GREENSPACE ALLIANCE OF CANADA’S CAPITAL
Greenspace Watch
Monthly General Meeting
MINUTES
January 15, 2024
Online meeting
Members present: Paul Johanis (chair), J.P. Unger, Erwin Dreessen, Iola Price, Tony Keith, Arto Keklikian
- Adoption of the agenda
The proposed agenda was agreed upon. Moved by Erwin, seconded by JP.
- Administrative items
a. Minutes of December 18, 2023 meeting (for approval)
Moved by Erwin, seconded by JP. Carried.
b. Review of 2023 priorities and discussion for 2024
Deferred to the February meeting
c. Website report
Paul reported that a second volunteer has been recruited via Volunteer Ottawa for the tech team. A meeting with the tech team, Jason and Paul was held to work out the approach and logistics for the project to improve the timeliness and comprehensiveness of our website. A workplan was agreed upon and regular reporting was established.
d. Association reports
Paul reported on a presentation given to the Greater Avalon Community Association on January 6 2024 giving the results of a sustainability audit conducted by members of the Réseau francophone des organisations environnementales de la capitale nationale, which the GA has been supporting. It was enthusiastically received by the CA members and accepted as a basis for a neighbourhood level sustainability plan, including measures for improving tree cover and access to greenspace, greener transportation options and smart densification. Paul also reported on the current activities of Kichi Sibi Trails, the group supported by the GA last year in the development of the Chief Pinesi Portage trail. More investigation and programming is proceeding on ancient trails in the vicinity of Richmond and the Jock River, including possible connections to the Ottawa River via Stillwater Creek. Chief Pinesi Day celebrations are once again planned for July 1 at New Edinburg Park, this time including a canoe flotilla travelling up the Ottawa River from Oka to Rockcliffe.
Action: Paul to distribute the Sustainability Audit report.
- Policy instruments
a. Horizon Ottawa led review of City Budget 2024
Horizon Ottawa is organizing a group to review the City of Ottawa 2024 Budget. Erwin expressed an interest in keeping apprised of this work.
b. CAFES working group on Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw review
CAFES has organized a working group to focus on the greenspace and tree conservation aspects of the new Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw. Members of the GA are invited to participate.
c. Federal paper on ecological corridors
The federal government has issued a paper on the criteria and priority areas for ecological corridors. While the deadline for comments was January 5, this is still a topic of interest for GA members.
Action: Paul to circulate the paper.
- Threats and opportunities
a. Rural greenspace
The City is planning a Rural Summit in the fall of 2024. It is being led and organized by the rural councillors, who are appointing two residents from each their wards to form an organizing committee. The last such summit occurred over a decade ago. Members agreed that it was important to get rural greenspace conservation and environmental sustainability on the agenda of this gathering and also the ecological interdependence of rural and urban residents of Ottawa. This would be best arranged by rural partners who have access to the organizing committee.
Action: Paul to contact Rural Woodlands Ottawa and other rural partners about means of getting these topics on the agenda.
b. Major urban greenspace
i. Follow up on Baseline and Fisher apartment tower project
The zoning for this project was approved but the decision left considerable latitude for further design changes that would minimize the shadowing impact of the proposed towers. It is expected that such changes would be dealt with through Site Plan control. Members agreed that it was imperative to ensure further public engagement on the site plan. The decision also indicated that a promised working group on building heights on the periphery of the Farm was finalizing its Terms of Reference. Members agreed that we should press to ensure that there is participation by civil society in this working group, which at this point includes only City staff, AAFC personnel and representatives from the NCC.
Action: Paul to draft a letter to the Mayor, the Chair of the NCC and the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and engage the Coalition to Protect the Farm to secure participation on the working group.
ii. Update on Conservancy development in Jock River floodplain
The Conservancy development in Barrhaven was recently the subject of some media attention following the tabling of the City Auditor General’s report on the controversies surrounding the project approval. This report stated that certain aspects of this controversy were beyond her purview, which is limited to City of Ottawa actions and decisions. The actions of provincially mandated agencies such as the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, which played a role in this controversy, are out of scope of this report. As per the action agreed by Members at the December meeting, a request was sent to the Auditor General of Ontario to investigate the process and decisions that led to this massive site alteration in the Jock River.
c. Other greenspace
i. Update on Tree removal, 290 Holmwood
The Committee of Adjustment heard this case on December 13 2023 and in the absence of agreement between the City and the proponent on tree conservation, it adjourned the hearing sine die.
Action: Paul to circulate the staff report.
The Meeting adjourned at 8:26.