanges.
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commercial Streets
DescriptionCommercialstreetsarelarger-scalestreetsthat:accommodateincrementalmixeduse,high-densitydevelopment;accommodatesignificantvehiculartraffic;provideforflexibletransportationalternatives;provideacomfortable,green,animatedandsafepedestrianenvironment;andintegratearangeoflanduses.
PreferredLocationsTheidentifiedlocationsforCommercialstreetsare:• 11Avenuefrom14StreetS.W.to
4StreetS.E.;• 12Avenuefrom14StreetS.W.to
MacleodTrail;• 4StreetS.W.fromtheCPRtracks
to17Avenue;• 8StreetS.W.fromtheCPRtracks
to17Avenue;and• 11StreetS.W.fromtheCPRtracks
to17Avenue.
DesignGuidelines• Thecarriagewayshallprovideadesign
thatincludescarlanes,buslanes/bus-stops,on-streetparking,crosswalks,trafficsignalization,turninglanes,andturningradii.
• Theboulevardsshallbesoftandhardlandscapedandintegratedwithurbanfurniture.
• Sidewalksshallincludeappropriatepathwidths,wayfindingelements,materials,andpublicartbasedonexpectedpedestrianvolumesandactivities.
• Interfacesshallincludeappropriatesetbacks,softandhardlandscapetreatments,access,andlevelchanges.
High Streets
DescriptionHighStreetsrespondtothespecialcharacterofareaswithhistoriccharacterorhighdensityretailareaswithhighconcentrationsofpedestrianmovements.Theyrepresentamodelofthetraditionalmainstreetwithmixeduse,mediumtohighdensitydevelopments,provideflexible
transportationalternativesandacomfortable,green,animatedandsafepedestrianenvironmentaswellasintegratearangeoflanduses.Thepedestrianrealmmustaccommodateafullrangeofactivitiesfromretailtohospitality(patios)aswellasotheractivities.
PreferredLocationsTheidentifiedlocationsforHighStreetsare:• 17Avenuefrom14StreetS.W.to
MacleodTrail;• 1StreetS.W.fromtheCPRtracksto
17Avenue;and• OlympicWayS.E.fromtheCPRtracks
to12AvenueS.E.
DesignGuidelines• Thecarriagewayshallprovideadesignthat
includescarlaneswithsharedbuslanes/bus-stops,on-streetparking,crosswalks,trafficsignalization,turninglanes,andturningradii.
• Theboulevardsshallbehardlandscapedwithtreesandurbanfurniture.
• Sidewalksshallincludeappropriatepathwidths,wayfindingelements,materials,and
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publicartbasedonexpectedpedestrianvolumesandactivities.
• Interfacesshallincludesetbackstoaccommodateretailandhospitalityfunctions,softandhardlandscapetreatments,access,andlevelchanges.
Green Streets
DescriptionGreenStreetstietogethermultiplespecialplacesandriverfronts.Theirfunctionalrole,visualcharacterandqualityofthestreetenvironmentaredirectlyinfluencedbytheneedtoprovideastronggreenenvironmentforpedestriansandbicyclists.Emphasisisontherecreationalaspectofthestreet,pedestriansafetyandstrongnaturalqualitiesofthestreet.
PreferredLocationsTheidentifiedlocationsforurbangreenavenue/streetsare:• 13Avenuefrom14StreettoMacleodTrail;• 12AvenuefromMacleodTrailtotheElbow
River;and• CentreStreetfromtheCPRtracksto17Avenue.
DesignGuidelines• Thecarriagewayshallprovidelimitedcar
lanes,bus-stops,on-streetparkingononeside,sharedorseparatebicyclelane,crosswalks,trafficsignalization,andtightturningradii.Onewayortwowaystreetsmaybeconsidered.
• Dependingonthecontext,boulevardscouldbehardorsoftlandscapedwithurbanfurniture.
• Sidewalksshallincludeappropriatepathwidths,wayfindingelementsandmaterialsbasedonexpectedpedestrianvolumesandactivities.
• Interfacesshallincludemaximumsetbacksfortheprovisionoflandscaping(privateandpublicintegratedtreatments).
Residential Streets
DescriptionResidentialStreetsarefundamentalorderingdevicesofneighbourhoodareas.Theyaccommodateprimarilyresidentialuseswithlimitedmixed-useactivities;provideflexibletransportationalternativesandacomfortable,
green,animatedandsafepedestrianenvironmentaswellasintegratearangeoflandusesforthelocalneighbourhood.
