Intensification Area Urban Design Guidelines - City of Barrie

The Intensification Corridors include a series of Primary and
Secondary Intensification Nodes located at the intersection
of major transportation corridors. These are defined as:
Primary Nodes - Bayfield Street (at Grove Street), Dunlop
Street (at Anne Street), Yonge Street (at Little Avenue, Big Bay
Point Road and Mapleview Drive), and Duckworth Street (at
Grove Street).
Secondary Nodes - Bayfield Street (at Cundles Road, and
Livingstone Street), and Dunlop Street (at Miller Drive).
As the key destinations along the Intensification Corridors, and
the major entrances to the City and the Urban Growth Centre,
the Intensification Nodes should feature taller landmark
buildings, significant public art displays (i.e. sculptures,
murals, etc.), urban plazas, etc. These features should be
accommodated on wide, pedestrian-supportive boulevards
with active at-grade uses. Office and residential uses above
will help to ensure safety through casual surveillance.
a) As new development occurs on the Intensification
Corridors, the Intensification Nodes should evolve to
reflect the characteristics of a Mixed-Use and Residential
Avenue (please refer to Sections 2.51. and 5.1).
b) Where possible, the short-term redevelopment of the
Intensification Corridors should be focused on the
Intensification Nodes. As the most accessible areas
within the Intensification Corridors, these areas are key
to establishing the standard for design that will spur
development on the remainder of the corridor.
c) Development in the Intensification Nodes should
collectively, through built form and streetscape design,
create attractive gateways, characterized by landmark
buildings, and wide pedestrian-supportive boulevards,
signifying arrival to the City of Barrie.
d) Intensification Nodes should function as neighbourhood
focal points comprising higher density mixed-use
buildings with uses that meet the convenience commercial
needs of local residents.
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e) The highest densities along the Intensification Corridors
should be located at the Intensification Nodes. A mix of
land uses is encouraged to encourage people to live, work
and shop in the Intensification Nodes, in order to support
alternative modes of transportation.
f) Taller buildings, typically at a 1:1 ratio with the width of
the right-of-way, are encouraged at Intensification Nodes
to indicate the prominence of these sites.
g) Corner buildings at the Intensification Nodes should
emphasize the focal nature and visibility of these buildings
through elements such as bay windows, projections,
recesses, special materials, and other architectural
details.
h) Taller buildings should be limited to sites where lot size,
set-backs, step-backs and building transitions can be
made to respect adjacent properties.
i) The minimum boulevard width at Intensification Nodes
should be 8 metres to accommodate a variety of elements,
including a double row of street trees and a transition
zone for active, at-grade uses (i.e. patio seating, display
areas, etc.).
DRAFT
j) The Intensification Nodes should be centres of
information, promoting key locations throughout the City,
including the Urban Growth Centre, the waterfront, and
key parks and open spaces. This can be accomplished
through wayfinding signage, mapping, etc.
k) Cycling facilities should be provided to link the
Intensification
transportation.
Nodes, and encourage active
l) Where possible, Intensification Nodes should be
connected to key destinations in the City to encourage
active transportation. This can be accomplished through
existing and new trails, open spaces, and natural heritage
features.