Community Design Concepts: Local Context
 

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Lacombe is a thriving community, renowned for its historical charm and beautiful streets. Located along

the rapidly developing Calgary-Edmonton corridor, Lacombe has experienced significant development

pressures in recent years. It has become evident that current development in Lacombe has not been

meeting the housing needs of all people working or wanting to live in this remarkable community.

Lacombe is home to more than 12,000 residents, including many young families, young professionals

and retiring seniors. The Town of Lacombe is committed to meet the needs of the community in a

manner that respects its historical assets and small-town traditions.

The traditional neighbourhood patterns found in older areas of Lacombe are examples of quality design

and development and continue to be sought after by home buyers. The tree-lined streets, classic

Victorian/post-war style homes and stately Edwardian downtown buildings are a source of community

pride for many residents. These neighbourhoods possess more traditional street patterns, narrow

streets, treed streetscapes and high quality, unique buildings. A range of housing types, styles and

sizes are located in these areas, all within walking distance of the downtown commercial core. These

features all contribute to a small town, close-knit feel that has been a part of Lacombe’s long history

as an agricultural community.

In more recent years, development patterns have become more homogeneous and vehicle-oriented,

resulting in limited options for residents in terms of housing style, type and size, plus increased

vehicle dependence as development spreads further from the commercial core of town. As a result,

current development is beginning to fall outside of the 20-minute walking radius of basic commercial

services, making vehicular travel a necessity to meet ones basic needs.

Legacy Pointe is designed as a complete neighbourhood that will provide basic services within walking

distance of residents, while adding to the character and amenities of Lacombe as a whole. As

Lacombe encourages the creation of complete communities that offer an array of services all within

walking distance of one’s residence, the town as a whole will benefit by providing opportunities for

more sustainable lifestyles and the development of liveable neighbourhoods.

Legacy Pointe represents Lacombe’s response to increasing pressures for housing and services, while

maintaining the qualities that have made Lacombe such a desirable place to call home.

Legacy Pointe: Building For Lacombe's Future
 

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Community Concept

Legacy Pointe will evolve as a 300-acre development that will provide more than 1,300 residential units

plus commercial space, a future school site, seniors’ residence and potential for additional public

facilities. The Legacy Pointe development area is located in the most northerly area of Lacombe, just

south of Highway 2, straddling C&E Trail and bordering the north shore of Henner’s Pond. The area is

currently used for agricultural purposes.

The development area has been divided into two areas, Legacy Pointe East and Legacy Pointe West, with

separate outline plans created for each area that address specific development details. The Legacy

Pointe East Outline Plan has been completed, with the Legacy Pointe West plan scheduled once

development has progressed. The Legacy Pointe East Outline Plan identifies multiple development

phases that will be pursued according to public interest and other market conditions.

Phase One of the Legacy Pointe East development area will consist of 88 detached and semi-detached

units, three medium-density sites and one high-density site, with lots becoming available in the autumn

of 2008. The majority of the single-family and semi-detached lots will be offered to private buyers,

either at market value or with a first-time home buyer’s rebate for qualified individuals.

Remaining lots, including the medium- and high-density sites, will be developed through a Request for

Proposal (RFP) process in which developers will submit project proposals for specific sites subject to

criteria set by the Town. These criteria will include site design, housing types, architectural details and

landscaping.

Sustainability

The principles of sustainable design relate to the reduction of resource use (water, fossil fuels, and

electricity), the reduction of harmful impacts of products throughout their life cycle, and encouraging

interaction between people and the natural world. These principles can be promoted through site design

in a number of ways:

• Orienting buildings to maximize natural lighting and passive or active solar heating to reduce need for artificial lighting
• Landscaping to provide shade in summer yet allow sunlight to enter in winter, reducing household energy requirements
• Using native plant species in landscaping to reduce the need for watering, pesticides and fertilizers
• Landscaping to maximize onsite water retentionUsing rain barrels to collect and reuse storm water rather than treated water for gardens and plantings
• Reducing areas of impermeable surfacing by using of alternatives to asphalt and concrete, such as permeable paving or cobblestones
• Providing neighbourhood facilities for recycling, composting and disposal of hazardous household products
• Providing bicycle and carpool parking areas at commercial and multi-family sites to encourage reduced vehicle use
• Reducing environmental impacts during construction, including erosion control, protection of native vegetation and recycling or reuse of construction waste
• Exploring alternative energy sources for heating, cooling and electricity, including solar or geothermal
• Encouraging the use of innovative technologies and ideas that decrease the environmental impact of human activitiy
  

The use of innovative new practices and technology is encouraged throughout the Legacy Pointe project.

As environmental quality become increasingly valued, it will be necessary for the Town of Lacombe,

developers and builders to work together to ensure that the best practices are being utilized

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design & Built Green

Legacy Pointe is envisioned as a sustainable community, so it's important that sustainable practices be

encouraged. The Town of Lacombe will work to promote sustainable construction. "Leadership in Energy

and Environmental Design (LEED) Canada" and "Built Green" are voluntary rating programs that

encourage a wide range of green building strategies in residential development. The LEED program

centres around five categories:

• Sustainable Sites
• Water Efficiency
• Energy and Atmosphere
• Materials and Resources
• Indoor Environmental Quality
  

Similarly, Built Green focuses on encourages homebuilders to utilize products and practices that:

• Provide greater energy efficiency and reduce pollution
• Provide healthy indoor airReduce water usage
• Preserve natural resources
• Improve durability and reduce maintenance

The criteria outlined in these two programs provides builders with opportunities to pursue

environmentally conscious development and support the aims of Legacy Pointe through the

provision of sustainable homes that support sustainable lifestyles.Development within Legacy Pointe

is encouraged to pursue LEED, Built Green or other environmental performance standards of

excellence and certification.

The Town of Lacombe will explore incentive options to encourage participation in these valuable

programs within Legacy Pointe and other neighbourhoods.

Natural Areas and Open Spaces

The municipal Natural Spaces Management Plan (NSMP) identifies Henner’s Pond, the small slough to

the northeast and the unnamed lake to the northeast as areas of ecological significance within

Lacombe. The area encompasses healthy freshwater marsh ecosystems and shorelines that provide

habitat for a wide variety of waterfowl, upland birds and small mammals. The area is sensitive to

disturbance, and any alteration or removal of the upland forest or shrub layer may result in slope

degradation, erosion, slope stability issues and habitat damage. As a result, it is important that the

recommended minimum 11-metre municipal reserve dedication surrounding Henner’s Pond be put in

place to allow this natural area to remain. In addition, the NSMP recommends a development setback

from the high water mark or tree line to ensure the proper functioning of the ecosystem remains.

Trails surrounding the pond will be developed in way that respects the ecological integrity and slope

conditions. Development will respect the ecology of the area plus the recommendations of the NSMP to

ensure that Legacy Pointe is a truly sustainable community that respects the area's natural assets. The

Lacombe Municipal Development Plan identifies the conservation of natural features as an integral part

of the community’s open space system.

Legacy Pointe will offer an assortment of public parks, plazas and natural open spaces. These amenity

areas will provide opportunities for recreation, social interaction, entertainment and relaxation. They will

feature benches, public art, decorative lighting and attractive landscaping. Small parks with play

structures will be placed throughout the community to allow easy access for all residents. In addition,

an elementary school site has been identified within the Legacy Pointe East area, and will feature

playground equipment and playing fields. School and community open spaces are a primary concern of

the Town along with the provision of local parks and playgrounds.

Henner's Pond is suitable for many recreational activities including:

• Canoeing
• Bird and wildlife watching
• Skating
• Cross-country skiing
• Hiking/walking
• Cycling

As recommended in the NSMP, the area immediately surrounding Henner’s Pond will remain in its natural

state as much as possible, and will provide opportunities for children to learn to value and understand

natural environments. An extensive pathway and trail network will provide walking and biking routes

throughout Legacy Pointe. Trails and wide sidewalks will also follow principal interior streets to promote

alternative transportation. Legacy Pointe will be a great natural and recreational amenity for residents

of all of Lacombe.

