As a result of an Order by the Ontario Municipal Board, the City negotiated with the Alliance and the Ottawa-Carleton Homebuilders’ Association a definition of “adjacent impact” of development on a Rural Natural Feature. (Refer to section 3.2.4 of the OP.)

On November 22, 2006, City Council agreed to the following definition, which is now part of the Plan’s Glossary:

Adverse Impact – For the purpose of Section 3.2.4, adverse impact means changes likely to arise directly or indirectly from development proposed within lands designated as Rural Natural Features that result in widespread, long-term, or irreversible degradation of significant natural features, impairment of significant natural functions, or both. Examples of changes to be considered in determining if an adverse impact is likely to occur within lands designated Rural Natural Features include, but are not limited to, the following:

• fragmentation or reduction in size;
• increase in perimeter-to-area ratio;
• disruption of natural corridors and ecological linkages;
• alteration of natural topography;
• disruption or alteration of ecological relationships among significant or representative native species, or their habitat;
• alteration of quantity, quality, timing (hydroperiod) or direction of surface or groundwater flow;
• alteration of the structure, functions, or ecological interrelationships of natural habitats;
• reductions in the populations or reproductive capacity of significant species;
• erosion or compaction of soils or deposition of sediment.

Council also agreed to delete the last sentence of Policy 2 of Section 3.2.4 which said:

“Any allowed uses should avoid significant encroachment on the features for which the area has been designated”.