Mayor’s Task Force – Street Steering Committee1
June 13, 2002 Minutes
TOWN OF TILLSONBURG
MAYOR’S TASK FORCE
FOR THE STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN DOWNTOWN SOUTH END
MINUTES
STREET STEERING COMMITTEE
Corporate Offices, Town Mall, 2nd Floor, Council Chambers
Thursday, June 13, 2002
7:30 p.m.
Present:Ken Webster, ChairIrene Hurley
Dave MorrisEugene Heath
Michael GravesJuris Berzins
Absent:Lynn Buchner, Richard Lucas, Irv Horton, Bonnie McGlynn, Rick Miggens
1.Approval of Agenda
Moved by M. Graves
Seconded by E. Heath
That the Agenda for the meeting held on June 13, 2002 be approved.
Carried
2.Approval of Minutes of May 14, 2002
Moved by E. Heath
Seconded by M. Graves
That the Minutes of the Street Steering Committee meeting held on May 14, 2002, be approved.
Carried
- South End Site Plan Design Concept – J. Berzins, Urban Design Consultants
K. Webster requested if J. Berzins would be prepared to make the presentation to Council on June 24, 2002. J. Berzins confirmed he would be available and clarified this presentation was included in his initial fee.
J. Berzins stated the Committee must make a decision determining whether the parkette design should be traditional or contemporary. His intent had been to provide the right design for the parkette, which he felt was a traditional design.
J. Berzins proceeded to address the larger issues of the south district. He provided design drawings for the master plan concept for the entire south end indicating the location and types of buildings he envisioned. He noted the master plan should be considered a long-term plan that could grow and develop over time. The design was intended to make the south end more of a precinct. Once the parkette, parking at Sears and parking to the south is established, it will provide the direction for how that section should grow, which would result in more retail use up to London Street.
J. Berzins suggested putting in concrete crosswalks that would create a gateway at the southeast corner intersection of Broadway and Oxford Street. If successful in the south end, this could be mimicked further on up Broadway. (Concrete crosswalks gateways could be installed at the corner of London and Broadway, and again at the corner of Bloomer and Broadway.)
To give the south precinct a more successful flavour, Juris suggested placing central island medians in strategic locations to allow for turning or storage lanes into Sears and other businesses. It would also provide a special identity in the south end unique in character that would not be overly costly to do. The central islands would be landscaped (i.e. using sturdy Shade Master Honey Locust or Pin Oak trees). Concrete and asphalt material would be used, not interlocking brick. The medians would have the appearance of a sidewalk and would appear to give the street back to the pedestrian. If successful, medians could be placed throughout the central business core.
There was general discussion with respect to the area where the used car lot is just off of Oxford. Also discussed was the possibility of reintroducing buildings closer to the street and having the buildings closer together.
J. Berzins commented that for ascetic appeal, every building should be two stories or alternatively have a mansard (60 degree angled roof) to give the appearance of a storey and a half.
With respect to the parkette, J. Berzins provided a new elevation drawing featuring a fence that had traditional brick piers in critical locations supporting wrought iron fencing. This addressed the solid wall concerns in the previous design. J. Berzins widened the laneway into the parking lot by two metres (which did not affect the park). He added a large band of impressed concrete, which made the walkways 5 metres wide. The fountain wall was brick with coping stone and the design included five benches strategically placed around the park. He also added a median walkway that went through the fenced area into the parking lot. An 8” high curb will be placed around the parking lot.
J. Berzins provided some alternate landscaping ideas and suggested putting in three large Crimson Maples. Lockstone brick paving would be done around the edges of the fountain. The new design concept allowed for 22 to 24 parking spaces.
J. Berzins highly recommended the Town use a traditional design with traditional materials and landscaping.
M. Graves stated he felt the modified design was a great modification, with its wider walkways, iron fences and benches. He also felt the elevation view for the street was fantastic.
D. Morris asked about lighting. J. Berzins clarified that the design included up-lighting from the fountain and into the mist, included the downtown lighting at the corner and provided 3 or 4 lights along the walkways. Irene Hurley suggested putting lighting in the pillars.
J. Berzins highly recommended the Committee go forward with the heritage street signs and street lighting upgrades right away, which would positively signify the beginning of the new improvements.
K. Webster requested J. Berzins provide a package to Council for their review after the presentation. J. Berzins will provide Council with a design package including an executive summary explaining all the 10 points of his mandate.
J. Berzins suggested using the existing light poles and retro-fitting the luminaries. The Committee generally agreed with this suggestion.
J. Berzins estimated the heritage street signs (to include two poles with two sign blades per pole per intersection including side street signs) would cost approximately $10,000 for the entire BIA area. He suggested using black poles and hunter green signs in keeping with a traditional theme. J. Berzins recommended that he discuss the street signs and street lighting at the end of the presentation for Council.
Moved by M. Graves
Seconded E. Heath
“IT WAS RESOLVED THAT Juris Berzins of Urban Design Consultants would present the entire design concept package recommended by the Street Steering Committee to Council on June 24, 2002, for their approval in principal.”
Carried
D. Morris will prepare the resolution for Council’s approval. D. Morris indicated there is some reserve money that may be available for this project.
It was determined that J. Berzins had provided all items from his mandate accept some final elevations and the design concept presentation to Council.
4.Determine Next Meeting Date
Presentation to Council on June 24, 2002. Mayor’s Task Force Committee and BIA to be advised.
The next Street Steering Committee Meeting will be called by the chair.
5.Adjournment
Moved by M. Graves
Seconded by E. Heath
“AND RESOLVED THAT the meeting be adjourned at 9:00 p.m.”
Carried