PreferredLocationsTheidentifiedlocationsforResidentialStreetsare:• 14and15Avenuesfrom14StreetS.W.
toMacleodTrail;• 16AvenueS.W.from14StreetS.W.
to8StreetS.W.;• 11Avenuefrom4StreetS.E.to
6StreetS.E.;• 13StreetS.W.from10Avenueto
12Avenue;• 12StreetS.W.from10Avenueto17
Avenue;• 10,9,7,6,5and2StreetsS.W.from
theCPRtracksto17Avenue;• 3StreetS.E.fromtheCPRtracksto12
AvenueS.E.;and• 5and6StreetsS.E.from11Avenueto12
Avenue.
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DesignGuidelines• Thecarriagewayshallprovidecarlanes,
on-streetparking,crosswalks,trafficsignalization,turninglanes,andturningradii.
• Theboulevardsshouldbesoftlandscaped.• Sidewalksshallincludeappropriatepath
widthsandwayfindingelementsbasedonexpectedpedestrianvolumesandactivities.
• Interfacesshallincludesetbacks,landscapetreatments,access,andlevelchanges.
River Bridges
DescriptionRiverbridgesarehighlyvisible,ofteniconicstructures/linkagesthatconnecttheBeltlinewithsurroundingneighbourhoods.Often,theyrepresentgatewaystothedowntown.
PreferredLocationsTheidentifiedlocationsforriverbridgesare7StreetS.E./McDonaldAvenue,MacleodTrailSouth,and1StreetS.E.attheElbowRiver.
DesignGuidelines• Thebridgedesignshouldbetheresultof
engineeringingenuityandhigharchitectural
andsymbolicquality.• Thefunctionaldesignshouldprovidethe
opportunityforahighqualitypedestrianrealmwithvistapointsforenjoymentofthenaturalandurbanscenery.
• Thevisualqualitiesofandalongthebridgeshouldbeenhancedwithhighqualitymaterials,streetfurniture,lighting,specialeffectlighting,publicart,andcoloursorbanners.
• Thecarriagewayshallprovideforvehicleswhilethesidewalksshouldincorporateappropriatepathwidths,basedonexpectedpedestrianvolumesandactivities,wayfindingelements,andvistapointswithseating.
Lanes
DescriptionLanes:• Providetheefficientintegrationofservice
facilities;• Providerearaccessintoexistingandnew
developments;• Minimizedisruptionstothesafetyof
pedestriansandothertrafficandprovide
opportunitiesfortheattractivedesignofavenue/streetsandotherpublicspaces;and
• Provideaccesstoundergroundparkades,inner-blocksurfaceparking,utilities,garbagecollection,andserviceaccesstocommercialactivities/storage.
PreferredLocationsTherearethreetypesofrearlanesintheBeltlinewhichareresidentialrearlanes,commercial/officerearlanesandmixed-userearlanes.Generally,allblocksshouldretainandimproveexistinglaneways.Allnewdevelopment/redevelopmentshouldutilizestandardblockpatternsthatincluderearlaneways.
DesignGuidelines• Existinglanewaysshouldbepavedand
properlylitwhenexistingadjacentplacesre-developed.
• Inresidentialneighbourhoodsrearlanewaysmayprovidealternativepedestrianentrancesandadditionallandscaping.
• Activeusesshouldbeconsideredatcornersandmid-blockonrearlanes.
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• Wherepossible,sidewalksshouldbeconsideredandprovideappropriatepathwidths.
• Interfacesshallincludesetbacks,pedestrianandcaraccess,levelchanges,andon-siteparking.
• Safetyshallbeensuredthroughlightingandnaturalsurveillance.
PeDeSTRIAN cONNecTORS
Walkways/Passages (at-grade, open)
DescriptionWalkways/passagesprovideanimportantwell-landscapedconnectionbetweenstreetsandlanesorimportantpublicdestinations(parks,parking,publicbuildingsortransitfacilities).Inadditiontoaclearlymarkedandlitpathanddesirableactivetreatmentoftheadjacentground-floorwalls,walkwaysincommercialdistrictsrepresenttheopportunityforavarietyofoutdooractivities(patios,merchandisedisplay)andpublicart(murals,decorativepergolas,etc.).
PreferredLocationsThepreferredlocationsforwalkways/passagesare:• North/southmid-blocklocations,whenever
feasible;• Allnewdevelopment/redevelopmentsto
provideatleastone;and• Theexistingonesaretobeimproved
forsafetywithsidewalktreatmentsandpublicart.
