HAMLET OF LANGDON CENTRE STREET DESIGN GUIDELINES
VISIONING SESSION REPORT
Submitted to: Rocky View County Calgary, Alberta
Submitted by: Amec Foster Wheeler Environment & Infrastructure Carson McCulloch Associates Ltd. Calgary, Alberta
May 2015
CT154004.0020.3000
Rocky View County Amec Foster Wheeler Centre Street Design Guidelines – Visioning Session Report Environment & Infrastructure Langdon, Alberta May 2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
1.0 INTRODUCTION ...... 1
2.0 OUTLINE FOR PROJECT ENGAGEMENT ...... 1 2.1 SESSION FOCUS AND OUTCOMES ...... 2
3.0 SESSION METHODOLOGY ...... 2 3.1 Date and Location ...... 3 3.2 Stakeholders ...... 2 3.3 Notification ...... 3 3.4 Attendees ...... 3 3.5 Session Format ...... 3
4.0 FEEDBACK ...... 5 4.1 Small-Group Discussions ...... 5 4.2 Reflection Wall ...... 8 4.3 Comment Forms ...... 9
5.0 CONCLUSIONS ...... 12
6.0 NEXT STEPS ...... 12
LIST OF APPENDICES
Appendix A: Visioning Session Invitation Appendix B: Map – What’s Your Interest in Langdon? Appendix C: Comment Form Appendix D: Display Boards
Amec Foster Wheeler Environment & Infrastructure is committed to achieving sustainability through balancing economic growth, social responsibility and environmental protection. Learn more at: http://amecfw.com/aboutus/sustainability.htm.
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1.0 INTRODUCTION The Hamlet of Langdon is one of the fastest growing communities within Rocky View County. The most recent County Census indicates that Langdon had a population of 4897 in 2013, up from 2617 residents in 2006. This corresponds to an annual growth rate of 12.4%.1
The Hamlet is essentially the modern evolution of the classic “Prairie Town” with a “prototypical” main street (Centre Street). Centre Street is the primary transportation corridor and accommodates a variety of development, including single-family homes, businesses and institutional uses such as schools and parkland. It is this main thoroughfare that is the social and commercial centre of the community, while accommodating local and regional traffic and freight movement. With the continued rapid growth of Langdon and development along Centre Street, the corridor has the potential to become a vibrant pedestrian-oriented area that provides residents and visitors with a unique community and “sense of place”.
As part of the Hamlet of Langdon Area Structure Plan process, Rocky View County is currently working to develop design guidelines for Centre Street to aid in creating a unique style aesthetic and character for the streetscape and future building developments within the Centre Street corridor. This will help to establish a sense of place that locals and visitors will be drawn to for business and leisure.
2.0 OVERALL PROJECT ENGAGEMENT PLAN A number of opportunities have been planned to allow stakeholders to provide input on the design guidelines:
Session A: Project Introduction (at Area Structure Plan [ASP] workshop) – The Design Guidelines Project was introduced to the attendees of the Hamlet of Langdon ASP workshop held on April 15, 2015. Display boards and a short presentation were used to provide information on the project, as well as the proposed engagement process. Comment forms were available for participants to provide comments on the project and express interest in participating in the engagement process. Session B: Visioning Workshop – A dedicated workshop was held on May 6, 2015 to collect input from stakeholders on what they want Centre Street to look/feel like to inform the design process (the subject of this report). This input will be used to prepare initial concepts for the streetscape. The presentation and comment form have been posted on the County website so those who could not attend can also provide their input. Session C: Design Refinement (at ASP workshop) – At the ASP workshop planned for June 10, 2015, the initial concepts for the streetscape will be presented to participants for their comments and input. Information and a comment form will be posted on the
1 Rocky View County. 2013. County Census Identifies Divisional Population Changes. Available at http://www.rockyview.ca/NewsEvents/News/tabid/145/Article/933/County-Census-Identifies-Divisional- Population_Changes.aspx. Accessed February 20, 2015.
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County website to allow for further feedback. This input will be used to create the draft design guidelines. Session D: Draft Design Guidelines Presentation – In fall 2015, a joint information session will be held to present the ASP as well as the draft design guidelines. Stakeholders will be provided with an opportunity to discuss the design guidelines as well as provide their comments. Information and a comment form will be posted on the County website to allow for further feedback. This input will be used to refine the final design guidelines.
2.1 VISIONING SESSION FOCUS AND OUTCOMES The focus of the Visioning Session was to collect input from stakeholders on what they want Centre Street to look/feel like to inform the design process. Primary discussion topics included the street, pedestrian connections, parks/open spaces and community character.
