Document 1
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Official Plan Amendment
X Modifications du Plan directeur
To the Official Plan of the City of Ottawa
(5-Year
Comprehensive Official Plan Review)
Land use
Utilisation du sol
INDEX
THE STATEMENT OF COMPONENTS
PART A – THE PREAMBLE
Purpose
Location
Basis
PART B – THE AMENDMENT
Introduction
Details of the Amendment
Implementation and Interpretation
PART A – THE PREAMBLE
Purpose
The purpose of this Amendment is to make changes to the various parts of the Official Plan based on a comprehensive 5-year review as required by the Planning Act.
Location
The Amendment applies citywide.
Basis
The Planning Act requires municipalities to undertake a comprehensive review of their Official Plan. In particular, since 2003 when the City of Ottawa adopted its first official plan, various changes have occurred. In particular, the Planning Act has been amended and the Province has issued a new Provincial Policy Statement (PPS). The Official Plan must be consistent with the PPS.
The comprehensive Official Plan Review was initiated in 2007 starting with White Papers presenting specific issues, followed by Discussion Papers, followed by Preliminary Proposals and then a draft Official Plan Amendment.
PART B – THE AMENDMENT
1. Introduction
A large number of changes are being proposed to the City of Ottawa Official Plan. They are summarized as follows below. Some are new since the previous edition of this list in November, 2008 and are identified as such.
Proposed Changes to Text
In addition to the proposed changes listed below, changes were made throughout the plan to ensure consistency of spelling, but none of these changes was of a substantive nature. (some examples: flood plain instead of floodplain, community design plan instead of Community Design Plan).
1. Section 1.1. The Role of the Official Plan – incorporates the list of provincial interests as required by the PPS.
2. Section 1.6. How the Guiding Principles are Addressed in the Official Plan – enhances the connection to good urban design in A City of Distinct, Liveable Communities.
3. Section 1.7. Interpretation and Implementation of the Official Plan – updates the timeframe of the Official Plan.
4. Section 2.1. The Challenge Ahead – updates the timeframe of the Official Plan and the Growth Projections. Figure 2.2 no longer breaks down the projection to each of the three urban communities outside the Greenbelt. This information is available but should not be interpreted as policy so it has been removed from the Plan.
5. [NEW] Figure 2.2 has been update with respect to household figures along with the footnote that explains institutional population is not in private households.
6. Section 2.1. Managing Growth – the first strategic objective Managing Growth has been modified to recognize that the Official Plan does not ‘direct’ growth to Villages but rather supports growth in villages.
7. Section 2.2. Managing Growth – In response to the Village Working Group, language in the preamble has been changed to incorporate the whole city, with more emphasis on the rural area, especially on villages, than previously was found in this section.
8. Section 2.2.1. Urban Area and Village Boundaries – previously policies related to changing urban and village boundaries were found in separate sections. They have been brought together to emphasize the similar nature of the supporting work required to consider changes to the boundaries. Also the following changes have been proposed:
a. One of the factors in consideration of an urban boundary expansion will be the achievement of the intensification target for the urban area as a whole.
b. A minor change in language is proposed to emphasize that a major criterion in recommending a particular location for urban or village expansion will be the ability to provide infrastructure.
c. Additional words are proposed to emphasize that a community design plan to support expansion in a village or urban area will be supported by a subwatershed plan or environmental management plan.
d. With respect to villages only, it is recommended that the planning time frame be reduced to 10 years so that there will be more control over the rate of growth in the village.
e. With respect to villages, the need to expand a particular village must be assessed within the need for additional village land citywide.
9. Section 2.2.2. Managing Growth Within the Urban Area. – This is the Section of the Plan with the most proposed changes. The preamble has been rewritten to emphasize the philosophy behind the urban growth strategy. The other changes are being proposed in response to the direction of the PPS and its emphasis on setting and achieving intensification targets:
Definition of
intensification:
a. The definition of residential intensification has been quoted from the PPS and is the definition that will be used from this point forward. [NEW]. The definition has been altered somewhat to recognize that it can apply to a property, building or area.
b. A definition has been introduced for employment intensification recognizing that this is an area where there is a great deal of potential for intensification.
Target Areas for Intensification
c. The target areas for intensification are not new but emphasis is placed on the link between target areas and the rapid transit network.