DesignGuidelines• At-gradepedestrianwalkwaysthrough
largeblocksshouldbeprovidedwheneverredevelopmentoccurs.
• Usesshouldbeconsideredat-gradeoncornersandmid-block.
• Thesidewalksshallprovideappropriatepathwidthsandsurfacetreatments.
• Interfacesshallincludesetbacks,landscaping,pedestrianaccessandlevelchanges.
• Safetyshallbeensuredthroughlightingandnaturalsurveillance.
+ 15 Linkages/Bridges (including +30)
DescriptionThe+15systemisanabovethegroundpedestriansystemthatconnectsplacesandbuildings.Itconsistsofbridges,hallways/corridorsandatriums.Calgary’sdowntownhasanextensive+15systemthathasevolvedinthelastthreedecades.TheBeltlinehaslimitedopportunitiesforextensionofthesystem.Possiblelocationsareon10Avenuewherethereisnodirectlinkwiththedowntown(nounderpasses).Theverticalintegrationofthe+15systemwiththestreetlevelisofcriticalimportanceasthesystemconnectsto10Avenue.
PreferredLocationsOvertheCPRtracksto10Avenueat10,9,7,6StreetsS.W.and3and5StreetsS.E.andinthevicinityoftheLRTstations.
DesignGuidelines• The+15systemintheabovenotedlocations
shallbefullyaccessible,ofthehighestarchitecturaldesignandqualityofmaterials
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andhaveavisualrelationshiptoadjacentbuildings.
• Thevisualqualitiesofthe+15shouldbeenhancedwithhighqualitylighting,specialeffectlighting,publicart,andcoloursorbanners.
• Thecorridorsshouldprovideappropriatepathwidths,surfacetreatments,length,activities,access,viewstotheoutside,landscaping,andpublicart.
• Thebridgesshouldconsiderappropriatewidths,activities,views,access,architecturalquality,andlighting.
• Theatriumsofthe+15systemshouldconsideractivities,views,verticalintegration,waterfeatures,speciallighting,andpublicart.
• The+15squares/gardensshouldprovidesittingareas,landscaping,lighting,publicart,andgreenroofs.
• Theverticalintegrationwiththestreetshallconnectlegiblyandaestheticallybystairs,escalators,andelevatorsandprovidewelcomingentrancesthatprovideastrongsenseofsafety.
• Wayfindingshallbeprovidedinsignage,maps,multimedia-panels,andsafetybuttons.
Arcades/colonnades
DescriptionArcadesandcolonnadesarecontinuouscoveredspacesfrontingonandopentoastreet,residentialplazaorurbanplazaforitsentirelength,exceptforbuildingcolumns.PreferredLocationsThepreferredlocationsforarcade/colonnadesare:• Onthesouthsideoftheavenues(east/west)
tomitigateinclementweather;and• Onstreetcornersorthedevelopmentoftall
buildingstomitigatedowndrafts.
DesignGuidelines• Theminimumheightofanarcade/colonnade
shallbe12feetandtheminimumdepth10feet.
• Thearcade/colonnadeshouldbeeitheratthelevelofjoiningastreet/urbanplazaoramaximumof1.2metresabovegroundlevel.
• Thearcade/colonnadeshouldbeaccessibletothepublicatalltimes.
• Arcade/colonnadesmaybeopen,permanentlyenclosedwithglassorhaveanopportunitytobetemporarilyopenedduringthesummer(flexarcade/colonnades).
• Arcade/colonnadesshouldprovideappropriatepathwidths,surfacetreatments,length,cornertreatment,activities,access,viewsoutside,landscaping,publicart,andlighting.
• Theaccesspointsofthearcade/colonnadeshouldprovidestepsandramps.
• Arcade/colonnadesshouldconnectat-gradeuses.
• Theproportionsofopenings(heightandwidthofcolonnade)shouldbeconsideredinthedesignofthearcade/colonnade.
• Arcade/colonnadesetbacksshouldbeprovidedatthegroundlevelandonupperstoreys.
• Structuralelementsshouldbeproportionatelydesignedinregardstothetypeandsizeofcolumns,spacing,andmaterials.
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Gallerias
DescriptionGalleriasarecontinuouspublicareaswithinabuildingthatconnectstreetsand/orlanesthroughablock.
PreferredLocationsThepreferredlocationsforgalleriasare:• Withinnewcomprehensivedevelopments;
and• Atmid-blockorstartingatstreetcorners
asadiagonallinkthroughtheblockoraunifyingelementbetweentallmixed-usebuildingswithintheblockasmitigationagainstinclementweather.