Outcomes for participants (what they will experience):
Participants will have had an opportunity to learn more about the design guidelines, including a review of opportunities and constraints. Participants will have had an opportunity to be involved in a discussion on a topic that is important to them and their community. Participants will have experienced talking with a variety of people and hearing an array of viewpoints and opinions. Participants will have had an opportunity to express their ideas, perspectives and concerns in a supported way. Participants will have found the time spent at the workshop to be worthwhile. Output (product/expected results):
Increased understanding of the goals of the Design Guidelines Project and the accompanying public engagement process. Generation of ideas, concerns and other information associated that can be used to create an initial plan for the streetscape. Report on workshop (methodology, input received, results) – provided to workshop attendees and posted on the County website.
3.0 VISIONING SESSION METHODOLOGY The Visioning Session was the second engagement event for the Design Guidelines Project, and is the subject of this report.
3.1 Stakeholders Rocky View County is currently engaging stakeholders on the Hamlet of Langdon ASP. The stakeholder list for the ASP was used as the starting point for this project.
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Stakeholder groups for the Visioning Session included:
residents (in the hamlet and surrounding areas); existing commercial/business owners along Centre Street; relevant business/stakeholder associations (e.g., Chamber of Commerce); landowners along Centre Street; and developers in the hamlet.
3.2 Notification The Visioning Session was advertised using the following methods:
e-mail to those on the ASP mailing list, sent by Rocky View County; mail to all addresses along Centre Street on the County roll; drop off of invitations to all houses/businesses along Centre Street (some businesses posted the invitation as well); street sign at the four-way stop intersection (Glenmore Trail and Centre Street); notice on the Rocky View County website; and notice on the Langdon Community Association website and Facebook page. A copy of the invitation is provided in Appendix A.
3.3 Date and Location The Visioning Session was held on Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at the Langdon Field House from 6:00–8:30 pm.
3.4 Attendees The Visioning Session was attended by 37 people, who classified themselves as follows (note that some people fall into more than one category):
residents – 28; business owners – 6; landowners – 6; and developers – 3.
3.5 Session Format The agenda was as follows:
6:00-6:20 – Sign in and view display boards 6:20-6:35 – Welcome, opening remarks, introductions, review of agenda and ground rules 6:35-6:45 – Project overview presentation
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6:45-7:45 – Small-group discussions at tables 7:45-8:20 – Report back: presentation of table “visions” 8:20-8:30 – Next steps and closing The workshop was facilitated by Amec Foster Wheeler. There were five tables of four to eight people, with a table facilitator at each table to facilitate the small-group discussion.
Upon arriving, participants were asked to sign in, noting if they were a resident (red), business owner (yellow), landowner (green), developer (blue) (or more than one). Each name tag was coded with a colored sticky dot to signify the person’s interest for other people at their table. Participants were also asked to put the same color of sticky dot on a map to show their “area of interest” (e.g., residence, business) in Langdon, as a visual for attendees. (Appendix B contains a copy of the map.) Comment forms were also provided (see Appendix C).
The three display boards from Session A were available for participants to review and get basic information about the Project (see Appendix D).
A Reflection Wall contained three questions:
In the next 15 years, how would you like to describe Centre Street? How would you describe Centre Street to someone who has never been there? What additional information do you need? Participants were invited to write their thoughts on post-its and add them to the Reflection Wall.
A presentation by the Project Manager from Carson ● McCulloch provided information about the Design Guidelines Project, as well as the opportunities and constraints along Centre Street.
After the presentation, participants were asked to discuss three questions in relation to four design elements.
Elements:
the street; pedestrian walkways; parks and open spaces; and community character. Questions:
What do you like about Centre Street? What don't you like about Centre Street? What improvements would you like to see along Centre Street? Landscape architecture, architecture and engineering specialists wandered the room to answer questions where needed. Table facilitators ensured all questions were discussed, and took
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notes of the key concepts brought up by participants. Participants were provided with a number of tools to assist with this task:
a large blank aerial map of Centre Street; a large aerial map of Centre Street showing the areas of opportunities and constraints; sheets illustrating the four elements to be examined; blank street cross sections; trace paper (to redesign elements where needed); and post-its (for notes). Participants were also asked to come up with their table’s “vision” for Centre Street, and were asked to pick a spokesperson to present their vision at the end of the discussions. Participants were also given the option to come up with key elements if their table did not have a common vision.
At the end of the small-group discussions, each table presented their vision for Centre Street.
4.0 FEEDBACK Feedback from participants was provided in three ways:
during small-group discussions at the tables; comments posted on the Reflection Wall; and comments on the comment forms.