Setting Intensification and Density Targets
d. An intensification target has been introduced. It is defined as the proportion of new urban dwelling units that are provided through intensification (rather than development in greenfields).
e. Minimum density targets are set for some key areas in Figure 2.4, expressed as people and jobs per gross hectare. These targets will be implemented through individual development applications and their ability to achieve the target. [NEW] Provided a target for Riverside South Community Core.
f. Minimum residential targets will be prepared outside of the Plan (in the Residential Lands Strategy).
g. All targets will be monitored and reported on annually.
Implementation of Intensification and Density Targets
h. Existing zoning by-laws, community design plans, secondary plans will be reviewed to ensure that the targets can be met and development applications will be reviewed in light of the targets.
i. The City will commit itself to supporting intensification in target areas through a commitment to good design in the public realm, setting priorities for municipal works, implementing a capacity management strategy and other efforts.
j. As a priority, the City will lead discussions to look at all the technical, regulatory and design matters that will allow the intensification strategy to be successful.
Intensification Outside of Target Areas
k. Most of this section is not new. However, the target densities for greenfields have been increased primarily through an increase in proposed densities for single-detached lots. Previously single-detached were not referred to separately.
Employment
Two changes are proposed here.
l. The first proposal is to direct major office development to the Central Area or to the other target areas for intensification.
m. The second change is to implement the requirement of the PPS regarding the requirement for a ‘comprehensive review’ to substantiate any proposed redesignations of employment lands for other purposes.
10. Section 2.3.1. Transportation
a. Changes are being proposed to reflect the new planning period and to update current and projected transit modal splits. [NEW] The transit modal splits have been further updated.
b. Also, changes have been introduced to reflect the adoption of a new Ottawa Cycling Plan since the last Official Plan.
c. The policies emphasize the need to implement corridor or street design guidelines.
d. A new policy has been introduced to limit the accesses to the rural portion of Ottawa Road 174.
e. Enhancements have been made to the policy identifying the land that the City might purchase related to railway rights-of-ways in recognition of the move towards light rail.
f. The Planning Act now permits municipalities to secure lands for pedestrian pathways and bicycle pathways through the subdivision approval process and these has been included in the proposed policies.
g. The policy allowing the city to control minimum and maximum parking requirements has been extended to all rapid transit stations.
11. Section 2.3.2. Water and Wastewater Services.
a. [NEW] Preamble modified to list all villages with servicing.
b. Incorporates a new policy to reflect the Capacity Management Strategy in areas of intensification and deletes more general policies related to the same issue;
c. Enhances the language to indicate a commitment to look at innovative technologies when reviewing a range of servicing options in the rural area.
d. Updates the policy on partial services to reflect the PPS
12. Section 2.3.3. Drainage and Stormwater Management Services – Proposed changes to the preamble and policies are to recognize the importance of the infrastructure side of stormwater management. Other sections of the Plan deal with the environmental aspects of stormwater management within the context of watershed and subwatershed planning.
13. Section 2.4.1. Air Quality and Climate Change – the existing preamble has been deleted and replaced with a clearer statement of what the City will do to mitigate Climate Change and reduced air quality. The PPS requires planning authorities to support improved air quality and emphasis is placed on the pattern of land use and the use of public transit. This section of the Official Plan and the PPS underline the contribution of growth management to the overall achievement of objectives.
14. Section 2.4.2. Natural Features and Functions – These policies have been revised to be consistent with the PPS.
a. New policy 2 describes the Natural Heritage System (NHS) in Ottawa and is consistent with the PPS.
b. Policies 3, 4 and 5 are simply a reminder of where in the Plan policies protect the NHS.
c. Policy 6 identifies the need for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) within or adjacent to the NHS regardless of the land-use designation.
d. Policy 4 includes the definition of negative impact as stated in the PPS.
15. Section 2.4.3. Watershed and Subwatershed Plans - the language has been updated to reflect the Natural Heritage System.
16. Section 2.4.4. Groundwater Management – The introduction has been amended to clarify that the City is only one of many bodies with a responsibility related to groundwater. The new policy is drawn from the Council approved Groundwater Management Strategy.
17. 2.4.5. Greenspaces – Policies related to the review of development applications have been moved to Section 4 of the Plan where they belong. A new statement has been introduced related to the key role of development adjacent to greenspaces.
