special planning program (ppu) - Ville de Mont
Transcription
special planning program (ppu) - Ville de Mont
SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM (PPU) ROYALMOUNT SECTOR TOWN OF MONT-ROYAL JUNE 22, 2015 THIS Special Planning Program was prepared by: Sylvain Gariépy, Urban Planner LEED GA, Permit number 983 Samuel Ferland, Urban Planner, Permit number 1456 Valérie Charest, Urban Planning Intern TABLE OF CONTENTS 1- BACKGROUND Introduction Objectives and approach Intervention zone 5 6 7 8 2-CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ZONE Intervention context Economic portrait Urban form Street layout Built environment Land use Transportation and traffic conditions Vehicular access Public transit and active transportation Opportunities Constraints 11 12 14 16 16 17 18 24 24 28 31 32 3-DEVELOPMENT VISION 33 4-DEVELOPMENT ORIENTATIONS & OBJECTIVES 35 5-IMPLEMENTATION Development interventions Land Use Plan - Montréal urban agglomeration Planning Program - land use Street layout Active transportation network Public transit network Green spaces Interventions applicable to the By-law concerning municipal works agreements Program for the acquisition of immovable property Additional studies to be carried out Action Plan 43 44 44 44 45 46 46 47 49 49 49 50 1 BACKGROUND INTRODUCTION The approach to preparing the Special Planning Program (programme particulier d’urbanisme - PPU) for the Royalmount Sector is based on the desire of the Town Council to begin thinking about the redevelopment of its industrial sector and the economic development of this zone. With this urban planning tool, the Town of Mount Royal will be able to equip itself with the legal and financial means to consolidate this space, strategically located at the intersection of the Metropolitan Autoroute (A40), Côte de Liesse (A520) and the Décarie Expressway (A15). Structurally, this sector has undergone many transformations similar to other industrial zones in Greater Montreal, and following the worldwide trend towards expanding the tertiary sector of their economies, and their production and manufacturing lines. The heavy industrial activities that for so long characterized the 19th and 20th centuries have been gradually eliminated form the urban landscape, leaving distinctive traces of the city’s railway and industrial past on the Montreal scene. These economic evolutions have of course affected the present-day structure of towns and cities, so much so that the conversion and redevelopment of the industrial sectors are now causing serious problems in terms of development. Decontamination, the adaptation of lots to new contingencies, standards and expectations in order to accommodate new uses, the replacement of out-of-date buildings that are difficult to convert, and the rehabilitation and recycling of industrial building - these are all major challenges to which several towns and cities are attempting to respond. However, the gradual evolution of these areas offers real opportunities for urban requalification and the densification of the built environment, from the point of view of sustainable development and innovation. By using this planning tool (the PPU), the Royalmount Sector will be able to set itself apart and shine from within the heart of the metropolis. The Town of Mount Royal feels that the adoption of the PPU is the best option to ensure the implementation of a viable and profitable project not only for itself, but also for the Montreal Metropolitan Community (MMC/CMM). 6 / SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM (PPU) - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR | TOWN OF MONT ROYAL OBJECTIVES AND APPROACH The PPU forms an integral part of the Planning Program, and is a made-to-measure instrument for managing the sector’s evolution, and making sure that it conforms to the municipal vision and orientations. This document is in line with the planning tools put in place by the metropolis, such as the Metropolitan Land Use and Development Plan (PMAD) (Plan métropolitain d’aménagement et de développement), and the Land Use Planning and Development Plan of the Montréal agglomeration (SAD) (Schéma d’aménagement et de développement de l’agglomération de Montréal). It also gives details of all the objectives of the Town of Mount Royal’s Planning Program relative to the future of this zone, which is in a constant state of transformation. In light of the constant evolution of the surrounding areas and the type of planning to be undertaken for the conversion of the Royalmount Sector, the Town must equip itself with the legal instruments needed to put in place tangible means to favour growth in the sector. The intervention zone targeted by the PPU has therefore been designated as the central sector of the Town of Mount Royal. In conformity with the provisions in the Act respecting Land-Use Planning and Development (LAU) (Loi sur l’aménagement et l’urbanisme), the Town could proceed with the acquisition of properties with a view to transferring or leasing them for private purposes listed in this document. TOWN OF MONT ROYAL | SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR / 7 INTERVENTION ZONE BOROUGH OF SAINT-LAURENT Royden Road Devonshire Road Du Collège Metro Station De la Savane Metro Station Royalmount Avenue Ferrier Street Namur Metro Station CITY OF CÔTE-SAINT-LUC 8 / SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM (PPU) - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR | TOWN OF MONT ROYAL TH NOR Located to the south-west of the Décarie interchange, the zone targeted by the PPU is bordered by two major highway axes in the Montreal road network: the Metropolitan Autoroute (A40), which forms the main east-west highway route across the Island of Montreal, and Autoroute 15 (A15), which connects the northern and southern suburbs of Montreal. The PPU zone is also bordered by the boundaries of the boroughs of Saint-Laurent on the north and Côtes-des-neiges - Notre-Dame-de-Grâce on the south. The PPU zone covers an area of about 70 hectares and is precisely defined by the following boundaries: TOWN OF MONT-ROYAL ■■ ON THE NORTH by the Metropolitan Autoroute (A40); ■■ ON THE EAST by the Décarie Interchange and the rear boundary lines of the lots fronting on the southbound service lane of the Décarie Expressway ; ■■ ON THE SOUTH by Ferrier Street; ■■ ON THE WEST by a portion of the rear boundaries of lots along the southern part of the west side of Devonshire Street. Further south, Devonshire Road becomes the PPU boundary line. NOTE TO THE READER: References to the points of the compass given in this document are based on the geographic coordinates people commonly use to orientate themselves in the Montreal area, and not on geographic (true) north. BOROUGH OF CÔTE-DES-NEIGESNOTRE-DAME -DE-GRÂCE TOWN OF MONT ROYAL | SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR / 9 2 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ZONE INTERVENTION CONTEXT The zone forms an integral part of the Town of Mount Royal’s industrial sector, which covers 205 hectares, or about 35% of the Town’s total surface area. The Canadian National (CN) railway line splits the industrial sector into two separate sections, and there is no road axis that connects the eastern part to the western part. In 2015, the entire industrial sector had 440 businesses employing 12,009 people, distributed among 125 buildings, with a total floor area of 10 million square feet (929,030 m2). NO RTH The structural organization of the industrial sector has changed profoundly over the last ten years. Most of the businesses now established within the sector are wholesale businesses and distribution centres, taking the place of the traditional manufacturing industries