DesignGuidelines• Theminimumwidthforgalleriasshould
be6metresandthelengthfrom30to100metres.
• Specialattentionshouldbepaidtoproportionsanddetailing.
• Bothsidesofgalleriasmustbeanimatedbycommercialorsimilaruses.Usuallygalleriasconnectanchorstoresormajorofficeand
culturaldestinations.• +15bridges,mezzaninesandbalconiesthat
addinterestandfunctionwithoutundulyobstructinglightandairmaybeincorporated.
• Awnings,canopies,trees,benches,fountains,publicandspeciallandscapingaredesirable,butshouldnotimpedepedestrianmovement.
• Thegalleriashouldprovideappropriatepathwidths,surfacetreatments,length,cornertreatment,nodes,activities,access,viewsoutside,landscaping,publicart,naturalandartificiallighting.
• Theaccesspointstothegalleriashouldprovidestepsandramps.
• Theentrancestogalleriasshouldincludecanopiesandsignage.
• Theproportionsofopenings(heightandwidthofthegalleria)shouldbeconsideredinthedesignofthegalleria.
• Galleriasetbacksshouldbeprovidedatgroundlevelandonupperstoreys.
• Structuralelementssuchasthetypeandsizeofcolumns,spacing,andmaterialsshouldbeconsidered.
THe SeMI-PRIVATe cOMPONeNTS OF THe PLAN
Interfaces
DescriptionInterfacesarethespacebetweenthebuildingfaçadeandthepublicsidewalk/boulevard.Thissemi-privatespaceisaveryimportantpartoftheimageandcharacterofthepublicstreet.
PreferredLocations• Allexistingpropertiesshouldupgradethe
frontsetback(Interface)treatmentandprovideco-ordinationandintegrationwiththepublicrealmtreatmentofsidewalksandboulevards.
• Allnewdevelopmentsshallprovideanymandatorytreatmentsspecifiedinapprovedplansandthenewpublicrealmstandards(trees,materials,treatment,andaccessibility).
DesignGuidelines• IntheBeltline,themajorityofbuildings
arenotbuilttothepropertylinetherefore,
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avarietyofsetbacks(from0to6metres)maybeprovidedtoallowforavarietyoftreatments.Thesetbacksshouldfollowtheincrementsof0-1.5metres,3.0metres,4.5metres,and6.0metres.
• WhenprivatelyownedsetbacksareonaResidentialStreet,thesesetbacksshouldbemaintainedaslandscapedgardensthatprovideproperspatialandvisualtransitionfromthepublictoprivatespace.Landscapingonprivatelyownedsetbacksshouldbeintegratedintothepublicrealmlandscaping.
• Transitionalspacemayhavetheformofraisedterraces,fencesandmulti-layeredlandscaping.Itmustensuresufficientprivacyandsafetyforgroundfloorresidentialunits.
• Inmixed-useareas,frontsetbacksshouldhavetreeswithahard-surfacetreatmentandmayaccommodateavarietyofcommercialactivities,includingrestaurantpatios.
• Thefollowinglandscapingelementsshouldbeprovided:
At-grade-trees,shrubs,flowerbeds;hardlandscapingwithtrees,andcolonnades;
Abovegrade-trees,shrubs,flowerbeds,hardlandscapingwithtrees,andcolonnades;and
Underthegrade–trees,shrubs,flowerbeds,andhardlandscaping.
• Levelchangesshouldbeprovidedbyledges,materials,slopes,stepsandramps.
• Transparency,height,materials,andcolourshouldbeconsideredinthedesignoffencesandledges.
• Entrancesshouldprovideclarityofdesign,scale,accessibility,andcanopies.
• Urbanfurnitureintheformofbenchesandlightingshouldbeprovidedinfrontsetbacks.
PUBLIcLY AcceSSIBLe PRIVATe SPAceS
Atriums
DescriptionAtriumsaremulti-storeyspacesinsideabuildingwhichriseseveralstoriesinheighttoapartialorfullskylight.Theprincipalpurposeoftheatriumistoprovideshelteredspaceforthecomfortandconvenienceofthegeneralpublicandmustbeopenedfromearlymorningtolatenight.These
spacesareforpublicuse,usuallypartofcivicbuildingsorlargercommercial/officebuildings.Andusuallyhaveretailactivitiesfrontingthespacewithsmaller,diversestoresandcafes.
