The purpose of this Zone is to establish a high density, mixed use, pedestrian friendly urban village centre that will serve as a community gathering place in the Ambleside Neighbourhood, focusing on main street shopping, entertainment, office, community facilities and residential uses. The intent is to enhance the character of the area through the design of buildings and the pedestrian environment by incorporating pedestrian scaled architecture and amenities.
Bars and Neighbourhood Pubs, for less than 200 occupants and 240 m2 of Public Space
Charter Bylaw 18519
September 5, 2018
Bylaw 16224
September 10, 2012
Bylaw 17403
October 19, 2015
Effective date: February 1, 2016
Charter Bylaw 18882
June 17, 2019
Charter Bylaw 18613
November 26, 2018
Bylaw 16224
September 10, 2012
Charter Bylaw 18967
August 26, 2019
bb. Nightclubs, for less than 200 occupants and 240 m2 of Public Space, on a Site 2 ha or larger
Charter Bylaw 19275
June 23, 2020
Effective: July 2, 2020
cc. Vehicle Parking
dd. Outdoor Participant Recreation Services
ff. Private Clubs
gg. Professional, Financial and Office Support Services, including drive through banks
hh. Projecting On-premises Signs
ii. Public and Private Education Services
jj. Public Libraries and Cultural Exhibits
mm. Restaurants, for less than 200 occupants and 240 m2 of Public Space
pp. Row Housing
Charter Bylaw 18484
August 20, 2018
qq. Secondary Suites
Charter Bylaw 18613
November 26, 2018
rr. Special Event
Charter Bylaw 19502
February 9, 2021
tt. Spectator Entertainment Establishments
uu. Temporary On-premises Signs
Bylaw 17901
March 6, 2017
vv. Urban Gardens
Bars and Neighbourhood Pubs, for more than 200 occupants and 240 m2 of Public Space
Bylaw 18171
September 11, 2017
Restaurants, for more than 200 occupants and 240 m2 of Public Space
Nightclubs, for more than 200 occupants and 240 m2 of Public Space, on a Site 2 ha or larger
Bylaw 17901
March 6, 2017
Bylaw 17901
March 6, 2017
All Uses shall be part of a purpose-designed high density mixed use urban village complex.
Charter Bylaw 18967
August 26, 2019
The maximum Floor Area Ratio for non-residential uses for the site shall be 1.0. Residential uses in the form of row housing or Multi-unit Housing may be developed at a maximum Floor Area Ratio of 1.5 and 3.0, respectively.
Bylaw 16733
July 6, 2015
The maximum building Height shall not exceed 60.0 m. Floor Area may be developed in attic areas as additional space to a Dwelling, and not counted as a Storey, provided the additional Floor Area creates architectural interest to the design of the building and the development is within the maximum allowable Height.
Bylaw 15735
June 20, 2011
A minimum contiguous Setback of 3.0 m shall be required where the Site Abuts 9th Avenue NW.
Bylaw 17727
August 22, 2016
A detailed Landscaping plan shall be submitted in accordance with Section 55 of the Zoning Bylaw prior to the approval of any Development Permit. This plan shall include pedestrian connection and Fencing details, exterior lighting and street furniture elements, pedestrian seating areas, varied sizes and species of new plantings.
Bylaw 15735
June 20, 2011
No parking, loading, storage, trash collection, outdoor service or display area shall be permitted within a Setback. Loading, storage and trash collection areas shall be located to the rear or sides of the principal building and shall be screened from view from any adjacent Sites, public roadways or Light Rail Transit lines, in accordance with the provisions of subsection 55.4 of this Bylaw. If the rear or sides of a Site are used for parking, an outdoor service or display area, or both, and Abut a Residential Zone or a Lane serving a Residential Zone, such areas shall be screened in accordance with the provisions of subsection 55.4 of this Bylaw.
All mechanical equipment, including roof mechanical units, shall be concealed by screening.
Signs shall comply with the regulations found in Schedule 59E of this Bylaw, with the intent to complement the pedestrian-oriented commercial environment, except that:
The maximum Height of a Freestanding Sign shall be 8.0 m.
A Projecting Sign may be used to identify businesses.
The top of a Projecting Sign on a building two storeys or higher shall not extend more than 75 cm above the floor of the second or third storey, nor higher than the windowsill of the second or third storey.
Apartment Housing shall be permitted above office or retail components of a shopping centre, or as a stand alone building adjacent to main street. The housing component of any mixed use building shall be designed and sited to minimize any impacts from the commercial component of the development related to noise, traffic circulation or loss of privacy.
No single General Retail Store shall exceed 5,000 m2 of floor area.
Bylaw 17527
February 17, 2016
Urban Indoor Farms shall comply with Section 98 of this Bylaw.
Bylaw 17403
October 19, 2015
Effective date: February 1, 2016
Urban Outdoor Farms shall comply with Section 98 of this Bylaw.
Charter Bylaw 18519
September 5, 2018
Cannabis Retail Sales shall comply with Section 70 of this Bylaw
The Development Officer shall ensure that the following architectural and site design guidelines are incorporated in all developments within this zone to establish a street oriented and pedestrian friendly retail /entertainment development and improve the livability and viability of in Ambleside.
Site Planning and Design
The design of this mixed use commercial precinct shall establish an appropriate Town Centre architecture with complementary use, design elements, finishing materials and colours being applied to each building regardless of the staging sequence of the project.
A diversity of Site Amenities and pedestrian oriented facilities such as public art, seating areas, street furniture, small parks, squares, plazas and greens should be provided to create an inviting image for the development.
Site amenities may be constructed as focal points, with similar materials to the architectural theme of the development and within walking distance to transit stops and major tenants in the complex.