that in the past were present in greater numbers. Aware of this new trend, the Town of Mount Royal has been supporting local initiatives, particularly the Quartier Design Royalmount, which encourages the establishment of new businesses specializing in design and decoration within the industrial sector. Incidentally, players in the area and the municipal authorities have strengthened this dynamic by supporting this growing demand. Thus within the intervention zone, the urban dynamic is now marked by a change in activities, particularly along Royalmount Avenue and on Devonshire Street. Here we see the gradual replacement of traditional industrial uses by commercial activities and services. This new destination is thus benefitting from expertise in interior design - there are currently about sixty businesses involved in design, furniture and lighting, to name just a few. We also see an increase in the number of major brand businesses in the fashion industry, such as American Apparel, Le Château, Dynamite, Garage and Manteau Manteau, which are setting up their head offices or distribution centres in the intervention zone. 12 / SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM (PPU) - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR | TOWN OF MONT ROYAL The areas surrounding the PPU sector are showing strong signs of urban revitalization, which is gradually taking place, especially east of the Décarie Expressway, with the development of the Triangle Namur/Jean-Talon project (when completed, this project will provide 4,000 new apartments), and to the south, with the conversion of the former Blue Bonnets Hippodrome into a mixed-use, mainly residential development. The intervention zone is also situated close to several structuring entities in the metropolis, such as the Cité scientifique de Montréal, the Côte-Saint-Luc sorting yards, the Saint-Laurent campus, the Éco-campus Hubert Reeves in the Technoparc de Montréal, and the Namur/Carré Décarie commercial zone. FINDINGS ■■ Surrounding areas are being revitalized ■■ Reorientation of the sector towards interior design and the fashion industry within the PPU sector ? ISSUE ■■ Revitalization of the sector in response to the new vocation of the surrounding areas and on the periphery of the intervention zone. Former Blue Bonnets Modeling of the Triangle Namur/Jean-Talon Project Source: flickr.com Source: ville.montreal.qc.ca TOWN OF MONT ROYAL | SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR / 13 ECONOMIC PORTRAIT The Town of Mount-Royal’s Industrial Sector Covering 35% of the territory of the Town of Mount Royal, the industrial sector generates close to half of the Town’s tax revenues. It therefore plays a central role in terms of income from taxes. Moreover, this industrial sector provides just over 60% of all the jobs available within the municipality. In 2015, the Town of Mount Royal’s industrial sector comprised: 440 BUSINESSES 12 009 JOBS The jobs offered in the industrial sector in 2015 are distributed across four main sectors. SERVICES AND ADMINISTRATION PRODUCTION AND MANUFACTURING Includes all services offered to thepublic and to businesses. Comprises the on-site manufacture and production of various goods. RETAILS SALES DISTRIBUTION CENTRES (WHOLESALE) Direct sales consumers. of goods to Businesses specializing in the unloading and distribution of wholesale goods. An analysis of the provenance of these jobs in the four economic sectors presented shows that their distribution is virtually the same, both in the industrial sector as a whole and in the zone demarcated by this PPU. The latter provides 3,651 jobs, representing 30% of all jobs counted in the Town of Mount Royal’s industrial sector. IINDUSTRIAL SECTOR AND PPU TOWN OF MONT-ROYAL 9% 16 % 18 % 61 % Service and administration 11 % 52 % 11 % Retail sales 17 % Distribution centres (wholesale) Production and manufacturing These figures demonstrate the major role played by the tertiary sector in the industrial sector of the Town of Mount Royal. 14 / SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM (PPU) - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR | TOWN OF MONT ROYAL Trends inindustrial activity in Montreal’s Centre-de-l’Île GREATER METROPOLITAN REGION (2015) 315 225 345 FT² OF FLOOR AREA 7.3 % VACANCY RATE MONT-ROYAL INDUSTRIAL SECTOR (AS AT APRIL 16, 2015) 10 000 000 FT² OF FLOOR AREA 7.0 % VACANCY RATE The Town of Mount Royal’s industrial sector is keeping an eye on the metropolitan trend in terms of vacancy rates in its industrial premises. To reduce the vacancy rate and ensure that their premises will be leased, many owners are converting their industrial spaces into commercial premises. In fact, the redevelopment of industrial buildings continues to gain momentum, especially in the submarket of the Centre-de-l’Île, to meet the demand for new office, residential and retail sales space. An eloquent example of this type of conversion can be seen in the former textile plants in the Chabanel area. Building renovations, as well as their conversion into offices and stores, have breathed new life into this sector. The neighbourhood is once again attractive. Current market conditions are pushing owners of older industrial buildings to renovate and improve their properties in the hope of making them more attractive in the eyes of users. In the main, the Town of Mount Royal’s industrial sector was built in the 1950s and 1960s. The buildings here were constructed to meet the needs of the manufacturing industry, which characterized the economic conditions of that time. The resulting built environment therefore consists of many large buildings with very large footprints, and these are still present on the site. Dividing these buildings into smaller spaces will therefore allow more than one use per building, in line with the strategy seen across the job sectors in Montreal’s Centre-de-l’Île with the purpose of reducing the vacancy rate in industrial buildings. TOWN OF MONT ROYAL | SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR / 15 ECONOMIC PORTRAIT Several initiatives have been undertaken to inject enthusiasm into the Town of Mount Royal’s industrial sector and attract businesses there. One of these initiatives was the creation of the Quartier Design Royalmount (QDR). These decisions have favoured the diversification of the industrial sector by including several commercial uses, which encourages the establishment of new business as well as job creation. Property owners need to understand that the needs in terms of floor area in relation to the largest economic sector - services and administration - require smaller premises than those currently offered in the PPU zone. Buildings with large footprints that were once needed for manufacturing uses no longer meet the criteria for businesses that wish to choose Mount Royal as their home. Nevertheless, the strategy of subdividing premises has its limits. The economic redevelopment of the industrial sector must also find other means of action to create opportunities that benefit from structuring projects, such as reviewing the regulatory framework and authorized uses in the PPU sector. The diversification of uses and the requalification of vacant spaces in the zone defined by the PPU are thus becoming major assets in the re-appropriation of the sector. FINDINGS ■■ Tertiary economic sector dominates ■■ Current offer in available floor space does not reflect the needs of the current market ■■ Sector represents a large portion of the tax revenue for the Town of Mount Royal ■■ Similar vacancy rate to that of the Montreal region ? ISSUES ■■ Diversification of uses ■■ Rental space offer that meets the needs of the market ■■ Consolidation and maintenance of the sector’s job hub Sources: Jones Lang LaSalle Services Immobilliers, Inc., Colliers International Montréal, CLD Les 3 Monts, Statistique Canada, Town of Mont-Royal (Web site). 