burlington MobIlITY Hubs study Aldershot GO Mobility Hub Public Consultation Summary June 2017
Table of Contents Introduction Participant Feedback i. Workshop ii. Coffee Shop Consultations and Stakeholder Open Houses Next Steps appendices i. Appendix A: Complete Consultation Notes ii. Appendix B: Feedback received from Coffee Shop consultations and Stakeholder Open Houses 1 2 5 6
Introduction On May 13th, 2017 the first public meeting for the Aldershot GO Mobility Hub was held at East Plains United Church in Burlington. Members of the public were invited to attend and bring forth their ideas and visions for the Mobility Hub. There were approximately 50 attendees. The event started with a presentation in which there was a voting exercise where the participants were asked to answer a few questions regarding the study area. A copy of the presentation and voting results are available at www.burlington.ca/mobilityhubs A workshop followed the presentation which included four stations: Public Spaces and Community Features, Private Spaces, Getting Around (Mobility), and a general What Else? station where participants were able to write down additional comments at any point throughout the evening. The attendees were asked to divide into groups and choose one of the aforementioned topics. After a fifteen minute discussion, the groups were guided to the next station. The outcome of these workshops is summarized in the following section. Along with the formal public consultation, three coffee shop consultations were held at a local Tim Horton s (29 Plains Rd W), where members of the public were encouraged to meet with City Planners and discuss their vision for the study area. Additionally, the City hosted two stakeholder open houses which were open to the public, landowners, and other interested parties to discuss their specific properties, interests, or concerns with staff one on one. Feedback from these conversations is outlined in the following section. 1
Participant Feedback WORKSHOP - MAY 13, 2017 Below is a summary of feedback provided during the public consultation for the Aldershot GO Mobility Hub held on May 13, 2017. See Appendix A for a complete list of feedback. Public Spaces & Community Features Promote walkability within the study area. Enhance greenspace. Consider implementing amenities that will attract younger generations. Some examples being, movie theatres, coffee shops, and recreational space. Implement urban design elements such as lighting features, street furniture, proper waste disposal bins, and landscape elements. Enhance safety measures of community spaces to increase utilization, by way of promoting visibility and lighting features. Encourage pedestrian connectivity between North and South sides of the rail tracks. Emphasis on preserving existing greenspace, Hidden Valley Park is a key feature. Ensure the implementation of amenities to support local residents. Consider implementing infrastructure that is accommodating to hosting events, community engagements, and recreational activities. Private Spaces (Private Buildings at Grade) Privacy is a key feature. Consider sustainability when designing infrastructure. Important to consider the quality of design features, creating distinct buildings will act as a wayfinding tool and create a sense of place. Implement more mixed-use developments at grade. Include local amenities such as grocery stores, coffee shops, and a variety of retail options. Consider the character of the existing area. 2
Getting Around (Mobility) Implement parking infrastructure. Consider a bike path within Aldershot Park. Increase the amount of walking trails. Implement safe and accessible bike lanes to and from the station. Concern surrounding the increasing traffic on Plains Road. Consider implementing designated biking infrastructure on Plains Road to increase the safety of both cars and cyclists. Consider expansion of transit routes, as there is an area within Aldershot that is entirely unserved by transit. Consider a North-South extension on Waterdown Road. What Else? (Additional Feedback) Consider improving boulevards, such as Cooke Boulevard. Consider mid-rise development along Waterdown Road. Consider employment opportunities. Implement designated bike lanes and create off road mixed-use trails for pedestrians and cyclists. Create the opportunity for long-term and temporary retail, an example being farmers markets in the summer months. Ensure that design concepts appeal to all ages. 3
Coffee Shop Consultations & Stakeholder Open houses The following sessions were held to obtain additional feedback from the public: Coffee Consultation #1: Tim Horton s, 29 Plains Rd. W (Wed. May 17/9:30-11:30am) Coffee Consultation #2: Tim Horton s, 29 Plains Rd. W (Mon. May 29/2-4pm) Coffee Consultation #3: Tim Horton s, 29 Plains Rd. W (Wed. May 31/9:30-11:30am) Stakeholder Open House #1: Aldershot Library Program Room (Fri. May 26/2-4pm) Stakeholder Open House #2: Aldershot Arena Community Room (Thurs. June 1/6:30-8:30pm) Below is a summary of feedback provided during the Coffee Shop Consultations and Stakeholder Open Houses. See Appendix B for a complete list of feedback. Reserve land for retail uses, including a grocery store. Intregrate standards for cycling lanes in plan. Consider rumble strips and wider lanes. Lanes on Plains Road are sub standard. Create safe pedestrian and cycling access to station from Grove Park and Gallagher. Do not extend Masonry court through roadway; consider a multiuse path from Grove Park to the GO station. Create more amenities within the area, including a grocery store. Do not intensify area 3 identified within the voting exercise due to proximity to low rise neighbourhood. 4
