HomeMy WebLinkAboutPLN 02-13 Calf 00 Report to
Planning & Development Committee
PICKERING Report Number: PLN 02-13
Date: January 14, 2013
From: Neil Carroll, MCIP, RPP
Director, Planning & Development
Subject: Architectural Control Peer Review Services
File: D-1220-007
Recommendation:
1. That Report PLN 02-13 of the Director, Planning & Development, regarding
Architectural Control Peer Review Services be received; and
2. Further, that Council authorize staff to prepare terms of reference and issue a '
request for proposals to retain the services of a Control Architect.
Executive Summary: This report recommends that staff be authorized to prepare
terms of reference and issue a request for proposals to retain the services of a Control
Architect to peer review architectural drawings. As the City continues to evolve and
mature, it is anticipated that new and more complex development projects and initiatives
will be proposed that will raise the City's profile in Durham Region and the Greater
Toronto Area. These projects will include a greater variety and range of built forms and
uses that will contribute to creating vibrant mixed use nodes and corridors and an
•
exciting downtown. In order to achieve and uphold a high standard of architecture and
urban design, the City would benefit from the services of a qualified Architect to provide
objective and professional advice to staff on matters relating to urban design and
architecture.
Financial Implications: There will be no financial impact to the City as a result of
retaining the services of a Control Architect to peer review architectural drawings. Staff
propose to include a provision in the updated User Fee By-law requiring the applicant to
be responsible for the full cost for peer review of studies and drawings.
The Co_ntrol Architect will bill the City for the peer review services, and in turn the City
will bill the development proponent. Therefore, although the City retains the service of
the Control Architect, the City is reimbursed by the developer for the cost of the service.
Report PLN 02-13 January 14, 2013
Subject: Architectural Control Peer Review Services Page 2
1. Background
1.1 Need for Architectural Control
The City of Pickering is maturing from a suburban municipality to a more urban
City that is expected to see a greater variety and range of built forms and uses.
The Provincial Growth Plan has also identifies downtown Pickering as an Urban
Growth Centre (UGC). The scale at which intensification is projected to occur
within the downtown and along key corridors will result in vibrant mixed use•
communities that reflect compact, transit-oriented development.
As the City continues to grow through the introduction of new development and
the redevelopment of existing buildings and properties it will be necessary to
establish new and higher standards for architecture and urban design. To help
achieve and uphold these standards, the City would benefit from the services of
a qualified Architect to provide objective and professional advice on matters
relating to urban design and architecture. Through the review of development
proposals and residential building permits, the Control Architect will assist staff to:
• establish a positive visual image for built form within the City
• promote harmonious and attractive developments through attention to the
exterior architectural quality and appearance of new development
• encourage built form which results in safe, active and pedestrian-friendly
communities
• encourage a variety of attractive, innovative and environmentally sustainable
building designs which combine the best of contemporary and traditional
architectural design principles, and
• ensure new buildings blend with existing communities/neighbourhoods and to
advance the emerging character of a new or redeveloping
community/neighbourhood
Through the review of site plans and residential building permits, architectural
control will address specific and significant design elements of submissions,
including the review of architectural styles, building articulation and treatments,
roof styles and pitches, model home review, review and approval of colour and
material packages, priority lot identification and treatment review. The Control
Architect will be strategically engaged only when staff determine that peer review
would bring value to the project.
Report PLN 02-13 January 14, 2013
Subject: Architectural Control Peer Review Services Page 3
1.2 Architectural Control is currently being implemented in Duffin Heights
The use of Architectural Control by a municipality is a common practice for the
development industry within the Greater Toronto Area and has recently be
implemented in Pickering in the Duffin.Heights neighbourhood. As a condition of
draft plan approval, Mattamy Homes and Coughlan Homes were required to
engage the services of a Control Architect to prepare streetscape/architectural
control guidelines to the satisfaction of the City. Prior to the issuance of a
building permit, all models offered for sale are reviewed and approved by the
Control Architect to ensure that all building permit plans comply with the City's
approved urban design guidelines. This approach has assisted the City in
ensuring that the development community understands the City's design
expectations, and that resulting development upholds a high quality of
architectural design.
2. Next Steps
Staff will prepare terms of reference and issue a request for proposals to retain
the services of a Control Architect in accordance with the City's Purchasing
Policies and Procedures. The submitted proposals will be evaluated based on
weighted criteria and the proponent with the highest scoring proposal will be
recommended to Planning & Development Committee. The length of the contact
will be for a period of one year with an option to renew the contract for an
additional two one year periods, subject to a satisfactory performance review at
the anniversary date of the contract.
3. Conclusion
It is recommended that Council receive this report and authorize staff to prepare
terms of reference and issue request for proposal to retain the services of a
Co trol Architect.
Prepar: • By: Approved/Endorsed By:
"A Al.
MI i / 0►
Niles" Su i, MCIP, RPP Neil Carron ' RPP
Manager, Development Review & Director, Planning & Development
Urban Design
NS:Id
Recommended for the consideration .
of Pickering ity Coun it
/J/� 4
'`a 2, 2_0 l cia4t ,
Tony Prevedel, P.Eng.
Chief Administrative Officer