W A T E R F R O N T L A N D I N G V I S I O N, L A N D U S E, A N D B U I L T F O R M S U M M A R Y R E P O R T

Transcription

1 W A T E R F R O N T L A N D I N G V I S I O N, L A N D U S E, A N D B U I L T F O R M S U M M A R Y R E P O R T A Waterfront Community by Pridham Development Inc. June 2006

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3 Table of Contents The Vision for Waterfront Landing 1 Project Benefits 3 High-Rise Location and Views 4 Public Realm 12

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5 The Vision for Waterfront Landing The vision for a new neighbourhood on the former Interfor mill site is that of a brownfield conversion to a Smart Growth urban waterfront residential neighbourhood where a diverse mix of residents live just a short walk, cycle, or ferry ride away from the amenities of a thriving Downtown. Waterfront Landing will be a cohesive, sustainable and liveable neighbourhood that respects the natural environment and preserves and enhances those valued attributes of Downtown Squamish. The Waterfront Landing neighbourhood would meet the needs of multiple generations and lifestyles through multi-family housing choices that includes affordable housing. The addition of approximately 1,400 units and an estimated population of up to 3,500 residents directly into the heart of Squamish would also significantly strengthen the economic, social, and cultural vitality of Downtown. Situated along the Mamquam Blind Channel, this Downtown multi-family residential neighbourhood would be strongly integrated with the Historic Downtown through physical attributes and a reliance on the Historic Downtown shops, services and amenities. On-site amenities, such as the public boardwalk, trail system, harbour, and aquabus service will encourage pedestrian and cyclist connectivity, promote an active lifestyle, and reduce reliance on the automobile. Other on-site community amenities will include a public park, and a lagoon that will be available for recreational use. This unique lagoon would extend through the centre of the property an ideal spot for the public to canoe and kayak and provide many residents with waterfront homes along the two kilometres of waterfront. This urban neighbourhood concept would also feature a public area with a restaurant and recreational centre, boat launch and harbour. New residents would be catalysts for the social and economic revitalization of Downtown Squamish through their patronage of current and future commercial amenities and use of community services, which has been estimated will create $4 to $5 Million of local spending in Historic Downtown. They would bring their friends and family to Squamish s central district to shop, enjoy arts and culture programming, use recreational facilities, and enjoy the natural beauty of the area. The spectacular natural setting of Squamish would draw residents looking for a serene neighbourhood filled with green spaces and blue spaces, in an urban neighbourhood setting. Homes would be designed to take advantage of breathtaking views of the Stawamis Chief, as well as Howe Sound and the surrounding mountains. 1

6 The District of Squamish is a leader in sustainable community development and planning. This development is a key component of the Smart Growtch revitalization of Historic Downtown Squamish and thte Mamquam Blind Channel and has been designed within the context approved and pending District of Squamish policies, including: Official Community Plan (1998) DRAFT Official Community PLan (2005) Squamish 2000 Plan and 2003 Update Growth Management Strategy Smart Growth on the Ground The Waterfront Landing team has had extensive consultations with the Public, including two Public Open House meetings, a Public Informaton Meeting, an ongoing display at the Adventure Centre and the Mall. More than 200 people attended the second Open House. In addition, presentations have been made to the Chamber of Commerce and many other key community groups. 2

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8 High-Rise Location and Views 4

9 Land Use Plan A M M Townhouses Stacked Townhouses/ Apartments High-Rises Community Mixed-Use M Public Lagoon Marina Roads 5

10 Land Use Plan B M M Townhouses Stacked Townhouses/ Apartments High-Rises Community Mixed-Use M Public Lagoon Marina Roads 6

11 Both Land Use Option A and Land Use Option B include a mix of residential, commercial, and community uses. The differentiating feature is the location of the high rises. In High Rise Option A, each of the three proposed towers is positioned as a view terminus from any vantage point on Winnipeg Street, Victoria Street, and Main Street. The intention is to anchor the views at the ends of each of these streets, thereby creating a visual linkage between the Waterfront Landing community and the downtown core. View impacts on the surrounding natural features of Squamish, notably, the Stawamus Chief, have been analysed and are considered to be minimal. Townhouses Units per Acre Apartments 4-6 Storeys Units per Acre Highrises Storeys Units per Acre Mixed-Use Units per Acre For High Rise Locations B, the consultant team has revised the locations based on input received from the Squamish ADP. The result is considered to be superior to that of High Rise Locations A. In High Rise Option B, two of the three proposed high rises are moved away from the view corridors of Winnipeg Street and Victoria Street. A high rise will continue to anchor the view from Main Street, as indicated in High Rise Locations A. The intention is to provide a variety of views at the ends of each of the three downtown streets, thereby creating visual interest to the Waterfront Landing community from the downtown core. Furthermore, this options clusters the three high rises in a location that, when viewed from the downtown waterfront, will benefit from the backdrop of the rock bluff along the southern edge of the site. This backdrop further minimises the visual impact of the three high rises. As in High Rise Locations A, the view impacts on other natural features of Squamish, notably, the Stawamus Chief, have been analysed and are considered to be minimal. Townhouses Units per Acre Apartments 4-6 Storeys Units per Acre Highrises Storeys Units per Acre Mixed-Use Units per Acre 7

12 Views from Downtown High-Rise Locations A The following images describe the visual impact of the proposed high rises on the natural surroundings of Squamish. High-rises are shown as the view terminus from vantage points on Winnipeg, Victoria, and Main Street. The view from Winnipeg Street The view from Victoria Street 8

13 The view from Main Street 9

14 Views from Downtown- High-Rise Locations B The following images describe the visual impact of the proposed towers on the natural surroundings of Squamish. One high rise is shown as a view terminus from a vantage point on Main street. The remaining two high-rises are located approximately one half block off axis from views down Winnipeg and Victoria Street. The view from Winnipeg Street The view from Victoria Street 10

15 The view from Main Street 11

16 Public Realm A significant portion of the total site area will be dedicated for public use. Public land is shown at right in red. Public Open Spaces include waterfront walkways, parks, a lagoon, harbour, public streets and pathways. 12

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