Intensification Area Urban Design Guidelines - City of Barrie

115 Urban Design Guidelines for Barrie’s Intensification Areas - DRAFT
Incorporate Built Form Criteria to Regulate Building Mass
In addition to the maximum height provisions, sites must
comply with the requirements for in Section 4.3: General
Building Guidelines, including building set-backs, step-backs,
and angular planes, which work together to define a building
envelope.
Require a Minimum Ground Floor Height of 4.5 Metres and
Active Ground Floor Uses in the Intensification Areas
Ground floor uses such as retail, commercial, office or
community uses, will help to create a vibrant, pedestriansupportive
streets. A minimum ground floor height of
4.5 metres allows flexible use of the building, and can
accommodate loading and garbage storage internally.
Secure a Minimum Building Set-back to Ensure a 4.8 metre
Boulevard
Boulevards within the Intensification Areas should be a
minimum of 4.8 metres to encourage a pedestrian-supportive
streetscape with seating, public art, spill-out retail, etc. In
the Urban Growth Centre, where sidewalks are currently
generally 2.1 metres, this should be accomplished through
the requirements for additional building set-backs from the
front property line.
Prohibit Drive-Through Uses within the Urban Growth Centre
In order to support the active-transportation initiatives
outlined in this report, and to support pedestrian priority
within the Downtown, it is recommended that the existing
Zoning Bylaw be amended to prohibit the development of
drive-through uses within the Urban Growth Centre.
Require Shadows Studies for Taller Buildings
The recommendations of this report direct taller buildings
(i.e. greater than 8-storeys) to strategic locations throughout
the Intensification Areas, including at Intensification Nodes,
within the Urban Growth Centre adjacent to Lakeshore Drive,
and on a case-by-case basis on larger lots.
Where these buildings are proposed, as part of the development
application process, the City should require the completion
of a shadow study to demonstrate that the building will not
create adverse shadow impacts on the streetscape, adjacent
parks and open spaces, and nearby residential uses.
The shadow study should include, at a minimum:
• A 3D massing model showing all streets and blocks within
the range of the shadow impacts;
• A series of images demonstrating the hourly shadow
impacts throughout the day on March 21 and September
21 (the specific time should be determined through an
additional study).
• A written description of the impacts of the shadows
cast by the proposed building on adjacent streets, open
spaces, and residential neighbourhoods, demonstrating
that no area receives less than 5 hours of sunlight per day.
Planning Act Tools
The Planning Act provides several tools for municipalities
to shape the character and design of urban form. Tools for
shaping growth and urban character include:
• Establishing Minimum and Maximum Standards in the
Zoning By-Law;
• Height and Density Bonusing;
• Cash in Lieu of Parking;
DRAFT
• Cash in Lieu of Parkland;
• Site Plan Controls (with exterior design controls or not);
• Development Permit System; and,
• Community Improvement Plans.
Outlined below are summaries of the tools that best address
the needs of the City of Barrie.
Minimum / Maximum Standards in Zoning (Section 34)
This includes determining not only minimum and maximum
building heights, but also the minimum lot sizes required
to accommodate an infill project. These recommendations
will be essential to prohibit the construction of single storey
buildings within the Intensification Areas. Preliminary
recommendations are provided within this document (i.e.
a generally 8-storey character), but should be augmented