Intensification Area Urban Design Guidelines - City of Barrie

The City’s major gateways are located along the Intensification
Corridors, and in some instances, within the Intensification
Nodes. Two types of gateways exist, including:
City-Wide Gateways - Identify key arrival points to the City
from Highway 400. City-wide gateways are located on Essa
Road, Dunlop Street, Bayfield Street, and Duckworth Street.
Downtown Gateways - Identify key arrival points to the
Downtown, and the waterfront. Downtown gateways are
located on Yonge Street, Essa Road, Dunlop Street, Bayfield
Street, Duckworth Street, and along the waterfront (i.e.
Lakeshore Drive, Simcoe Street, Dunlop Street).
These gateway locations should not be limited to a specific
intersection, and should instead be defined by a gradual
change in character and building fabric. For example, the
recommendations provided throughout this document for the
Mixed-Use and Residential Avenues will result in attractive,
pedestrian-supportive streets, suggesting arrival to the City
from Highway 400. Likewise, approaching the core, a more
close-knit building fabric will signify entry to the Downtown.
Within gateway areas, this transition should be reinforced by
both the quality of built form and public open space design to
express the importance and public role of the area.
a) Gateway areas should be highlighted through a
combination of public/private initiatives. The scale of
these initiatives may vary depending on redevelopment
potential, and availability of public space.
b) New development within gateway areas should create
memorable landmarks to assist with City-wide wayfinding,
including uniquely designed buildings, parks and urban
plazas, and/or special boulevard paving.
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c) Where possible, gateway areas should have a higher order
of streetscaping, including double rows of trees on either
side of the roadway, decorative planting within medians,
and wide sidewalks and boulevards. It is recognized that
due to right-of-way limitations, this will not be possible at
all gateway locations.
d) Gateway areas should function as meeting and gathering
spaces, and should include a variety of public amenities
within the boulevard, including seating, wayfinding and
informational signage, pedestrian-scaled lighting, and
waste receptacles.
e) Wayfinding signage within City-wide gateway areas should
provide directions to key City destinations (i.e. Downtown,
waterfront). Within Downtown gateway areas, wayfinding
signage should provide more specific guidance (i.e. key
buildings, districts, parks, etc.).
f) Wayfinding signage should be considered early in the
development process to ensure it is well-integrated into
buildings, public art pieces, etc. to minimize visual clutter.
g) Landscaping within gateway areas may accommodate
more decorative species provided an effective
maintenance program is implemented.
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h) Opportunities for significant public art pieces are
encouraged within gateway areas.
i) Gateways may be specially lit to highlight unique features
at night.