PreferredLocations• Allexistingpropertiesshouldupgradethe
interiorsofexistingatriums,upgradethetreatmentoftheInterface(frontsetback)andprovidecoordinationandintegrationofaccessto/fromthepublicrealm.
• Whereverfeasible,newdevelopmentsshouldincludeatriumsasadesignelementandprovideaspecialtreatmentoftheInterfaceandanattractiveconnectiontothepublicrealm.
DesignGuidelines• Atriumsmaybedirectlyaccessibletothe
larger+15walkwaysystem,anyadjoiningstreetorplace.
• Planting,landscaping,fountains,kiosks,artworks,lightwellsandotherfeaturesaredesirable,butshouldnotimpedepedestrianmovement.
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• Entrancestoatriumspacesshouldbeclearlyidentified,providesecurity,information,wayfinding,accessibilityandprotectionfromtheweather.
• Accesstotheatriumareasshouldincludelandscaping,steps,ramps,andclearpathways.
• Atriumsmaybeaccessedthroughescalators,elevators,andsteps.
• Furnitureshouldbeprovidedintheatriumforseatingandrelaxing.
• Specialfeaturesintheformofwaterfeaturesandpublicartshouldbeconsideredintheatriumspace.
corner Plazas
DescriptionCornerplazasareprivatelyowned,publiclyaccessiblepedestrianplacesthatareopentothesky.Theyprovideaccesstolargeoffice/commercialorresidentialdevelopmentsandserveasspecialplacesforpassiveactivities.
PreferredLocations• Allexistingcornerplazasshouldbe
upgradedandprovidecoordinationandintegrationofaccess,elementsandvisualtreatmentwiththefuturenewstandardsforthepublicrealm.
• NewcomprehensivedevelopmentsintheBeltlineshouldincludecornerplazasandprovidefullintegrationwithanynewpublicrealmstandards.
DesignGuidelines• Cornerplazasshouldgenerallybea
minimumof250squaremetresinsize.Cornerplazasareusuallyhardlandscaped,butshouldhavetrees,softlandscaping,waterfeatures,sittingareasandpublicart.
• Incoldclimateenvironments,thebestlocationsforcornerplazasaretheN.E.orN.W.cornersofintersectionsduetothepotentialfordirectsunexposurefrom10a.m.to4p.m.
• Cornerplazasareusuallydefinedbytallbuildings.Excessivewindmakesplazasunusableformostofthetimeifthebaseofthetallbuildingisnotproperly
designed.Mitigationofwindcanbedonethroughtheprovisionoflargetrees,glasscanopies,andspecialtrellisesat-gradeorwithasteppedbuildingmassingatthecornerofthebuilding.
• Buildingentrancesshouldbeclearlyidentified,providewayfinding,accessibilityandprotectionfromtheweather.
• Cornerplazasshouldprovideunobstructedmainaccess/pedestrianpathwaysbetweenentrancesandsidewalksat-grade,passiveactivityareasmaybeatgradeorslightlysunkenwithprovisionofstepsandramps.
• Theprovisionoflargedeciduoustreesthatprovideaprotectivecanopyduringthesummer,flowerbedsandlowshrubsshouldbeprovided.
• Urbanfurnitureshouldbeprovidedincornerplazas.
• Specialfeaturesincornerplazasshouldincludewaterfeatures,publicart,andlighteffects.
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Street corners
DescriptionStreetcornersareminorcornercut-offsorspaceswithacombinationofvariablesetbacksandsmallercornerpedestrianareas.Theyprovideaccesstosmallandmediumoffice/commercialorresidentialdevelopmentsandmayprovidealimitednumberofpassiveactivities.
PreferredLocationsStreetcornersareprovidedonthemajorityoftheBeltlinecornersasanenhancementtotheoverallpedestriannetwork.Newcornerdevelopmentsshouldincludestreetcorners.
DesignGuidelines• Thesizeisdeterminedeitherbytwosetback
linesof5metresandadiagonallinewhichintersectsthoselinesfromthecornerwheretheymeet,orarectilinearspacewithsetbacksof3to6metres.
• Streetcornersshouldbeaminimumof25squaremetresinsize.
• Incoldclimateurbanenvironments,thebestlocationsforcornerplazasaretheN.E.or
N.W.cornersofintersections,buttheyarealsopossibleattheS.E.andS.W.corners.
• Lowormediumheightbuildingsshoulddefinestreetcorners.Glasscanopies,recessedentrywaysorcorner(perimeter)colonnades/arcadesshouldprovidewindandweatherprotection.