18. Section 2.5.1. Urban Design and Compatibility – This section was previously referred to as Compatibility and Community Design. “Urban Design” is the more appropriate term in this context and is defined in the preamble.
a. [NEW] Reference is made to investigating the establishment of design review panels and processes.
b. Principles have been updated to incorporate additional sustainable design criteria.
c. Design Priority Areas have been introduced to describe areas where particular emphasis should be placed on design. These include target areas for intensification as well as village mainstreets. [NEW] The language has been improved in this area.
d. [NEW] Proponents must indicate how they have addressed design objectives and principles.
19. Section 2.5.4. A Strategy for Parks and Leisure Areas – Policies related to individual development applications have been moved to Section 4 of the Plan where they belong.
20. Section 2.5.5. Cultural Heritage Resources –
a. [NEW]Various changes have been made to these policies to update definitions and clarify processes.
b. [NEW] Provision is made for cemeteries to be candidates for cultural heritage significance.
c. In recognition of the Rideau Canal becoming a World Heritage Site, policies have been introduced to ensure that the function and heritage character of the Canal be preserved. These policies commit the City to working with Parks Canada in this regard. Policies inserted in Section 4 relate to the review of development applications along the Canal. [NEW] One policy has been relocated to Section 4.6.
21. Section 2.5.6. Collaborative Community Building and Community Design Plans – Two key changes have been introduced. The first is to recognize that community design plans need to be integrated with any other city initiative for the same area such as Neighbourhood Plans. The second is a clarification that all community design plans must include a Master Servicing Study, a Financial Implementation Plan, an evaluation of the adequacy of community facilities and a sub-watershed plan or environmental management plan. Some minor wording changes have also been made to the framework.
22. Section 3.1. Generally Permitted Uses
a. Mainstreets have been added to the list of where Shelter Accommodation may be permitted.
b. Policies for Renewable and Alternative Energy Systems and Installations have been introduced as required by the PPS. They are generally permitted in all designations.
23. Section 3.2. Natural Environment – Some words have been introduced to simply explain what makes up the natural environment for the purposes of this Plan.
24. Section 3.2.1. Significant Wetlands – Previously this was ‘Significant Wetlands South and East of the Canadian Shield’ but consistent with the PPS, this distinction no longer exists in Ottawa. The policies themselves have not changed except for a reference to the potential requirement for a permit from the Conservation Authorities. The actual mapping of significant wetlands has changed and readers are directed to Document 5 for a more detailed discussion of Significant Wetlands.
25. Section 3.2.2. Natural Environment Areas – This section has been updated to more clearly spell out the requirements for an Environmental Impact Statement consistent with the PPS.
a. No lot creation is permitted in a Natural Environment Area.
b. On a lot of record one can have a single-detached dwelling.
c. An Environmental Impact Statement will support a proposal for a severance within 30 metres or a subdivision within 120 metres.
d. The Environmental Impact Statement will show “no negative impacts”.
26. Section 3.2.3. Urban Natural Features – The Environmental Impact required adjacent to Urban Natural Features will be required to show no “significant” negative impacts in recognition that within the urban area, it would be impossible to show no negative impacts. These features do not meet the Provincial definition of “significant” but are part of the Natural Heritage System in the City.
27. Section 3.2.4. Significant Natural Features – The EIS requirements have been clarified.
28. Section 3.2.5. Flewellyn Wetland – new policies have been added to create The Flewellyn Special Policy Area on Schedule A to allow for correction of drainage problems and protection of provincially significant wetlands in the area.
29. Section 3.5. Greenbelt – A small change is being made because a policy was mistakenly placed in the wrong sub-section. It belongs in Greenbelt Rural and was moved.
30. Section 3.6.1 General Urban Area – The policy related to the Barrhaven South Community Design Plan was corrected to recognise matters that were addressed by the Community Design Plan.
31. Section 3.6.2. Mixed Use Centres – A cross-reference has been introduced to the density targets in Section 2.2.2. [NEW] Policies on maximum parking limits have been clarified.
