Module 2: Intro to Planning Concepts Flashcards
What range of scale do the recommended standards deal with?
Neighbourhood layout to dwelling placement on a lot
What is a community plan? By which means?
Public document that sets out the goals of the community, direction the community has decided to follow, paths taken to pursue those goals
Could be a long range policy statement
A detailed 5-10-15 year series of objectives
It reflects a balanced concern for the physical, economic, social and governmental aspects of the community
May indicate proposed variation in densities of development and overall conceptual layout
There is a need for mixed housing styles as controlled urbanization of our environment occurs
By means of different land uses
what may a community plan indicate?
proposed variation in densities of development and overall conceptual layout
Decisions the community can make in planning process
Density and housing forms
Standards that provide guidance for the implementation of these choices from subdivision through building permit approval
What is a settlement plan?
Same as community plan, but done by Regional Districts for non urban areas
What does a Community Plan ensure? What is essential for it to succeed
Densities and housing types will reflect needs and objectives of the municipality
Must review projected demographic growth and demand for certain housing types
What is housing trend in BC determined by?
2 factors
Natural population growth
Projected to sow
Immigration
Projected to increase
Dominant form of future housing? What affects this trend?
Single family variety, being smaller, simpler, attached
Rising costs of construction, transportation, energy = smaller homes
Why is flexibility needed in community planning process?
Lack of certainty in demographic and economic factors
Where is the responsibility of provision of various housing types placed?
Individual or corporate developers
What are the first steps towards developing an acceptable pattern of growth in the community?
Consideration of housing preference
Demographic trends
Determination of areal requirements
Definition of neighborhood.
A collection of residential units; the elemental building blocks in the development of larger communities
Relatively self contained for day to day requirements (except for place of work)
focal points of neighbourhood?
elementary schools and corner stores
what do neighbourhoods consist of?
Conventional subdivisions or comprehensively planned developments
boundaries of neighbourhood?
Arterial roads or natural features are boundaries
conventional subdivisions vs comprehensively planned developments
Conventional subdivisions
Each lot is suited to development by individuals who must consider zoning and building standards
NO relationships to adjacent land uses
Comprehensively Planned Neighbourhoods
Require involvement of design professionals working for both developers and local government
Designs reflect considerations like light and wind patterns, interaction of adjacent buildings
Also considers problems of overshadowing, uses staggered setbacks, clustering, and stapped facades to minimize problems of overshadowing(?)
These permit higher densities and other cost saving advantages over conventional development
Can integrate community development goals
Childcare: facilities are needed because in more dense areas, no room for play areas (yards)
What else can community plans do?
Determine whether opportunities exist for comprehensive development
Development goals can be identified and integrated into the subdivision designs
What is a Neighbourhood Plan?
A more detailed concept prepared at a more local level to give direction of specific land use
Has zoning and street patterns
The Plan should blend and comply with the overall objectives of the Community Plan
Municipality should be aware of other development applications in the immediate area and give due considerations to these
May indicate proposed variation in densities of development and overall conceptual layout
What must be considered in the creation of a neighbourhood plan?
Existing land ownership
Development will proceed in a manner that is reflected by the shape of existing parcels of land
must not result in land lock parcels
Must meet basic overall community plan objectives, road layout and classification that has been established
Needs a site plan!
What is a site plan?
A detailed and specific proposal for a specific piece of land
Reflects accurately how the proposal is to comply with adjacent properties and long term objectives
Should show all the physical features of the site and outline each of the proposed lots to be created
May show park dedications and layout, open space scheme
What else should be checked as part of overall plans?
Zoning of property; does it have to be rezoned?
Rezoning can only occur if the proposed zoning is in conformity with the Official COmmunity Plan
Zoning standards
Does the proposed zone (ex: single family) conform to authority’s standards?
What sort of requirements could zoning have?
Individual lot sizes
Frontage size
House sizes and locations
Each land development proposal must comply with the requirements of the bylaws
Where are zoning requirements addressed?
zoning bylaws
What must the site plan show in relation to proposed lots?
How they are to be integrated with adjacent properties and demonstrate compliance with the appropriate zoning bylaw
Site analysis: Once an area has been identified for residential development, what must be done?
Evaluation of essential features. Includes:
Soil type
Subsurface conditions
Ground water levels
Topography
Slope
Climate
External or onsite development
Availability of access, water, power and other utilities
How should appropriate density be determined?
Reflect general community intentions, tempered by site characteristics
Should reflect the studies of demographic trends and projections and existing housing stock
What density is semi rural conditions? High rise?
Expressed as number of dwellings per hectare
3 dwelling per hectare
250+ dwellings her hectare
2 types of density
Gross Density
Applied to entire neighbourhood or large part of it
States the number of dwellings with respect to a land area which includes roads. Parking, services, parks, recreation facilities, schools, and commercial developments
Determined at early stage of planning
Net Density
Group of dwellings within a neighbourhoood
Some uses are excluded from land area
Arterial roads, schools, utility easements, parks, recreation facilities, commercial developments
Does include collector, local and cul de sac roads, local parking, and small areas of public open spaces
Which land areas are determined from the recommended standards based on gross density and the proposed housing mix?
Parks
Open space
Recreation
Schools
Commercial development
How is net density for residential uses determined?
Based on the specific types of dwellings to be built
What is the least dense dwelling type? most?
Detached estate lot
Highrise apartment
Orientation of dwellings based on?
Sun penetration
In winter, maximize light, passive solar energy gains, protect from cold winds
Prevailing winds
In summer, protect from excessive solar heating and gain exposure from cooling breezes
These depend on location within BC
Priority depends on which season is more extreme; is the local climates warm weather more oppressive?
Optimal orientation to the sun in BC?
10-20 degrees east of magnetic south
Temperate locales is 10 to 15 while colder should be 15-20 degrees end
Calculations should be made early in planning phase
In terms of orientation, Subdivison layout should strive to…
Orient residential streets in an east west direction
Site parks and schools with a southern aspect
Medium and highrise apartments should not overshadow other residential development
orientation and Subdivision layout in comprehensively planned subdivisions?
each structure is based on a thorough site analysis
Build near northern lot line, so outdoor space benefits from southern exposure
Staggered setbacks on norther-south streets to provide sunny outdoor areas
Lower housing forms located on south side of a cluster, higher types to the north
Windows on south and east walls, few on north wall
Which density type dwellings should be given priority allocation of lots in subdivision regarding orientations? Why?
Higher density dwellings
They have small outdoor spaces
Interior spaces are less easily manipulated
Strategies for wind exposure? Why? Direction of origin of water?
North and northwest winds
Block using land masses, in sloping terrain, vegetation, fences, berms, buildings
Air movement is heavily influenced by topography
Savings in energy expenditure