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Houston Downtown Beautification Plan Builds on the Need to Diversify the District’S Economy in Light of Changes to the Local Forest Industry

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Houston Downtown Beautification Plan Builds on the Need to Diversify the District’S Economy in Light of Changes to the Local Forest Industry DistrictDistrict ofof HoustonHouston DowntownDowntown BeautificationBeautification PlanPlan DISTRICT OF HOUSTON DECEMBER, 2018 0716.0021.01 550 - 1090 Homer Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 2W9 | T: 604.235.1701 Contact: Andrew Cuthbert, B.Sc., M.Plan [email protected] Contact: Shasta McCoy, BCSLA [email protected] T: 604.235.1701 URBANSYSTEMS.CA This report is prepared for the sole use of the District of Houston. No representations of any kind are made by Urban Systems Ltd. or its employees to any party with whom Urban Systems Ltd. does not have a contract. Copyright © 2018. District of Houston \\ Downtown Beautification Plan Table of Contents 1 HOW TO USE THIS DOCUMENT ..........................................................2 2 BACKGROUND POLICY CONTEXT ......................................................5 3 ASSESSMENT OF EXISTING CONDITIONS ........................................9 3.1 Overview ....................................................................................................................10 3.2 Strengths and Challenges ..........................................................................................10 3.3 Use of Space .............................................................................................................13 3.4 Concurrent Project Context ........................................................................................14 4 ENGAGEMENT SUMMARY ................................................................. 16 5 TRENDS .............................................................................................. 21 6 BEAUTIFICATION PLAN ..................................................................... 27 6.1 Theme .......................................................................................................................28 6.2 downtown beautification Plan .....................................................................................28 6.3 Quick Wins for Streetscape beautification ..................................................................31 6.4 Big moves ..................................................................................................................36 7 DEVELOPMENT PERMIT RECOMMENDATIONS .............................. 40 7.1 Overview ....................................................................................................................41 7.2 Extent of the Downtown Permit Area..........................................................................42 7.3 Specific recommendations .........................................................................................43 8 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ................................................................... 45 8.1 Urban Design Grants .................................................................................................50 8.2 Next Steps .................................................................................................................52 APPENDIX A –SURVEY AND RESULTS APPENDIX B – DOWNTOWN HOUSTON DEEP UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE CONSIDERATIONS MEMO How to Use This Document The Houston Downtown Beautification Plan builds on the need to diversify the District’s economy in light of changes to the local forest industry. Council identified the need to increase activity downtown, attract and encourage new local businesses, and to make the downtown more attractive for people passing along the highway. The plan incorporates recommendations from existing District documents and policies including the 2018 Official Community Plan - Land Use Plan Update. This document provides guidance and policy for making decisions on the future development and aesthetics of Downtown Houston. CONTEXT AND PURPOSE The District of Houston is a community of roughly 3,000 people located in the Bulkley Valley just south of the Bulkley River at its confluence with Buck Creek. The town is well known for its role in the forest industry and as a prime destination for steelhead fishing. Recent years have brought big shifts in the local forest industry in Houston with the West Fraser Mill closure in 2014. The mill closure solidified the need to diversify the local economy to make the town more resilient in the future. Revitalizing the downtown is an important step to making the community a more resilient and a better place to live overall. At present, Downtown Houston has several thriving businesses run by passionate business owners. The District’s planter and flower bed program provide a welcome splash of colour and life along the streets. Despite this, the downtown struggles with its appearance as dated buildings and empty lots create a feeling of discontinuity. The orientation of downtown is such that downtown businesses back onto the highway and largely screen out that there is even anything to see. The Visitor Center and Steelhead Park are successful draws for highway traffic, but they are physically separated from downtown by the highway (which has few crossing points) making it hard for visitors to make their way over. Additionally, the lack of plaza and park space downtown means that there is nowhere for people to linger or gather. People in the downtown must go elsewhere to enjoy a sit or an outdoor market. This document builds upon previous planning and policy documents to provide a vision for transforming the downtown core into a welcoming and appealing commercial area within Houston that reflects the “Naturally Amazing” community brand as well as the values and needs expressed by the community. Page | 3 PLAN PROCESS The Beautification Plan was prepared through collaboration with the District, stakeholders and the public to provide a practical and implementable Downtown Beautification Plan. Key stakeholders in the plan included downtown business owners, the District Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Centre, and District of Houston staff. The project was initiated by the District of Houston, and the work began in July 2018. The work completed is summarized below, along with future tasks: Table 1 - Planning Process Timeline July 2018 Project Initiation August 2018 Background Research and Survey Released Placemaking In a Week session, walking tours and September 2018 with stakeholders and the public. October and November 2018 Draft Downtown Beautification Plan Revision and Adoption of the Downtown December 2018 Beautification Plan Page | 4 Background Policy Context District of Houston Official Community Plan – Land Use Plan Update: Illustrative Plans: Development Scenarios (2018) The current Official Community Plan (OCP) was adopted in 2010. The plan provides long-term direction and policy for how to shape land use decisions and quality of life improvements to 2025. In 2018, the OCP was updated with a set of illustrative plans and processes to reimagine the District for residents. The OCP Land Use Plan Update emphasizes placemaking as a tool to achieve a stronger economy (by attracting new residents and businesses) and improve access to the community. The Plan describes reorienting buildings towards the river and creating dynamic, unique commercial and public spaces along the water that celebrate the natural environment, including a river promenade. It proses mixed-use infill development, enhanced streetscapes, a downtown service corridor, and pedestrian connections from Downtown to Steelhead Park, the visitor information centre, the Figure 1 - Downtown Commercial/Mixed User Study Area (Land Use Plan Update, 2018) farmer’s market, and across Buck Creek. Parks and Recreation Master Plan (2018) The Parks and Recreation Master Plan aims to inspire people to be active and healthy by providing year-round recreation opportunities; offering diverse programs for people of all ages, abilities, income levels and cultures; and building community by communicating with and involving residents and instilling pride. The Plan reports that upgrading facilities such as Houston Community Hall, located Downtown, is important for cost savings and increasing the level of service provided to the community. The plan emphasizes linking the community through a connected trail system, which would link Downtown to Steelhead Park and the river. Key strategies from this plan that would also apply to creating a vibrant downtown include: • Replacing picnic tables and street furniture that are in visible disrepair • Encourage farmers markets • Promote trail connections and work towards completing the network • Make it easier for local groups to host events and get permits Page | 6 Development Bylaw (2016) The purpose of the bylaw, which consolidates legislative intent and guidelines relating to development, is to create a comprehensive and straightforward document that can be used by those involved in land development. The development bylaw houses direction for form and character guidelines as they relate to the OCP and it also includes the full definitions of the District development zones. Relating specifically to the downtown are directions relating to use, landscaping, parking, signs, and height among other things. This bylaw also includes descriptions of development permit areas including the Downtown Development permit area which has specific policies related to form and character or new development. Houston BC’s Age-Friendly Plan (2014) Houston’s seniors wish to age in place. They want to remain active, socially engaged, and independent, and would like access to recreation, sports, arts, and cultural activities that meet the needs of people of a range of ages and abilities. The Age-Friendly
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