NEXT STEPS The next steps of the Mobility Hubs Study for the Aldershot GO Mobility Hub include: Ongoing Site Analysis; Establish Land Use and Design Framework (March- September 2017); Draft Land Use Concepts (June - November 2017) ; and Aldershot Mobility Hub Land Use Concepts Public Meeting (September 2017) For additional information on the progress of the Mobility Hubs Study, please visit the project website: www.burlington.ca/mobilityhubs STAGE 1 PRELIMINARY STUDIES AND LAND USE CONCEPTS STAGE 2 AREA SPECIFIC PLANS Project Initiation Vision Workshops: Public Meeting #1 Land Use Concepts and Associated Reports Land Use Concepts Workshop: Public Mtg. #2 Develop Preferred Land Use Concept Policies and Recommendations Workshop: Public Mtg. #3 Policies and Recommendations Workshop: Council Workshop Delivery of Policy for New Official Plan Final Delivery of Area Specific Plans JAN 2017 we are here > > > BACKGROUND REVIEW & ANALYSIS ESTABLISH LAND USE & DESIGN FRAMEWORK PREPARE AREA SPECIFIC PLANS SEPT 2017 NOV 2017 JUN 2018 FINAL REPORT 5
APPENDICES APPENDIX A May 13th Aldershot GO Visioning Workshop - 4 corner workshop feedback The following notes are all of the comments received from consultations. PUBLIC SPACES and Community Features Plains Rd. Create appropriate building setbacks right now they are too shallow; wind concerns; buildings are too close to the street Lack of public space along Plains Rd. Public square surrounded by retail, bike racks Transit and bike friendly design; i.e.. Bike rental and bike share such as SOBI Encourage rental housing Unique village feeling for Aldershot with modern conveniences Festival spaces, community center, indoor gym spaces, multi-purpose rooms Retail/commercial to support residents The new Library is close enough to study area to be accessed by residents Consider 4-6 storeys along Plains, intensification near GO station Accessible public spaces are important, including parking access and servicing (i.e. Bathrooms, electrical for public events) Update servicing and programming in existing parks (i.e. Hidden Valley) Hidden Valley has splash pad that s well used (outside of the study area) Make better connections to Hidden Valley Park New development should include public spaces (i.e. development at Waterdown and Masonry) Protect existing parks, Aldershot High school and its pool No plazas, add small parkettes Walkability to school, parks, retail, quality restaurants Locate Coffee Shops within the study area Fruit and veg market, beer store, book stores small retail frontages Create destinations/ amenities that are walkable Create the opportunity for permanent and temporary retail uses (i.e.. Farmers market) Encourage more pedestrian connections between north and south sides of the rail tracks and outside the study area Preserve views south of Hidden Valley looking west add sidewalk (grade drop) Consider Section 37 and bonusing to contribute to public spaces (and quantify in the OP) Aldershot park is poorly used, adjacent to residential uses, needs more amenities and better programming and organization, spaces for community function (like Spencer Smith Park in the downtown) Community spaces to promote interaction, aid safety ensure visibility and provide good lighting Improve greenery/lack of street furniture and garbage cans Vacant properties and underutilized sites decrease safety and aesthetic appeal and walkability Consider features like movie theatre, hotel, mini golf, coffee shop, deli shops, fruit shops PRIVATE SPACES (Private Buildings At- Grade) ADI site needs green space with public access Detached at green houses path through Building at the road with setbacks Align a side to parking of road Need more mixed use at grade It s the market With more people - More businesses its driven by the market Keeping roads public for more control of aesthetics, set backs etc. More variety of retail 6