32. Section 3.6.3. Mainstreets – The policies related to building heights have been revised. The intention is to support up to six storeys on Traditional Mainstreets and up to nine storeys on Arterial Mainstreets. Previously policies existed as to where exceptions to these heights could be considered. Now the exception policies have been articulated in Section 4.11 and also refer to tall buildings in other designations.
33. Section 3.6.4. Developing Community – Two changes are proposed. The first is a statement of the minimum density to be increased from 29 units per net hectare to 32 units per net hectare. The second is a policy to place emphasis on the need for the identification of a natural heritage system and policies to ensure it is protected.
34. Section 3.6.5. Employment Area and Enterprise Area – A number of clarifications are proposed:
a. An enhancement of the description of Employment Areas in the preamble to recognize the range of functions.
b. Assurance that the minimum employment target in every Area is 2,000 jobs.
c. Some enhancements to the Enterprise Area Designation to clarify that they were conceived to provide for much higher densities and to allow for the mix of uses provided the minimum employment target is met.
35. [NEW] Section 3.6.6, Central Area – has been changed to identify King Edward Ave as a distinctive street in the Central Area.
36. Section 3.7.1. Villages – Some changes to Village policies are enumerated in Section 2.2 and 2.2.1 related mainly to boundaries. In Section 3, the policies relate to uses within a village. Proposed changes include the introduction of sub-headings and cross-references to more general requirements that apply in the Urban Area and in Villages (e.g. affordable housing). The actual policy changes are as follows:
a. Community Design Plans will be required if public services, village expansion or the development of more than 50 hectares is proposed for a village.
b. In all other villages, every five years a review will be undertaken to identify the need for any updates.
37. Section 3.7.2. General Rural Area – Some clarifications have been introduced along with sub-headings to make the section more readable. Three key policy changes are proposed:
a. The introduction of a “Conservation Subdivision” to promote the preservation of the rural landscape while permitting development.
b. The need for an Environmental Impact Statement if a proposed development is within a prescribed distance of a component of the Natural Heritage System.
c. Clarification that a severance within an existing plan of subdivision need only meet the lot size requirements of plans of subdivision.
38. Section 3.7.3. Agricultural Resources – Many changes were made to this Section of the Plan in a Housekeeping Amendment in 2007 in order to bring it into conformity with the PPS. Two additional changes are required to complete this consistency exercise:
a. The policies for Secondary Uses have been updated with the language of the PPS.
b. All references to severances, except those for a surplus dwelling, boundary adjustment or new farm holding, have been deleted consistent with the PPS.
Changes have also been made to the Minimum Distance Separation (MDS) policies to permit the City to consider a variance to the MDS II for expanding livestock operations consistent with the Ministry of Natural Resource guidelines.
39. Section 3.7.4 Mineral Resources – Confusion has always existed around the means to show that a resource is depleted or not suitable for extraction and therefore other uses should be permitted. The proposed changes to this Section are intended to clarify how this is done.
40. Section 3.8 Solid Waste Disposal Sites – The Policies for operating and non-operating solid waste disposal sites have been combined for ease of use.
41. Section 3.10 Airports (see also Document 6)
a. The preamble has been updated to emphasize the important role of the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport in Ottawa and to recognize that it has a Master Plan for all of its leased lands. Schedule B has been revised to show the limits of the Airport Lands and a commitment to complete studies for the lands outside of the actual Airport designation. The Airport designation is permitted the uses within an Employment Area designation along with many aviation-related uses.
b. The Carp Airport preamble and policies recognize the completion and approval of an aerospace business park and an accessory residential fly-in community for the Carp Airport.
42. Section 4.3 Walking, Cycling, Transit, Roads and Parking Lots – The reference to a Transportation Impact Assessment Report has been clarified in terms of the three different reports it could be.
43. Section 4.4.1 Servicing in Public Service Area – Have made some specific means to mitigate flows from development on urban lands inside the Greenbelt.
44. Section 4.4.2 Private Water and Wastewater Servicing – clarifies that any development in the rural area on private services may need to provide supporting information. Further:
a. The servicing study must conform to City guidelines
b. A Monitoring well will be required as a condition for new subdivisions
45. Section 4.5 Housing – Section 99.1 of the Municipal Act states that a municipality cannot prohibit or regulate the conversion of a residential rental property that contains less than six dwelling units.
46. [NEW] Section 4.6 and 4.6.1 Cultural Heritage Resources have been updated to better reflect and clarify processes.