16 / SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM (PPU) - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR | TOWN OF MONT ROYAL URBAN FORM STREET LAYOUT The analysis of the street layout reveals the specificity of the industrial environment, particularly the irregularity of the blocks and their sizes, which were designed to meet the needs of the former heavy industry activities (large spaces for manufacturing, loading, warehousing). The presence of immense blocks and the construction of several buildings on the same lot greatly limit permeability and accessibility in the sector, which has about 50 lots varying in area between 1,000 m² and 44,500 m². The street layout in the PPU zone was very much determined by the CN railway tracks, several of which remain today, splitting the sector in two. The industrial sector’s railway past preconditions the urban form, mainly in the northern porion, which has practically no public roads crossing it. This situation is due to the fact that previously, this area was served directly by the railway lines. This area therefore remains very isolated, with few roads in or out, despite having the A40 and the A15 right on its boundary lines TH NOR TOWN OF MONT ROYAL | SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR / 17 BUILT ENVIRONMENT The study of the built environment revealed buildings with very large footprints, but with variations in terms of form and placement on the lot, depending on the needs of the businesses established there. Most of the buildings date from the 1950s and 1960s. The buildings are two and three storeys in height, except for a few more recent structures along Décarie Boulevard. These are higher density, and some rise to 7 storeys in height. Functional architecture dominates the landscape in the zone, and there are many blank façades. The architectural design of the building is therefore undemonstrative and offers little aesthetic appeal. Several of these industrial buildings have been converted a good many times to meet the evolving needs of the new businesses with a commercial vocation (distribution centres and wholesale businesses). Nevertheless, in most cases, converting these buildings gives rise to functional problems. In fact, several loading areas that were originally designed for use alongside the railway line were later re-used to accommodate heavy vehicles, making them obsolete and not very safe. In addition, the absence of a turning area on certain lots obliges trucks to turn on the public thoroughfare, which hinders traffic flow. Some front margins now serve as loading bays, which compromises the aesthetic appeal of the façades and has a negative effect on the establishment of various types of businesses. Others have converted these margins into parking areas, thereby creating even more hard surfaces in the sector to the detriment of green zones. However, it should be noted that there have been some beneficial actions, such as the Town of Mount Royal’s support for the revitalization of the industrial sector by the setting up of a grant program for the renovation, modernization or construction of industrial premises. 18 / SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM (PPU) - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR | TOWN OF MONT ROYAL URBAN FORM LAND USE The land-use plans illustrate the presence of a variety of urban uses. Large buildings house heavier activities related to manufacturing or distribution. A few production or warehousing industries have now been established within the large lots, such as Unilever and Dollarama. Retails stores are concentrated along Royalmount Avenue and Devonshire Street, supported by the establishment of the Quartier Design Royalmount. For most of the stores that have set up in the PPU zone, the summary conversion of former industrial buildings has allowed them to take advantage of a strategic location close to the highway network, which provides direct access to downtown Montreal. A variety of businesses share the buildings mostly services, administration and retail sales activities, including a few head offices, all of which contribute to urban uses. The profile along the glass gallery of Décarie Boulevard presents a somewhat different built environment comprised of buildings that are between 2 and 7 storeys high. These more recent buildings house high tech businesses such as Ericsson Canada. However, this company recently announced that it was moving. Moreover, some of the buildings that form this glass gallery are situated in the Borough of Côte-des-Neiges – Notre-Dame-de-Grâce. TOWN OF MONT ROYAL | SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR / 19 * De la Savane Metro Station Royalmount Avenue Royalmount Avenue Ferrier Steet Ferrier Street * Headquater 115 115 Distribution Centre TH NOR Devonshire Road De la Savane Metro station Royalmount Avenue De la Savane Metro Station Royalmount Avenue Ferrier Street Ferrier Street 115 LEGEND Retail Sales Namur Metro Station Namur Metro Station Devonshire Road LEGEND De la Savane Metro Station Devonshire Road Devonshire Road TH NOR 115 Production and Manufacturing Multiple Uses Namur Metro Station Namur Metro Station * Royalmount Avenue De la Savane Metro Station * Headquater 115 20 / SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM (PPU) De la Savane Metro Station Royalmount Avenue * Ferrier Street LEGEND Devonshire Road Devonshire Road TH NOR Ferrier Street Services and Administration Namur Station - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR Metro | TOWN OF MONT ROYAL 115 Quartier Design Royalmount Establishments Namur Metro Station URBAN FORM LAND USE Despite the combined efforts of the Town and the players involved in the revitalization of the QDR zone, several lots remain empty and offer a real opportunity for the redevelopment of the sector. The north-east portion is largely unused and consists of lots devoted to off-street parking and vacant wasteland. On the other hand, several imposing buildings offer premises for rent. Initially built to house large production lines, these older structures are not easy to convert or to divide into smaller premises. As for green spaces and public areas, they seem non-existent in this part of the Town, and the open spaces on the lots of most establishments are devoid of any landscaping features. In addition, large areas of hard surfaces in this part of the industrial sector, the form of the built environment and the presence of major highways all help to create large heat islands that affect the quality of the environment. Vast parking areas characterize the north-east portion of this sector LEGEND Coolest Cool Average Warm Hot A few premises remain vacant The heat island map demonstrates the strong presence of heat islands Source : donnees.gouv.qc.ca PPU Zone TOWN OF MONT ROYAL | SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR / 21 Devonshire Road 3 1 VACANT LOTS of 5000 m² to 40 000 m² TH NOR 2 De la Savane Metro Station 86 630 ft² (8 048 m²) of PREMISES TO RENT Royalmount Avenue 4 as of April 16, 2015 Ferrier Street 115 1 3 Namur Metro Station 2 4 22 / SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM (PPU) - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR | TOWN OF MONT ROYAL URBAN FORM FINDINGS ■■ Sector has poor permeability with huge heat islands ■■ Street layout helps to create isolated areas ■■ Built environment consists of structures with large footprints and of little architectural value ■■ Gradual transition from industrial activities, distribution and warehousing to retail stores and offices ■■ Several lots in the