• Alimitedsizeandthepresenceofactiveusesat-grademaylimitthepotentialforlandscapinghowever,featuressuchasanentrycanopy,colonnade,orsmallerfountain/publicartfeaturesshouldbeprovidedtodefinethistypeofquasi-publicspace.
• Cornersshouldbehardlandscaped,butmayhavealimitednumberoftrees,andlimitedopportunitiesforsmallerareasforsoftlandscaping,waterfeatures,sittingareasandpublicart.
• Buildingentrancesshouldbeclearlyidentified,providewayfinding,accessibilityandprotectionfromtheweather.
• Unobstructedmainaccess/pedestrianpathwaysbetweenentrancesandsidewalks,andpassiveactivityareasshallbeprovidedat-grade.
• Theprovisionoflargerdeciduoustreeswherea6metresetbackexistsshallbeprovided.Avoidextensiveflowerbeds,lowshrubsorconcreteplantersat-gradelevel.Provideinterestthroughhighqualitypavinganddetailing.
• Limitedspaceisprovidedforurbanfurniturethereforecluttershouldbeavoidedtobestenhancethisspace.
• Smallerscalewaterfeatures,publicart,andlighteffectsaredesirable.
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APPENDIx c SuPPORTINg MAPS
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BuILDINg fORM PRINcIPLES
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12 FrontsetbackslocatedonResidential
StreetsorGreenStreetsshouldbemaintainedaslandscapedgardensthatprovideproperspatialandvisualintegrationwiththepublicsidewalk.Designelementswithinthesesetbacksmaytaketheformofraisedterraces,fencesandmulti-layeredlandscaping.Itmustensuresufficientprivacyandsafetyforgroundfloorresidentialunits.
Oncornersites,thebuildingformshallbeorientedtobothadjacentstreetfrontageswithbothelevationsgivenequalimportance.
Themainbuildingentrancesshallbelocatedsothattheyareclearlyvisibleandidentifiedanddirectlyaccessiblefromthepublicsidewalk.
Newdevelopmentsshallprovidelandscapedopenspaceorenclosedlandscapedspace(e.g.indoorgardensoratriums)thatisavailablefortheuseofresidentsortenants.Suchspacesmaybelocatedatorabovegradelevel.Whereappropriate,thesespacescouldbemadephysicallyorvisiblyavailabletothepublic,inordertoenhancethepublicrealm.
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5. Useexistingrearlaneswheretheyareavailableandcreatesharedserviceareaswhenfeasible.
6. Minimizetheimpactofaccesspointsonthepedestrianstreetscapebykeepingaccesswidthstoaminimum(consolidatingwithadjacentaccesspointswherepossible)andusingarchitecturalorlandscapetreatmentstominimizethevisualimpactofbuildingopeningsandramps,especiallywhenviewedfrompublicspaces.
Thebaseofabuildingshouldbedesignedtocreateahumanscaledstreetwallandestablishastrongvisualrhythm.
Buildingbasesshouldbedesignedtomitigatenegativewindimpactsassociatedwithatalltower.
8. Inthecaseofresidentialbuildings,thecharacterofstreettownhousesandlowerstoreyunitswithinapartmentbuildingsshouldbereinforcedbyprovidingeasilyidentifiableunitswithindividualfrontdoorsandwindowsrelatingdirectlyto,
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andprovidinganoverviewofstreetsandpedestrianpathways.
9. Thereshouldbeastronglydefinedtransitionbetweenthebaseandthebodyofabuildingthroughtheuseofsetbacks,materialsorotherapplicablearchitecturaltreatmentssuchascornices,canopiesortrellises.
Forbuildingsover12storeysinheight,thetopfloorsareencouragedtousetechniquessuchasreductionsinfloorplatesizes,steppingofbuildingmass,orcreationofdistinctivearchitecturalorstructuralelements.
Allrooftops,includingpodiumandtowertopsareencouragedtoincorporatelandscapeamenitiesorgreenroofsinordertoachieveaestheticandenvironmentalbenefits.
Itisencouragedthattowertopscontributetotheskylineprofilebyhavinganidentifiable,iconicarchitecturaldesignthatskilfullyincorporateswithinthetowertopallelevatorcoresandmechanicalrooms.
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Buildingbasesareencouragedtousemasonryorotherdurablematerialsandotherarchitecturaldetailsthatestablishastrongvisualrhythmwithhumanscaledelements.