47. Section 4.6.3 River and Canal Corridors – Have added reference to the Rideau Canal and a statement that the City may require site plan approval for all non-agricultural buildings along the Canal to protect its World Heritage qualities.
48. Section4.6.5 Multi-Use Pathways – Has been updated to use the term multi-use pathways instead of Major Recreational Pathways. Policies have been enhanced to place more emphasis on the role of multi-use pathways, the fact that the Planning Act now permits these to be required through subdivision approval and the recognition that these should be part of the development charge by-law.
49. Section 4.7.1 Integrated Environmental Review to Assess Development Applications – Requires proponents of subdivisions and major developments to include a sustainable environmental design checklist to indicate how the sustainable design criteria in Section 2 have been met.
50. Section 4.7.3 Erosion Prevention and Protection of Surface Water – Some updates have been introduced to clarify requirements that already exist:
a. Reference is made to the Slope Stability Guidelines and the Slope Stability Study to be used in addressing the issue;
b. Reference is made to the requirement for approval of the Conservation Authority for certain projects near a lake, river, stream or wetland;
c. Clarification that development and site alteration is not permitted in fish habitat except in accordance with federal and provincial requirements;
d. Statement that there must be clear access to a working space adjacent to drains.
51. Section 4.7.6 Stormwater Management – A cross reference is made to the Infrastructure Master Plan regarding on-site stormwater management and a policy allowing the City to have proponents in areas of intensification, contribute to the rehabilitation of the sewer system.
52. Section 4.7.8 Environmental Impact Statement – A restatement of where an EIS is required has been consolidated in this section.
53. Section 4.8.1 Floodplains – The policies have been entirely replaced to be consistent with the PPS. In summary, they provide for the following:
a. In simplified terms development is prohibited in the floodplain except for minor additions;
b. However, the Conservation Authority has identified four areas where a “flood fringe” is identified within the floodplain. In flood fringe areas more development is permitted, excluding lot creation.
54. Section 4.8.2 Wellhead Protection – Policies have been modified to reflect that the wellhead protection Areas at City-owned well sites have been completed.
55. Section 4.8.3 – Unstable Soils or Bedrock – Policies have been updated to be consistent with the PPS regarding the prohibition of hospitals, schools, emergency services etc in areas of unstable soils or bedrock. [NEW] A redundant policy was removed.
56. Section 4.8.5 Former Landfill Sites – Policies have been integrated with Contaminated Sites
57. Section 4.8.7 Land-Use Constraints Due to Airport and Aircraft Operations – The first change is to expand the focus from noise to: aircraft noise, airport zoning regulations (which often relate to height) and wildlife management (which often relates to land-use attractive to wildlife). The preamble has been changed to clarify these three interests. Aircraft noise policies at the Macdonald-Cartier International Airport have been slightly changed for clarification.
58. New Section 4.8.10, Land Use Constraints Due to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields. – The Communications Research Centre (CRC), located within the Greenbelt at 3701 Carling Avenue, is the Canadian government's leading centre of expertise in satellite communications. The CRC site contains a large satellite antenna field that emits radio frequency electromagnetic fields. Exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields represents a possible hazard to human health. Radiation Protection Bureau of Health Canada has produced Safety Code 6 – “Limits of Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields in the Frequency Range from 3kHz to 300 GHz” to specify maximum levels and durations of exposure to radio frequency fields of frequencies between 3 kHz and 300 GHz to prevent human health effects. The intent of the Plan is to limit the height of buildings within the area affected by the Safety Code 6 to avoid the possibility of impacts of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields originating from the CRC antenna and to prevent new structures from blocking or adding possible sources of radiofrequency interference at the CRC site.
59. Section 4.9 Energy Conservation Through Design – Some minor wording changes to clarify wording.
60. Section 4.10 Parks and Greenspace Requirements – Formerly this section was only related to Greenspace. Now all of the development oriented policies formerly in Section 2 related to parks and greenspace have been moved to Section 4 where they belong. New proposed policies relate to design adjacent to major greenspaces in the city and waterways. Polices related to Parkland dedication will be added to this section by a separate official plan amendment.
