GREENSPACE ALLIANCE OF CANADA’S CAPITAL
Greenspace Watch
Monthly General Meeting
MINUTES
October 16, 2023
Online meeting
Members present: Paul Johanis (chair), Nicole DesRoches, J.P. Unger, Jason Kania, Iola Price, Erwin Dreessen,
- Adoption of the agenda
The proposed agenda was agreed upon. Moved by Erwin, seconded by Jason.
- Administrative items
a. Minutes of September 6, 2023 meeting (for approval)
Moved by Erwin, seconded by Iola. Carried.
b. Treasurer’s report
Paul reported that Post Office Box rental is no longer provided at the 240 Sparks location we have been using for many years. As a result, a new PO Box was rented at a Kanata location (which has the benefit of being more convenient for the current treasurer). Change of address notices have been provided and address information updated on our website. The annual rental fee is $240.58. A refund of $132.21 was issued by the closing location, which also covers a 12 month automatic forwarding of mail sent to the old address. Paul paid the rental and accepted the refund on his credit card. He requested a refund of $108.77, which covers his net out of pocket expense. Moved by Jason, seconded by Nicole. Carried. Iola noted that the address information should also be updated on our hardcopy brochure, which still gets used occasionally at in person events. It also has not been updated for many years and could use a refresh. Iola agreed to reach out to member Cynthia Hamady for assistance with design and graphics.
Paul also filed the annual return for the GA with Corporations Canada and paid the filing fees online, for which he requested a reimbursement of $12.00. Moved by Jason, seconded by JP. Carried.
Paul reported on the grant money received from the Community Services Recovery Fund for our website content creation and maintenance project. He described the activities that are pending and planned expenditures. This led to a group discussion that raised everyone’s understanding of the project and, through the expertise of Board member Jason Kania, established the feasibility of the approach and identified a way forward. JP volunteered to draft a high level information and communication vision paper. Other sources of volunteers were identified for more technical upcoming tasks.
- Policy instruments
a. Tree Protection Bylaw Review
City staff are proposing a change to the Tree Protection bylaw that will reduce the threshold for recognition as Distinctive Tree to 30cm in the suburban area, instead of 50cm as is currently the case. This would match the definition now in force inside the Greenbelt. It is a change for which we have been advocating and will support when it comes to the Environment and Climate Change Committee on November 21, 2023.
b. City Budget 2024
Having made several suggestions regarding the 2024 Budget process over the last year, the GA turned its attention to what specific budget asks it might bring forward now that consultation on substantive budget issues is underway. Members identified a number of priorities: appropriate funding of the reserve for the acquisition of natural areas; funding the Urban Forest Management Plan; tax incentive, subsidies, land swaps and other positive measures for the preservation of rural woodlands, natural areas and wildlife corridors on private land.
c. Site Alteration Bylaw review
The Site Alteration Bylaw is undergoing a review, three year after its adoption, to evaluate its effectiveness in preventing undesirable site alterations, such as soil stripping, vegetation cover removal and wetlands draining and filling. A notice was received from staff with some preliminary findings. A full staff report will appear ahead of the Committee meeting where this issue will be considered.
Action: Paul to circulate the staff notice to members.
d. Zoning Bylaw review Open House, October 5
An Open House on the current status of the Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw Review was held on October 5. It laid out the broad parameters of the review and preliminary staff directions as well as the review calendar through to 2025.
Action: Paul to circulate the slide presentation.
- Threats and opportunities
a. Rural greenspace
Nothing to report
b. Major urban greenspace
i. Development proposal for 1081 Carling Avenue
Sadly, the application for two high rise towers at 1081 Carling was approved by Ottawa City Council. The only positive thing to come out of it is the staff direction by Councillor Brockington to strike a working group between the City, AAFC and the NCC to develop a protocol for building heights around the Farm for future applications. We need to keep an eye on this work to ensure it protects the Farm.
ii. Members discussed the current status of the possible designation of major local greenspace, such as the Greenbelt and Gatineau Park, as an Urban National Park. While there is no public information on the matter, there seems to be some action happening in the background.
iii. Proposed new Enbridge Pumping Station in Rockcliffe Park
Iola reported that a previously announced plan to build a new natural gas facility near the Mile Circle section of Rockcliffe Park greenspace has been changed as a result of public input and consultation. The facility will be located instead on a parcel currently used by the NCC for parking and storage. This is quite a win for the local community and for Ottawa greenspace overall.
c. Other greenspace
The Chair of the GA and the Executive Directors of Ecology Ottawa and CAFEs were invited by the Taggart Group to a meeting on the Tewin development. Although intended as an information session, it turned into quite a frank two-way discussion on the positions taken by the various parties and expectations on the way forward. For our purposes, the commitment to establish a 600-hectare conservation land trust was confirmed. This is a commitment we would want to see through. There is an opportunity for further engagement on this matter.
Action: Paul to circulate meeting notes.
The Meeting adjourned at 8:43.