Reinventing Rapid Transit Investment A Nodes & Corridors Approach

1. Reinventing Rapid Transit Investment A Nodes & Corridors Approach \ Christine Newbold, MCIP, RPP Policy Planning Division Planning & Economic Development Dept.

2. Today’s Presentation • Hamilton’s Approach • Node & Corridor Planning • Rapid Transit Planning • B-Line Projects • Lessons learned

3. Strategic Directions

4. Key Provincial Directions • Long range plan for growth for GGH • Where, how, how much to grow • Coordination, intensification, transit supportive • Long range plan for transportation • seamless, coordinated, efficient equitable, user-centred • Actions, policies, investment strategies • 10 Strategies, 9 Big Moves (actions)

5. Hamilton’s Directions – Node & Corridor Approach • TransportationMaster Plan • Improved transit service • Cycling & walking • Linking people to employment Growth Related Integrated Development Strategy (GRIDS) • nodes & corridors growth concept • Urban Hamilton Official Plan • nodes & corridors urban structure • Transit supportive land uses and densities • intensification • Transit Oriented Development Guidelines • Node & corridor context approach

7. Urban Hamilton Official Plan - Urban Structure

8. Nodes & Corridors Principles • focus for reurbanization activities (population growth, private and public redevelopment and infrastructure investment) •  focal points of activities for communities and neighbourhoods • connected and internally serviced by various modes of transportation, including higher order transit  • vibrant pedestrian environments, facilitate active transportation through careful attention to urban design • evolve with higher residential densities and mixed use development Urban Hamilton Official Plan, 2011

9. Strategic Direction for Transit

10. Strategic directions in place …now what? Implementing Nodes & Corridors

11. A transit project is born! • Hamilton’s B-Line from the “BLAST” Network identified as a ‘Top 15 Prioirtiy Project’ in the Province’s BIG MOVE • Provincial contribution to study Rapid Transit for B-Line – McMaster to Eastgate – 14 km, diverse corridor

12. Planning for Rapid Transit • Rapid Transit Team is established within Public Works Department with interdepartmental steering group • Feasibility studies lead to planning, design and engineering studies for LRT • Citizen engagement, education and communication is criticle – what it is, how it works, why it’s important for Hamilton!

13. “Rapid Transit is more than just moving people from place to place. It is about providing a catalyst for the development of high quality, safe, environmentally sustainable and affordable transportation options for our citizens, connecting key destination points, stimulating economic development and revitalizing Hamilton”. The Rapid Transit Vision

14. Hamilton LRT – Not this… Calgary

15. Or this… Edmonton

16. And certainly not this Toronto

17. It is RAPID and Reliable31 minutes from Eastgate to McMaster no matter the traffic conditions. Lyon

18. It’s this – attractive low floor vehicles Marseille

19. Level Boarding

20. At Stops not Stations Lyon

21. Tracks flush with the roadway Dublin

22. Overhead power Bordeaux

23. Integrated not segregated Portland

24. Accessible – no barriers Montpellier

25. Creating Places for People Strasbourg

26. Stimulating Residential Development Dublin

27. and Mixed Use Development Lyon

28. What about the land use? • The corridor is more than just the road right-of-way – public and private realm involved • Node & Corridor Planning Teams established • Work on corridor land use planning begins on B-Line

29. Main King Queenston Corridor… • Creating a Strategy for the Future • City’s first Corridor Strategy • Building on the provincial and local strategic directions • recognizing existing opportunities in the corridor • Identify policies, plans and initiatives that will enhance the corridor and the existing neighbourhoods along the corridor.

30. Components of the Corridor Strategy Include: • Corridor vision development • identification and analysis of development opportunities • land use strategies to achieve desired development and built forms • urban design guidelines – built form & public realm • strategies and recommendations to address other related issues (Phase 2) • affordable housing • commercial area revitalization • sustainability

31. Stakeholder Engagement is a Key Component • Focus Groups • City-wide workshop • Development Industry Workshop • Special interest group engagement • Station Area Design Charrettes

32. A Diverse Corridor

33. B-Line Corridor Vision Statement • The B-Line Corridor is… • DIVERSE • BEAUTIFUL • CONNECTED • SUSTAINABLE • REVITALIZED • . The corridor is a destination for new investment and employment opportunities. The character of existing neighbourhoods is enhanced through renewal of buildings and businesses. A growing population supports new development, services and amenities

34. Analysing opportunities and challenges build on existing strengths to overcome challenges Identifying areas of change on the corridor Coordinating with other city initiatives – investments such as new community facilities and transit (LRT project) Identifying desired areas of high activity and focus Arranging land use and urban design directions accordingly Protecting the neighbourhood fabric Addressing Corridor Conditions through Planning and Urban Design

35. establish acceptable parameters for development Ensure that what is built does not have adverse impacts on neighbouring properties Land use regulation (zoning) can be based on some key urban design tools Will require updated zoning along the corridor Focus on mid-rise forms as a key built form for achieving design and planning objectives Exploring Planning & Design Tools

36. Planning & Design Tools Build to Planes and Sun Shadow Analysis • determines appropriate heights • relationship to the neighbourhood • Relationship to the street • Sun shadow impacts

37. Planning Tools - Land Assembly • addressing lot characteristics on the corridor • Assembly of lots from neighbouring areas required to achieve mid-rise forms • Consideration of impact on neighbouring residential areas needed (sun shadow, overview)

38. Other Design Tools… • Building address • Materials/character • Landscaping • Parking

39. Forms of Development Suitable for Different Lot SizesSmall Scale ReurbanizationMidrise Reurbanization(with or without land assembly)PricinctReurbanization

40. Relationships to Street • directing how buildings relate to the street • What land use and design conditions are desired at different areas along the corridor • Flexibile vs prescriptive approach

41. Relationships to Street Pedestrian Focused Areas • Promote pedestrianism, activity plus room for landscaping • Active uses at grade – no residential units • Minimal setbacks (1.5 m) • Commercial or residential buildings

42. Relationships to Street Flexible Areas • Ground floor flexibility for a variety of building forms and uses • appropriate buffers between public and private space(3 - 5 m setbacks) • Minimum ground floor heights on new buildings to allow for flexible conversions between commercial or residential uses

43. Relationships to Street Residential Character Areas • Where residential uses, character and built forms are desired • Minimum setbacks maintain general relationship with street • 3 -5 m setbacks

44. Preferred Corridor Development Option – Focused Reurbanization • Focuses reurbanization at key places (intersections, transit stops) • Facilitation of mid-rise development at focal areas • focal areas based on emerging transit station area locations and focal area typology

45. SUMMING IT UP… Lessons Learned in Corridor Planning • Get the high level principles established first • Make the connections to higher level strategic directions – sustainability, economic prosperity, social development, quality of life in the community • Make the connections for the public in your engagement program – establish key messages, show why it matters • Consult and engage the public – then tell them what they said and show them how their input was used – and say thanks! • Expect ebb and flow in projects…hurry up and wait but keep your ‘eye on the prize’ • Nothing every goes as planned – expect to alter course if necessary

46. Thank You