4.1 Small-Group Discussions Below is a summary of the various ideas brought forward during the small-group discussions.
Category Comment The Street Access and egress Need defined entrances for businesses Need multiple points of entrance for businesses (not just off Centre Street) Better access and vehicle circulation at the Langdon park entrance (2) Better access to service station Beautification Boulevard in centre, with trees and plants Add trees, shrubs, plants along the street Streets look dirty, old fashioned and unfinished; need to clean them up Buildings Consistent building setbacks Connections Connect nodes of development Only one entry into Langdon; need more access to Glenmore Trail (3) Reroute traffic so large trucks won’t use Centre Street Curbs Add curbs to prevent overhang on sidewalk
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Category Comment Intersections All intersections need improvement Not all intersections are aligned (2) Intersection spacing creates restricted crossing (2) Railway Avenue intersection needs improvement (3) Add pedestrian crossings with lights (5) Use traffic circles instead of lights (dark sky community) School and park have good crosswalk location Lighting Need street lights Movement Traffic and people able to move freely Parking Paved business lots (2) Parking should be in rear of businesses only Need more off-street parking, particularly for large trucks (3) Implement angle parking (3) Define street parking areas Safety Make walking beside/crossing the street safer Big trucks parked on the road reduce visibility Add bike lanes to roadway or dedicated bike paths (2) Street width Widen to 4 lanes (3) Include turning lanes (3) Traffic control Traffic circle by Tim Hortons (2) Speed bumps, traffic calming Lights instead of 4-way stop at Glenmore Trail (2) Decrease and enforce speed limit (2) Pedestrian Walkways Safety Provide safe walkways (2) Beautification Add benches along the pathways (3) Sidewalks Add a sidewalk (2) Add sidewalk on one side down to Boulder Creek (2) Sidewalks on both sides (2) Separate sidewalks from roadway (2) Ensure sidewalks are lighted Pathways Add interpretive pathways (educational, history) Need more pathways leading to Centre Street; there’s a lack of connectivity (2) Need pathway or sidewalk to Boulder Creek Need pathways for pedestrians and bikes Parks and Open Spaces Beautification Add trees and planters (5) Langdon Park Needs two points of access Entrance area is too narrow; needs better access (2) Enhance recreational facilities (not just team sports) Add a water fountain Add picnic areas Add community gathering areas – gazebo, shaded areas, fountains, amphitheatre (4) Add a community garden
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Category Comment Ball diamond location is ok Add a plaza space at the front of the park Add a splash park Trees don’t grow well in the low-lying areas Park access experiences flooding Drainage – stagnant water in park Park is in a good location Open areas Need public seating Add more bike and stroller parking Continue green space to the south Add views into park spaces Add an amenity space by Tim Hortons Point of interest Create a point of interest centered around trains and the railway (4) Carry the railway theme into the park Wetland/joint use site Add a boardwalk for the wetland/riparian area Protect the wetlands (2) Include a recreation facility attached to the school (2) Include baseball, soccer, off leash area, boardwalk, mix of wetland and pathway, picnic area (2) Area will have access issues Community Character Beautification Need more shrubs, trees, flowers Add hanging baskets to make it look pretty Too windy for hanging plants “Good luck” sign is upside down Community entrance – add signage, plantings, rock garden, decorative features, bird houses (4) Land use Have businesses located at the centre of town Good mix of business and residential Re-establish a historic centre in south Langdon Low-density housing Lighting Heritage style lights (2) Decorative lighting Add banners to street lights Vandal-proof lights Retail/businesses Ample retail space available (2) Suggested businesses needed: hardware store, bistro, registry, breakfast restaurant, semi-formal dining, bowling alley (2) Need continuity between businesses Currently like junkyards near auto shops Dual-sided businesses Sense of community Saturday flea market to increase interest in Langdon (2) Sense of place, sense of enclosure Boulder Creek currently feels disconnected (2) Need a meeting place and focal point to link all areas to Centre Street (3) Make Langdon a place people want to stop at, not just drive through
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Category Comment Signage Need entry signage off both Glenmore Trail and Highway 22x – welcome sign with character and functionality (2) Seasonal decorations Add more informative signage Street name Centre Street or Main Street? Theme Heritage style (1890s, early 1900s) (3) Carry the western theme throughout Centre Street Similar in style to Banff, Cochrane (3) Rural community feel; doesn’t look like a city (2) Historic centre is currently a mish-mash of land uses; run down; undeveloped dirt/mud lots Other General Leave lots of room for improvement and space to implement change Make the street a “no idle” zone Need a population that can support a vibrant Centre Street Drainage Need better stormwater management (2) Need a regional drainage solution Utilities Put utility lines underground along/across Centre Street Zoning Some residences are zoned commercial (2) Rezone residential area adjacent to the joint use site
4.2 Reflection Wall Responses to the three questions can be summarized as follows.
1. How would you describe Centre Street to someone who has never been there?
o Shops have early 1900s theme (4) o Local shops, not chain stores o Small portion has old-world charm; rest is used for parking large trucks o Poor walkways and pathways (2) o Lack of parking (2) o No lights o Unsafe for kids and bikes 2. In the next 15 years, how would you like to describe Centre Street?