north-east portion are vacant ? ISSUES ■■ Revitalization of the sector in line with the new needs of businesses orientated towards tertiary uses ■■ Densification of the built environment ■■ Creation of public and green spaces ■■ Improving access to and within the sector TOWN OF MONT ROYAL | SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR / 23 TRANSPORTATION CONDITIONS AND VEHICULAR ACCESS VEHICULAR ACCESS Located in the south-west quadrant of the Décarie Interchange close to the Côte-de-Liesse Interchange, the sector experiences very dense, and frequently congested, car traffic. In fact, thousands of drivers travel through the Décarie Interchange highway hub, which logs major traffic flows. Situated 10 km from Montreal’s downtown, and the same distance from the PierreElliot-Trudeau International Airport, this portion of the Town, while in a precarious situation in terms of accessibility, enjoys a strategic location in the region. The configuration of the road network, in particular the elevated structure for the A40, the trench structure for the A15 and the dead-end streets in the sector, means that users must have good prior knowledge of how to access the site. DÉCARIE INTERCHANGE 280 000 vehicules per hour 24 / SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM (PPU) - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR | TOWN OF MONT ROYAL FROM THE NORTH FROM THE SOUTH Devonshire Road Devonshire Road TH NOR De la Savane Metro Station De la Savane Metro Station Royalmount Avenue Royalmount Avenue Ferrier Street Ferrier Street Namur Metro Station Namur Metro Station FROM THE EAST FROM THE WEST De la Savane Metro Station Devonshire Road Devonshire Road TH NOR De la Savane Metro Station Royalmount Avenue Royalmount Avenue Ferrier Street Ferrier Street Namur Metro Station Namur Metro Station TOWN OF MONT ROYAL | SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR / 25 TRANSPORTATION CONDITIONS AND VEHICULAR ACCESS VEHICULAR ACCESS • • North-south axis connects to the street from Côte-deLiesse; Provides a limited physical link, southbound only, with the Borough of Saint-Laurent. DEVONSHIRE ROAD DEVONSHIRE ROAD : ROYALMOUNT AVENUE : • • • East-west artery across Décarie Expressway that connects with the de la Savane Street; Provides a link with the Borough Côte-Des-NeigesNotre-Dame-de-Grâce; West-bound, it ends in a dead end near the CN installations. ROYALMOUNT AVENUE TH NOR ROYDEN ROAD : • • Sole north-south axis serving part of the north-east portion; Ends in a dead end in the parking belonging to Ericsson. • • ROYDEN ROAD FERRIER STREET : Southern boundary of the intervention zone; East-west axis ending in a dead end further west, it crosses the Décarie Expressway to Mountain Sights Avenue. FERRIER STREET 26 / SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM (PPU) - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR | TOWN OF MONT ROYAL In addition, several highway projects will provide neighbouring boroughs and towns with easy access to the sector via Royalmount Avenue, with the proposed connection for Cavendish Boulevard. This new link will facilitate travel between the PPU zone, the City of Côte-Saint-Luc and the Borough of Saint-Laurent, as well as de-isolating the western portion of the Town of Mount Royal’s industrial sector. However, a traffic study would need to be carried out to measure the impacts on traffic for this proposed link. Moreover, the proximity of highway infrastructures creates certain nuisances, such as noise, air pollution, dust, light pollution from highway illumination, and the heat island effect. Trucking The trucking map for the Montreal Urban Agglomeration shows that unlimited heavy vehicle traffic is authorized on the network of roads in Mount Royal’s industrial sector. The heavy concentration of industrial and commercial activities in the sector creates much traffic (trucks and cars) that continues at all times of the day and night. In addition, some trucks must turn on the public thoroughfare itself because of insufficient space on private properties, thus interfering with the flow of traffic. TOWN OF MONT ROYAL | SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR / 27 TRANSPORTATION CONDITIONS AND VEHICULAR ACCESS PUBLIC TRANSIT AND ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION The intervention zone for the PPU is located close to the De la Savane Metro station situated to the east of the Décarie Expressway. To reach the sector is a ten-minute walk. Pedestrians can cross the highway using Royalmount Avenue. The Namur Metro station also borders the A15 further to the south. It is possible to reach the sector via Paré and Ferrier streets, or Royalmount Avenue (de la Savane), which crosses over the A15. This Metro station will provide public transit service for the Blue Bonnets and Triangle Namur/Jean-Talon projects. The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) also runs several bus lines on the periphery of the sector. However, Line 115 is the only one serving this portion of the sector. The circuit only operates during peak times - 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mondays to Fridays. The following bus circuits serve the surrounding areas: • 17 - Décarie • 100 - Crémazie • 460 - Metropolitan Express 28 / SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM (PPU) - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR | TOWN OF MONT ROYAL Conditions for active transportation are somewhat rudimentary. While most of the streets in the sector have sidewalks on either side of the street, the absence of green space and planting along the public thoroughfares and the lack of any rhythm in the façades make active travel uninteresting. These conditions affect the perception of pedestrians in relation to the distances to be walked. Even so, there is a large amount of pedestrian traffic here, due to the types of activities in the sector that often require large numbers of employees engaged in shift work. There is no formal bike path or signage in the sector for travel by bicycle, so cycling is not encouraged. Moreover, heavy vehicles and cars already share the road in this area, making it less conducive to active transportation Car-sharing systems such as Car2Go and Communauto are not available within the industrial sector. 115 Devonshire Road 73 76 100 115 220 460 115 Royalmount Avenue Ferrier Street 17 115 De la Savane Metro Station 115 Namur Metro Station 92 LEGEND Radius of 800 m around the site (= 10 minutes walking time) STM bus line Bus line that crosses the sector PPU zone TOWN OF MONT ROYAL | SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR / 29 TH NOR TRANSPORTATION CONDITIONS AND VEHICULAR ACCESS FINDINGS ■■ Sector characterized by heavy traffic and complex accessibility ■■ Roads are open to trucking at all times ■■ Bus line that serves the area is available only on weekdays during peak times ■■ De la Savane Metro station is close by ■■ Conditions for active transportation are precarious ? ISSUES ■■ Introduction of safe, active mobility ■■ Introduction of good links to Metro stations ■■ Increase in the frequency and number of bus lines ■■ Coexistence of trucking and the current and future activities in the sector ■■ Sharing of the road by the various users ■■ Reducing nuisances 30 / SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM (PPU) - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR | TOWN OF MONT ROYAL OPPORTUNITIES The findings and challenges raised previously have shed light on the various opportunities and constraints associated with the economic redevelopment and revitalization of the sector. When summarized, they point to the key factors that must be considered in the thought process. 