| Many reasons have been cited for the demise of downtown areas in North America. To combat these forces of deterioration, the City of New Westminster and the Downtown New Westminster Business Improvement Society spearheaded a visioning process and adopted the Downtown New Westminster Action Plan (1996). The goal of this Master's degree project research was to make zoning recommendations for a study area in downtown New Westminster using zoning as an initial tool towards implementing the Action Plan. Three options, the current use of land and two downtown zoning alternatives (C-4 and C-8 zoning), were assessed for their appropriateness in achieving the goals of the Action Plan. Downtown zoning research was conducted in permitted uses, physical comfort, height/bulk/massing, quality of design, and density bonuses. Two types of zoning analyses were conducted: (1) Through a "checklist" inspection of the options, and (2) through a three-dimensional computer model. Results indicated that the current land use and C-4 zoning for the most part would not achieve the goals of the Action Plan. C-8 zoning was adequate, but needed to be re-addressed in a few key areas. |