61. Section 4.11 Demonstrating Urban Design and Compatibility – a number of new policies are being proposed:
a. More emphasis on the need for good design or the proposal will be rejected;
b. Definitions of building profiles
c. Where high-rise buildings will be considered
d. How taller buildings must be integrated with the community. [NEW] Some clarification in language.
62. Section 5.2 Implementation Mechanisms by Authority under the Planning Act – Changes have been made under the heading “Site Plan Control Area’:
a. In recognition that the Planning Act now permits municipalities to regulate the exterior design of buildings, an enabling policy is being proposed. The actual details will be spelled out in the Site Plan Control By-law but must be in the Official Plan to allow that to happen.
b. Provision is made for the Site Plan Control By-law to regulate development along the World Heritage Site – the Rideau Canal.
63. Section 5.2 Implementation Mechanisms by Authority under the Planning Act – A couple of additions have been made to the list of amenities, which might result in increased height or density being permitted. These are environmental matters at the request of the Environmental Advisory Committee. This list was never meant to be all inclusive.
64. Section 5.3 Other Implementation Policies – A policy from section 3 was moved here related to boundary adjustments.
65. Section 5.4 Interpretation – This section is proposed to be amended to permit technical revisions to the Official Plan without going through an Official Plan Amendment. This section defines technical revisions. [NEW] Also, it is clarified that references to Acts are intended to refer to the most recent version.
66. Section 5.6 Summary of Studies – When the 2003 Official Plan was approved, a number of commitments were made to do strategic level studies to enhance the Official Plan. These have mostly been completed and the list is no longer necessary.
Proposed Changes to Schedules
These schedules amend Schedules A and K.
These islands were not identified in the mapping of the 2003 City of Ottawa Official Plan. This oversight was identified when the comprehensive zoning by-law was being prepared.
- Schedule R1 identifies the islands and assigns a Rural Natural Feature designation (Change to Schedule A). The islands were identified as part of the NESS evaluations undertaken by the former Regional Municipality.
- Schedule R2 identifies the parts of the islands that are impacted by the Ottawa River Flood Plain (Change to Schedule K).
The designation and the identified flood plain are consistent with the designations in the former Township of West Carleton Official Plan.
1.
Schedule R9 Carp Ridge-The current NEA boundary covers part of an existing
subdivision near March Rd which was registered in 1975. The remainder of the subdivision is
designated General Rural Area and located in Lot 16, Concession 1 in the former
township of Huntley, just east of Carp Village. The Comprehensive zoning by-law
zoned the subdivisions and brought to light the error in the NEA boundary. The
area covering the existing subdivision is to be re-designated from NEA to
General Rural Area.
2.
Schedule R10 Carp Ridge-
This parcel of land is
currently designated Rural Natural Features Area and located on lot 8,
Concession 11 of the former township of Fitzroy. The EP3 zoning has expanded east of the Hydro line to the
concession line and consequently, beyond the current NEA boundary. This expanded area is city owned and is to
be re-designated from Rural Natural Features Area to NEA.
3.
Schedule R 11 Brassil’s Creek/Steven’s
Creek-This situation is similar to 2 above. The City-owned
properties are designated Rural Natural Features Area and lay adjacent to an
existing Natural Environment Area and Significant Wetlands that form the
Marlborough Forest. More specifically,
one of parcels is situated on lots 29 and west half of lot 28, Concession 2. The other parcel is the southern part of lot
24 and 25, the southern half of lot 22 and the southwest quarter of lot 21,
Concession 2. These parcels should be
re-designated from Rural Natural Features Area to Natural Environment Area.
Schedule R23 - R32 Showing changes resulting from the 2008 MNR
Wetland Boundary Adjustments
- Schedule I - Major Recreational Pathways and Scenic-Entry Routes (Urban) is replaced with a new Schedule I - Multi-use Pathways and Scenic Entry Routes (Urban)
- Schedule J -Major Recreational Pathways and Scenic-Entry Routes (Rural) is replaced with a new Schedule J - Cycling, Multi-use Pathways and Scenic Entry Routes (Rural)-
2. Details
The attached document identifies the proposed changes as additions to policies or new policy areas [shaded] or proposed deletions of policies [strike-out]. For ease of reference, each policy has a unique number. Once Council adopts an Official Plan Amendment, the numbers will be updated to reflect the way they will appear in the adopted Official Plan.