GREENSPACE ALLIANCE OF CANADA’S CAPITAL
Greenspace Watch
Monthly General Meeting
MINUTES
December 18, 2023
Online meeting
Members present: Paul Johanis (chair), Nicole DesRoches, J.P. Unger, Erwin Dreessen, Arto Keklikian, Iola Price
- Adoption of the agenda
The proposed agenda was agreed upon. Moved by Arto, seconded by Iola.
- Administrative items
a. Minutes of November 20, 2023 meeting (for approval)
Moved by Erwin, seconded by Nicole. Carried.
b. Treasurer’s report
Paul reported on the ceremony held on December 17 for the dedication of the memorial tree and plaque for Amy Kempster at Champlain Park. It was well attended by friends and family. The In Memoriam section of our website will be updated.
c. Website report
Paul reported that a new volunteer has been recruited via Volunteer Ottawa to take on the role of tech team leader, Hakeem Jimoh. He has a bachelor’s degree in computer science and several years of experience in application development and tech project management.
d. Appointment of a replacement to serve out Daniel Buckles term on the Board of Directors
In accordance with our bylaw, members may at a meeting fill a vacancy on the Board of Directors with a voting member of the organization. Iola Price agreed to serve as director for the balance of this term, which was approved unanimously by the members.
- Policy instruments
a. Tree Protection Bylaw
The Environment and Climate Change Committee approved the changes to this Bylaw recommended by staff. Pending full Council approval, this will extend the protection of trees of 30cm or greater diameter at breast height to the suburban area. Previously, only trees 50cm dbh were protected in the suburbs outside the Greenbelt. The GA supported this change, which support was featured in the media.
b. Site Alteration Bylaw
The Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee considered changes proposed by staff to the Site Alteration Bylaw resulting from a first review of this bylaw, which was introduced in 2018. Staff recommended adding a notification requirement for landowners planning to conduct major tree clearing operations on properties in the periurban area, a 2 km wide strip of land beyond the urban boundary. Staff also recommended extending the coverage of the Natural Heritage protection provisions of the bylaw to the Rural area. Committee did not approve these recommendations and instead introduced a motion to reduce the periurban area to 1 kilometer beyond the urban boundary and to remove the notification requirement. The GA had supported the recommended changes. It is not entirely clear how the approved motion will be applied, as new wording is to be drafted and circulated, go through some unspecified consultation and return to Committee in the new year.
c. City Budget 2024
The City budget was approved by Council on December 6. The GA had formulated a number of proposals, in conjunction with POP partners, regarding the budget process. It had also put forward its own 2024 budget asks regarding greenspace protection. Erwin agreed to report on the extent to which our process proposals were adopted and in so doing assess as well whether our budget asks were addressed.
- Threats and opportunities
a. Rural greenspace
Nothing to report
b. Major urban greenspace
i. The Hunt Club forest has been clear cut by the Airport Authority, despite the efforts of the local community and environmental allies to preserve it. The GA sent a letter to the CEO of the Airport Authority and of the NCC decrying this loss of greenspace and calling on the NCC to proactively plan for the transition of similar unmaintained plantations throughout the Greenbelt to mixed woodlands as they reach end of life stage.
ii. Baseline and Fisher apartment tower project
A development project for three apartment towers across Baseline Road from the Central Experimental Farm is nearing approval stage. These proposed buildings would also cast long shadows on research fields. It was considered by Planning and Housing Committee but only one tower was approved, the one furthest from Baseline, which is set back far enough to avoid casting shadows. The file is supposed to return to PHC in February 2024 for a final determination. This was foreseen when the 1081 Carling proposal was approved and a working group involving the City, the Farm and the NCC was supposed to be struck to develop a protocol for building heights around the perimeter of the Farm. Members agreed that a follow up is required to determine the status of this working group. It was suggested that the outcome should be an Official Plan Amendment that codifies the protocol so that this shading issue is not revisited from scratch every time a development application is made around the Farm. It was also suggested that similar protocols should be investigated for greenspaces where shading from new construction could prove harmful. Natural Heritage features and other locations around the Greenbelt and adjacent to the urban boundary were identified as possible assets that could be so protected.
iii. Conservancy development in Jock River floodplain
This development project in Barrhaven was the subject of much concern when it was being considered in 2020-2021. The GA made several submissions and delegations to Planning Committee highlighting the unusual process by which a major site alteration, a massive cut and fill that completely changed the floodplain of the Jock River over a wide area, was maneuvered past Committee, Council and the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority. The file is back in the news as the Auditor General of the City of Ottawa has now tabled its report on the subject. There was a finding that there were several irregularities in how this file was processed which resulted in Council’s position on the proposal being completely bypassed. The RVCA decision to allow this massive cut and fill and its role in the process is also in question, but it is beyond the scope of the Auditor General’s purview. Given the opportunity, the current Council shamefully voted to turn the page on the whole sordid matter. The Auditor General of Ontario may yet re-examine what transpired. Otherwise, legal action brought by residents for damage to their properties resulting from the alteration of the flood plain might be the only way to hold those responsible to account. It was proposed that the GA send a letter to the Auditor General of Ontario to request that an audit be conducted, adding our voice to others who may have already made such a request.
Action: Paul to draft a letter to the AGO. Erwin and JP agreed to review.
c. Other greenspace
i. Tree removal, 290 Holmwood
A resident has contacted the GA to report an infill development in the Glebe that would cause the removal of several mature trees. As a development application is already in process, tree protection would be exercised through the development review. The GA confirmed that the relevant City staff were aware of the situation. The case was to be considered by Committee of Adjustment on December 13.
The Meeting adjourned at 9:11.