Official Plan 2021

Draft Official Plan review, New March 12 deadline

Paul presented a draft of the Greenspace Alliance comments on the greenspace related policies in the draft Official Plan, with particular reference to those dealing with protecting tree canopy and greenspace. Members offered many comments and suggestions, mostly in the direction of strengthening our response, resulting in this new version, which became part of our submission. Our comments were amalgamated with those of Ecology Ottawa, Community Associations for Environmental Sustainability, Ottawa Transit Riders and Walkable Ottawa, and reviewed and endorsed by many others. This combined document was submitted to the City on March 12.

Official Plan 2021

Results of Urban Expansion Land selection, Joint Meeting of Planning and ARAC, January 25

In May 2020, the City adopted what they now call a hybrid scenario: a 1281 ha urban expansion, with 51% of projected growth achieved through intensification, the balance on vacant greenfields inside the urban area and new urban expansion lands. It also decided to exclude Agricultural Resource Areas as potential expansion lands. This reduced the stock of land from which to choose additions to the urban area.

The staff report on the results of its search for suitable expansion lands was considered at the January 25 Joint Meeting of Planning and Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committees. Only 1011 ha of land fully met the minimum criteria to qualify for expansion. Staff recommended adding these 1011 hectares to the urban area immediately, and setting up a study, to conclude no later than Q4 2026, on where to locate the additional 270 needed to fill their quota. They provided three general options that would be studied.

Instead Committee removed 175 ha from the recommended 1011, and reassigned them to one of the study options, the Tewin lands proposed by the Algonquins of Ontario and Taggart Investments, with a direction to include all 445 ha immediately as well, without study.  Many other Algonquin communities, who had not been consulted, have now opposed this recommendation. The Greenspace Alliance, along with the other organizations under the umbrella of the Peoples’ Official Plan issued this PRESS RELEASE in protest.

Draft Parks and Recreational Facilities Master Plan

Paul announced and provided the web coordinates for a new round of consultation being launched by the City on the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. As parks play an important role as accessible greenspace for residents, he encouraged members to participate in this consultation exercise.