Architecture and Site Design

Lacombe has a rich architectural heritage that has created a collection of streets remarkable in their

diversity and design. The architectural styles vary throughout the heart of town, from classic Victorian,

Craftsman, and Folk styles to post-war designs. In recent years, a different style and quality of

architecture has emerged through mass production and rapid growth. Within Legacy Pointe, however,

the design goals are to develop a residential neighbourhood that is functional, beautiful and consistent

with the traditional styles of central Lacombe, and to add to the rich architectural heritage existing in the

heart of the community.

By implementing high design standards, the variety and individuality of homes will create a new and

vibrant neighbourhood embodying the character of the past. Legacy Pointe homeowners, builders and

developers will be required to utilize appropriate site designs and architectural patterns.

In addition to quality architecture, the manner in which the structures relate to those around them is also

vital to the creation of a coherent and pleasing neighbourhood. Placement and orientation of a building

on a lot is also of importance to the overall character of an area. Building setbacks, landscaping and

other considerations need to be taken into account when designing a site for a single-family or a

large-scale development.

Site design is a crucial factor in the creation of safe spaces that encourage a strong sense of community.

Design features that increase interaction and communication among residents improve and encourage

sustainability will be encouraged on all Legacy Pointe sites.

Building setbacks determine the distance that buildings are placed back from roadways and other

structures. In an attempt to improve the quality of the streetscapes within Legacy Pointe, front building

setbacks will be reduced in many areas and entrances will be oriented towards the street. Bringing

buildings closer to the street increases activity along sidewalks and provides a traffic calming effect that

reduces vehicle speeds.

Landscaping

Legacy Pointe is centred on a high-quality built environment that puts pedestrians first. In order to

enhance the aesthetic quality of the neighbourhood, landscaping is to be provided in both public and

private spaces. Trees will line all streets in the neighbourhood, and parking areas will be adequately

screened from nearby roads. Vegetated islands will break up large lots and aid pedestrian movement.

These islands are visually pleasing and provide shade. In addition, all development will be subject to

Town of Lacombe Land Use Bylaw 300 landscaping standards.

Landscaping within Legacy Pointe shall promote the use of native species that do not require watering,

fertilizer and pesticide use. These principles will reduce the amount of maintenance required. In

addition, many areas will be left in a natural state with only minimal interference, particularly in

ecologically sensitive areas of the neighbourhood. Areas left in their natural state are more resistant

to invasive species and support a more diverse population of plants and animals than manicured lawns

and exotic gardens. 

A "Walkable" Community

"Walkability" is a central design component of Legacy Pointe. Safer streets and mixed-use

neighbourhoods encourage alternative forms of transportation, while extensive trails provide the

necessary pedestrian connectivity. Streets will be less vehicle-oriented, supporting alternative

transportation choices, including bicycle lanes, paved and natural trails and wide, inviting sidewalks.

Street trees will be planted along all roadways to accomplish several objectives:

• Help to reduce traffic speeds
• Create safer pedestrian environments
• Increase security
• Provide an aesthetically pleasing environment
• Reduce stormwater runoff
• Provide shade
• Increase property values
• Encourage physical activity
• Trap harmful pollutants and greenhouse gases

Lacombe is famous for its lovely tree-lined streets, and Legacy Pointe will be developing streets that

continue this tradition. Green pedestrian linkages throughout the residential areas allow improved access

to walkways and more direct routes throughout the neighbourhood. The network of trails, sidewalks and

pathways make it easier to participate in healthy and active lifestyle activities. Access to safe and

functional pathways allow both young and old to retain their independence.