Bodymaterialsmaydifferfrombasematerials,butcompatibilityandtransitionbetweenmaterialsshouldbeconsideredandtherhythmofthelowerfloorsshouldberespected.Buildingelementsinthiszonemayhavea“lighter”appearancewithmoreglazingthanusedatthebase.
Balconiesshouldbedesignedasintegralpartsofthebuildingsratherthanbeing“attached”tothebodyofbuilding.Fullyorpartiallyrecessedbalconiesarepreferredover“tackedon”balconies,especiallyonhigherfloors.
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FIT WITHIN THe cOMMUNITY cONTexT
SpecificDesignGuidelines:• Whiletallbuildingsandtowersare
acceptable,lowerbuildingsarepreferredinordertomaintainthehistoricqualityandcharacterofthearea.
• Wheretallerbuildingsortowersareproposed,thebaseofthenewdevelopmentshouldapproximatethescaleandmassingoftheexistingwarehousebuildingsandbebuilttothepropertyline,therebyreinforcingthestrongstreetwallthatisadefiningelementofthisdistrict.
• Thebaseofnewbuildingsshouldbecappedwithstrongcornicelinesorsimilararchitecturalfeaturesthatmaintainthestreetcontinuityofexistingbuildings.
• Towersorbuildingmassabovethecornicelineshouldhaveasignificantsetbackfromthebuildingbase.Thesetbackshouldbeatleast3metres,but6metresispreferred.
• Thebaseofnewbuildingsshouldnotemploycurtain-walldesign.Buildingelevationsshouldincorporate“punched”windowssimilarinscaleandspacingtothe
historicwarehouses.• Theuseofbrickandmasonry,inacolour
palettethatisrepresentativeofthewarehouseeraisstronglyencouragedtobeusedonthebuildingbase.Theuseofveneerorartificialmasonryproductsisdiscouraged.
• Buildingmassabovethebaseshouldbedistinctandsubordinatetothebase.Curtain-walls,extensiveglazingandlightercoloursareencouragedtoreducethevisual“weight”ofthetower,relativetothebase.
• Supportopportunitiesforresidentialloftsinbothexistingbuildingsandnewcontextuallydesignedbuildings.
Toensurenewbuildingscontributetothecreationofapedestrian-scaledstreetwall,areincontextwiththesurroundingbuildingforms,minimizetheirimpactonsunlightpenetrationtonearbybuildingsandpublicspacesandcontributetoavisuallyinterestingskyline.Thiscanbeachievedbythedesignofthethreemainbuildingcomponents:base,bodyandtop.
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PRINcIPLeS FOR STReeT WALL eVOLUTION
BuildingMassingPolicyensuresthatnewbuildingscontributetothecreationofapedestrian-scaledstreetwall,areincontextwiththesurroundingbuildingforms,minimizetheirimpactonsunlightpenetrationtonearbybuildingsandpublicspacesandcontributetoavisuallyinterestingskyline.Thiscanbeachievedbythedesignofthethreemainbuildingcomponents:base,bodyandtop.
5 IntentToensurenewbuildingscontributetothecreationofapedestrian-scaledstreetwall,areincontextwiththesurroundingbuildingforms,minimizetheirimpactonsunlightpenetrationtonearbybuildingsandpublicspacesandcontributetoavisuallyinterestingskyline.Thiscanbeachievedbythedesignofthethreemainbuildingcomponents:base,bodyandtop.
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tYPe 1 tYPe 2 tYPe 3 tYPe 4
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POTeNTIAL BLOck cONFIGURATIONS & BUILDING TYPOLOGIeS
Toprovideforvarietyinthebuildingformofnewdevelopmentswhilerecognizingthatbuildingformisafunctionofmanyvariablesincludinglanduse,lotpatternsandsizes,location,characterandaccess.
Thebodyofthebuildingshouldbemassedtoprovideadequatelightpenetrationtoexistingbuildingsandallowforreasonablenearanddistantviewsforexistingbuildings.Thismaybeachievedbysteppingthebuildingbackawayfromthepropertylineororientingthebuildingmassawayfromthepropertyline(e.g.settingthenewbuildingwallsata45degreeanglefromanexistingbuildingwall).
• Ingeneral,thebodyofthebuildingshouldbemassedtominimizeshadowimpactsonadjacentornearbypublicsidewalksandpublicspaces.Specifically,buildingsonthesouthsideofanavenueshouldbemassedtoallowforreasonablesunlightpenetration.
