Overlay combines Messy Vibrancy with Railroad Heritage

Times Contributor 

 

The downtown overlay plans move toward a public hearing on Sept. 18, with a few new changes that were added by a volunteer working group and town administrative and planning staff. 

“The working group is in place and we have had good feedback from the open houses,” said Patricia Maloney, the contract planner retained to help with the project. “It is not a new idea. It is a common tool for the town to use.”

Many communities in Alberta have used overlays as part of their rebranding process and it becomes part of the town’s identity to external audiences.

The first reading of the bylaw has been passed and if council approves second and third reading, staff will move ahead with a special rezoning package. All parts of the plan are expected to improve economic, business, recreational and land use opportunities. Planners are interested in feedback from the public as to where the boundaries should be applied. They are proposing three different sections with possible allowances for different types of residential and commercial use. The specifics proposed by the plan are posted on the Town of Strathmore website www.strathmore.ca

The working committee has chosen to merge “Railroad Heritage” and “Messy Vibrancy” themes in efforts to lend character to the downtown core.  The Railroad Heritage was chosen to recognize the historical ties in the community, and Messy Vibrancy was to increase interest and incorporate art by local artists into the plan. While Messy Vibrancy wasn’t specifically defined, planners used the painted exterior of Strathmore Florist or the gardens of Red Carrot as examples. Murals on bare walls, low maintenance seating, interconnected walkways, upgraded alley accesses and open public areas leading to unique businesses with interesting window displays were also part of the vision.  Unique signs and awnings along with greenery will be encouraged. Presenters did not elaborate how the two theme ideas would be synchronously merged.

In past open houses the downtown business community took exception to forced compliance to the overlay. The plan does not require owners of existing buildings to currently modify their building frontage, but if upgrades are done they will be encouraged to incorporate some of the new components into their plans. The town is hoping to encourage businesses to do this by negotiating nonfinancial benefits for interested parties, or help develop partnerships between businesses. There will be some new requirements for vacant buildings. There was no statistical data presented at this time to measure or evaluate the potential success for the plan, however Maloney stated that to achieve success, the downtown area needs interesting activity and businesses to attract people 24 hours a day, seven days a week. No cost analysis for the plan was presented at the Sept. 6 open house. Many of the town council and operational staff attended.

The town will be responsible for all infrastructure development. For example, installation of unique lighting, subsurface work, handicap friendly  curbs, possible brick pathways and seating areas, maintenance of parks, etc. They have also committed to use town resources to support festivals and events in the downtown areas.

Planners are encouraging residents to continue to submit their suggestions to the Town office. Anyone wanting to present concerns at the public hearing must contact the Municipal Clerk at 403-934-3133 to schedule a time that you will be heard and submit a written summary of what you want to discuss or present by Wednesday, Sept. 11. The overlay is expected to be implemented in the spring of 2014.