GREENSPACE ALLIANCE OF CANADA’S CAPITAL
Greenspace Watch
Monthly General Meeting
MINUTES
November 20, 2023
Online meeting
Members present: Paul Johanis (chair), J.P. Unger, Jason Kania, Daniel Buckles, Erwin Dreessen, Arto Keklikian, Sharli Jodhani
- Adoption of the agenda
The proposed agenda was agreed upon. Moved by Jason, seconded by Erwin.
- Administrative items
a. Minutes of October 16, 2023 meeting (for approval)
Moved by Erwin, seconded by Jason. Carried.
b. Treasurer’s report
Paul reported that the memorial tree for Amy Kempster (d. January 17, 2022) was planted in the summer and the memorial plaque has now been engraved and installed at Champlain Park. Daniel provided some background on the timeline and location of the tree and plaque. The Board considered in May 2022 having the GA cover a 50% share of the cost of the plaque (the balance would be covered by the FCA) but no motion was tabled at the time. Paul arranged for the engraving and paid the full amount of $565.00 on his credit card. He requested a refund of the GA’s 50% share, which is $282.50. Moved by Daniel, seconded by Jason. Carried.
c. Website report
Following the discussion at the last general meeting about the type of assistance that would be required to execute our project to improve the timeliness and comprehensiveness of our website, Paul reported that a new volunteer has been recruited to take on the role of project leader, Sharli Jodhani. Sharli has a Masters in Environmental Studies from Carleton University, where she is currently a research assistant. She has extensive work experience in the field, both in India and in Canada. In addition to volunteering, she has also applied to become a member of the Greenspace Alliance, which application was considered and approved by the members.
d. The Erwin Dreessen Fonds at the Ottawa Archives
A few years ago, as Erwin was moving residences and drawing back on his involvement on new GA activities (although he remains very active on several files!), he donated many boxes of documents accumulated over the decades to the Ottawa Archives. The GA as a group decided to seek having these historical records designated as an official fonds, named after Erwin in recognition of his central role in the creation and retention of this invaluable source of information on the work of the GA and the state of environmental advocacy in Ottawa over the last 20+ years. We are happy to announce that there now is an official Erwin Dreeseen fonds at the Ottawa Archives, open to the public. Many thanks to Daniel for taking the lead on this effort.
e. Board update:
Daniel took the opportunity to announce that he would be stepping down as Director, effective immediately, in anticipation of his moving away from Ottawa in the New Year. Since joining the GA in 2015, Daniel has been a very active and influential member and Director, taking the lead on many files, building out the reach and effective collaboration of the Alliance through his extensive contacts in the environmental community and his ability to rally support for the cause. This was particularly evident in the creation and ongoing administration of the Peoples Official Plan coalition, in which he played a key leadership role. The Board and members express their thanks to him for his contribution to the aims of the GA and wish all the best in his future endeavours.
- Policy instruments
a. Provincial reversal on added urban expansion lands
The province has announced that it will reverse its decisions to add urban expansion lands to the Official Plans of municipalities, including Ottawa. This is very good news as they had added 500+ hectares to the 1280 approved by Council in 2021. Whether the other changes to policies they made are to be reversed as well, indeed whether there is an opening to revisit provisions approved in 2021 is an open question. Paul reported on the letter that the POP coalition issued calling on the City to take this opportunity to reverse the urban expansion approved by the previous Council and to increase intensification targets instead. The GA signed on to this letter, which was circulated for review and approval earlier in November.
b. Development charges FCA-Industry Working group
Erwin provided a brief report on a meeting of this working group convened on October 24. It seems that the uncertainties regarding changes to the Planning Act from Bill 23 and unsettled urban expansion decisions have made it impossible to move forward on this file. At the meeting, a tentative timetable was put forward with draft rates expected in early November, a public meeting held at the end of November and the background study available in Q1 2024. As of now however these dates are slipping.
c. Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw review – trees
The City’s review of the Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw is a critical element in the implementation of the new Official Plan, in particular to support the achievement of the intensification targets. This is of course puts pressure on the urban canopy, which is a pressing issue for the GA. The City is well aware of this tension between intensification and canopy cover and has dedicated one of its 8 discussion papers on the CZBL review to the issue of urban trees. Members agreed that this should be the focus of our attention and participation in the review. CAFES has also is also organizing around the issue of zoning and trees and there are opportunities for collaboration on the analysis of the proposed new zoning provisions and development of common positions through the POP coalition.
- Threats and opportunities
a. Rural greenspace
Nothing to report
b. Major urban greenspace
i. The Poets Pathway is project in which the GA was much involved when it was first conceptualized and throughout its implementation a decade ago. Since then however there has not been much attention paid to this walking trail girdling much of the outer urban transect of the City, essentially the older suburbs inside the Greenbelt, from Britannia in the West to Beechwood Cemetery in the East. It is made up of 12 individual segments, mostly through greenspace, featuring 14 milestone plaques honoring Canadian poets from the 19th century to date. Over the last few months however, a group of us made it a project to walk the entire length of the pathway, a few segments at a time, to assess its state of repair and travel worthiness. It is expected that this tour will be completed by the end of 2023, at which time a status report will be compiled and plans made regarding the use and promotion of the pathway.
c. Other greenspace
i. Kanata Golf and Country Club update
Final court decisions have now been rendered regarding legal impediments facing the proposal to redevelop this suburban greenspace as a residential community. Unfortunately, it went against the position of the City, and area residents. There is still uncertainty about the feasibility of this development, but it regards storm water management infrastructure and other planning matters, not legal ones such as the validity of the 60% development/40% greenspace agreement that had been established when Kanata Lakes was first developed in the late 1970s and early 1980s. There may yet be avenues for the community to explore to forestall this development. We will keeping a watching brief and support their efforts.
ii. Tewin CDP consultation meeting, October 26
The proponents of the Tewin development, Taggart and Algonquins of Ontario, held an open house on October 26. Slides can found <here>. There was nothing new beyond what we had learned in the prior meeting with Taggart, on which we reported in the minutes of the October 16 general meeting.
The Meeting adjourned at 8:27.