Unless part of a larger complex or mixed use development, stand alone or single use buildings should be oriented toward the primary interior roads and designed to complement adjacent developments, to maintain or establish a clear building edge. Parking will typically be in the interior of the block, behind the buildings, although some parallel or angled parking may be allowed in a shopping street format.
Building orientation at the intersection of access streets along the south edge of the commercial precinct shall be arranged to frame the corner of the intersection to create a ”sense of place”, using building design, decorative architectural wall, landscaping and other focal points and site amenities, and arrival into the commercial centre.
The storage of materials and the piling of snow on parking surface lots shall be in a location away from the public roadway to improve safety and visibility.
No part of the site shall be developed as an enclosed shopping mall. The primary means of pedestrian circulation shall be outdoor Walkways.
Building Design and Architectural Standards
Bylaw 15735
June 20, 2011
Design techniques including, but not limited to, the use of sloped roof, variations in building Setbacks and articulation of building facades shall be utilized in order to minimize the perception of massing of the building when viewed from adjacent Sites and public roadways.
Building facades (all sides) shall include design elements, finishing materials and variations that will reduce any perceived mass and linearity of large buildings and add architectural interest.
The roof line of buildings shall consist of sloped roofs of varying pitches which may be finished in any combination of metal, wood shakes, asphalt shingles, clay tiles, or roof materials having a similar texture and appearance OR flat roofs where they are concealed by parapet walls that include articulation and use of design elements that are in harmony with the principal architectural theme that reduce any perceived mass and linearity of large buildings and add architectural interest;
To reduce any perceived mass and linearity of large buildings and add architectural interest, the exterior finishing materials shall incorporate vertical elements using a combinations of brick, stone or other masonry materials, concrete, stucco, glazing or siding, having a similar character, with wood or metal trim, having regard to the objective of ensuring that the development is of a high quality and complementary theme. Abrupt and excessive differences in scale of adjacent buildings should be minimized through transitional building treatment.
Primary emphasis shall be placed on design elements and façade enhancements, particularly to the first and second levels of buildings to create a pedestrian friendly environment. Lower floors should be strongly articulated to add variety, interest and a human scale dimension. Design elements may include placement of windows to allow for viewing into the building by pedestrians; entrance features; street furniture; canopies and features that lend visual interest and create a human scale.
Smaller buildings shall incorporate complementary materials and architectural detailing as the larger format developments.
Buildings are encouraged to incorporate exterior and decorative lighting to enhance building architecture, landscaping elements and focal points.
Pedestrian Environment
The development shall create a pedestrian friendly environment, focused on a shopping street, which may include such things as entrance features, pedestrian signage, outdoor sitting areas, canopies, landscaping, convenient parking and other features that lend visual interest and a human scale to development along the street.
Development within this zone shall ensure that the design of the pedestrian environment is comfortable, convenient, visually attractive and safe for human activity.
A diversity of site amenities and pedestrian oriented facilities such as public art, seating areas, street furniture, small parks, squares, plazas and greens should be provided to create an inviting image for the development.
Building facades should have pedestrian friendly features including transparency, decorative windows, wall niches, seating areas and entrances to complement an interesting pedestrian streetscape.
Pedestrian pathways to building entrances, amenities and transit should be convenient, safe and well lit, with special paving or landscaping to define the connections.
Pedestrians should be protected by weather protection or building entrances in the form of awnings, canopies, overhang, or covered Walkways where practical.
Access, Circulation and Parking
Internal and perimeter streets shall be tree lined and lit with appropriate lighting.
The internal street system and pedestrian linkages should be designed to foster connectivity to the urban village core and various amenities and facilities within the neighbourhood.
All developments shall provide adequate Walkways along primary buildings, as well as pedestrian connections to parking areas, site amenities, public perimeter sidewalks and bus stops.
Parking areas should be designed for a safe and orderly flow of traffic as well as pedestrians to avoid pedestrian/vehicular conflict and to include appropriate landscaping to reduce the visual impact from public roadways, amenity areas and pedestrians
Site entrances and edges should receive special design attention to help ensure that the development provides an attractive and inviting face to surrounding areas.
The majority of off-street parking will be provided as surface parking in interior lots. To reduce the scale of parking and walking distance, parking should be located to the rear and side of buildings. Parking should not dominate street frontages or access entry areas.
Pedestrian friendly corridors and linkages connecting the adjacent designated CSCa areas to shopping and amenities through the utilization of clearly demarcated Walkways, lighting and signage systems should be provided to reduce pedestrian conflict and create a more pedestrian friendly image.
A range of parking options should be explored including shared, multilevel and underground parking. However, parking lots should not be adjacent to ”Main Street”, or any village greens or commons.
Landscaping
Landscaping, both hard and soft, shall be used to tie developments together in this precinct.
Open space should feature high quality landscape architecture intended to make spaces comfortable and enjoyable including such features as trees, street furniture, public art and water features.
Bylaw 17727
August 22, 2016
Coordinated and complementary streetscape enhancements should be applied through out the commercial precinct, including street trees, Fencing, pedestrian scaled lighting, street furniture and other amenities.
Landscaping should be used to highlight major circulation patterns, pedestrian pathways and the overall development.
A minimum 1.5 m pedestrian Walkway shall be provided along the internal loop road.
Signage
Signs shall be designed to reflect an aesthetically pleasing and cohesive approach to complement the architectural features of all buildings.
Directional signage is encouraged to provide information at critical locations relating to primary tenants, parking lots, loading zones and pick up areas, entrances, exits and amenity areas.
CPTED and Accessibility
CPTED principles shall be used to design all public and private spaces and facilities focusing natural surveillance and access control to lessen the likelihood of crime within the precinct.
All buildings and public facilities shall be designed to be accessible to persons in wheelchairs, motorized scooters and strollers.