Meaford Visioning Workshop: Urban Character and Settlement

MEAFORD'S NEXT CHAPTER

Outside of Meaford’s downtown core, urban Meaford plays a vital role in providing community functions such as housing, employment, shopping, and parks and recreation. Meaford’s urban area will be a vital focus for future residential development as the population is expected to grow. Furthermore, urban Meaford is key to supporting employment for residents and non-residents alike. The following section will outline questions related to how urban Meaford can function as a community that will provide easy access to homes, jobs, schools, community services, and parks and recreational facilities.

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1. The public realm refers to all areas of a community in which the public has access. The design and maintenance of the public realm plays a key role in creating successful places that are open and accessible to all. The public realm can define the character and identity of a community and foster vibrant community life, with important social and symbolic functions. Elements of the public realm consist of streetscapes, right-of-way, public buildings, parks, squares, plazas, courtyards, alleys, signage, street furniture and more.

What does a successful public realm in Meaford look like to you? Please describe your answer in terms of the characteristics of streets, places, activities, etc. that you think are key to the public realm.

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How would you like to see the public spaces in Meaford used? What kind of events and activities would you like to see?

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2. One of the Official Plan’s strategic objectives is to protect and enhance the 19th century character of the urban area wherever possible. There are established neighborhoods in Meaford that contain cultural and historic character that should be protected as development occurs.

Which areas in downtown Meaford do you think efforts to enhance and preserve heritage character should be focused on?

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3. What do you think new developments should consider in order to ensure proper integration into the existing fabric of the community? Please list as many ideas as you wish.

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4. The built environment refers to features of our surroundings that are built by humans. Elements of the built environment include building massing, landscaping, lighting, street furniture, signage/wayfinding features, uses/activities, street network, building frontage, building materials, walkways, roads, parks, and more. These aspects all contribute to the creation of a sense of place and identity in the community.

In your vision for Meaford’s future, what would an ideal built environment look like to you? You can describe your answer in terms of look, feel, design, uses, function, activities, etc.

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Which elements are lacking in the current built environment?

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In what ways do you think the built environment can be designed to encourage active and healthy living among Meaford residents?

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What types of community facilities would you like to see in your neighborhood?

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5. Wooded areas are forested and vegetated lands throughout Meaford that contribute to the character of the community and provide ecological and cooling functions especially in urban areas.

With anticipated growth focused on Meaford's urban area, how should the Municipality balance development proposals with appropriate wooded areas?

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6. The Official Plan objectives for lands designated as Urban Living Area are as follows:

maintain compatibility and where necessary, enhance the character and identity of existing residential areas;

encourage the provision of a full range of housing opportunities to meet the Municipality’s projected housing needs;

promote the efficient use of existing and planned infrastructure by creating the opportunity for various forms of residential intensification, where appropriate;

ensure that residential areas permit a variety of complementary and compatible land uses; and,

promote a built form that contributes to a healthy community.

Which objectives do you think the Municipality should prioritize? Are there other objectives you would like to add?

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7. The current permitted uses for the Urban Living Area designation are as follows:

Single-detached dwellings

Accessory apartments in single-detached dwellings

Semi-detached dwellings

Duplex dwellings

Townhouse, multiple and apartment dwellings

Home occupations

Bed and breakfast establishments in single detached dwellings

Private home daycare for up to 5 children

Complementary uses such as residential care facilities, daycare centres, small-scale institutional uses and local commercial uses

Which of these uses would you like to see more of in urban Meaford in both existing and planned neighborhoods?

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8. Access to housing that meets the needs of different residents is critical for a healthy and thriving community. The Municipality supports the provision of different housing types for community members across different stages of life and circumstances. The provision of housing choices includes different forms of housing and tenure options.

How do you think the Municipality can successfully provide different housing types and options?