The Township of Mapleton has moved a step forward in preparation of urban design guidelines for Alma, Moorefield and Drayton.
A community information session on the guidelines was held at the PMD Arena Complex on Aug. 17.
Stempski Kelly Associates design planner Sean Kelly offered an overview of the process to councillors and about a dozen residents.
“Urban planning is initiated to encourage investment in the downtown, to create jobs, to retain existing jobs and to improve the functionality and aesthetic appeal of the downtown,” Kelly said.
“The outcome of the guideline process includes financial investments, business expansions, physical improvements to private buildings and a reduction in vacancy rates.”
In March, Mapleton council adopted a Community Improvement Plan.
The first goal of the plan is to meet, find new investments, encourage new business startups or the expansion of existing businesses, and to retain and support existing businesses.
The second goal of the plan is to establish improvements, find functionality in buildings and property, and ensure improvements are consistent with the township’s vision and goals.
As part of the program, signs must promote Mapleton Township.
The township’s role is to encourage private sector investment by participating in community improvements.
“You must realize that rural communities have urban content,” Kelly said.
“Constituents tend to say that a community has lots of green space because it has parks. Green space is not limited to parks. Communities need to celebrate and promote their rural space.”
Kelly continued, “In urban planning, streets matter and are a vital public space. A balance is needed between the needs of the constituent and communal needs.
“Communities need to rely on rural open space with surroundings that are fresh, clean, accessible, have character and are open for business.”
Entry corridors are critical to urban design, said Kelly.
Corridors include the main street, side access streets, gateways, portals, focus places and markers. Products that support these critical elements are site furnishings, greening, lighting and pavement.
Communities need to decide if their downtown is a thoroughfare or a destination.
Eight challenges have been identified in this decision-making process. The first four are using place character as inspiration, mixed aesthetics within streetscapes, deferred maintenance plans and challenges between pedestrian and vehicular use. The last four are past efforts, references to the past, less appealing pedestrian environments and poor building to street relationships.
Kelly suggested decisions need to be made around what embraces/promotes community. Downtowns need consistency in their aesthetics, he explained, noting projects by private individuals or the municipality should not be pushed off.
Accommodations need to be made between vehicular and pedestrian uses. Less appealing pedestrian environments need correction. Building to street relationships should focus on easily identifiable entrances.
“Past efforts need to be put into perspective by respecting the past, understanding the present and anticipating the future,” Kelly said.
“Embracing the legacy is important. References to the past are a large stumbling block in communities.”
Those in attendance were asked to complete a visual preference survey to provide input into the urban design project. Photos of businesses outside of the Mapleton area were shown and participants were asked to rate each photo. Photo categories included signs, awnings, secondary treatments, colour, window dressings and streets.
“Results of the survey will be available to Mapleton Township approximately two weeks after the meeting,” Kelly stated.
“From there the township will work to promote the Community Improvement Plan with implementation in 2018.”
