Puslinch officials hope new design guidelines will improve the overall look and safety of Aberfoyle and Morriston, making the villages attractive spots to visit for locals and visitors alike.
“We are looking at creating a destination, not some drive-through villages,” councillor Matthew Bulmer said recently.
“Hopefully this will be well received by the public.”
He was referring to the draft design guidelines presented to council on Oct. 7 by county planners Aldo Salis and Sarah Wilhelm.
The 35-page report outlines in detail the township’s three main goals: enhancing the streetscape, promoting quality development and respecting established character.
“I always envisioned this as a living document,” Wilhelm told council, noting the guidelines can be changed or updated as council sees fit. “These are guidelines. They can’t fix everything but … all together they’re going to work over time.”
A design guidelines study was completed last fall, and Wilhelm said before implementation the results should be made available to the public, including during an open house information meeting.
She also noted “starting out small is not a bad idea,” and the township will need to expand on what works and get the community behind the guidelines.
One major improvement item included in the design guidelines is reducing the width and number of lanes on roads to accommodate on-street parking, continuous barrier curbs, sidewalks, boulevards and central medians or turning circles to slow traffic.
Other suggested items are architectural specifications for private landowners, roadside plantings, gateway signs, banners, directional signage and streetscape furniture and amenities.
“I think your plans are excellent,” councillor Susan Fielding told Wilhelm.
Councillor Don McKay agreed, calling the design guidelines “a real feather in the township’s hat.” He congratulated Salis and Wilhelm for all their hard work on the project.
Mayor Brad Whitcombe also offered congratulations to the pair and asked if there’s any way, other than a public open house which everyone may not attend, to get the document into the hands of the people who live, work and play in the corridor on which it is based.
Wilhelm suggested either a typical advertisement in the Advertiser or a mailing to those who live along Brock Road.
She added she thinks a public meeting should be scheduled for some time in November.