1_STRATEGIC POSITIONING OF THE SECTOR IN MONTREAL’S CENTRE-DE-L’ÎLE ■■ Proximity to two major highway axes (A40 and A15); ■■ Proximity to downtown Montreal and to the Pierre-Elliot Trudeau International Airport (10 km). 2_EXCELLENT CONDITIONS FOR VISIBILITY ■■ The north-east portion has the advantage of being an important showcase for the sector. 3_REVITALIZATION OF THE SECTOR ■■ New redevelopment projects (Triangle Namur/Jean-Talon and former Blue Bonnets hippodrome) close by, which will attract several thousand new residents); ■■ Increased presence of commercial activities in place of heavy industry; ■■ Local initiatives, such as the Quartier Design Royalmount, to consolidate commercial uses related to interior design and the fashion industry. 4_AVAILABILITY OF LAND IN THE SECTOR ■■ Presence of large vacant land sites or large blocks used for parking. 5_PROXIMITY OF PUBLIC TRANSIT INFRASTRUCTURES ■■ De la Savane Metro station is situated close to the sector; ■■ A few bus lines serve this portion of the zone. TOWN OF MONT ROYAL | SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR / 31 CONSTRAINTS 1_ISOLATION OF THE SECTOR ■■ Highway structure is trenched (A15) and elevated (A40); ■■ Poor access in and out of the area caused by the absence of through streets and the presence of huge lots . 2_ ACCESSIBILITY IS COMPLEX FOR ALL TYPES OF USERS ■■ Little direct access from major highways; ■■ Use of streets by heavy vehicles (trucks) and cars; ■■ Need to cross over the A15 Expressway to reach the De la Savane Metro station; ■■ Absence of infrastructures devoted to active transportation; immediate environment is not user-friendly for active users. 3_MANAGEMENT OF HIGHWAY NUISANCES ■■ Noise, dust, air pollution, lighting and heat islands. 4_OBSOLESCENCE IN THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE URBAN FABRIC URBAN FABRIC ■■ De-structured urban fabric; ■■ Buildings with large footprints (high lot coverage rate), which makes them difficult to convert and meet the evolving needs of new types of activities (parking, loading); ■■ Functional architecture sometimes presents blank walls and rudimentary aesthetics. 32 / SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM (PPU) - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR | TOWN OF MONT ROYAL 3 DEVELOPMENT VISION VISION The development vision reflects the image desired for the Royalmount Sector. It is based on the findings in the territory studied. Moreover, it serves as a guide for planning the type of development desired by the community and the municipal authorities. The challenges raised will be addressed in terms of the guidelines established by this vision. This vision is broken down into orientations, objectives and methods to allow the municipal authorities to plan and prioritize the actions to be taken over the coming years. FOR AN ENVIRONMENT TO PROSPER,IT NEEDS A ‘‘ FLOURISHING, SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY, ORIENTED Source: archplatforma.ru Source: archdaily.com ‘‘ TOWARDS A MULTI-USE VOCATION Source: landezine.com Source: landezine.com 4 DEVELOPMENT ORIENTATIONS & OBJECTIVES TOWN OF MONT ROYAL | SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR / 35 DEVELOPMENT ORIENTATIONS AND OBJECTIVES ORIENTATION 1_ ENRICH URBAN FUNCTIONS IN THE SECTOR BY DIVERSIFYING THE USES AUTHORIZED The goal of this orientation is to increase the number and types of uses to be authorized in the sector. In this way, the Town will be in a position to diversify its economy and thus satisfy the needs of its residents and the economic market. In addition, it will create opportunities for redeveloping the sector’s economy. The harmonious coexistence and the complementarity of the uses are highly desirable assets. OBJECTIVE 1.1 Diversify economic activities, thus providing for the establishment of new types of businesses in the sector. OBJECTIVE 1.2 Strengthen the commercial vocation of the Quartier Design Royalmount (QDR). ORIENTATION 2_ OPTIMIZE THE EFFICIENCY OF THE ROAD NETWORK TO FACILITATE MOTORIZED TRAVEL AND ACCESS TO THE SITE Several challenges point to issues related to traffic and access to the site. This second orientation offers solution pathways, to avoid overloading the network, both on existing roads and on proposed routes, and to improve conditions for vehicular access. OBJECTIVE 2.1 1 Ensure smooth traffic flow by means of a permeable street layout and an easily accessible parking network. OBJECTIVE 2.2 Increase access to the site from highways. OBJECTIVE 2.3 Meet the needs for the delivery and transportation of merchandise. 1 Dynamic road signage system, Source: www.lacroix-signalisation.com 36 / SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM (PPU) - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR | TOWN OF MONT ROYAL 2 3 4 5 6 2 Mixed-use building, Philadelphia Source: inhabitat.com 3 7 Simons Center Park, New York, USA Source: landezine.com 4 Elevated parking garage, Miami, USA Source: dezeen.com 5 Simons Center Park, New York, USA Source: landezine.com 6 Street development, Victoria, Australia Source: archdaily.com 7 Street design, Barcelona, Spain Source: afasiaarq.blogsport.com TOWN OF MONT ROYAL | SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR / 37 DEVELOPMENT ORIENTATIONS AND OBJECTIVES ORIENTATION 3_ MAXIMIZE THE USE OF VACANT SPACES BY INTENSIFYING ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES The aim of this orientation is to develop and revitalize the vacant spaces bordering the major highways as well as those across the sector. These activities, and the form of the built environment, will energize this area while respecting the existing character. OBJECTIVE 3.1 Increase the potential for redevelopment on all lots in the Royalmount Sector by restricting the minimum floor area ratio (total building surface area divided by the lot surface area) to 0,5 without exceeding 5. OBJECTIVE 3.2 Allow greater flexibility for the permitted height by establishing the minimum permitted height to 5 metres and the maximum to 80 metres. OBJECTIVE 3.3 Favour reduced building setbacks from the public road in order to create an animated urban area. ORIENTATION 4_ GIVE PUBLIC TRANSIT A SIGNIFICANT ROLE WHEN PLANNING THE SECTOR This means increasing public transit services in order to facilitate and diversify the travel methods for reaching the sector. Several developments and stakeholders will need to become involved in the planning for public transit, to guarantee the existing service and make the sector accessible. 1 OBJECTIVE 4.1 Increase the offer in public transit. ORIENTATION 5_ CREATE A FAVOURABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR ACTIVE TRAVEL Planning for travel must include urban facilities that encourage active transportation. Planning for active travel is based on continuous journeys and installations suited to travelling for all active users. OBJECTIVE 5.1 Develop a safe, user-friendly active transportation network. 1 Landscaped bridge, Vancouver, Washington, USA Source: jonesandjones.com 38 / SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM (PPU) - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR | TOWN OF MONT ROYAL 2 3 5 4 2 Multi-use building, Eindhoven, Netherlands Source: landezine.com 3 Share road, Ottawa, Canada Source: flickr.com 4 Pedestrian installation, Melbourne, Australia Source: landezine.com 5 Bike rack Source: urbisonline.be TOWN OF MONT ROYAL | SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR / 39 DEVELOPMENT ORIENTATIONS AND OBJECTIVES ORIENTATION 6_ DEVELOP A PROSPEROUS NEIGHBOURHOOD WITH A DISTINCTIVE SIGNATURE The attractiveness of a sector depends, in particular, on the physical design of the space. The aim of this final orientation is to give the sector a unique signature through the use of innovative and distinctive urban planning procedures and contemporary architecture, and by promoting actions for sustainable development. Thus the PPU for the Royalmount Sector must be designed to meet standards of quality that will ensure that it becomes a beacon for the entire metropolitan region. OBJECTIVE 6.1 Emphasize the sector’s entry points to offer exceptional visibility. OBJECTIVE 6.2 Encourage the creation of public spaces that favour social interactions. OBJECTIVE 6.3 1 Support the development of innovative architecture. OBJECTIVE 6.4 Promote the use of ecological and sustainable construction methods. OBJECTIVE 6.5 Ensure that new developments located near the highways are protected from noise. 