Intensification Area Urban Design Guidelines - City of Barrie

3.1.1 Natural Heritage Features
There is a significant amount of existing natural heritage
features in the Intensification Areas, particularly Kempenfelt
Bay and the waterfront in the Urban Growth Centre and the
large woodlots along Yonge Street and sections of Essa Road.
Intensification on these corridors should provide strong
visual and physical links to these features as part of an overall
system of parks, open spaces and natural heritage features.
a) Environmental Protection Areas in the Intensification
Areas must be preserved. To protect natural vegetation,
ecological functions and the cultural landscape, all other
natural heritage features should be preserved where
possible.
b) Streets, cycling infrastructure, and multi-use trails should
be used to connect adjacent natural heritage features,
parks and open spaces.
c) Sensitive natural heritage features must be adequately
buffered and linked to other features to ensure that the
natural heritage system is protected, enhanced and
restored, and that ecological systems are not negatively
impacted by intensification.
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d) Opportunities to develop appropriately designed higher
density buildings adjacent to natural heritage features
should be explored to maximize views and awareness of
the landscape. Such developments must comply with the
built form recommendations provided in this document,
and must demonstrate compatibility with adjacent land
uses with respect to sunlight access, views and privacy.
e) Natural drainage networks must be maintained to retain
functional surficial drainage and watercourses and to
support storm water management infrastructure such as
storm water management ponds and in accordance to the
Lake Simcoe Protection Plan.
For additional guidelines related to natural heritage features in
the Mixed-Use and Residential Avenues, please refer to Section
5.1.
For additional guidelines related to natural heritage features in
the Mixed-Use Main Streets, please refer to Section 5.2.
DRAFT