Newdevelopmentsmaytakemanyformsincluding,butnotlimitedto,thefollowingtypes:• Low-risebuildings(0-4storeys);• Mid-risebuildings(4-12storeys);• High-risetowers(over12storeys);• Perimeterblocks(lowandmid-rise);• Lowandmid-riseperimeterblockswitha
high-risecomponent;• Streettownhouses(ontheirownorin
conjunctionwithotherbuildingforms);• High-risesonlowormid-risepodiums;• Mewsdevelopmentonrearlanesandother
linkages;and• Appropriatecombinationsoftheaboveor
typesthatmaybedevelopedinthefuture.
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PROPOSED IMPLEMENTATION PROjEcTS AND STuDIES ThefollowingisalistofkeyprojectsandstudiesthatshouldbeundertakeninordertoimplementthepoliciesofthePlan.DetailsontimingandprocessshallbepresentedtoCouncilunderseparatereporting.
Project/Study Timing
1.PreparenewLandUseDistrictstoimplementtheARP. Initiatein2006withtargetcompletionof2007.
2.ReporttoCouncilontheestablishment,membershipandoperationoftheBeltlineCommunityInvestmentFund. 2006
3.Undertakeapedestrianandbicycleenhancementplanforthe10,11and12AvenuesCorridor(IncollaborationwithorledbyTransportationPlanning)
May,2006
4.Undertakeadetailedurbandesignstreetscapeplanfor11AvenueSfrom5StreetSWto11StreetSWincludingconceptsandfundingalternatives.Thisshallbedoneinconcertwiththe10,11and12AvenuesCorridorpedestrianandbicycleenhancementplan.
May,2006
ProjectstobeundertakenbyLandUsePlanning&Policy,CentreCityPlanning&Design,unlessotherwisenoted:
ProjectsrequiringfurtherconsultationandcollaborationwithotherCityBusinessUnitspriortoestablishingtiming:
{appendix e}
[ 1�7 ]
Project/Study 6. Developalongtermstrategyforthe
improvementofexistingandprovisionoffutureparks,pathwaysandopenspace.
7. Initiateaprocesstocomprehensivelydesign
certainkeyrights-of-waywithintheBeltline.TheseplanswillbeknownasStreetMasterPlans,recognizingtheycoverallelementswithintheright-of-wayandmustbedesignedinconsiderationoftheadjacentlandusesandbuildingforms.Thepriorityshallbeforthosestreetsthatarecurrentlycoveredbybylawedsetbackrequirementsandparticularly,1StreetSWand11StreetSW.AllrelevantCityBusinessUnitsshallbeincludedinthisproject.
8. Preparedetaileddesignconceptsfor13AvenueGreenwayincludingphasingandfundingalternatives.InadditiontoallrelevantCityBusinessUnits,thedesignprocessshouldincludeparticipationfromadjacentresidents,theCalgaryPathwaysandBikewaysAdvisoryCouncil(CPAC),theCommunityAssociation,theVictoria
CrossingBRZandtheCalgaryExhibitionandStampede.
9. Developstreetscapeenhancementconcepts
forCentreStreetS(VolunteerWay).InadditiontoallrelevantCityBusinessUnits,thisprojectshouldincludeparticipationfromVolunteerCalgary,adjacentresidents,ownersandbusinesses,theVictoriaCrossingBRZandtheCommunityAssociation.
10. UndertaketheShortTermStrategyidentified
inSection7.2.2ofthePlanwithrespecttomitigatingtheimpactsoftheoperationoftheVictoriaParkTransitCentreonthesurroundingneighbourhood.
11. PreparereporttoCouncildiscussingoptionsfortheresolutionofconflictsbetweennewdevelopmentsandbylawedsetbackrequirementsthathaveyettobereviewed.
12. Investigatetheestablishmentofa
CommunitySafetyCommitteeasperSection10.2.2ofthePlan.
13. InitiateapromotionalcampaignregardingtheuseoftheCityofCalgary’sAccessDesignGuidelinesinthedesignofnewpublicandprivatedevelopmentprojects.
14. DirecttheAdministrationasafirstpriority
toestablishaWorkingCommitteetoincluderepresentationfromCalgaryRoads,TransportationPlanning,Transit,Parks,LandUsePlanningandPolicy,UrbanDevelopment,UtilitiesandEnvironmentalProtection,CorporatePropertiesandBuildings,theCalgaryExhibitionandStampedeandtheCommunity,todevelopguidelinesforthedevelopmenofaStreetscapeMasterPlanfora“GreenGateway”alongthelengthofthe12AvenueSEinterfacewithStampedeandreportbacktoCouncil.