The Street: o No truck parking along the street o Wider street o Better parking for the park, including angle parking (2) o Free movement of traffic and people
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o Good lighting (2) o Safe for children and pedestrians (2) Pedestrian walkways: o More pedestrian pathways, including to the park (2) o Sidewalks all along both sides (7) Parks and open spaces: o More park areas o Places to sit o Trees, flower/plant beds (4) Community character: o Historical charm and old-fashioned theme (2) o Old fashioned lights o No "business" sign at the entrance o Proper zoning of residential and commercial properties o Consistent streetscape and defined main street (2) 3. What additional information do you need?
o Better advertising for meetings (social media)
4.3 Comment Forms The comment form included a number of questions about the open house and how it was run, as well as requests for thoughts on what should be in the design guidelines. Fourteen (14) people filled out the form. Note that in some cases, participants provided multiple responses to the same question, and in others they did not respond.
1. How did you hear about the Session?
No. of Responses 01234567
Received notice in the mail Rocky View County website E‐mail from the County Word of mouth Poster at a community business Langdon Community Association… Street (roadside) sign No response
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2. Were you able to provide your thoughts and comments in the group discussions?
No. of Responses 02468101214
Yes Somewhat No Don't know/no opinion No response
3. Did you receive enough information to make informed choices about the Centre Street Design Guidelines Project?
No. of Responses 02468101214
Yes Somewhat No Don't know/no opinion No response
4. Were the project team members knowledgeable and thorough in responding to your questions?
No. of Responses 024681012
Yes Somewhat No Don't know/no opinion No response
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5. Were your questions addressed satisfactorily?
No. of Responses 024681012
Yes Somewhat No Don't know/no opinion No response
6. Do you require further information about the Centre Street Design Guidelines Project?
o No information requests were noted 7. Do you have further comments on what you like/what works about Centre Street as it is now?
o Keep the “small town” rural atmosphere and historic theme (6) o Access as a focal point for the hamlet o Access to stores and amenities o Speed limit 8. Do you have further comments on what you don’t like/doesn’t work along Centre Street as it is now?
o Truck parking along the road (2) o Not visitor or pedestrian friendly. Walkways don’t connect, lack of pedestrian access (4) o Have to use ditches for walking o Lack of lights (4) o Not esthetically pleasing o Business parking lots aren’t paved o Lack of trees 9. Are there any improvements you would like to see along Centre Street?
o Improve access to the park o Incorporate an off-leash dog park o Develop the joint use area to incorporate a natural habitat (riparian centre) o Better walkways and pedestrian access (5) o Beautification – trees, shrubs, flowers (3)
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o Continuity between areas o Center boulevard with trees o Bike routes o Better lighting (2) o Bird feeders in the rock gardens (something for the kids in schools or local youth groups to make and maintain) 10. Do you have any other comments you would like to share with us?
o Good brainstorming on all aspects of the “vision” of Centre Street o Would be interested in where it goes o Looking forward to meeting again, and seeing the guidelines o Thanks for bringing us in for feedback
5.0 CONCLUSIONS A number of ideas were raised through the various avenues available at the Visioning Session. Most of the comments received worked together for a common vision: heritage theme throughout, pedestrian friendly, community gathering areas, more aesthetically pleasing.
6.0 NEXT STEPS Below are the next steps for the Design Guidelines Project.
Prepare initial design guidelines – based on input received to date. Session C: Design Refinement – Present the initial design guidelines and get feedback from stakeholders (at the June ASP workshop); also posted on the County website to allow for further comments. Prepare draft design guidelines – based on input received about the initial design guidelines. Session D: Draft Design Guidelines Presentation – Present the draft design guidelines at a community information session in the fall (with the ASP); also posted on the County website to allow for further comments. Prepare final design guidelines – based on input receive about the draft design guidelines. Present the final design guidelines to Rocky View County in the fall.
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Appendix A
Visioning Session Invitation
Appendix B
Map – What’s Your Interest in Langdon?
What is Your Interest in Langdon? red = resident; yellow = business; green = landowner; blue = developer
Appendix C
Comment Form
Appendix D
Display Boards