1 Mixed-use building, Jiangsu, China Source: archdaily.com 40 / SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM (PPU) - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR | TOWN OF MONT ROYAL 2 3 4 5 6 4 Design of a public square, Beer-Sheva, Israel Source: landzine.com 5 2 3 Source: Flickr.com Public square, New York, USA Source: fieldoprations.net Hotel, Hong Kong,China Source: designboom.com Art garden, New York, USA 6 Artistic structure, Mildura, Australia Source: worldlandscapearchitect.com TOWN OF MONT ROYAL | SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR / 41 42 / SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM (PPU) - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR | TOWN OF MONT ROYAL 5 IMPLEMENTATION TOWN OF MONT ROYAL | SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR / 43 DEVELOPMENT INTERVENTIONS A variety of actions are suggested in this chapter in order to implement the development vision, once the development orientations and objectives have been defined. The interventions proposed will have to be in conformity with certain regional and local planning documents, such as the Land Use Planning and Development Plan of the Urban Agglomeration of Montréal (SAD) and the Town’s Planning Program. The main interventions will concern: • • • • • • Land use; Street layout; Active transportation network; Public transportation network; Green spaces; Other strategies and studies. LAND USE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT PLAN OF THE URBAN AGGLOMERATION OF MONTRÉAL (SAD) Article 4.8.3.4 of the Plan stipulates that for a lot in the strategic planning sector or a lot that is the subject of a special planning program (PPU), the planning regulations of a municipality […] must state that such a lot or portion of such a lot situated within 300 m of the right-of-way of a major highway or of an express lane, railway and roadway with heavy traffic flow, and adjacent to this right-of-way may not be occupied by: • • • A residential use; One of the following public or institutional installations if the noise level, within the building or part of the building in which the use is carried out, is greater than 40 dBA Leq (24hr): • Library; • Residential and long-term care centre; • Child and Youth Protection Centre; • Rehabilitation centre; • Health & Social Services Centre; • Hospital; • School; • Cultural institution, such as a place of worship or a monastery or convent; • Day care. An area for relaxation at ground level outside the building if the noise level outside the building is greater than 55 dBA Leq (24h). PLANNING PROGRAM _LAND USE The Planning Program for the Town of Mount Royal identifies ten land uses, one of which is the “industrial” use that applies to the Town’s entire existing industrial sector. The uses authorized within this land use can be broken down into uses that are in the main associated with industry, manufacturing, assembly, distribution and other related uses. 44 / SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM (PPU) - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR | TOWN OF MONT ROYAL The re-energizing of this sector suggested by the Royalmount Sector PPU involves adding commercial uses to the industrial uses already authorized. As the Planning Program does not include any land uses associated with these uses, and the development vision that guided the preparation of this detailed planning exercise is based on a multi-use vocation, the PPU for the Royalmount Sector is introducing a new land use: the “multiuse” use. This land use authorizes the following uses: DOMINANT USES : OPTIONAL USES : Commercial Uses • Retail stores • Personal services • Business offices • Big-box stores Commercial Uses • Car dealerships • Wholesale outlets • Utilitarian uses Industrial Use • Manufacturing or assembly Industrial Uses • Research and development • Distribution • Warehousing • Business services Public Uses • Green spaces • Game and sports equipment • Public administration • Municipal workshops, waste snow • Teaching • Lodging STREET LAYOUT Access to the Royalmount site will be improved through a series of operations aimed at increasing the permitted number of links to reach it. Much greater permeability will be provided between the sector and the neighbourhoods on its periphery. The street layout to provide access to the interiors of the blocks will be designed so as to divide the traffic flow amongst several entry points. These will be spread around the sector to offer better traffic flow and to redistribute it at various points. In order to increase access to the sector, and reduce the possibility of bottlenecks, simple, easy-to-read signage will allow users to orientate themselves. The street layout design will limit the number of dead-end streets. Any modifications to the street layout will have to take into consideration the needs of the businesses already on the site, in terms of delivery of goods and merchandise, and parking. Thus any decisions related to interventions on the street layout will be made in collaboration with the players in the area, the Town and the parties involved. TOWN OF MONT ROYAL | SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR / 45 DEVELOPMENT INTERVENTIONS points to the site from the major highways. Traffic studies will need to be carried out to ensure smooth traffic flows on the lanes leading to and from these access points and for existing and projected traffic loads. Devonshire Road Example of the division of access : Pedestrian link Royalmount Avenue ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION NETWORK The active transportation network must be complementary to the public transit and vehicular networks in order to facilitate modal transfers. Multi-use paths will cross the sector. They will serve all of the intervention zone. Moreover, when the surrounding residential developments such as the Triangle and Blue Bonnets are complete, safe active links could connect all these zones to create an extensive active network. PUBLIC TRANSIT NETWORK New bus routes will criss-cross the sector. Their connection point will be a pick-up and drop-off bay where the road network converges with the active transportation network. This modal transportation point could be directly linked via a safe passageway to the proposed entrance shelter for the De la Savane Metro station, which will be situated on the west side of Décarie Boulevard. This active transportation network could be organized so that it connects with the future public transit network, which will be planned in parallel with the construction of the Triangle and Blue Bonnets residential developments. Thus the Royalmount Sector will increase its permeability to and from surrounding neighbourhoods with the help of public transit. 