As demonstrated in the Illustrative Concept Plan, the majority of Legacy Pointe residences are within a

10-minute walk of a village centre that will provide an array of basic and specialty shopping, service and

entertainment opportunities. Walking increases interaction among residents as they stop to talk along

streets or in local shops. Allowing residents the option of not relying on a vehicle for local activities

increases the affordability and attractiveness of the community from an economic and

environmental perspective.

Vehicle Networks and Traffic Control

Streets connect the private to the public domain. Street linkages support social interaction and

exchange, and contribute to the character and quality of a neighbourhood.
 
Well-designed streets and street patterns allow for efficient movement of people utilizing a range of

transportation types. Legacy Pointe is well served by arterial, collector and local roadways. C&E Trail will

be upgraded to accommodate increased vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

Legacy Pointe will return to a more traditional street grid pattern, with the goal of maintaining a high

level of connectivity for both pedestrians and vehicles. Streets within Legacy Pointe are narrower than

those found in many conventional suburban neighbourhoods. This design feature will reduce traffic

speeds, increase pedestrian safety and improve streetscape aesthetics, all while reducing the total

amount of paved surfaces within the neighbourhood. Streets will be designed to accommodate bicycle

traffic, and may include dedicated bike lanes.

Six special intersections that include single-lane "roundabouts" are designed to improve traffic flow

and increase pedestrian safety at intersections. Modern roundabouts, not to be confused with traffic

circles of the past, are circular intersections that allow traffic flow to continue, but effectively reduce the

number of potential accident points and have been shown to reduce accidents by up to 75%. Traffic

yields upon entry to the single lane roundabout and travel counter-clockwise to the desired exit point.

Pedestrians have the right-of-way at all crosswalks at the entrances to the roundabout.

The waterfront throughfare along the north shore of Henner's Pond is a unique roadway, with reduced

speeds and parking limited to localized pullout areas to allow public access to Henner’s Pond. This

roadway is not intended to serve as a traffic artery though the neighbourhood, but as a scenic local

roadway.

Stormwater Management

The design of Legacy Pointe has used innovative techniques and technology to achieve more

sustainable stormwater management within the community. Managing stormwater effectively:

• Reduces the required capacity for storm sewer and other conventional stormwater infrastructure
• Lowers development costs, with savings passed ion to the consumer
• Allows rainwater to recharge the local groundwater aquifer through natural processes
• Reduces the amount of potentially harmful pollutants entering water bodies through surface runoff

Impermeable surfaces such as buildings, paved and compacted surfaces are a major contributor

to increased stormwater runoff. By reducing the total amount of impermeable surfacing and increasing

an area’s ability to retain and absorb water, rainwater can be effectively managed and reduce the load

on infrastructure. Parking lots and pathways in Legacy Pointe will be designed to move as little water as

possible into storm sewers. Small-scale bio-retention areas will also be incorporated into green areas

and parking areas. Vegetated retention areas, permeable surfaces, conservation landscaping and other

innovative practices will be used throughout Legacy Pointe.

Managing stormwater runoff also reduces the amount of pollutants that reach of waterways and potentially

damage valuable ecosystems. Many pollutants are washed by rainfall into storm sewers that carry them

to storage areas and other water bodies. By retaining stormwater on site and allowing it to naturally

infiltrate through the soil, many pollutants are filtered out and not allowed to accumulate to more

harmful levels. Through the use of technology and sustainable practices within Legacy Pointe,

environmental and economic gains will be made in the effective management of stormwater.

Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) is a strategy that aims to increase community

strength and reduce the fear of neighbourhood crime. CPTED encourages sites to be designed in a way

that promotes natural surveillance (eyes on the street) and access control. This is achieved through

practices such as:

• Orienting roadways and buildings to maximize sight lines to streets, paths and parking areas
• Creating a sense of community or private ownership over areas
• Encouraging communities to take pride in public areas, which makes them less likely to attract unwanted activities
• Using landscaping and lighting techniques to mark property boundaries or direct pedestrians into desired areas