The key in my opinion when considering intensification around stations is how to do it without significantly impacting parking capacity. Yes, I know that's not a great thing, but for GO it's the truth.
My preferred layout for many suburban stations is to develop 4-5 storey structures across a large segment of the parking lot acreage. There would be a central pedestrian boulevard down the middle, dividing the two structures on either side, and access roads on the two outside edges.
The ground floor would be retail (LCBO, smaller grocery store, etc) fronting onto the pedestrian promenade, with floors 2-4 or 5 being GO parking. At certain locations in the structure there would be point tower apartments/condos, which use the roof of the larger structure as amenity space (green roof with small trees, etc). The residential and parking structure would exit pedestrians out onto the promenade down the middle.
With this setup you maintain or increase parking capacity, create a far better pedestrian environment, and significantly increase density around stations. Also, with the right assortment of retail you may be able to eliminate some of those "detour" trips on the way home to pick up a bottle of wine or something to go with dinner, since most people would be walking right past these retail outlets anyway.
The ideal spot for a pilot for this would be the south lot at Appleby. It's large and relatively square, with frontage onto a major arterial and no residential neighbours (apart from the towns on the other side of Fairview).
My preferred layout for many suburban stations is to develop 4-5 storey structures across a large segment of the parking lot acreage. There would be a central pedestrian boulevard down the middle, dividing the two structures on either side, and access roads on the two outside edges.
The ground floor would be retail (LCBO, smaller grocery store, etc) fronting onto the pedestrian promenade, with floors 2-4 or 5 being GO parking. At certain locations in the structure there would be point tower apartments/condos, which use the roof of the larger structure as amenity space (green roof with small trees, etc). The residential and parking structure would exit pedestrians out onto the promenade down the middle.
With this setup you maintain or increase parking capacity, create a far better pedestrian environment, and significantly increase density around stations. Also, with the right assortment of retail you may be able to eliminate some of those "detour" trips on the way home to pick up a bottle of wine or something to go with dinner, since most people would be walking right past these retail outlets anyway.
The ideal spot for a pilot for this would be the south lot at Appleby. It's large and relatively square, with frontage onto a major arterial and no residential neighbours (apart from the towns on the other side of Fairview).