46 / SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM (PPU) - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR | TOWN OF MONT ROYAL GREEN SPACES The current site has few green spaces. The redevelopment of the Royalmount Sector will need to offer quality vegetation cover. This landscaping should include a variety of native plants that will help to minimize the heat island effect. These areas of planting will become places in which sector workers and users can socialize and relax. They will be distributed across the neighbourhood to be revitalized, and will be linked by means of the future active transportation network. Distinctive street furniture and WIFI hotspots will be dotted around in this planted network to make it an area for leisure activities and gatherings. To make sure these new installations are sustainable, various techniques for managing run-off, minimizing heat islands and promoting the construction of ecological buildings may be incorporated into the by-laws. The next page offers suggestions for planting treatments that will increase and structure the urban landscape and promote the construction of an ecological, sustainable environment. TOWN OF MONT ROYAL | SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR / 47 DEVELOPMENT INTERVENTIONS ORNAMENTAL PLANTING The goal of this treatment is to mark thresholds and public spaces (neighbourhoods, junctions, etc.) by creating colourful accents that draw attention to the plays of shapes and textures. This treatment uses little surface area compared to other treatments. The selection of plant species must meet the following criteria: • • • • • • Tolerant of urban conditions; Herbaceous plants and/or shrubs; Low in height to allow clear views; Mix of species to provide continuous blooming; Ability to spread to cover the ground; Low maintenance. Planting bed with a mix of flowering herbaceous plants Source: americaforests.org Planting bed with grasses and trees Source: flickr ROWS OF TREES Treatment for adding structure to the road axes with straight rows of deciduous trees. Tree species must vary within the same row to minimize any damage caused by disease or destructive insects. This variation can be done by planting groups of trees of different species. Species selection must meet the following criteria: • • • • Central median Source: gardenbook-ks.com No fruit production / low maintenance; Fast growing; Tolerance for de-icing salt, pollution and compaction; Uniform shape, straight trunk. Planted avenue Source: blogs.rochester.du GREEN WALLS This is a vertical planting system using climbing plants aided by a structural support or unaided. Species selection must meet the following requirements: • • Rapid, vigorous growth; Tolerance for salt spray and pollution. 48 / SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM (PPU) - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR | TOWN OF MONT ROYAL Architectural green wall Source: webcoist.momtastic.com INTERVENTIONS APPLICABLE TO THE BY-LAW CONCERNING MUNICIPAL WORKS AGREEMENTS A General Development Agreement for the Royalmount Sector could be drawn up for carrying out the infrastructure and municipal facilities work necessary for the economic development of the sector. This agreement must: • Define the field of application for, and the aim of, the agreement; • Determine the target zones, as well as the categories of structures, lots or work involved; • Establish the phases for development; • Indicate the division of responsibilities and costs associated with the implementation of the project amongst the stakeholders involved. PROGRAM FOR THE ACQUISITION OF IMMOVEABLE PROPERTY The adoption of a Special Planning Program (PPU) in a central part of the Town of Mount Royal will allow the municipal authorities to equip themselves with financial and legal instruments such as a Program for the Acquisition of Immoveable Property. This will allow the Town to acquire, piece by piece through expropriation, any property situated within the boundaries of the PPU, for the purpose of implementing this PPU. The Town may also transfer or lease these properties for the purposes listed in the present PPU. In parallel to this program, during the planning process for the development of the sector, the Town may legally reserve land for public purposes for an initial period of two years. This is renewable for two further years. Other than repair or maintenance work, this reserve prohibits any construction, improvement or addition to the property in question. ADDITIONAL STUDIES TO BE UNDERTAKEN The presence of major highway axes on the boundaries of the site to be revitalized brings with it sources of sound nuisances. By carrying out an acoustic study across the entire sector affected by this PPU, these ambient noise levels could be evaluated and quantified. The results of the study would identify the measures required to ensure that the thresholds set out in the Politique sur le bruit routier (policy on road noise) from the Ministère des Transports du Québec (MTQ) and those included in the Land Use Planning and Development Plan for the urban agglomeration of Montreal (SAD). This study will therefore help in the installation of user-friendly, public spaces publics that respect the regulatory parameters established by these two documents. A traffic study and an environmental study will widen the Town’s knowledge about these two aspects associated with revitalizing the sector. As a result, concrete and qualitative corrective measures could easily be made to the sector, greatly improving the quality of all the projects planned. In addition, a characterization study of existing public infrastructures should be carried out to make sure that every revitalization and development project meets the service and retention capacities of the water supply, wastewater and stormwater systems. TOWN OF MONT ROYAL | SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR / 49 ACTION PLAN The action plan summarizes the objectives by associating them with concrete actions for development, measures for intervention, partners and timetables. ORIENTATION 1 ENRICH THE URBAN FUNCTIONS OF THE SECTOR BY DIVERSIFYING THE USES AUTHORIZED Objective 1.1 Diversify economic activities, thus providing for the establishment of new types of businesses in the sector ACTIONS Authorize new commercial and recreational uses. MEANS • Zoning by-law PARTNERS • Town of Mount Royal Objective 1.2 Strengthen the commercial vocation of the Quartier Design Royalmount • Encourage the establishment of stores and services that are • Zoning By-law complementary to design industry; • Support real estate development projects associated with the • Aid program for the types of businesses in the QDR. renovation/construction of projects in the QDR 50 / SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM (PPU) - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR | TOWN OF MONT ROYAL • Town of Mount Royal • Private partners ORIENTATION 2 OPTIMIZE THE EFFICIENCY OF THE ROAD NETWORK TO FACILITATE MOTORIZED TRAVEL AND ACCESS TO THE SITE Objective 2.1 Ensure smooth traffic flows by means of a permeable street layout and an easily accessible parking network ACTIONS MEANS PARTNERS • Encourage projects that will link streets, especially the north • Subdivision By-law and south liaison of Cavendish Boulevard and the western end of Jean-Talon Street, which connects the sector to the • Zoning By-law Borough of Côtes-des-Neiges - Notre-Dame-de-grâce, the City of Côtes-Saint-Luc and the Borough of Saint- Laurent; • Traffic study • Town of Mount Royal • Optimize the synchronicity and programming of existing traffic • Sustainable Mobility Plan lights in preparation for the increased vehicular load; • By-law concerning traffic • Reconfigure Royalmount Avenue and its intersections with and parking Royden Road and Devonshire Road; • Private partners • MTQ • City of Montreal • Create effective directional signage to help users of the sector find their way about; • Create a street