Queen Street Secondary Plan

About the Project

The Town has retained The Biglieri Group Ltd. to lead the Queen Street Secondary Plan project. The project will consider the business community, tourism, transportation, infrastructure, public spaces, the relationship and interface between the Queen Street commercial area and surrounding established residential neighbourhoods, and opportunities for future compatible growth, all within the context of the area’s historic character.

Key project objectives include:

• Protecting and enhancing the Town's unique heritage and cultural identity, including the character of Old Town and the Queen-Picton Heritage Conservation District;
• Managing growth in a way that respects heritage, infrastructure capacity, the environment and community character;
• Supporting a vibrant and diverse local economy while considering tourism and seasonal activity;
• Improving pedestrian safety, walkability, accessibility, active transportation and transportation connections;
• Considering parking needs and potential alternative parking and transportation options;
• Reviewing the use of streets and public spaces, including patios, street vendors and other activities;
• Reviewing available information on water, wastewater, stormwater and other infrastructure to help plan for future growth and climate resilience;
• Encouraging high-quality urban design, landscaping and accessible public spaces that complement the historic area; and
• Protecting and enhancing natural features, including trees, shoreline areas, important views and local ecology.

What Will the Project Include?

The Queen Street Secondary Plan will help guide the future of the historic downtown area of Old Town. The project will consider the area's cultural and built heritage, establish a vision for the future, and explore how new development and growth can be integrated while respecting the area's historic character, scale and public spaces.

The project will be completed in four phases and will include:

Phase 1: Background Research

• Review existing plans, policies, studies and heritage information
• Map important features, including built and cultural heritage resources, streetscapes, views, trees and natural heritage features
• Identify existing opportunities and constraints related to the environment, shoreline, servicing and other conditions
• Review existing population, housing, land use, building form, business, tourism, traffic and parking conditions
• Identify stakeholders to be engaged throughout the project

Phase 2: Community Engagement and Concept Development

• Gather feedback from the community and stakeholders about their values, concerns and priorities
• Develop a vision and guiding principles for the Queen Street Secondary Plan
• Prepare and evaluate three potential concepts for land use, building form, streetscapes, transportation, parking, servicing and future growth
• Compare the benefits and trade-offs of each concept, including considerations related to heritage, housing, accessibility, infrastructure, the environment, tourism and local businesses
• Identify a preferred concept with guidance from Town staff
• Hold two in-person Public Information Centres/Open Houses where the community can learn about the project, ask questions and provide feedback

Phase 3: Draft Secondary Plan

• Prepare the Draft Secondary Plan and supporting Official Plan Amendment
• Develop policies, schedules and maps
• Establish direction for urban design and heritage conservation
• Prepare a mobility and parking strategy
• Develop policy direction for commercial uses, economic development and tourism
• Identify preliminary approaches to implementation, phasing, costs and funding

Phase 4: Review and Final Secondary Plan

• Present the Draft Secondary Plan and Draft Official Plan Amendment to Council for consideration and direction
• Revise and finalize the Secondary Plan and Official Plan Amendment
• Prepare an implementation and monitoring framework
• Hold a Statutory Public Meeting to provide an opportunity for the public to comment on the proposed Secondary Plan and Official Plan Amendment
• Present the final documents to Council for consideration

Engagement

Public engagement will be an important part of the project. Residents, businesses, property owners, and other interested parties will have opportunities to identify issues and priorities and provide input as the Secondary Plan is developed. Further details on the engagement schedule will be confirmed as the project progresses.

Opportunities to participate and engage in this project will be posted on this page. Stay tuned.

Project details are also available on the Town's project webpage.