Need supermarket Like to see a hotel Why is Plains Rd. W. not included? Need to identify retail component in a building (clearly recognizable) Singles are not the solution for more peripheral sites. Probably 4 6 storeys Are you considering affordable housing? Consider safety Cooke Blvd. is not attractive for connecting, just one sidewalk - Something more Attractive trees both sides Provide lay-bys How to intensify and keep sense of place Plains Rd. already has an identity Intensity to bring people and then business will come Podium treatment Quality of design Issue of privacy, with balconies - push back the balconies Like to see more rental housing including high end Like the idea of a neighbourhood feel in buildings - Needs to have continuity Include store fronts Concern with integration of height, density and how density will respect the transition - already impacted in traffic Greater density equals better quality in the type of buildings Better quality of design, high-end buildings Sustainable approaches in design Include green features Trees and more greenery More garbage receptacles at grade High school and pool should stay to support future population and intensification Small retailers along Plains - are an issue Would like to see good restaurants Issues with parking on Plains Rd. (Lay by) ability to see where to park Privacy is a key element (Compared to Paradigm, Glass) Getting around Biking and walking should be planned from the start Set priorities for mobility Needs a way to get to the station from the south east Path through Grove Park to the station - should be along the rail line away from the homes St. Matthews and Masonry - pedestrian connectivity Planning area should go north of 403 & include interchange Need a parking structure at GO station Think about light pollution Dominion Lane used and pedestrian tunnel - would be nice to include a publicly accessible bike/ pedestrian tunnel - near Tim Horton s at Falcon Rd. Cycling path required through Aldershot Park Plains Rd. is uncomfortable for biking More cars on Plains Rd. than ever - When 403 is backed up especially Separated bike lanes on Plains for safety Options for getting traffic off Plains during HWY congestion Increase walking paths Buses only go to La Salle Rd. - Whole area in Aldershot not served by transit Population in west Aldershot is increasing North/ South extension west of Waterdown Rd. U/G - pedestrian/ cycling connection through Waterdown Rd Pedestrian connection along rail corridor with 30m setback - connection through Hidden Valley Formal pathway to station from Gallagher through Grove Park Look at whole area holistically Include White Oaks within Study Area Make St. Matthews more walkable - include sidewalks 7
Consider New Mobility - autonomous vehicles, electric cars etc More bus stops requires on Plains Rd. between St. Matthews and Plains Rd. Include stop sign at St. Matthew and Masonry St, Matthew s walk way is very useful Connections to any intensification is very important Cycling routes to and from station are not very good, except along Plains Rd. - Cycling connections in Hamilton are better Too bad walkway was removed from White Oaks Instead of making Plains Rd. more cycling friendly, make other routes the primary cycling area WHAT ELSE? (Additional feedback) Interchange development Pedestrian/ cycling bridge over hwy to GO station Protect bike lanes on road and off-road cycling and walking connections Green house site zoned park or low density Green space and trees on Plains Rd. Appropriate employment uses for neighbourhoods More sit-down quality restaurants Plowing walkway (St. Matthew s) and Fire hydrant Stigma around the tracks Access to Grove Park Ensure we consult with young people Burlington Hydro poles change from logs Satellite police station Solid Gold needs to go Retail along Waterdown Rd. (Mid-rise) Permeability Improve boulevards (Cooke) 8
APPENDIX B Feedback from Coffee Shop Consultations and Stakeholder Open Houses The following sessions were held to obtain additional feedback from the public: Coffee Consultation #1: Tim Horton s, 29 Plains Rd. W (Wed. May 17/9:30-11:30am) Coffee Consultation #2: Tim Horton s, 29 Plains Rd. W (Mon. May 29/2-4pm) Coffee Consultation #3: Tim Horton s, 29 Plains Rd. W (Wed. May 31/9:30-11:30am) Stakeholder Open House #1: Aldershot Library Program Room (Fri. May 26/2-4pm) more amenities in the area is great (such as grocery store!) Plains Rd. shouldn t be reduced traffic is a concern Appropriate connections over rail should be considered Grocery store is needed in the hub doesn t need to be a large scaled format; can be scaled down such as a neighbourhood IGA or Rabba Grove Park is a great community park with great trees Concern with growth in blob 3 (from voting exercise) Don t build over Grove Park; greenhouse is surrounded by sensitive uses (rail, low rise neighbourhood) Stakeholder Open House #2: Aldershot Arena Community Room (Thurs. June 1/6:30-8:30pm) Feedback received during the Coffee Shop Consultations and Stakeholder Open Houses include the following: Need to reserve space for retail once area does grow, including for grocery store Need to include standards for cycling lanes in plan. Disappointed with standard of those cycling lanes on Plains compared to York Blvd. in Hamilton. Aren t of provincial standard Need rumble strips (like Cannon in Hamilton) and cycling lanes need to be wider Need buffer access to station including walk/cycle route through Grove Park and connecting to Gallagher extension of Masonry Court (east toward Gallagher) should not be considered, nor development (such as buildings) instead a multiuse path to connect Gallagher (Aldershot Park) and the GO station, through Grove Park 9