design that favours local circulation: the installation of narrower rights-of-way, planting beds along sidewalks and traffic calming measures; • Limit the number of dead-end streets; • Promote the construction of indoor and outdoor parking garages with several levels; • Design a dynamic signage system to indicate the direction, distance and number of parking spaces available by means of panels placed along traffic lanes. Objective 2.2 Increase access to the site from the highways • Create new vehicular access from highway lanes and manage • Traffic study them by installing signage that promotes smooth traffic flows. • Town of Mount Royal • City of Montreal • MTQ TOWN OF MONT ROYAL | SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR / 51 ACTION PLAN ORIENTATION 2 OPTIMIZE THE EFFICIENCY OF THE ROAD NETWORK TO FACILITATE MOTORIZED TRAVEL AND ACCESS TO THE SITE Objective 2.3 Meet the needs for the delivery and transportation of merchandise ACTIONS • Set limits on delivery periods and routes to minimize the impacts of trucking during peak times; • Prioritize certain traffic routes on the periphery for the transportation of merchandise. MEANS PARTNERS • Traffic study; • Town of Mount Royal • Sustainable Mobility Plan; • Urban Agglomeration of Montreal. • By-law concerning traffic and parking. ORIENTATION 3 MAXIMIZE THE USE OF VACANT SPACES BY INTENSIFYING ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES Objective 3.1 Increase the potential of redevelopment on all lots in the Royalmount sector by restricting the minimum floor area ratio (total building surface area divided by the lot surface area) to 0,5 without exceeding 5 ACTIONS • Add a chapter on integrated projects to the Zoning By-law; MEANS • Zoning By-law; PARTNERS • Town of Mount Royal • Increase density and height alongside highway traffic axes; • By-law concerning a specific construction, • Increase the number of commercial and recreational uses alteration and occupancy authorized alongside highways; proposal for an immovable (PPCMOI). • Authorize the installation of structuring and large-scale projects along the highway gallery. Objective 3.2 Allow greater flexibility for the permitted height by establishing the minimum permitted height to 5 metres and the maximum to 80 metres • Increase the permitted height along the highways. • Zoning By-law; • Town of Mount Royal • PIIA By-law. Objective 3.3 Favour reduced building setbacks from the public road in order to create an animated urban area • Reduce the building front setback in accordance with the type • Zoning By-law; of use. • PIIA By-law. 52 / SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM (PPU) - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR | TOWN OF MONT ROYAL • Town of Mount Royal ORIENTATION 4 GIVE PUBLIC TRANSIT A SIGNIFICANT ROLE WHEN PLANNING THE SECTOR Objective 4.1 Increase the offer in public transit ACTIONS MEANS • Increase the frequency, time slots and number of bus lines in • Sustainable Mobility Plan the sector; PARTNERS • Town of Mount Royal • City of Montreal • Encourage the construction of a new entrance shelter for the De la Savane Metro station west of the A15; • STM • Structure the public transit network by means of signage and facilities that complement the bus service; • Communauto, Car2Go • Offer car-sharing service points. ORIENTATION 5 CREATE A FAVOURABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR ACTIVE TRAVEL Objective 5.1 Develop a safe, user-friendly, active transportation network ACTIONS MEANS • Install bike paths in continuity with the regional bike path network; PARTNERS • Zoning By-law; • Town of Mount Royal • Active Mobility Program; • City of Montreal • By-law concerning Traffic and Parking. • STM • Provide continuity in pedestrian links; • Favour the construction of sidewalks wide enough for pedestrians to travel comfortably; • Vélo Québec • Put pedestrian crossing phases in place when programming traffic lights; • Design visible pedestrian crossings equipped with safe waiting areas; • Provide safe and facilitate access to the De la Savane Metro station. TOWN OF MONT ROYAL | SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR / 53 ACTION PLAN ORIENTATION 6 DEVELOP A PROSPEROUS NEIGHBOURHOOD WITH A DISTINCTIVE SIGNATURE Objective 6.1 Emphasize the sector’s entry points to offer exceptional visibility ACTIONS MEANS • Encourage the construction of buildings that make a positive • Zoning By-law; contribution to the visual aspect of the highway gallery; • By-law concerning Site • Mark access points to the sector with landscaping or with Planning and Architectural artistic or leisure installations; Integration Programs (PIIA); • Provide this sector with distinctive signage for visual identification. • Design of distinctive signage. PARTNERS • Town of Mount Royal • Private partners Objective 6.2 Encourage the creation of public spaces that favour social interactions • Identify opportunities for installing public sites and park areas; • Favour the creation of a style of street furniture and distinctive lighting for the Royalmount Sector; • Zoning By-law; • Town of Mount Royal • Design competition for the development of public squares and street furniture. • Private partners • Encourage the installation of WI-FI hot spots throughout the site. 54 / SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM (PPU) - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR | TOWN OF MONT ROYAL ACTION PLAN ORIENTATION 6 DEVELOP A PROSPEROUS NEIGHBOURHOOD WITH A DISTINCTIVE SIGNATURE Objective 6.3 Support the development of innovative architecture ACTIONS MEANS • Enhance the existing PIIA by creating a chapter for the Royalmount Sector in regard to the following elements: • Prioritizing the use of sustainable materials; • Favouring as much fenestration as possible; • Suggesting specific designs for landscaping; • Regulating the criteria for signage. • Zoning By-law; • Adding provisions for the following themes: • Lessening the visual impact of parking areas; • Incorporating standards for universal access; • Concealment of loading/unloading and storage areas. • Special program to help in the renovation / construction of projects in the QDR. PARTNERS • Town of Mount Royal • By-law concerning Site Planning and Architectural Integration Programs (PIIA); • Encourage the renovation and maintenance of buildings. Objective 6.4 Promote the use of ecological and sustainable construction methods • Provide the Town with a strategy for the ecological • Zoning By-law; management of run-off water that incorporates the following elements : • By-law concerning Site; • Use of permeable surface coverings or surfaces with a low solar reflectance index; • Planning and Architectural • Installation of rain gardens and planted water gardens; Integration Programs (PIIA); • Construction of green roofs and walls. • Encourage the use of energy-efficient equipment, such as low-flow wastewater evacuation systems, geothermal systems, solar panels and other energy saving systems. • Town of Mount Royal • MDDELCC • Feasibility study for setting up a compensation program to fund ecological actions. Objective 6.5 Ensure that new developments located near highways are protected from noise • Minimize nuisances such as noise, dust, atmospheric • Zoning By-law; • Town of Mount Royal pollutants, visual and light pollution caused by proximity to highways by installing mitigation measures related to: • By-law concerning • Building orientation, height and placement on the lot; Sanitation, Safety, Peace • Installation of devices with acoustic properties; and Order. • Incorporation of landscaping adapted to the environmental conditions. TOWN OF MONT ROYAL | SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAM - ROYALMOUNT SECTOR / 55