Background & Study Objectives
1.0 WHAT ARE WE UP TO?
The City of Brantford is starting a Neighbourhood Planning exercise for an area located in southwest Brantford.
A second part of the project will be the creation of a “Recreation Plan” for a site within this study area.
City Council is doing these two projects at the same time to make sure that the future recreation facility is located in the right location and to promote partnerships.
2.0 BACKGROUND
NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN:
What is a Neighbourhood Plan?
It is a document that creates a vision for how a neighbourhood is developed and functions.
Why is the City completing a Neighbourhood Plan?
The City of Brantford wants to build a Recreational/Sportfield complex on vacant land in the Southwest part of the City (West of Conklin). In 2008, City Council approved the West of Conklin Secondary Plan (Official Plan Amendment 144). A policy in this Plan requires that a Neighbourhood Plan be completed before any development applications can be approved in the West of Conklin area.
RECREATIONAL PLAN:
What is a Recreational Plan?
It is a document that identifies the appropriate location for recreational facilities and outlines how the facilities will integrate within a neighbourhood (i.e. uses and access).
Why is the City completing a Recreational/Sportfield Plan?
Growth and development in the southwest of the City has resulted in community demand for more recreational facilities including a Community Centre and sports fields. The new 4 pad arena and the additions/renovations to the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre that are currently underway have resulted in the loss of two softball diamonds and a football field. The user groups need these fields replaced and additional football facilities are needed in the near future.
3.0 Study Objectives
The Neighbourhood Plan will address these key items:
- Incorporation of efficient, cost-effective development and land use patterns; the protection of public health and safety; and the achievement of minimum development densities and population ratios as articulated in provincial policy and the City’s Official Plan;
- Usage of community design that incorporates diverse and mixed uses, is scaled to the pedestrian, can accommodate automobiles and transit and has a well defined and high quality public realm (roads, greenlands system and public buildings);
- Conservation of existing natural environmental features and cultural landscapes (to be maintained via the overall design strategy);
- d) Specific design principles in relation to public and private sector development applications, including an identifiable neighbourhood with distinct edges, wide range of housing options, residential-commercial focus that is within a five-minute walk of the majority of residents.
- A Greenland system that includes a variety of parks for an array of recreation and leisure activities; parks, open space, natural heritage features and storm water management facilities forming a connected greenlands system;
- A neighbourhood shall include a continuous trail network for walking and cycling, with the roads providing a network that is appealing for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit facilities, as well as cars.
The Recreation Plan will address these key items:
- Completion of a Site Plan Design for a Recreational/Sportfield Complex within the study area that is a community focal point and an integral part of an active and healthy, environmental conscious neighbourhood;
- Accessibility/Universally designed to accommodate persons of all abilities, referencing the City of Brantford, 2010, Facility Accessibility Design Standards where appropriate;
- Arrangement of elements to promote CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) such as site elements to maximize visibility, decrease opportunity for vandalism, reinforce community ownership and ultimately create a sense of safe community;
- The creation of appealing built environments that support safe walking and cycling with an emphasis on community and healthy active lifestyles.