Intensification Area Urban Design Guidelines - City of Barrie

61 Urban Design Guidelines for Barrie’s Intensification Areas - DRAFT
4.2.2 Structured Parking
Underground parking may not always be an economically
viable option. As a large surface parking lot is undesirable,
above-ground structured parking should be considered.
Above-ground structured parking can be incorporated into
new mixed-use buildings, maintaining a positive urban
environment and allowing for a greater number of spaces and
a more efficient use of land.
a) When a parking structure fronts onto a street or open
space it should be developed with an active at-grade use
with an attractive façade that animates the streetscape
and enhances pedestrian safety.
b) At a minimum, 50% of the ground floor should be occupied
by a use other than parking. In the case of a corner lot, 50%
of the front and side of the building should be occupied by
an alternative use.
c) A vertical mix of parking, residential and/or office above
should be considered a preferred development model,
with parking on the lower floors and residential or office
above. Shallow retail or office units should face the street
minimizing the visual impacts of the structured parking
lots.
d) Vehicular access to parking structures should be located
at the rear and/or side of buildings away from main
building frontages and major streets.
e) Pedestrian entrances for parking structures should be
located adjacent to main building entrances, public
streets or other highly visible locations.
f) Parking within a structure should be screened from
view at sidewalk level and the street-level wall should
be enhanced through architectural detailing and
landscaping.
Please note: Additional structured parking recommendations
may result from the City’s CPTED study (underway).
Structured parking should contain active uses at grade in order to provide
attractive façades, and to animate the streetscape.
DRAFT
The street wall of a parking structure should be enhanced through
architectural detailing and landscaping.