Final Report - City of Charlottetown

CITY OF CHARLOTTETOWN: COMPREHENSIVE WATERFRONT MASTER PLANFinal Report • December 20121.3 Study Purpose and CommissionThis report was prepared by Ekistics Planning and Design, in association with ColliersInternational, & Phil Wood and Associates, and is the culmination of an intense three month studyprocess that integrated extensive public consultation and best practices research. The study wascommissioned by the City of Charlottetown, in acknowledgement of the need to complete awaterfront planning process for a zone of influence stretching from the Eastern Gateway area toVictoria Park. The original RFP acknowledged that a ‘sense of place’ is one of the most importantaspects relating to the success of a city’s social and economic growth. Understanding that theCharlottetown waterfront is a key component in the city’s economic strategy, and recognizing thatthe waterfront’s ‘sense of place’ was in jeopardy to a number of factors, it was determined thata strategic Master Planning initiative was needed- the goal of which was to ensure that futurewaterfront development would proceed in a manner sympathetic with the unique qualities andcharm of the downtown.This plan is tasked with laying out a comprehensive vision for residents, businesses, and theCity. It will also provide a balance of expectations between residents and developers with regardto new development. The RFP stated that the Master Plan would be integrated into the City’sOfficial Plan which will be reviewed in the near future; thus, any codes, plans, or suggested by-lawamendments must be in accord with the existing legal framework of the City.The original RFP also asked that the Master Plan focus on several specific issues including:««an integrated pedestrian corridor from Victoria Park on the Western edge of thewaterfront to the Charlottetown Concert and Entertainment Venue on the East;««the importance of water for recreational, commercial, and tourism purposes;««future development opportunities that may arise as a result of propertyredevelopment and / or reclamation;««the relationship and integration of commercial uses and adjacent residentialproperties and ways to mitigate potential impacts;««transportation services including vehicle and pedestrian access and circulationparking, public transit services, and seasonal tour operators;««the definition of appropriate view planes both to and from the water and themeasures required to protect them.As will be outlined in subsequent chapters, these focus points neatly match up with the public’sopinions on what ought to be the guiding principles of the Master Plan. Their principles weredetermined through a series of public workshops, interviews, and surveys conducted by Ekistics. Apublic process component was critical to this master planning initiative, as the City acknowledgesthat the power of the plan is derived from its public support and involvement.4